Make Your Own 72hr Survival Kit

Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Survival

It is important to be prepared in the event of a disaster. Have a plan; be sure to involve all the members of your household. Each person must be informed ahead of time about what can happen, as well as what to do in case of a natural disaster, a national emergency or
the threat of war.

As part of your preparation, put together a 72 hour survival kit, or a bug-out bag (also called a Get out of Dodge Bag, or disaster preparedness kit). It will help you evacuate quickly, as well as equip you for emergency survival for up to three days.

Creating a Bug-out Bag

Have a bag exclusively for the purpose of sudden evacuation and emergency survival.Choose one that is lightweight and easy to carry but durable, like a duffel bag or a backpack. Below is a list of things you will need to pack.

1. Clothing and personal items:

– At least one full change of climate-appropriate clothes per person, including shirts and underwear
– Jacket (1 per person)
– Long pants (1 per person)
– Blankets
– Toiletries and personal hygiene supplies
– Toilet Paper

2. Food and water:

– At least 3 liters of bottled drinking water per person (a person requires 4-6 liters per day, but 1 liter is the minimum requirement for survival)
– Easy-to-prepare canned or dried food, at least 6,000 calories per person (2,000 calories per day)

3. Tools and equipment:

– Can opener
– Utility knife or pocket knife
– Flashlight or battery-powered lantern
– Battery-powered or crank-operated radio
– Extra batteries
– Lighter or a box of matches, sealed in a waterproof container
– Whistle; this will be useful in calling for help in case you are trapped
– Duct tape
– Rope and / or wire
– Cell phone plus charger and / or extra batteries
– Small sewing kit
– Waterproof material, such as a tent, poncho or tarp; this can be used
for a makeshift shelter, weather protection or water collection.

4. Other important items:

– Money; it will be better to have actual cash and change, since you have no guarantee that you will be able to make bank transactions electronically
– Identification materials, such as driver’s licenses, state I.D. cards or passports
– Copies of important documents, such as personal documents, medical records, deed to your home, birth certificates, insurance policies, doctor’s prescriptions, etc. Place these in a waterproof document case or sealable bag.
– A list of emergency phone numbers and contact information – relatives, doctors, fire department, etc.
– Detailed copies of the evacuation plan
– Maps of the surrounding area/s and other travel information
– Literature and reference materials on what to do during a disaster
– Paper and writing instruments
– Extra house keys or car keys

5. First aid kit

Your first-aid kit must contain the following:
– Adhesive bandages
– Sterile gauze
– First-aid tape
– Elastic bandages
– Scissors
– Tweezers
– Cotton and cotton swabs
– Dust masks
– Instant cold compress
– Rubbing alcohol
– Antiseptic (e.g., Povidone Iodine, Neomycin)
– Burn ointments
– Anti-itch ointment (e.g., Hydrocortisone, Calamine)
– Aspirin
– Pain medication (e.g., Paracetamol, Ibuprofen)
– Anti-allergy medication (e.g., Antihistamine)
– Anti-diarrhea medication
– Oral rehydration salts
– Smelling salts
– Any prescription medicine taken by your family, in the required dosages
– Medical supplies used by family members, such as syringes, etc.
– Literature on first aid, for reference

(Be sure to check the expiration dates on medical supplies and food items, and replace as needed.)

In creating a bug-out bag, include other specific things that you and your family will need. Aside from just the bare necessities, think about special needs.