5 Steps to a Better 72 Hour Kit

We all know we should pack some toilet paper, food, and if we’re really on top of it, a toothbrush in our 72 hour kit, but what if we want to make it even better? I know I like to think I know it all, but Chett with Food Insurance offered to help me out with a list. He hits on the basics of things you need, but then he goes into more depth and discusses things I hadn’t considered before! Take a few moments to read it through, because once you implement his suggestions you’ll never be worried about facing a crisis again.

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Preparing your family and home for disaster with food storage is not everything you’ll need. Another crucial part to being prepared for a rainy day is having an on-the-go bag full of the essentials just in case you need to leave home or you are not at home when crisis strikes. Because putting one together can sometimes be a daunting task, we put together a list of top things to remember when making a 72 hour kit.

1. Enough for 72 Hours.

Remember that the contents of this backpack alone have to be able to support your life for at least 72 hours. Many make the mistake of having a little bit of lots of different kinds of items in the bag, but not enough of one thing to survive on. Make sure you have enough of each of the essentials; food, water, toilet paper, blankets, or anything else you might need for a full 3 days.

2. Medical Supplies.

Be prepared for anything when it comes to this area. You never know what might happen, so you will need more than a basic first aid kit. What will you need to keep you alive if you lose a leg, or get hypothermia? Asking yourself these questions will help you to know what you are prepared for now, and how you can improve.

3. Possibilities for Your Area.

Keep your own personal environment in mind. If you live in Florida, it would be smarter to be prepared for a hurricane than hypothermia. What disasters often happen in climates like yours, or what are you prone to with your living environment? If you don’t know, this is a great time to become more educated on the risks of living where you do. Do you live near a fault line? Is your house more prone to fires than newer homes are? After asking these questions you will know better what to put in your 72 hour kit.

4. Evacuation or Self Defense.

You also need to be prepared for a way out. If you have a rope ladder in your 72 hour kit, you will be more prepared for a house fire. Or, if you have your 72 hour kit in your car, having a hammer will help you to get out if your car is submerged in water or snowed in. This category might also include a method of self-defense if you need a way out of a dangerous situation. These are things that people don’t often think of, so try and put yourself in lots of different situations to see what you will need.

5. Preparing for Long-term Survival.

We’ve already gone over what you’ll need to preserve a life, but what if you are forced to start all over on living your life? After the original crisis is over, if you’re left with nothing, you’ll need enough to go on living. You will need a new source for shelter, warmth, water, clothes, soap, cooking utensils, sleeping gear, etc. We all hope this will never happen, but when you are preparing for anything, you need to be prepared to live life after a disaster. This might be in the form of money, tents, or simple knowledge of shelters near by.

You are well on your way to having the security and peace of mind that comes with being prepared for the future.

What makes your 72 hour kit even better?

AUTHOR BIO: Chett Wright is an emergency preparedness expert, and loves educating others on the how-to’s of food storage and 72 hour kits. Visit Food Insurance for more information on emergency preparedness.

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