Emergency 72-Hour Kits

What is the purpose of an emergency 72-hour kit?

Suppose you and your family need to evacuate your home due to an emergency. In that case, you should have an emergency 72-hour (or 96-hour) emergency kit ready.

Why should I consider a 96-hour kit?

Unfortunately, most emergencies will last more than three days. You may also come across other people that need to help if you are willing.

What should be in the 72-Hour emergency kit?

Your 72-hour kits will consist of essential items that you may need for 3-4 days without outside help.

A scenario that can help you understand the need for a 72-hour kit is this:

• Some event has occurred (an earthquake or EMP attack) that requires you to leave your home for whatever the reason, and you will probably have to do so on foot.
• You may have to sleep outdoors or in an emergency shelter.
• Food and water could be scarce.
• Emergency and medical personnel are not available or accessible.

An emergency 72-hour kit should contain enough food, water, and essential supplies to get you through the first 72-hours after an emergency.

In addition to food and water, you should have clothing, blankets, shelter (tent), first aid supplies, toiletries, cash, copies of essential documents, a flashlight, cooking supplies (camping), and medications.

Please click here for a checklist of what should be in your 72-hour kit.

• A 72-hour kit would resemble a weekend backpacking trip in the backcountry, i.e., prepare for the worst but hope for the best.
• Each member of the family should have their own kit and be able to carry it. If able, they should also pack their emergency kit to be familiar with the items and where they are located in the pack.
• Some items can be divided among family members. For example, the strongest family member might carry the tent and cooking supplies since not every pack will need these items.  

NOTE: The process of organizing and packing a 72-hour can be overwhelming. DO NOT let that stop you from getting started. Our printable PDF breaks the process into sections. You can do this!

Here is a quick breakdown of what you might want to include in your pack. 

WATER/FILTRATION

ITEMS TO CONSIDER FOR EMERGENCY 72-HOUR KIT:

You may also want to consider having supplies to boil water and a cotton cloth, cheesecloth, or bandana to filter debris from water before filtering/purifying.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Check out this article on how to filter water.

Check out this article on how to purify water.

FOOD/COOKING SUPPLIES

Pack enough food for three meals for three days for each family member.

You will want to keep your pack as light as possible. Adding a bunch of canned food to your pack is a sure way to make it too heavy. 

MRE’s are a good choice and can be purchased through emergency supply stores such as My Patriot Supply.

Food Items Ideas FOR EMERGENCY 72-HOUR KIT

• Camping Meals
• MRE’s
• Protein and granola bars 
• Trail mix, dried fruit, and nuts
• Beef jerky
• Oatmeal packets
• Ration bars or cubes

Pack your food and snacks in Ziplock bags to keep organized and extend freshness.

MESS KITS

Camping food and MRE’s will most likely require hot water or a heating source. Make sure you have a mess kit that will provide the cooking and utensils.

BEDDING AND SHELTER

If your home is unsafe to reside in, or you need to leave the area, you may be forced to sleep outside. 

Consider what happened after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Many residents took shelter in the Superdome, and others lived in the city streets. With high temperatures, limited supplies, no power, and unprepared government officials, the people quickly realized their predicament.

It is important to learn from past situations and think about what you would have done in that situation. Ask yourself how you would have prepared.

You may be thinking that your pack is now getting bigger and heavier. You are right! Here are some small, lightweight options.

For adult packs you may want to attach tents and sleeping bags to the outside of your backpack.

CLOTHING/WARMTH

Survival clothing that will keep you warm and dry is what you want to focus on. You can probably wear the same pair of jeans for three days, but you will want to change your underwear and socks. Thankfully, these are small, lightweight items that we can afford to include.

You may not have room for three extra sets of clothes, but you will want to have:

• Change of clothing
• Layers: short and long-sleeved shirt
• Packable jacket or coat
• Extra undergarments and socks
• Raincoat or poncho
• Hat and knit cap for warmth and shade 
• Belt
• Bandana (filter, mask, sweat, keeping cool, etc.)

If you are packing for winter/cold weather climates:

• Gloves
• Base layers
• Baklava
• Wool socks
• Rain gear

Make sure you have on good, sturdy hiking or athletic shoes before you leave with your 72-hour kit. If you are leaving in cold winter, have all of your outdoor gear in the same spot for easy access. Put on your snow boots, hat, gloves, etc. before you leave.

PERSONAL SUPPLIES AND TOILETRIES

EQUIPMENT/TOOLS

My Patriot Supply has a great list of items that are perfect for 72-hour kits.

FUEL AND LIGHT/COMMUNICATION AND POWER

You will want to include items that will allow you to start a campfire quickly and provide light.

Multi-use devices can provide light, power, and communication

• Radio (solar/hand crank/batteries. Can use a charging station) 
• Walkie-Talkies
• Ham Radio

• Extra batteries
• Battery holder (do not store batteries in device)
• Pen and Paper 
• Sharpie
• Battery lighting (flashlights, lamps, etc.) 
• Solar lighting (flashlight and lanterns that can be used as charging station)
• Charging cords

• LED headlamp
• Glow sticks
• Flares 
• Candles 

Fire starters

• Waterproof case to hold fire starters
• Waterproof matches
• Lighter 
• Flint
• Magnesium fire starter

WHERE TO PURCHASE?

Click on each item below to purchase these emergency supplies:

You can also find these types of items at military surplus stores.

CLICk TO VIEW – GENERAL ARMY NAVY OUTDOOR STORE

MEDICATION AND FIRST AID SUPPLIES 

A good first aid kit will include:

COPIES OF PERSONAL DOCUMENTS AND MONEY

Placing these items in a water-resistant bag will help protect them.

• Legal documents could include copies of birth and marriage certificates, passports, driver’s licenses, insurance policies, and will/trust. 
• Cash and coins in small denominations
• Credit card 
• Paper map
• Pictures of family (if get separated)
• Emergency phone numbers and contact info

 

WHAT SHOULD I PACK MY 72-HOUR KIT IN?

TYPE OF PACK AND HOW TO ORGANIZE

Make sure you are choosing the right backpack and placing each item in the correct spot. This will help protect your back and avoid injury.

A backpack with straps and a carry handle is an excellent choice for a 72-hour kit. A good, sturdy tactical backpack or hiking backpack is a great option for adults.

Look for a pack with compression straps for sleeping bags, outside attachments for a tent, zippered compartments to keep everything organized, waist and sternum straps, a grab handle, and a hydration compartment.

READ THIS HOW TO PACK YOUR BACKPACK ARTICLE

ALTERNATIVES TO BACKPACKS

Some people may not be able to carry a backpack, or would like the option of carrying and rolling their 72-hour kit. Here are some alternatives:

The wheels should be large and sturdy. You could also consider using a rolling case in addition to a smaller backpack.

Update your 72-hour kit every six months. You want to:

• Make sure that all food, water, and medication are fresh and have not expired
• Clothing fits and is seasonally appropriate
• Personal documents and credit cards are up to date
• Batteries are fresh
• External chargers are charged and still work

Store your emergency kits in a cool and dry place that is easily accessible.

tips/considerations

• Backpack/Bag(s) to put 72-hour kit items in. (Make sure you can lift/carry it!)
  • Consider bags that roll
  • Consider purchasing an external rolling device for backpack
• Infant needs (if applicable) diapers, formula, baby food, wipes etc. 
• Large tarp & duct tape could create a shelter anywhere
• Sleeping bag if possible 
• Scriptures/religious items
• Playing cards

• Keep everything organized with Ziplock and mesh bags
• Bags can be reused for other purposes (wet clothes, leftover food, etc.)
• Mark each bag with a list of enclosed items
• Mark dates on each item/Ziplock bag to help with rotation
• Package items so they make sense
  • Keep toiletries in one bag, etc.
• Put name on each backpack with baggage tag/duct tape
  • Chances are you won’t use these every day. This will help everyone know whose backpack/kit it is.

Special considerations

Elderly

A 72-hour kit for someone who is older or with any special needs should be able to carry their own pack.

If this is not possible, you may want to pack their kit in a small rolling duffel bag that can convert to a cross-body duffel.

Children

If you have small children, their pack should fit what they can carry.

As the parent, you will need to pack all the gear that small children or infants will need.

Formula, cloth diapers and pins, bottles, pacifiers, children’s medication, baby food, etc.

Sling to carry child

Jogging stroller for moving through difficult terrain by foot.

PETS

You should be ready to evacuate your family AND pets at a moments notice. Have a 72-hour kit ready for your animal:

• Pet carrier
• Leash
• Harness (also for cats to keep from running away)
• Muzzle (animals may become frightened in an emergency situation)
• Food
• Water and food bowl (collapsible)
• Poop bags
• Paw booties
• Coat
• Covering/blanket for pet carrier and warmth