Make Your Own 72 Hour Emergency Kit Bag
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Are you prepared to leave your home suddenly if there is an emergency that requires you to evacuate for at least 72 hours? Being prepared for an emergency can give you peace of mind. This article is to help you if you have to evacuate your home and just need a basic, budget-friendly emergency “Grab’n’Go” or “Bug Out” bag. It is NOT about creating a wilderness survival kit although some of the suggestions may be useful in that situation too.
What possible emergency scenarios do you need to consider?
Where you live will dictate what you need. Are you in an urban or rural area? Is your area prone to extreme weather – storms, tornadoes, bush fires, flooding, extreme cold or heat? Think about what realistically might happen where you are. There may be other situations like a gas leak, a dangerous crime in progress or your house may catch on fire. You may have ten minutes to grab what you need or, in the last case, you may have none and just need to get the heck out. Where are you going to shelter and how are you going to get there? A friend’s, a community shelter, a campground or somewhere else? Are you going to drive, bike or walk? What do you really need to survive and be as comfortable as possible for 72 hours?
Where to keep your emergency kit...
A fire can be a devastating experience and you may not have time to save anything, or even grab your emergency supplies. It may be a good idea to keep your basic emergency kit outside your home in a garage or shed, or at least in a closet by your exit. if you have a car that you plan on leaving in, you might just want to keep it in there.
Who needs an emergency kit?
You may want to have more than one, for each member of your family, or just a general one. Will everyone be able to carry their own bag or will you need to carry everything yourself? What you need will vary from family to family and individual to individual. Some may need baby items, feminine supplies or specific medications. Don’t forget to pack one for your pets too.
10 Basic Survival Needs for 72 Hour Emergency Kit...
The main needs for survival and comfort for 72 hours are:
- Water and food
- Shelter
- Fire – for warmth, cooking, drying wet clothing
- Clothing
- Hygiene
- First aid, medication, sun protection
- Navigation
- Illumination
- Repair tools
- Entertainment (You know this is a necessity if you have kids.)
Getting started...
I recommend using as much as possible that you already own to start with and then gradually add-to or upgrade as you can afford. You might already have a knapsack or other type of bag that you want to use as your “Bug out” emergency bag. If you may have to do a lot of walking, you will want make sure your knapsack fits you and gives you the proper support, with hip straps and extra front closures. Bags with wheels may be an option for some, but aren’t as easy to use in some areas where the terrain may be rough or there are a lot of stairs.
Shoes & clothing for emergency bag...
The important thing to consider when choosing your change of clothing is to think about layers. Unless you are going to change your items seasonally, you should have clothing suitable to all weather conditions. Keeping warm and dry is crucial in colder weather as is being cool enough in hot weather.
I selected a change of clothing from items I don’t wear regularly but are comfortable for my current size. A change of clothing for everyone might include:
- long pants
- shorts
- short- sleeve top
- long-sleeve top
- jacket with hood
- 3 pairs underwear
- 3 pairs socks
- baseball or sun hat
- winter hat and gloves or mitts
- leather or work gloves
- bandana
- comfortable walking shoes
- flip flops (for public showers)
Pantyhose can be used for an extra layer of warmth and are very lightweight.
Basic Checklist for Evacuating...
- Water (9 gallons per person)
- Food non perishable for all members of family (including pets) and special needs
- Flash light & extra batteries
- Emergency radio – solar crank operated and/or batteries
- Mobile phone and extra charger
- Change of clothing and footwear – comfortable, suitable to weather and able to layer.
- Personal hygiene items, hand sanitizer, wipes and toilet paper
- Lighters, matches – regular and waterproof, fire starter and candles.
- Emergency blanket
- Emergency poncho
- Mini-first aid kit
- Garbage bags
- Compass, whistle
- Multi tool and/or camping knife
- Extra house and car keys
- Pet supplies
- Activities for children
Key considerations for 72 hour emergency bag...
When putting your bag together you may want to try and keep things as lightweight as possible. Choosing multi-use items can go a long way in saving space and weight. Think outside the box and consider different uses for items – paper packaging from new items can be used as fire-starter, feminine products can be used in first aid for deep cuts, garbage bags can be used as ground cover or to make shelter.
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