72 Hour Kit for Emergency Preparedness

[DrewKaree]

 This is a list of items to store in a 72 hour kit so a family can be prepared in case of an emergency.

Directions: Print this list and check off each item that has been put into your 72 hour kit.

Food and Water
(A three day supply of food and water, per person, when no refrigeration or cooking is available)

• Protein/Granola Bars
• Trail Mix/Dried Fruit
• Crackers/Cereals
• Canned Tuna, Beans, Turkey, Beef, Vienna Sausages, etc ("pop-top" cans that open without a can-opener are ideal)
• Canned Juice
• Candy/Gum
• Water (1 Gallon/4 Liters Per Person)

Bedding and Clothing

• Change of Clothing (short and long sleeved shirts, pants, jackets, socks, etc.)
• Undergarments
• Rain Coat/Poncho
• Blankets and Emergency Heat Blanks (that keep in warmth)
• Cloth Sheet
• Plastic Sheet

Fuel and Light

• Shaker flashlight (requires no batteries to run)
• Flares
• Candles
• Lighter
• Water-Proof Matches

Equipment

• Can Opener (the "turn the handle" kind)
• Dishes/Utensils
• Shovel
• Crank Radio (requires no batteries, just turn the crank for power)
• Pen and Paper
• Axe
• Pocket Knife
• Rope

Personal Supplies and Medication

• First Aid Supplies
• Toiletries (roll of toilet paper- remove the center tube to easily flatten into a zip-lock bag, feminine hygiene, folding brush, etc.)
• Cleaning Supplies (mini hand sanitizer, soap, shampoo, dish soap, etc.)
• Immunizations Up-to Date
• Medication (Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, children's medication etc.)
• Prescription Medication (for 3 days)

Personal Documents and Money
(Place these items in a water-proof container!)

• Scriptures
• Genealogy Records
• Patriarchal Blessing
• Legal Documents (Birth/Marriage Certificates, Wills, Passports, Contracts, etc)
• Vaccination Papers
• Insurance Policies
• Cash
• Credit Card
• Pre-Paid Phone Cards

Miscellaneous

• Bag(s) to put 72 Hour Kit items in (such as duffel bags or back packs, which work great) Make sure you can lift/carry it!
• Infant Needs (if applicable)

Notes:

• 1)   Update your 72 Hour Kit every six months (put a note in your calendar/planner) to make sure that: all food, water, and medication is fresh and has not expired; clothing fits; personal documents and credit cards are up to date; and batteries are charged.
• 2)   Small toys/games are important too as they will provide some comfort and entertainment during a stressful time.
• 3)   Older children can be responsible for their own pack of items/clothes too.
• 4)   include any other items in your 72 Hour Kit that you feel are necessary for your family's survival.

[ChadTower]

I can probably go 72 hours without scriptures, thank you very much.

[Havok]

Don't forget the generator and enough fuel to power your arcade machines for those 72 hours!

[DrewKaree]

I can probably go 72 hours without scriptures, thank you very much.

Some folks use them for the purposes of genealogy.  Tear out your first few pages if you don't need the rest of it and your family does this. 

Throw another few books in there to replace it, if you wish

 

[shmokes]

Patriarchal Blessing?

WTF is that doing taking up space in a 72 hour kit?  Scriptures, meh, I can see their use if you they comfort you and keep you going, thinking that if you're righteous enough god will lead rescuers to you.  Not for me, but whatever works for you.  But a patriarchal blessing?  How random is that?

[Stingray]

Patriarchal Blessing?

I don't even know what this is.

-S

[ChadTower]

If things are messed up enough that you need your 72 hour emergency kit, you can pretty much bet your credit card isn't going to help.

[DrewKaree]

If things are messed up enough that you need your 72 hour emergency kit, you can pretty much bet your credit card isn't going to help.

You won't need it because you and your family will have been walking for those 72 hours. 

I forgot to add the disclaimer that this kit is not intended for Chad Tower or any of the family members in his house, nor was every item intended to be put in there for those who don't wish to add it, nor was every item intended to be understood and/or used by whatever race/religion/alien being might read this.

Seemed too wordy to add in there.  When something seems too wordy for ME, it's GOT to be one of those things that isn't necessary. 

[Stingray]

So can somebody tell me what a Patriarchal Blessing is. I don't think I have one to put in my kit.

-S

[shmokes]

Patriarchal Blessing?

I don't even know what this is.

-S

It's essentially a christian tarot card reading.  The patriarch is the resident fortune teller.  Like a psychic hotline they are generally filled with vagueries, "You will be a hardworking and loving father, but you will go through a period of tension with your children that stand as a great trial for you in your life.  Late in life a life changing event will allow you to prove your adaptibility and integrity.....etc. etc."

And nothing is set in stone, conveniently.  Generally speaking these are the things that will come to pass if and only if you follow the path that heavenly father has planned for you and make all the decisions you should make.  And, of course, you need to just keep yourself in tune with the spirit at all times to have any idea what that path is, since the Patriarch isn't so kind as to give you any practical information...

....okay....sorry.  I'll stop.  That's a Patriarchal Blessing in a nutshell.  Didn't mean to go all god-hater on y'all, but you can see why it would be a strange thing to include in a list of essentials in a 72 hour kit.

[Stingray]

Woo, that's out there man.

-S

[Grasshopper]

Isn't a Patriarchal Blessing rather sexist? Wouldn't you also need a matriarchal blessing to add balance to the force or something?

Oh, and Dartful will need his gun of course.

[Stingray]

Is there such a thing as canned bacon? If so I'm chucking everything out of my emergency kit so I can fill it up with that.

-S

[shmokes]

I haven't seen it in about fifteen years, but the answer is yes.  Or at least the answer WAS yes.  At a winter scout camp when I was 11 or 12 or so one of the kids brought a can of bacon.  It was pretty well frozen in the morning so it was a big cylinder of bacon in the pan until the fire split it all apart.  I remember it being REALLY good (though, like I say, I was like 11 years old so take that with a grain of salt). 

I haven't seen it since and have no idea where he got it.

[paigeoliver]

I don't have an emergency kit at all. I am heavy enough to not eat for a month before I started starving to death, but some canned bacon might be a good idea.

[shmokes]

Will bacon and egs do?

[paigeoliver]

You know, Amazon has a price to order the bacon USED!!

[PetitMorte]

Is there such a thing as canned bacon? If so I'm chucking everything out of my emergency kit so I can fill it up with that.

-S

[Jabba]

Army rations would probably have something "like" bacon you could re-hydrate. I remember my bro bringing this stuff home after weekend trips with the Reserves! Cheeze Wiz in a tube (like toothpaste) and peanut butter.....

[Dartful Dodger]

I just got two cases of these: Hooah!

Not for emergency rations, but as a lunch substitute.

These things taste great, I've already gone through two cases.

[Shape D.]

Do you have a 120 hr emergency kit? 

[shmokes]

I just got two cases of these: Hooah!

Not for emergency rations, but as a lunch substitute.

These things taste great, I've already gone through two cases.

How do those compare taste-wise to the Snickers Marathon Bars, specifically the Multigrain Crunch flavor if you've had it?

[Daniel270]

They do have bacon at the stores that's already cooked and ready to eat.  Simple enough to find and not too costly either....

[Dartful Dodger]

How do those compare taste-wise to the Snickers Marathon Bars, specifically the Multigrain Crunch flavor if you've had it?

I haven't tried any of those.

[crashwg]

What about bacon bits?  Those come in cardboard cans sometimes... 

[mr.Curmudgeon]

Condoms? No condoms? 72 hrs w/ no sex?

That, in and of itself, is an emergency.

mrC

[shmokes]

How do those compare taste-wise to the Snickers Marathon Bars, specifically the Multigrain Crunch flavor if you've had it?

I haven't tried any of those.  These taste like candy bars, especially the chocolate.  I need to remind myself not to eat more than one at a time, since that would counter the reason I bought them.

The Apple tastes about the same a power bar.  It's good, but it's not like candy, which is better because I'm not as tempted to eat more than one.

Well, next time you're in WalMart (in the pharmacy by all the powerbars and stuff) pick up a Snickers Marathon bar.  Multigrain Crunch is the best and it is WAY WAY WAY better than any powerbar.  I used to go through at least one per day, but I've eaten too many now and they don't appeal much anymore.  So I'm always looking for something to replace them.

[NoOne=NBA=]

My "emergency" plan is to grab my fishing/hunting gear, and head for the hills.
I can wait out just about anything there--for months, if need be.

Of course I don't live in an area that finds it necessary to designate SEASONS for their natural disasters.
When bad things happen often enough to warrant a season, I'm all for beating the rush, and evacuating immediately.
That plan worked to perfection the last time I used it, about 18 years ago.
I loaded my truck at Ft. Rucker, Alabama, and did 80+ the whole way back to the Pacific Northwest.

I was really tired of watching tornadoes go by while standing in the 100 ft. tall air traffic control tower I worked in, having the roof of places I shopped at picked up and dropped back into the store, seeing trailer parks suddenly decide to migrate to the next county, etc...

[ChadTower]

I don't have an emergency kit at all. I am heavy enough to not eat for a month before I started starving to death, but some canned bacon might be a good idea.

Try surviving a week without water.

[Stingray]

Is there such a thing as canned bacon? If so I'm chucking everything out of my emergency kit so I can fill it up with that.

-S

Well that's all I needed to know. **dumps contents of emergency kit into dumpster**

-S

[ChadTower]

Dude, you trust a Product of Hungary?

Though, if anyone Is Hungary enough to produce canned bacon, it's them.

Nyuk.

[Stingray]

Chad get's this week's bad pun award.

Nice one.

-S

[clanggedin]

This list of items for a 72 hour kit was compliled by a Mormon. I'm not sure how many other religions give Patriarchal Blessings. Mormons constantly push having at least a 72 hour kit ready for emergencies. They also promote having at least a year of food storage too.

When you receive your Patriarchal Blessing it is recorded at the same time, and then is transcribed and you get mailed a copy of what was said in the blessing.

That's why it is in the list of items. If you are Mormon then its inclusion is not so random.

BTW... My 72 hour kit has condoms in it too. There is always an emergency when they are needed.

[sirwoogie]

Staying on topic with this thread.... Those of you interested in everything survival based (especially in lieu of recent events), may wish to check out Doug Ritter's site:

 http://www.equipped.org/

It goes into very good detail on being prepared for most contingencies. He has plenty of sample kit guides, reviews, and opinion pieces. Definitely worth the read if your serious about preparing for the worst!

With regards to the Scriptures listed in the kit; that requirement is not uncommon. I agree this was prepared for a specific religion, but most survivalists suggest putting your faith into the kit. Whether that be the Bible, Koran, Book of Morman, etc., most agree it's a good idea.

[ChadTower]

Bookmarked.  I love that stuff.

[USSEnterprise]

Where is "cellphone" on the list?

[ChadTower]

Disaster = no cell towers = cell phone is useless

[markrvp]

Where is "cellphone" on the list?

You should already have that on you.  No need for an extra cell phone plan just to put one in your survival kit.

[USSEnterprise]

Thats what was good about those old satellite phones. They worked anywhere

[M3talhead]

I noticed you didnt include porn on your "list".

What the hell are you supposed to do while waiting for rescue workers???