72 hour kits - what to put in them?

[Lovellama]

I got some of those "Cup o Noodle" type soups to put in my 72 hour kit but they are rather bulky. I'd like to put them in ziplock bags to take less space, but I'm not sure what I would make them in then. Get some tin cups (a la camping) and use them with some sort of cover while the soup softens? A tin bowl?

[Chubby Cook]

I have the Cup of Noodles and Ramen packages in my general stockpile, but I wouldn't consider them very helpful in a 72-hour pack since both lack of water and lack of power for cooking would be issues for those few days.

[Lovellama]

We'll be carrying water and a buddy burner with us, so we can cook them that way.

[bakedapple42]

Hi all, I have a question:
How do you get all that stuff into one backpack per person? I know that just 2 gallons of water per person would take up a lot of space in a backpack and be extremely heavy to carry with all the other stuff on top of it. What is the minimum amount of water a person can live off of for 3 days? (assuming the emergency food would not have to be rehydrated or boiled).

[Chef on the coast]

bakedapple42 wrote:
Hi all, I have a question:
How do you get all that stuff into one backpack per person? I know that just 2 gallons of water per person would take up a lot of space in a backpack and be extremely heavy to carry with all the other stuff on top of it. What is the minimum amount of water a person can live off of for 3 days? (assuming the emergency food would not have to be rehydrated or boiled).

You have a valid point. I have packs for each of my kids. They certainly can't carry that much water. They do however had about 3 liters each divided between a couple different water bottles. Their packs also contain a pair of jeans, 3 pair socks, 3 underwear, 1 short sleeve shirt and 1 long sleeve shirt. They also contain a poncho, first aid kit, mittens, hand warmers, notebook, pen/pencils/crayons, toothbrush and toothpaste. I haven't added any foodstuff yet as I just redid the packs. A couple contain extra glasses for the boys who wear them. There are very small games in there as well. I had each boy put on his pack to see if he could carry it. The two older ones could with no problem. The two younger could but I am not sure how long they would be able to carry them.
I look at our packing as being able to walk away from our house scenario. If we had the luxury of driving away - we would be able to carry that much water plus all the other important stuff we would want to "save."

[bakedapple42]

I found this on a emergency preparedness webpage:
"A minimum of 1 liter per person per day (for drinking purposes only) is the bare minimum for survival."

[Lovellama]

I'm trying to get my 72 hour kit together, and I'm cruising the internet looking for (fantastic) deals (as I am quite the cheapskate) and I came upon a site that sells 2 oz plastic tubes that are basically the preforms for 2 liter bottles before they get expanded. They look like big test tubes, but they have the water proof cap.

The site was touting them as containers for sewing kits, detergent, first aid kits, match safe, batteries, tea, spice, etc., as they are nearly unbreakable you could put anything into them that needed the protection.

The site I first saw them on was a little expensive (told you I was cheap), so I looked around and found the tubes being sold as test tubes for kid's science projects, and discovered shipping was different on different sites too. I got some as I didn't want to have a bunch of floppy ziplock bags in my kit.

I think they're pretty neat, I'm not sure if I can link directly to where I got them, but if you google plastic test tube, ask for Bob.

[Chef #1513753]

I've been wanting to have an emergency/survival kit of some kind around the house, so this thread is great for providing some ideas so thank you to everyone who has posted so far!! I guess what I'm trying to decide is whether or not to make one myself or buy a pre-made one. I looked for survival tools on the internet and found many types of kits, etc. I'm not trying to prepare for an apocalypse or an e.l.e. of any kind, just something to help if there is ever an earthquake, flood, blackout, etc.

[Chef on the coast]

[quote="Chef #1513753"]I've been wanting to have an emergency/survival kit of some kind around the house, so this thread is great for providing some ideas so thank you to everyone who has posted so far!! I guess what I'm trying to decide is whether or not to make one myself or buy a pre-made one. I looked for survival tools on the internet and found many types of kits, etc. I'm not trying to prepare for an apocalypse or an e.l.e. of any kind, just something to help if there is ever an earthquake, flood, blackout, etc.[/quote]

It's never too late to start preparing for yourself and your family. I prefer making my own kit so it's more personalized.

[MCK]

this is the most complete list I have come across/compiled.
List everyone in the household
Name
Date of Birth
Phone #
Relationship

Pets

Contact Information
Address
City
State
ZIP Code
Primary Phone #
Mobile Phone #
E-mail Address

Alternate location where to meet
Address
City
State
ZIP Code
Primary Phone #

Essentials:
Battery-operated radio
Flashlight
Extra batteries
Water
3 gallons/person, minimum, in a food-grade, plastic container
Additional water for sanitation

Food:
Minimum three-day supply of non-perishable food that requires no refrigeration or preparation and little or no water.
Dry cereal
Peanut butter
Canned fruits
Canned vegetables
Canned juice
Ready-to-eat canned meats
Ready-to-eat soups (not concentrated)
Quick energy snacks, graham crackers

First Aid Kit:
One for your home and one for each car.
Scissors
Thermometer
Tweezers
Needle
Sunscreen
Cleansing agent/soap
Latex gloves (2 pairs)
Tongue blades (2)
Moistened towelettes /wet wipes
Saline
Assorted sizes of safety pins
2" sterile gauze pads (4-6)
4" sterile gauze pads (4-6)
2" sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
3" sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
Triangular bandages (3)
Tube of petroleum jelly, other lubricant, antibiotic ointment
Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes

Non-Prescription Drugs:
Laxative
Anti-diarrhea medication
Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
Antacid (for stomach upset)
Activated Charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)
Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)

Tools and Supplies:
Whistle
Crowbar
Paper, pencil
Medicine dropper
Needles, thread
Signal flare
Assorted nails, wood screws
Plastic storage containers
Cash or traveler's checks, change
Non-electric can opener, utility knife
Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
Tape, duct and plumber's tape or strap iron
Patch kit and can of seal-in-air for tires
Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
Aluminum foil
Plastic sheeting
Compass
Matches in a waterproof container
Pliers, screwdriver, hammer
Heavy cotton or hemp rope
Map of the area (for locating shelters)

Sanitation:
Disinfectant
Soap, liquid detergent
Feminine supplies
Toilet paper, towelettes, paper towels
Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
Household chlorine bleach
Personal hygiene items
Plastic bucket with tight lid

Clothing and Bedding:
Sunglasses
Hat and gloves
Blankets or sleeping bags
One complete change of clothing and footwear per person
Rain gear
Sturdy shoes or work boots
Thermal underwear

For Pets:
Food
Leash, harness or carrier
Records of vaccinations
Non-tippable food and water containers

Important Family Documents:
Important telephone numbers
Record of bank account numbers
Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
Inventory of valuable household goods
Copy of will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
Record of credit card account numbers and companies
Copy of passports, social security cards, immunization records

Family Medical Needs:
Insulin
Prescription drugs
Denture needs
Extra eye glasses
Contact lenses and supplies
Heart and high blood pressure medication
Entertainment: Games and books
Carry the following items in your vehicle:
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
Matches
Compass
Jumper Cables
Properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod-type jack
Bottled water
Local maps
Critical Prescription Medicine
Blanket/sleeping bag
Non-perishable, high-energy foods
Flashlight with extra batteries
Pocket radio
Cell phone charger
Reflective triangles and brightly-colored cloth

Add this additional equipment in winter:
Shovel
Tow and tire chains
Bag of salt or cat litter
Tool kit
Ice scraper and snow brush
Items to keep you warm such as heavy woolen mittens, socks, a cap and blankets.

[Chef on the coast]

MCK -
Thank you for a very complete list! Make sure to put these kits somewhere for easy access. Maybe near a door or garage or in your car.

[pippie2010]

I would also add a tin or baggie filled with lint from the dryer or cotton balls with Petroleum jelly on them to help start fires if needed to cook anything.

[pippie2010]

go to emergency essentials.com on line and order their water packets, they keep for 5 years and it's much easier to carry in a back pack, they are 19.99 for 64 of them, you need to only carry appx 4 of these for each day. I would also order a long burning candle or find one if you can also !! search there they have all kinds of goodies to get for your back pack and shipping is only like 6.00 or 6,99??? they also have toliet lids to fit buckets which is a plus if you have kids !!

[Smilyn]

I know this is an old thread, but I figured I could add to this since I am just starting out on our kits. I am looking a week long kit, so mine is a little different:

Food and Water
Hard Candy
MRE / Freeze Dried
Camelback 100 ounce
Water purifier
Honey 2 oz bottles

Warmth
Poncho
Warmers
Waterproof matches
Sleeping bags

Cooking
Spork
Cook set

Communication
Whistle lightstick combo
Crank radio
Walkie talkies
Headlamp light

Sanitation / First Aid
First Aid Kit
Toothbrushes
Dr. Bonner’s Peppermint Soap
Hand sanitizer
Brush and rubber bands
Body wipes
Bug Spray

Defense
Knives
Guns (of course this won't be kept in the bag during storage)
Gerber tool
Mace
550 cord
Hatchet
Mechanic’s gloves

Misc
Small Sew Kit
Bible
Compass
Survival Manual
Pencil and paper pad
Tick remover

Some of the lists here helped me add some items, so thank you!

[Chef on the coast]

Smilyn wrote:
I know this is an old thread, but I figured I could add to this since I am just starting out on our kits. I am looking a week long kit, so mine is a little different:

Food and Water
Hard Candy
MRE / Freeze Dried
Camelback 100 ounce
Water purifier
Honey 2 oz bottles

Warmth
Poncho
Warmers
Waterproof matches
Sleeping bags

Cooking
Spork
Cook set

Communication
Whistle lightstick combo
Crank radio
Walkie talkies
Headlamp light

Sanitation / First Aid
First Aid Kit
Toothbrushes
Dr. Bonner’s Peppermint Soap
Hand sanitizer
Brush and rubber bands
Body wipes
Bug Spray

Defense
Knives
Guns (of course this won't be kept in the bag during storage)
Gerber tool
Mace
550 cord
Hatchet
Mechanic’s gloves

Misc
Small Sew Kit
Bible
Compass
Survival Manual
Pencil and paper pad
Tick remover

Some of the lists here helped me add some items, so thank you!

Thanks for YOUR list! It gave me some ideas I hadn't thought of before.