72-Hour Emergency Kit Items

This kit should contain essential items to sustain you and your family for at least three days. Here’s a detailed guide on what to include in your 72-hour emergency kit to be prepared for the unexpected.

GEAR & TOOLS

12/13/20246 min read

What to Include in a 72-Hour Emergency Kit

A 72-hour emergency kit is a crucial preparation tool for anyone aiming to ensure their safety and survival in the aftermath of natural disasters, power outages, or other emergencies. This kit should contain essential items to sustain you and your family for at least three days. Here’s a detailed guide on what to include in your 72-hour emergency kit to be prepared for the unexpected.

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The Critical Need for a 72-Hour Emergency Kit: A Scenario of Survival

This is the bare minimum i recommend for clients. There are exceptions if someone essentially claims nomad residency or lives in an RV or camper traveling around. In those instances I typically recommend several caches along common routes at storage units, disguised as garbage inside a safe. Normally this type of lifestyle easily aligns with the privacy goal of never using your real name or address again. Some clients opted to keep the 72 hour kit in their vehicles since they knew they could not sustain their home during SHTF e.g. a highly populated urban area. Generally I would recommend keeping a separate 72 hour kit from your bug-out bag. Also as caution, items can spoil or lose expiration dates faster in vehicles due to heat. Something to think about. The best place for a 72 hour kit is in your home (ready to be loaded into a vehicle if needed), next to your bug-out bag. Another step in disaster planning without losing sleep. Staying hydrated, fed, and warm are the biggest things to think about when minimally prepping. You just never know what can happen.

Disaster has a way of arriving uninvited. It doesn’t wait for you to finish dinner, tuck your kids into bed, or charge your phone. It crashes in like a thief in the night, leaving chaos in its wake. In those first 72 hours, survival hinges on preparation, not luck. A well-assembled emergency kit isn’t just a precaution—it’s the lifeline that can carry you through the storm.

The power outage hit at 8:13 p.m., shrouding the city in darkness. The grid wasn’t supposed to fail; the engineers said it was resilient. But somewhere, a cyberattack had struck, overloading transformers and cascading through systems like wildfire. By 8:30, the skyline had gone black. The hum of civilization faded into an uneasy quiet, punctuated only by the growing buzz of confusion and fear.

Sarah Walker had her kit ready. She always kept it by the front door, a backpack loaded with essentials. Water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, and the radio she’d tested a dozen times were all packed inside. Her neighbors, caught off guard, wandered the hallways of their high-rise, shouting questions into the dark. Cell phones had already begun to fail as the network buckled under the weight of millions trying to call for answers.

By 9:00, reports came in over the emergency radio. The attack wasn’t isolated. Major cities across the country were reporting similar outages. Gas stations were shutting down without power, traffic gridlocked as signals failed, and stores were already being looted. Sarah knew the window for safe evacuation was closing.

Her kit had cash—small denominations, the kind that could still buy supplies when digital transactions were down. She grabbed it, her car keys, and her sturdy boots. The streets below were already devolving into chaos. Without the kit, she’d have been just another face in the crowd, scrambling for basic necessities. With it, she had a chance. She was able to stay private and off the radar during a disaster.

The first night was cold. Emergency responders were overwhelmed, and the blackout stretched across the region. Sarah’s thermal blanket and compact stove from her kit kept her warm and fed as she navigated toward the edge of the city. The air was filled with the smell of burning trash, and distant shouts echoed off the darkened skyscrapers. The flashlight, with its spare batteries, was her constant guide, its beam cutting through the oppressive blackness.

By day two, the water supply in the city had become a critical issue. Pumps relying on electricity had stopped, and residents fought over the dwindling stock at supermarkets. Sarah had her water filter and purification tablets, small tools that turned stagnant rainwater into something drinkable. She watched from a distance as tempers flared in the gas station lot she passed. People were desperate. She moved quickly, the weight of her kit reassuring against her back.

On the third day, government aid finally began to arrive, but it was too late for many. Shelters overflowed with people who had been caught unprepared. Sarah joined a group of travelers she’d met along the way, all of them carrying their own emergency kits. They shared supplies and stories, banding together for security as they moved toward safer ground. While others stumbled forward with nothing, they had a plan, tools, and enough food to keep going. In that brief time, Sarah met doctors and learned medical training for disasters.

Preparedness is more than a mindset; it’s a tangible collection of tools, supplies, and resources designed to address the unpredictable. Water is a top priority, and a proper kit includes enough to sustain you until help arrives or you can secure more. Food, compact and high-calorie, keeps your energy up when every decision matters. A flashlight cuts through the encroaching darkness, while a portable radio provides a crucial connection to emergency broadcasts and updates. Medical supplies handle everything from scrapes to more serious injuries, stabilizing you until professional help is an option. These aren’t luxuries; they’re essentials, the gear that keeps you one step ahead of the storm.

The first 72 hours are unforgiving. Those who prepare, who invest in a reliable emergency kit, are the ones who survive. When the lights go out and the world tilts toward chaos, your kit is your advantage. It’s the difference between fear and action, between waiting and surviving.The 72-hour emergency kit isn’t just a collection of items; it’s the foundation of resilience in a world where stability can vanish in an instant. It buys you time to think, to act, and to survive. Those first hours are a crucible, and preparation is the only way to emerge unbroken.

1. Water and Hydration

Water: Store at least one gallon of emergency water per person per day for drinking and sanitation purposes. This means a three-person household needs nine gallons.
Water purification supplies: Include water purification tablets, a portable water filter, or a small bottle of bleach for purifying additional water if needed.
Collapsible water containers: Compact containers are helpful for collecting and storing water on the go.

2. Non-Perishable Food

Ready-to-eat meals (MREs): Lightweight and calorie-dense options like MREs are ideal.
Canned goods: Items like beans, soups, and fruits. Don’t forget a manual can opener.
Snacks: Include protein bars, trail mix, dried fruit, and other shelf-stable, high-energy snacks.
Utensils: Pack disposable utensils and lightweight camping cookware.

3. First Aid Supplies

Basic first aid and medical trauma kit: Bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, adhesive tape, scissors, tweezers, and gloves.
Medications: Include a 3-day supply of prescription medications and pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Specialty items: Include supplies for any medical conditions, such as insulin, inhalers, or EpiPens.

4. Clothing and Bedding

Clothing: Pack lightweight, layered clothing for different weather conditions, including a raincoat or poncho.
Sturdy shoes: Include a pair of durable shoes or boots for each family member.
Blankets or sleeping bags: Compact, emergency thermal blankets are lightweight and effective.
Extra socks and underwear: To prevent discomfort and infections.

5. Communication and Navigation

Battery-powered or hand-crank radio: Stay updated on emergency broadcasts.
Cell phone and charger: Include a portable power bank or solar charger.
Whistle: Useful for signaling for help.
Maps: Local maps in case GPS systems fail.

6. Personal Hygiene During Disasters

Toiletries: Travel-sized toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, deodorant, and hand sanitizer.
Sanitation supplies: Include garbage bags, toilet paper, moist towelettes, and portable toilet options.
Feminine hygiene products: Essential for menstruating individuals.

7. Tools and Safety Gear

Multipurpose tool: A Swiss Army knife or multi-tool with scissors, pliers, and a knife blade.
Duct tape: Versatile for temporary repairs.
Flashlight: Include extra batteries or opt for a solar or hand-crank model.
Work gloves: Protect your hands during debris removal or other tasks.

8. Documents and Cash

Important documents: Include photocopies of IDs, insurance policies, medical records, and emergency contact lists. Store these in a waterproof bag.
Cash: Small denominations are preferable, as ATMs may be inoperable.
Vanish: Learn to vanish and go off grid digitally

9. Special Considerations for Families

Infant supplies: Formula, baby food, diapers, wipes, and bottles.
Pet supplies: Food, water, leash, carrier, and vaccination records for pets.
Entertainment: Books, puzzles, or small toys to keep children occupied.

10. Emergency Shelter

Tarp or tent: Lightweight options for creating shelter.
Rope or paracord: Useful for securing shelters or other tasks.
Plastic sheeting: Versatile for creating barriers against wind or rain.

Regular Checkup

Check your kit every six months to replace expired food, medications, and batteries.
Update the kit to reflect seasonal needs and family changes (e.g., new baby, additional medications).