create your own

How to Make a 72 Hour Kit

70
rate or flag this page

By foodstorage


Contents of a Disaster Kit including 72 Hour Kit Food Items

What is a 72 Hour Kit?

You may have heard the terms survival kit, disaster kit, car kit, 72 hour kit, 72 hour food kit, or emergency kit. Depending on who you ask, they could each mean very different things, or they could all mean the same thing. For purposes of discussion, here is the terminology that I use.

Disaster kit - a complete kit of items that you would want to take with you if you had to leave in a hurry for an emergency. Generally kept close to an exit door. This kit includes food and water for 3 days, clothing for 3 days, some cash, basic first aid materials, emergency items like tents, emergency blankets, a binder with important documents, etc.

Car kit - a kit that remains in the trunk of your car at all times in case of a road-side emergency. This would include items such as a car shovel, jumper cabels, basic first aid kit, snacks, water, and blankets. Imagine if your car broke down in a canyon and think of what you might want to have with you.

72 hour kit - This is the food component of your disaster kit. I like to separate it because some people choose to keep these in the car as part of their car kit, while others like to leave them in the house with their other disaster kit items. Other people ONLY do the food component and call it good.


I would consider this to be a "Disaster Kit", however they call it a 72 Hour Emergency Survival Kit.  The food part is not great.
I would consider this to be a "Disaster Kit", however they call it a 72 Hour Emergency Survival Kit. The food part is not great.


Assembling a 72 Hour Kit

Just For Fun - Outtakes

72 Hour Kit Instructions

Choose a Container - I'm a big fan of using a milk jug that is cut open and then taped shut with everything inside. It's ightweight and you have it on hand already. Other options are tupperware, gallon ziplock bag, large plastic animal cracker jar, etc.

Purchase a Wing Stove and Fuel Pellets - You could get away with buying only foods that don't need to be heated. However I think in an emergency it would be comforting to have some hot foods/drinks instead of just a 2000 calorie meal bar. You can find these at emergency stores or online at the links above.

Purchase Your Food Items - Determine what you would like to eat for each meal, drinks and some snacks. You can use my list or modify it to your liking. Make sure to have at least one metal can to reheat other foods in, and make sure to buy all "pop-top" cans so you don't have to worry about a can opener.

  • Breakfasts - Tang/Oatmeal, Hot Cocoa/Granola Bar, Tang/Oatmeal
  • Lunches - Beanie Weenies/Fruit Roll-Up, Lipton Soup/Raisins, Lipton Soup
  • Dinners - Granola Bar/Beef Jerkey/Hot Cocoa, Stew or pasta/Fruit Roll-Up, Beef Jerkey/Easy Mac
  • Snacks - Gum/Jolly Ranchers

Gather Up Some Matches and Plastic Spoons - If you don't have these hanging around the house just purchase a few and throw them in. Or grab them from hotels, restaurants, etc. for free ;)

Put It All Together - Using your chosen container, throw everything inside and seal it up. It helps to put a list of the contents on the outside and include the date you packaged it and who it is for.

Don't Forget Your Water! - Some of the foods I include need water added. It's advisable to include 3 2-liter bottles of water with each food kit. This should be enough for the food and to drink for 3 days.

Watch the video above to see an example of how to put the entire kit together in detail. It is very similar to what I have described here. The outtakes video below is HILARIOUS so don't miss that one either!


72 Hour Kit Images

Cut your milk jug so that you can insert all of the contents inside.
Cut your milk jug so that you can insert all of the contents inside.

Samples of Emergency Kits

Quakehold! 70280 Grab-n-Go Emergency Kit, 2-Person 3-Day Back Pack Quakehold! 70280 Grab-n-Go Emergency Kit, 2-Person 3-Day Back Pack
Price: $44.99
List Price: $49.99
Super Ark Emergency Food Bar and Survival Kit Super Ark Emergency Food Bar and Survival Kit
Price: $23.50
List Price: $27.95
Deluxe Emergency Road Kit (Bagged) Deluxe Emergency Road Kit (Bagged)
Price: $24.19

Do you have a 72 hour kit prepared for each family member?

  • Yes
  • No
See results without voting

Enjoy This Hub?

  • Join My Fanclub to be notified of new hubs I publish.
  • Follow Me On Twitter to get food storage tips every day!
  • Request a Hub if you want to learn more about a particular aspect of food storage.
  • And last but not least ... don't forget to give a thumbs up and/or leave a comment :)

Comments

RSS for comments on this Hub

Bob Ewing profile image

Bob Ewing  says:
12 months ago

very sound advice, be prepared.

clint  says:
12 months ago

Great instructions and enjoyed the Video`s

Julie  says:
12 months ago

It's such a relief to have have these things in your home.

LdsNana-AskMormon profile image

LdsNana-AskMormon  says:
12 months ago

Very importand information, and excellent advice. We would all do well, to heed...

tDMg

LdsNana-AskMormon

Jennifer profile image

Jennifer  says:
12 months ago

Very good hub, thanks for the info.

funride profile image

funride  says:
12 months ago

I must say I do not have one of those prepared for each of us, but at least I have all those things at home. Now I must pack them and keep them in hand. Thanks for the good info ;)

foodstorage profile image

foodstorage  says:
12 months ago

Thanks for all the great comments.

Funride - It's true you probably have most of this stuff on hand, but it's really important to keep them all together somewhere easily accessible in case of an emergency.

Clint - Glad you enjoyed the videos. They were hard work ;)

Emergency Preparedness  says:
12 months ago

I really enjoyed watching your video outtakes on putting together a 72-hour kit. Brought a smile to my day! Thank you for you visit to my site at Http://www.newemergencypreparedness.com

TLC Grandparent profile image

TLC Grandparent  says:
12 months ago

Thanks for the very useful information. It is important and smart to be prepared. And it diminishes your worries. Just grab your kit and go.

MormonSoprano profile image

MormonSoprano  says:
12 months ago

Awesome hub page. Thanks for the easy tips!

foodstorage profile image

foodstorage  says:
12 months ago

EmergencyPreparedness - Glad you liked the outtakes, it didn't seem so funny at the time but I can laugh about it now :)

TLCGrandparent - I totally agree ... you need to have it ready to go at any moment. It makes me feel safer just knowing I have them set.

MormonSoprano - Thanks for stopping by!

MellasViews profile image

MellasViews  says:
11 months ago

excellent advice, I loved the milk carton idea!

Charlotte Anne profile image

Charlotte Anne  says:
7 months ago

Nice hub. You have good advice

Submit a Comment

Members and Guests

Sign in or sign up and post using a hubpages account.


optional


  • No HTML is allowed in comments, but URLs will be hyperlinked
  • Comments are not for promoting your hubs or other sites

More Food Storage Information @ Fun With Food Storage

This does not appear to be a valid RSS feed.
working