72 Hour Kit Checklist

Below is a 72 hour kit checklist that summarizes my recommendations for a 72 hour emergency kit. Please see my emergency kits page for more information.

Water

(See Water Storage for details on water.)

• 7 gallons per person (minimum) – in portable containers
• Additional water (recommended)
  • Larger water containers (15 - 55 gallon size)
  • Bung wrench (if needed for chosen containers)
  • Siphon hose (food grade tubing)
  • Hand-operated barrel pump (optional)
• Chlorine bleach (for water disinfection)
• Eyedropper (to dispense chlorine)
• Water filter (optional)

Food

• 7 days of non-perishable food (consider the dietary needs of infants, elderly, and those with special health concerns or food allergies.)

First-Aid Kit & Medical

• Purchase a quality, comprehensive, wilderness first-aid kit, such as the Adventure Medical Kits Fundamentals kit (most department store first-aid kits are woefully inadequate).
• Or build your own first-aid kit and include at least:
  • Adhesive bandages (Band-Aids)
  • Large gauze pads (4”x4”)
  • Large roll of adhesive bandage tape (athletic tape)
  • Rolled bandages (semi-adhesive roller gauze)
  • Elastic bandage (Ace bandage)
  • Triangular bandage
  • Antiseptic (povidone-iodine)
  • Antibiotic ointment (Neosporin)
  • Analgesics (Advil & Tylenol)
  • Disposable safety razor
  • Wilderness first-aid manual
  • Waterproof storage container (Tupperware or Rubbermaid container)
• Prescription medications (2 weeks supply)
• Copies of prescriptions

Hygiene

• Antibacterial bar soap (Dial)
• Toilet paper
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Garden Trowel (for digging sanitation or “cat” holes)
• Purell
• Baby wipes (for sponge baths)
• Feminine hygiene supplies
• Diapers
• Trash bags (13-gallon kitchen size)

Shelter & Sleeping

• Tent
• Tarps (9x12 or bigger)
• Garbage bags (33 gal. leaf or even better, 55 gal. contractor bags)
• Plastic sheeting (3 mil or thicker, 6 mil preferred)
• Duct tape (1 large roll)
• Sleeping bags (appropriate for climate)
• Sleeping pads (for insulation purposes – do not use an standard air mattress as it does not insulate)

Cooking and Kitchen

• Propane stove (single or dual burner)
• Propane cylinders (1 lb. size to fix stove)
• Pots (3-4 qt. with bail handle)
• Can opener
• Pot scrubber
• Camp soap (biodegradable liquid soap - 4 oz.)
• Aluminum foil, heavy duty (50 sq. ft.)
• Wooden spoons
• Paring knife
• Measuring cup (1 cup with graduated markings)
• Forks, Spoons, and Butter Knives
• Baby Spoons
• Plastic bowls
• Cups

Tools

• Bic lighter
• Candle lighter (long nose style)
• Waterproof matches
• Tinder in waterproof container
• Fixed blade knife (such as a quality hunting knife)
• Duct tape
• Wire ("bailing wire" or 16 ga. steel utility wire)
• Rope (paracord)
• Sewing kit
• Safety pins

Lighting

• Headlamp (LED bulb)
• Batteries (at least 2 sets for headlamp)
• Candles

Personal Protection & Clothing

Periodically make sure the clothing still fits and is in style – especially important for fast growing children

• Change of Clothing
  • Underwear
  • Long sleeve shirt
  • Pants
  • Socks
• Sturdy shoes or work boots
• Sun hat
• Warm Clothng (as appropriate for climate)
  • Fleece sweater
  • Stocking cap
  • Long underwear bottom
  • Long underwear top
  • Warm jacket
• Gloves (leather)
• Rain poncho
• Spare glasses
• Premium Dust/Mist Respirators (N95 rated)
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray

Reference

• Survival instructions/personal info binder
• Survival reference books
• Bible or other religious books

Evacuation Navigation

• Escape route plan
• City map
• State highway map (often free from state website or welcome centers)
• State atlas(highly detailed map with back-roads, optional)
• National road atlas
• GPS (optional)

Communication

• Emergency crank AM/FM/Weather radio, preferably with a cell phone charger
• FRS radios (optional)
• Batteries for radios (at least 2 sets per device)

Miscellaneous

• Emergency cash (at least $200)
• Spare keys (house and car)
• Prepaid calling card (for emergency calls)
• Notepad
• Pencil
• Playing cards
• Games and toys for kids

Important Documents

• Computer backups (use an online backup service)
• Document copies: 
  (Can be a folder of paper copies or a USB flash drive with scanned images)
  • Driver's licenses
  • Passports
  • Social security cards
  • Birth certificates
  • Credit cards (including back of card with cancelation phone numbers)
  • Bank and investment account records
  • Immunization records for children
  • Medical records
  • Insurance documents
  • Deeds
  • Wills
  • Titles
• Telephone numbers:
  • Insurance agents
  • Insurance carrier main offices
  • Family and friends out of area
  • Lawyers
• Inventory list and pictures or video of all belongings

Items marked with a calendar icon are perishable or change often.  Please check these items regularly and replace as necessary.

72 Hour Kit Checklist