What is a 72-Hour Kit?
FEMA and emergency management professionals recommend keeping a 72-hour kit ready because it covers the critical window between a disaster and the arrival of outside help. The goal isn't self-sufficiency — it's holding the line until relief arrives.
Water & Hydration (4 items)
1 gallon water per person per day
Minimum 3 gallons per person. Store in portable jugs — avoid glass.
Water purification tablets (50 tablets)
Iodine or chlorine dioxide tablets. Backup for treated water if you run out.
Sawyer Mini or LifeStraw squeeze filter
Compact filter handles bacteria and protozoa. Essential for natural water sources.
Collapsible water containers (2x 2-gallon)
Folds flat for storage, holds water when filled.标记 your containers with fill date.
Food & Nutrition (5 items)
Emergency food bars (12 per person)
3200-calorie bars (e.g., MREs or emergency ration bars). 3-day supply in a compact package.
Protein bars (6 per person)
Higher protein than calorie bars; helps maintain energy during physical activity.
Peanut butter packets (6 per person)
High calorie, no cooking required, long shelf life. Easy to eat under stress.
Dried fruit / trail mix (2 servings per person)
Quick energy, lightweight, and palatable. Replace every 12 months.
Electrolyte powder packets (10 per person)
Critical for preventing dehydration in hot weather or with heavy exertion.
First Aid & Medical (6 items)
Complete first aid kit (trauma + general)
Include: pressure bandages, tourniquets, wound closure strips, antiseptic, tweezers, medical tape.
Personal medications (7-day supply)
Keep a 7-day reserve of any prescription medications in the kit.
Pain relievers & anti-diarrheals
Aspirin, ibuprofen, immodium. Stash a small amount of each.
N95 dust masks (4 masks)
Dust, ash, and contaminated air protection. Essential in fire or industrial disaster scenarios.
Emergency blanket (2 per person)
Mylar blanket reflects 90% of body heat. Lightweight, cheap, and effective.
Nitrile gloves (4 pairs)
Protect yourself from blood/fluids and keep kit sterile when treating injuries.
Shelter & Warmth (5 items)
Emergency poncho (2 per person)
Waterproof, windproof, doubles as a ground tarp. Folded size of a deck of cards.
Space blanket (2 per person)
Secondary layer for cold nights. Can be combined with regular blanket.
Hand warmers (6 pairs)
Air-activated. Tuck into gloves or pockets. Essential in winter scenarios.
Heavy-duty garbage bags (6)
Multi-use: rain poncho, ground cover, water transport, garbage. Always pack extras.
Lightweight tarp (8x10 ft)
Sets up as quick lean-to shelter with paracord. Compresses to the size of a paperback.
Light & Power (5 items)
Headlamp (1 per person) with extra batteries
Hands-free is non-negotiable. Get one with red LED mode to preserve night vision.
AA batteries (12 pack)
Universal power source for headlamps, flashlights, radios. Check annually.
Crank/solar flashlight (1 per kit)
Backup light — no batteries required. Also serves as phone charger on some models.
Power bank 10,000mAh (1 per kit)
Charge phone for emergency calls and information. Keep topped up.
Glow sticks (4 per kit)
No batteries, no activation failure. Stick around your neck for walking in dark. 12-hour duration.
Communication & Documentation (4 items)
Battery-powered radio (NOAA weather)
Keep informed when cell towers are down. Program for your local county's SAME alerts.
Whistle (1 per person)
3 blasts for help. Audible up to 1 mile. Attaches to pack or lanyard.
Printed emergency contacts & local map
Phone dies, internet fails. Paper backup with emergency numbers and evacuation routes.
Cash ($200 in small bills)
ATMs and card readers fail. Small bills for purchases if stores are operating with limited POS.
Tools & Miscellaneous (3 items)
Multi-tool / Leatherman style (1 per kit)
Pliers, knives, screwdrivers — essential for any repair task in a disaster.
550 paracord (50 ft)
Shelter building, gear repair, tie-downs, first aid. The most versatile item in any kit.
Duct tape (2 rolls, mini)
Gear repair, first aid, water sealing, general improvisation. Tuck two mini rolls into your kit.
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