3 Layers of 72 Hour Preparedness

TheSurvivalMom blog ^ | July 17, 2009 | TheSurvivalMom

[ChocChipCookie]

The first 72 hours following any disaster are the most critical, but it's also during those intial hours that emergency services and personnel are stretched to the limit. With a system of carefully planned 72 Hour Kits, your family can be self-sufficient until help arrives.

72 Hour Kits, or Bug Out Bags, are those handy-dandy, all-in-one grab bags that, theoretically, could keep you and your family in good shape during a three day emergency. How well they do their job depends on how well-equipped they are for your family's particular needs.

Think of your 72 Hour System as three layers that include kits for each individual, a kit of general items, and a vehicle kit. With these in place, you'll be prepared for those first critical hours whenever and wherever they might occur.

Layer 1: Individual Kits
The first layer of this emergency system is the Individual Kit. These kits contain clothing, a change of shoes, toiletries, and anything else required by a specific person. The contents can be packed in any type of bag, preferably something you already have on hand or can pick up at a garage sale. Some people prefer medium sized duffle bags, and one gal has hers' packed in a plastic bin. A variety of containers is probably a good idea to give you more flexibility on your journey.

Think of layers, too, when planning the clothing for each Individual Kit and try to select items that aren't bulky. In a nutshell, here is a list of clothing items that would be suitable for most people and situations.

* two short-sleeved cotton knit t-shirts
* one long-sleeved, light-colored cotton knit shirt
* two pairs light-weight pants
* one pair shorts - useful for swimming and as pajamas
* 3 pairs underwear
* an extra bra or two (for the women!)
* 3 pairs socks
* a waterproof, light weight jacket
* shoes - comfortable, practical

I suppose you could worry about color coordinated outfits and accessories if you really want the added stress, but comfort and packability are far more important factors! Also, since there really is a lot involved with this whole "preparedness" thing, save money by using clothing you already have or can purchase very inexpensively. Second hand stores are your friend! Save the cutest, newest things to wear right now!

By the way, Individual Kits for children should be a size and weight they can handle on their own. Even a preschooler can wear a backpack for a good long while if it's the right size and isn't too heavy. Heck, you could even pack a kit for your dogs with some sort of carrier harness! In a dire situation, no one gets a free ride!

Speaking of kids, include a few items to provide comfort and entertainment, such as a favorite toy or a lovie of some sort. Other than taking into consideration the size and weight of an item, I would suggest giving your child plenty of leeway when they make their choice of their comfort item. A puzzle book, pad of paper, and colored pencils can help keep older kids occupied, and a small bag of hard candy can provide a much-needed treat in a stressful situation. Audiobooks, along with a portable CD player or iPod take up very little room for the hours of entertainment they provide. For a few more tips, check out this site.

Speaking of comfort items, what activities do you turn to when you're stressed out? Is there something you could pack in your own kit that would help you become centered? Knitting usually does the trick for me. When I focus on those tiny stitches, I forget, for a time, everything else around me. Perhaps your comfort item might be a well-loved book, the Bible, or a journal. Remember, we have to take care of ourselves in order to help lead our families in good times and bad.

And for your husband? I know mine would vote for a 2-liter bottle of Diet Coke and a large Butterfinger candy bar for his comfort items, but you just pack whatever will keep your husband in his happy place!

Each person should have either their own canteen or a couple of small water bottles in their kits. Hopefully, you've equipped your vehicle with larger water containers and have those as part of your Family Evacuation Plan, but the small bottles will insure that everyone gets a drink as soon as they're thirsty, and you, the mom, won't have to be in charge of handing out drinks. On a warm day, that could become a part-time job!

The last item for the Individual Kits is a small toiletry bag. Consider which items are necessary to keep everyone healthy and fresh smelling, and pack those. Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, a hairbrush or comb, and hand sanitizer would provide the basics for most people. Again, consider personal needs such as contact lens solution and case, a spare pair of glasses, or an inhaler. The rule of thumb is to pack things most often used by that individual.

Got pets? Pack a small bag for them as well. I have complete details here.

Layer 2: a Family Kit
When I packed my first 72 Hour Kit, I put everything in one large Rubbermaid tub and then had second thoughts when I had to dig through multiple shirts, socks, and cans of beef stew just to reach a bottle of shampoo.

A separate Family Kit will contain everything else needed by the family as a whole. Feel free to divide this kit into more than one container. In fact, one gal uses a plastic garbage can as part of her 72 hour system, and another friend packs blankets and inflatable pillows in a 5-gallon bucket that can double as an emergency toilet.

The Family Kit will contain the majority of your food. You know what your family will eat and any food allergies, so plan accordingly. If you pack food that must be warmed up, make sure you include a way to do that. I purchased a couple of Nu-Wick candles and a folding stove. I figured that a warm meal is far more satisfying and comforting than eating cold ravioli three days in a row. A few food items I've packed are:

* energy bars
* cans of fruit
* beef jerky
* peanut butter/cracker sandwiches
* cans of beef stew and ravioli
* cookies
* packages of freeze dried meals

You'll find extensive lists for 72 Hour Kits on the web. I like the ones here, here and here. Be sure to not over-pack. There's no need for everyone in the family to have a hatchet, for example, unless you're a family of fire-fighters!

One family I know of keeps a tent, sleeping bags and a camp stove all packed together and ready to go at a moment's notice. They are ready to camp anywhere and, if they ever have to evacuate to a shelter, the tent provides privacy and security for their belongings.

You can buy ready-made kits, but I think making your own is a useful process. It forces you to take into consideration your family's unique needs rather than trying to fit your family to a prepackaged product. Also, by making selections yourself, you'll be intimately familiar with every item and where it's located.

Layer 3: Vehicle Kits
With my luck, the worst disaster to hit my city will happen when I'm 30 miles from home on the hottest day of the year! Some of us busy SurvivalMoms practically live in our vehicles! It only makes sense to have a few extra supplies in the trunk of our car, just in case.

Check out my articles on Vehicle 72 Hour Kits for details. I've even included separate instructions for a kit to store in your husband's vehicle. Remember to make a plan for storing a few gallons of water, either by using 2-liter soda bottles that have been cleaned and refilled with water, collapsible water containers, or something similar. Regardless of the season, if you're stranded somewhere in your car, water will be an issue.

Putting all the layers together
One of the final pieces of your preparedness plan is to write out an evacuation plan. You can find information and examples here. This step is important because it puts the 72 Hour Kits in motion, literally.

Your personalized plan will designate who loads the Kits, who will be in charge of pets, and steps for preparing your home for an extended absence. It's vital to put this plan in writing, post copies around the house, include a copy in your Survival Mom Binder, and then rehearse your plan. Only then will you know if everything will fit in your minivan!

It's a good feeling to know you're ready for whatever comes. Chances are, you may never need these 72 Hour Kits, but the problem with emergencies is that they never arrive announced, and that is what makes preparedness a worthy goal.

[SJSAMPLE]

Milk containers are flimsy and break down.
They’ll work in the short term, but you need to wash and disinfect them with water and about 1tsp of bleach.
Let set for a day, rinse repeatedly and refill.

Go with something more durable, including containers specifically made for water storage.

Definitely have non-potable reserves.
I plan on using the 600gallon kiddie pool.

[alarm rider]

Thanks for posting this.

I have a question which someone might be able to answer:

For water that is stored at home, is it better to use distilled water, spring water, or just plain tap water?

I am chiefly concerned with shelf life.

Thanks,
AR

[oldenuff2no]

Being retired military I've seen the refugee situation many times. I've seen these desperate people kill and steal anything they can to survive. It’ not nice, but it is the reality most of the time.
That brings me to my post. I live out in the sticks, not in a city. My entire home is set up to sustain my family and our animals. My home was built with armed defense in mind. I am not susceptible to fire, land slides, and am as earthquake proof as I could make it. But even if the house goes temporary shelters are readily available. I have my own power, water, stored food, garden, and slaughter animals.
I won't be in a sharing mood, I have set up to provide for my family not yours or anyone else's.
So in this beg emergency where are all the city folks planning on going? To put it bluntly, they ain't coming here!!!!! I may fire up the backhoe and dig a big hole in the north 40 for those who insist, but nothing here is for them no matter what their state.
Most of my friends are set up in about the same way. People who chose to live in the cities that have a very limited food and water supply are going to have problems if something big happens, but it is their problem not mine.
If the logistics that supply the cities totally fail most of those people will need more than three days of supplies just to get out of the city. On the fourth day they will be refugees without food, or water, and the locals are going to tell them to just keep moving because there is nothing there for them.
I've seen this scenario repeated many times all over the world. People really need to take a hard look at where they are and what they will need to survive in a prolonged emergency.

[mmichaels1970]

Thanks both for the advice. I’ll check out the website and look more into specially designed storage containers. Maybe supplement that with the jugs for vehicle and shorter-term storage.

[SJSAMPLE]

There’s even a water container (a “blivet”) designed to fit inside the bathtub.

You put it in the tup, open the nozzle and let the water pour inside. It will confirm to the shape of the tub and hold as much as your tub, but in a much more sanitary manner.

[SJSAMPLE]

Any of them will work, but you may want to induce a mild “shock” to the water (bleach) before storage, sanitizing both the water AND the container.

[DTA]

IMHO, this article is good only as a food for thought to make you make your own survival kit(s)

I believe that we have an avesome knowledge pool here on FR
and instead of amateur play should gather advice from the people who know what works and what does not.

I see essentially for scenarios, winter/all seasons and urban/country.Let’s call kits FRUW (FreeperUrbanWinter), FRUA (urban all season) FRCW, FRCA.

Idea is that winter kit is made by winterizing all-season kit.

What I would add to the kit:

1. inconspicuos looking light duffle bag with large ziploc bags for organizing contents and waterproofing packaged in such a fashion to be used as a cushion.

2. Zippo ligher, fuel and hand warmer

3. crank LED flashlight

5. “space blanket”

6. universal tool (leatherman or similar)

7. 3 cans of tuna or sardines in oil (one can = one day energy supply) and crackers.

8. 6 x 2oz chocolate bars for energy and depresion self-medication

9. bandages and liquid bandage

10. Cash in the pockets, and extra cash and credit card hidden in a duffle bag and in the clothes.

11. toilet kit that can be used if there is no water

[alarm rider]

Thanks for the information.

In your opinion, if we chose unopened distilled water, do you think it would keep for a long period of time?

Thanks,
AR

[SJSAMPLE]

Yes.
Water doesn’t break down and will remain potable for indefinite periods, provided it’s kept in a sterile container.

Keep it in a cool, dark place.
It may taste “stale” after years of storage, but should be fine.

[Syntyr]

and a

[ChocChipCookie]

How do you store yours, Appy?

[AppyPappy]

Hanging from a coat hanger in the closet.

[6323cd]

Can I simply rinse and reuse gallon milk containers?

Trust me, you can't. No matter how much you rinse and scrub the place where the bottle top twists on, you can't get rid of the milk odor and it will make your water smell awful. Most health-food stores sell food-grade plastic one-gallon jugs, get some of those instead.

[appleseed]

Thanks for the heads up.

Had a flood last year that got too close for comfort grabbed the boys, the BOB and some firearms and hit the road in a hurry.

Thanks Cookie for posting. Excellent info.!

Self Reliant/Survivalist Ping List

[radiohead]

The individual packs sound like a good idea bump, my little survivalist. Maybe we should think of a tent as well.

[redhead]

Bump...

[alarm rider]

Thanks,

We will go with that.

Regards,
AR

[stevio]

True, but let’s keep that just between Freepers. In case we overlook something.

[driftdiver]

Don’t count on using swimming pool water as a potable source. Its not safe to drink due to all the chemicals that put into swimming pools.

Safe for cleaning and other things besides food.

[SJSAMPLE]

You didn’t see the part where I said “non-potable” reserves”? ;)

The chlorine in a pool, if not left do dissipate, will harm your kidneys.
Sunlight will break down chlorine to safe levels, eventually, but then you’ve got other stuff to worry about by then.