Suggestions for a 72 hour kit

2/11/2003 | Important vanity

[Utah Girl]

Since the alert level is now high, and there have been many articles and TV blurps about preparedness, I thought I would post suggestions for a 72 hour kit. I keep mine in my front hall closet of my home.

A lot of the stuff was lying around the house, I didn't buy hardly anything new. I did buy a solar, battery operated radio from Radio Shack for ten dollars. Here is the total list in one spot. I probably spent under 25 dollars for my kit, but I am single without children. The most money was buying the stuff for the first aid kit. One extra thing I threw in the first aid kit is four sanitray napkins. They work really well for compressing against a bleeding wound that needs to be staunched. I also store my sleeping bag and blanket right next to the 72 hour kit. I still use the sleeping bag when I go camping, so I didn't buy another one.

This 72 hour kit should meet the needs of your family. Use ready to eat foods your family will eat and hobbies and entertainment your family likes to do. Include individual medication as required by your family members. Whatever container is used should be portable. I use two duffel bags.

You should have:

Immediately available Battery powered radio Flashlight and extra batteries Emergency Needs Instruction Manuals on Emergency Preparedness Water storage Sleeping bags and blankets Sanitation Kit Plastic bucket with tight fitted lid Plastic bags and ties toilet paper disinfectant improvised toilet seat (for bucket) feminine hygiene needs paper towels soap paper cups paper plates plastic utensils can opener utility knife Stress Factors Children - coloring book, crayons Adults - books, needle work In the Car Standard First Aid Kit Blanket Flashlight and batteries Reflectors and flares Individual Medical Needs Suggested Additions Family Photographs Medical Information Sheet Insurance Information Identification for each Family Member Will or Trust Information (copies of each)

Food - Ready-to-eat Meats: canned Fruit Cocktail Peanut Butter Powdered Milk Infant Care: Canned milk and bottles Dried Fruit: (caution - drink plenty of water.) Raisins, prunes, fruit leather Crackers Stress Foods Sugar Cookies Sweetened Cereals Hard Candy Standard First Aid Kit First Aid manual Spirits of ammonia Scissors Table salt Baking soda Eye drops Safety pins Matches Adhesive or paper tape Bandages Telfa pads (4"x4") Triangle Bandage (37"x37"x37") Roll of Gauze Elastic Bandage Splints Popsicle sticks shingles or thin board 40 page newspaper or magazines Heavy String At least one change of clothing for everyone including shoes

I've also thrown in a sweatshirt with a hood, an inflatable pillow, my scriptures (Bible, Book of Mormon)

[kstewskis]

I hesitate to suggest it because some people interpret it as macho BS or wild paranoia, but I'd strongly recommend getting firearms training and having something in the way of personal protection in the mix, even if it's only pepper spray (and I wouldn't recommend limiting it to that - you can't kill game with pepper spray).

I started this last week, by taking a firearms class. Now, the question is, do I go with the semi auto, or can I keep my .38 revolver?

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

Utah Girl, I ask this sincerely. Where will you go with all these things? I don't live in the U.S., so may I picture you driving off to some wilderness spot?

Also, don't forget cash in small bills and change. You also need to add to the list a revolver or pistol with pleanty of ammo. A shotgun or rifle would be good, too.

[Utah Girl]

I'm just urging people to be prepared, not necessarily for the coming war, but in general. We have natural disasters that can occur (hurricanes, floods, etc.) It would be nice to be a bit independent during those times, instead of having to rely on the government or the Red Cross for primary needs.

[T Minus Four]

They're not after Salt Lake City

According to this thread, Salt Lake City is a potential target:

120 Cities Most at Risk

[Utah Girl]

Thanks for the link. I'll print it out, and start reviewing it. There is a lot of good information in there.

[WhiteGuy]

Good Idea.....

I'm in good shape on liquor, but only about 12 beers.

Tonite I'll pick up a couple cases and more smokes.

[Eagle Eye]

Good to know that you aren't giving in to pressure to arm yourself in some outrageous fashion!

BTW, my flight is early next week.

[T Minus Four]

Cash in small bills, coins, camera, magic markers, paper/note cards. Booze.

She's LDS (Mormon) so she doesn't drink. However, I, being fom Utah and NOT being LDS, will be happy to pick up the slack in that department. :-)

[Utah Girl]

Cash in small bills is an excellent idea. Any emergency where we wouldn't have access to our homes. If we had to go to a shelter, wouldn't it be nice to have those things, instead of depending upon the government for the first 3 days? Hopefully, nothing will happen, but it is always good to be prepared.

[blam]

"BTW, my flight is early next week."

Interview?

[discostu]

The problem is this "plan" involves fleeing civilization, which might be necessary, but you're only heading out for 3 days. If the feces hits the rotating device so hard you need to get away from civilization completely you'll need at least a month. Not being one that believes in running for the hills my 72 hour survival kit is in my pockets: car keys, credit cards. If things get so bad they won't do me any good I hope I'm already dead.

[from occupied ga]

A couple of other posters mentioned this already, but I'll mention it again because it is such a glaring omission (At least to me). Where are the firearms and ammunition? One M-16 or AK-47 (or semiauto version and all should be same either M16 OR AK47) for each family member old enough to shoot. I believe one of the other posters mentioned 1000 rnds. I'd like to say 1000 per weapon. It isn't likely that you will have terrorists storming your house, but there are plenty of people who like to take advantage of unsettled situations (note the riots and/or looting that occur in extended power outages), and it's best if you have a way to deal with them. Permanently.

[RobFromGa]

Booze. If someone is addicted to that or tobacco

What about those of us addicted to Free Republic? Can you guarantee it will stay up through any dangers ahead?

[nina0113]

I don't think it even needs to be "decent" whiskey (that's the stuff I'll keep for myself). I hadn't considered using it as trade goods - I think a few cheap pints might come in very handy. And it will work fine for making bourbon ribs on the grill when this is all over & we're laughing at our paranoia.

On the sanitation kit - I'm upgrading to trash-compactor bags, not regular plastic - much stronger. For those who didn't grow up in the country with outhouses, a bag of lime will make the bucket more tolerable if it's ever necessary.

Walmart has tiny little sterno stoves for $5. Hot (instant) coffee is better than cold.

[Utah Girl]

We have Dugway, the infamous chemical biological agents depot, about 60 miles away from SLC. Dugway is now being used to dispose of the agents, but if the enemy could get through and bomb it, the consequences would be horrendous.

[kjam22]

Must have items... Television, VCR, and tape of the 2000 OU vs Texas game. OU 63 - Texas 14.

[arm958]

According to this thread, Salt Lake City is a potential target:

It won't be Salt Lake. Take that to the bank.

[RightWhale]

There will be no attack that would threaten civilization

Panic ought to do the job for a period of time. Then simple inability to feed the masses. The ones who aren't prepared shouldn't expect compassion from those who are. By the way, there are a lot of people who intend to run wild, looting and killing; that's the extent of their plan.

[geege]

Gotcha....well we're ready in that case!!!!

[rogers21774]

Don't forget a laptop with wireless internet connection. Don't want to be without FreeRepublic.com