It would be awesome if your bug-out bag or home survival kit was able to be lugged around wherever you may need them.

Realistically, however, a well-equipped bug-out bag or survival kit has too much stuff in it and is geared towards longer-term survival situations; here is what you need for the first 72-hours.

Food and water

Being safe also means taking good care of our health. In an event of a disaster where grocery and convenient stores are closed, it would always be advantageous to have food and water in our 72 hour survival kit. Your kit should consist the following food:

• canned meat, fish, and beans (“pop-top” cans that open without a can-opener is a sound idea)
• canned juice
• trail mix
• dried fruit
• cereals
• biscuits
• protein or granola bars
• water (3 gallons per person)

Bedding and extra clothing

Every kit should have a complete outfit of suitable clothing for every family member. Include these items below in your kit:

• Wool-blended blanket and Emergency heat and reflective blanket
• Sleeping bag and sleeping pads
• Extra Clothing (long-sleeved and short-sleeved shirts, pants, jackets, socks, etc.)
• Undergarments
• Rain coat or poncho

Personal supplies and medication

Having a first aid kit in your pack should not be an option rather it is a must. In an emergency situation and someone is wounded, administering first aid can reduce the severity of the injury and the risk of infection. Non-prescription medication should also be included to treat fever and body aches. Don’t forget to include the items below in your survival kit:

• First aid kit and supplies (ointments, gauze pads, assortment of bandages, cold/hot packs, scissors, and tweezers)
• Toiletries (toilet papers, moist towelettes or baby wipes, toothbrush, feminine hygiene products, etc.)
• Cleaning Supplies (sanitizers, soap, shampoo, dish soap, etc.)
• Medication ( For fever, stomach ache, toothache, and children’s medicine)
• 3-day stock of prescripted medicine

Equipment

The items listed below are important components of your 72 hour survival kit. These things will serve as your dependable protector in a survival situation and will definitely make your task a lot easier.

• basic tools (wrench, pliers, shovel, hatchet or ax, pocket knife, etc.)
• can opener
• dishes and utensils
• camp stove and fuel
• rope
• duct tape
• whistle with neck cord
• cell phone charger
• dusk masks
• hand operated or crank radio with spare batteries
• pen and paper

Light and firestarters

When we are confronted by a natural disaster such as an earthquake or a typhoon, power outages are inevitable. And it’s absolutely difficult to maneuver in the dark.

So these items below will undoubtedly guide you out of harm’s way.

• flashlights/lamps
• extra batteries
• long burning candles
• flares
• lighters
• windproof/waterproof matches

And talking about firestarters, you might want to check out the Everstryke Match Pro Lighter. It can be a real lifesaver. Shop for it here.

Personal documents and extra cash

Include your legal documents in your 72 hour survival kit. One of the most neglected areas in preparedness is having your important documents with you. This will prove your identity and possessions to authorities in time of a survival circumstance. Place these documents along with some extra cash in a waterproof container.

• legal documents (passports, marriage and birth certificates, contracts, will, etc.)
• insurance policies
• contact information and several copies of your survival plan
• credit cards
• prepaid phone cards
• cash (include small bill and quarters for phone calls)

Ready-to-go kit

In the event that you need to bug out or evacuate your premises, store all the necessary stuff you need in a duffle bag or in your backpack and place it in an accessible place where you can get it easily when you need to bug out. Make sure you can lift and carry it.

• non-perishable food
• water ( 3-4 liters per person)
• extra clothes
• first aid kit
• flashlight and extra batteries
• prescription and non-prescription medication
• personal hygiene items
• a card with emergency contacts
• protective weapon (if available)

The purpose of the 72-Hour Survival Kit is to get you through the immediate aftermath of a survival situation – the time period the vast majority of survival incidents are resolved.

By ensuring you have your bases covered for this amount of time, you give yourself time to assess your situation and make decisions for longer-term survival strategies and tactics.

To learn more about the 72-Hour Survival Kit, please visit Survival Life.

Featured Image via Survival Life