Address Your Needs Logically

Preparing for unexpected emergencies and disasters can sometimes seem like a daunting task – there seems to be so much to provide for.  One way to contain a short term emergency is by purchasing a ready-made 72 Kit.  These kits have been assembled by survival experts, and their expertise and experience will help to assure that everything you will need for three days will be available to you.  When you begin to make up your kit, remember that each member of the family should have their own backpack with basic survival supplies.  There should also be a ‘family backpack’ that contains everything required for right after an emergency.  Anyone who has been outside a school when it has let out for the day will know that even small children are used to carrying backpacks.

However, if you prefer, you can always assemble your 72 Kit yourself.  Stick to the basics, and make sure that you take any special needs into consideration, such as medical conditions or age.  The first thing to do is to buy the backpacks.  Try to find quality backpacks that are sturdily made, and make sure they have plenty of pockets as these can help to keep the many items you will be carrying orderly and easy to locate.

Water will be the primary consideration.  You can go for an extended period of time without food, even if you are uncomfortable, but you cannot go long without water, especially if it is hot.  A couple of small bottles of water can be tucked into the backpack, but it would be impossible to carry all the water you will need for three days with you.  In this case, it would also be wise to include Germicidal Tablets in your kit.   These will kill bacteria and viruses as well as cysts from about 25 gallons of water.  A water purification straw is also easy to tuck into the backpack, and takes up little room.  These straws will purify 20 gallons, and are work even better if used with the Germicidal Tablets.  The perfect filter for your 72 Kit is the Lifepack Emergency Water Filter, which will provide 6 gallons of water for three days.  A filter bottle is also an excellent item for your kit, and will clean approximately 100 gallons.

Food will be the next item on your list, and you will want to choose food that is light enough to carry easily, does not require cooking, will not provoke thirst (do not include pretzels), and will supply plenty of energy.  While many people will just put a few granola bars into their kit, emergency food bars, such as Mayday Barsare a much better choice.  These bars have a 5 year shelf life, so you needn’t worry about them deteriorating quickly, and they contain complete nutritional needs.  They are vitamin fortified, and will not make you thirsty.  They require no cooking, and they actually taste delicious!  Even children will enjoy eating these bars.

Shelter will be needed if, for whatever reason, you must leave your home.  If your home has been destroyed as a result of some cataclysm, or if you are find yourself stuck by the side of the road during a blizzard, you will definitely want some way to keep warm.  Emergency blankets, tents, and sleeping bags are made of a space age material that holds your body heat in and reflects it right back at you.  Because this emergency gear is so light in weight, and takes up so little room, it is quite easy to include at least one of these items in everyone’s backpack.  Make sure everyone in the family understands how to use these emergency shelters, especially the children.

Heat and light will also be necessary, although some caution must be exercised as to what you include in a child’s 72 Kit.  The light part of the equation will be no problem; every backpack should contain a flashlight.  LED flashlights are probably best as they will last a good deal longer, and weigh less, than a conventional battery powered flashlight. 

Portable stove kits, such as Fold-A-Stove With Fuel Pellets can be used as a source of heat as well as for cooking, but should probably not be included in the kit of a young child.  The possibility of injury from burns is simply too great to include the stove and matches needed to light it for a child beneath the age of ten or twelve.  However, these stove kits can be put into the kit of all adults and teenagers, and should also be included in the family kit.

Sanitation is important in order to keep infectious agents from spreading, and it can be vital in a situation where free flowing, clean water may not be available.   The kit that women carry should have some sanitary napkins included.  All 72 Kits need disposable hand wipes, so that ‘washing up’ will be possible when there is no water.  These hand wipes will also be useful for cleaning up wounds and injuries.  A roll of toilet paper should also be added to each kit, and removing the inner cardboard tube, then putting the flattened roll into a plastic bag will make it much easier to carry along.

First Aid supplies are a necessity for everyone.  Not only should a small first aid kit be included with everyone’s kit, but the family kit should have a more extensive one.  It is easy to purchase small, fairly complete first aid kits that will fit handily into a backpack, but you can also assemble these health kits yourself, too.  The essentials of first aid: bandages, antiseptic cream or ointment, tweezers, tape, scissors, electrolyte replacement pouch, and first aid manual.  Make sure that everyone who has a survival backpack understands how to use the first aid supplies.  The needs of anyone with a medical condition should be met, and relevant supplies carried in the kit.  For example, if a family member is diabetic, they should have test strips, insulin, needles, etc., to ensure that their medical needs can be met for several days.

Pet kits can also be assembled, but you should only expect a dog to carry their own backpack.  There are packs designed just for dogs, in different sizes, so that your pooch can carry his own food, water, and medicines (if needed).