How to Make a 72 Hour Kit

You may have heard the terms survival kit, disaster kit, car kit, 72 hour kit, 72 hour food kit, or emergency kit. Depending on who you ask, they could each mean very different things, or they could all mean the same thing. For purposes of discussion, here is the terminology that I use.

Disaster kit - a complete kit of items that you would want to take with you if you had to leave in a hurry for an emergency. Generally kept close to an exit door. This kit includes food and water for 3 days, clothing for 3 days, some cash, basic first aid materials, emergency items like tents, emergency blankets, a binder with important documents, etc.

Car kit - a kit that remains in the trunk of your car at all times in case of a road-side emergency. This would include items such as a car shovel, jumper cabels, basic first aid kit, snacks, water, and blankets. Imagine if your car broke down in a canyon and think of what you might want to have with you.

72 hour kit - This is the food component of your disaster kit. I like to separate it because some people choose to keep these in the car as part of their car kit, while others like to leave them in the house with their other disaster kit items. Other people ONLY do the food component and call it good.

Choose a Container - I'm a big fan of using a milk jug that is cut open and then taped shut with everything inside. It's ightweight and you have it on hand already. Other options are tupperware, gallon ziplock bag, large plastic animal cracker jar, etc.

Purchase a Wing Stove and Fuel Pellets - You could get away with buying only foods that don't need to be heated. However I think in an emergency it would be comforting to have some hot foods/drinks instead of just a 2000 calorie meal bar. You can find these at emergency stores or online at the links above.

Purchase Your Food Items - Determine what you would like to eat for each meal, drinks and some snacks. You can use my list or modify it to your liking. Make sure to have at least one metal can to reheat other foods in, and make sure to buy all "pop-top" cans so you don't have to worry about a can opener.

• Breakfasts - Tang/Oatmeal, Hot Cocoa/Granola Bar, Tang/Oatmeal
• Lunches - Beanie Weenies/Fruit Roll-Up, Lipton Soup/Raisins, Lipton Soup
• Dinners - Granola Bar/Beef Jerkey/Hot Cocoa, Stew or pasta/Fruit Roll-Up, Beef Jerkey/Easy Mac
• Snacks - Gum/Jolly Ranchers

Gather Up Some Matches and Plastic Spoons - If you don't have these hanging around the house just purchase a few and throw them in. Or grab them from hotels, restaurants, etc. for free ;)

Put It All Together - Using your chosen container, throw everything inside and seal it up. It helps to put a list of the contents on the outside and include the date you packaged it and who it is for.

Don't Forget Your Water! - Some of the foods I include need water added. It's advisable to include 3 2-liter bottles of water with each food kit. This should be enough for the food and to drink for 3 days.

Watch the video above to see an example of how to put the entire kit together in detail. It is very similar to what I have described here. The outtakes video below is HILARIOUS so don't miss that one either!

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