Different
emergency kits:
-A 72 hour kit
is food/ items on hand needed for 72 hours or 3 days. You plan on staying home,
but do not have things such as electricity, running water, etc. This is things
you know you need for 3 days, aside from clothing, bedding, and a roof over
your head. A 72 hour kit is different from your BOB, but may be used in
addition to your BOB for extra food and supplies. A 72 hour kit is something
you have multiple of in the areas you are at the most, such as one at home, in
your car, or even at school. These, generally, aren’t steered toward any one
individual and you can have extra’s packed away for other guests. We are told
the reason to plan for 72 hours, 3 days, is because that is how long it takes
for emergency workers to reach some areas aka your home.
-A Bug
Out Bag (BOB) is a kit planned for a major catastrophe where you need to
grab and go and do not intend to return to your home for a period of time. This
includes clothing, bedding, food, and supplies for “roughing it”, even in the
wilderness.
-A
Family Bug Out Bag is a BOB for your entire family meant to be taken in a
grab and go situation where you do not intend to return home due to emergency
for any foreseeable time.
-Food Storage is food set aside for 6 months to a year
that will feed your entire family. You will rotate or use, and replace your
food storage constantly. The purpose of food storage is not only for emergency,
but for unplanned circumstances such as job loss.
-The Emergency
Binder is a waterproof binder that includes valuable personal documents,
irreplaceable photographs of your family, and other information priceless to
your family.
-Food and Water That do not require refrigeration and
stay fresh for a long time. Choose food that is ready to eat or requires
minimal amount of water. *Add extra water for items needing water to cook* Be
careful of items that are too salty or spicy as those will make you more
thirsty causing you to need more water.
·
Water supply is 1 gallon (4 liters) per person
per day.
·
H2o pouches or water bottles
·
Bleach- This is used to purify water. WARNING: Bleach only has a shelf life
of 2 years, and once opened it becomes expired when it loses its chlorine smell.
(http://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/EmergencyPreparednessandResponse/Factsheets/WaterPurification.aspx)
·
Water Purification methods:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portable_water_purification
·
Hawaiian punch, Gatorade, tea, individual pouch
servings (for those of us whom can’t stand to drink straight water)
·
Hot chocolate
·
Protein bars/ granola bars/ oatmeal bars/
emergency food bars- Prepackaged MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat)
·
Trail mix
·
Marsh mallows
·
Tuna
·
Packaged pretzels with cheese
·
Package of chicken salad with crackers
·
Bag of beef jerky
·
Canned vegetables
·
Canned fruit
·
Fruit cups
·
Pudding cups
·
Chef Boyardee
·
Package cookies Note: Make sure baggies are not ones that are mostly air, such as a chips bag, or else they will explode with time and air pressure changes.
·
Fruit roll ups
·
Goldfish crackers
·
Canned juice
·
Dried fruit
·
Packaged crackers/ cereal (for snacking)
·
Canned beans, tuna, turkey, beef, sausages,
soup, fruit cocktail, vegetables, etc. Warning: Do not use pop top cans
as change in altitude, dropping, or age can make them pop. Place a can opener
in every pack, even kids. I suggest only use pull top lids if it is a child’s
kit or someone unable to use a can opener. If this is the case check your kit
every 3 months.
·
Mountain freeze dried foods
·
Potato pouches
·
Crackers
·
Canned soup
·
Snickers bars
·
Jerkey
·
Penut better (lasts a long time, needed
calories)
Instant oatmeal
Instant oatmeal
·
Mac n cheese, put in plastic bags double bagged
with instructions cut out and included in bag
·
Ramen noodles
·
Salt/ pepper/ spices
and condiments
Important Notes:
§
Put contents in a large, watertight container (such
as a large plastic garbage can with a lid and wheels) that you can move easily.
§
Water supply is 1 gallon (4 liters) per person
per day.
§
H2o pouches or water bottles
§
Add extra water for items requiring water to
cook
§
Water Purification methods:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portable_water_purification
§
Bleach- This is used to purify water. WARNING:
Bleach only has a shelf life of 2 years, needing to be discarded as it is then
useless. Once opened it becomes expired when it looses chlorine smell. (http://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/EmergencyPreparednessandResponse/Factsheets/WaterPurification.aspx)
§
Water is more essential than food. We use water
in drinking, cooking, cleaning wounds, and cleaning. Pack more water than you
think is necessary. At my house, we keep cases of bottled water next to our
BOB- again to fill the heavy duty wagon with. Hold onto empty bottles as you
use them in emergency. You can make things such as a water purification device
or if you run into water fill them up.
§
A five gallon bucket
filled with water weighs 40 lbs. Water is about 8 lbs. a gallon. Use a tight
sealing lid and replace the water every 6 months for freshness. Don’t forget to
treat the water for safe storage, depending on your water source
§
When purchasing 3-5
gallon buckets, make sure they are food grade and have a lid with a O-ring or
Gamma lid. Make sure the bucket has a comfortable handle if you plan to carry
for an extended amount of time. You can add makeshift grip padding with old
towels and duct tape.
§
Water storage for
cleaning can be created by taking empty milk jugs, juice jars, etc, cleaning
them, and then refilling them with clean tap water. You can filter and use this
water for drinking in dire circumstances.
§
We all need to go to
the bathroom. If something happens, no matter how much you may want to, do not use your toilet. Without the
water flush feature, fecal matter can be transferred in your breathing air and
make people very sick very fast. Duct tape the toilet lid shut if you have to. Find
a nice spot outside and do your business there. You may create a potty out of a
5 gallon bucket lined with trash bags and a lid, or if you really want a toilet
seat, invest in a toilet chair commode to keep outside.
§
Warning: Do not use pop top cans, as
change in altitude, dropping, or age can make them pop (expired) or explode.
Place a can opener in every pack, even kids. I suggest only use pull top lids
if it is a child’s kit or someone unable to use a can opener. If this is the
case check your kit every 3 months.
§
Important:
Know, and teach children, to check every can by pushing on the lid prior to
opening. When you press on the lid, it should not move. If the lid “pops” in or
out, the can has somehow let air inside, even if it is not leaking, visible or has
not reached its expiration date, is no good and the food inside is spoiled.
Discard can and do not attempt to eat!
§
Warning:
Do Not use items with STRONG SMELLS. Items such as mint gum, beef jerky, and
scented soaps will flavor items. Make sure to double zip lock these items;
however, even this does not guarantee that items will be scented. If possible,
keep these items out of your BOB until needed.
§
Note:
Jolly ranchers and certain mints and other hard candies will melt with time,
even if stored at room temperature. Keep these items in their own zip lock bag.
§
Children need a rolling duffle bag over a
backpack. Kids can pull more than they can carry. Be aware however, that if you
are going cross country a rolling bag may not be best as they are bulky, weigh
more, and contain a lot of unused and wasted space.
§
If you have a toddler or child needing carrying,
make sure you have a baby carrier, Moby wrap, stroller, or wagon near and noted
that you need to grab said item.
§
Don’t forget any special needs items for
children, seniors, or people with disabilities. Have extra water, food and
supplies planned out for pets
§
Choose a bag that can easily be carried or
dragged. Store the bag indoors and in a waterproof bag. Label each bag
according to each member in your family. You can also use a large rolling
plastic trash bin. Keep additional 72 hour kits and emergency items in your
car, workplace, or even school.
§
Take photos of each member of the family in each
pair of clothing that they have in their kit. This way a small child can say
"Mommy is wearing these clothes" for easier identification.
§
Add glow sticks in a child’s backpack for easy
identification at night.
§
Be realistic. For small children, only pack for
them what they can carry. When I first brought up emergency kits to my Hubby,
he said "Well, we each will carry our packs, Tot can walk, you can carry
baby #2, and I can carry everything else." Just thinking about carrying
all that weight and walking miles is exhausting me. Please be realistic in what
you pack and plan to carry it.
§
Get a double, durable stroller. Even if your
children are old enough to walk, they do not have long endurance. Even if you
have only one child in the stroller, the other seat and the rest of the room
could be used to carry supplies to give one person a break. Do not assume that
this room is going to be used to carry your items only- that leads to over
packing which leads to over exhausting yourself.
§
Pictures are important. Make sure to have a
picture of everyone in your family and extended family and label them and
distinguishing characteristics like height and weight. Do not choose beauty
shots or staged photo shoots as the person is usually dolled up and makeup
makes the person look different than they really are (remember, in a survival
situation no one is going to pay much attention to their appearance).
§
Take photos of each member of the family in each
pair of clothing that they have in their kit. This way a small child can say
"Mommy is wearing these clothes" for easier identification.
§
A thing of condensed
milk boiled will eventually turn into caramel- for a night when things are
getting to the kids.
§
Include a home made
“cook book” of things that can be made with the 72 hour kit- or a book that
explains how to use most everything in the kit. If children are alone, they may
open or eat more than a days worth in one sitting.
§
Clearly and largely mark date of purchase/
sealed on everything- even if it already says it.
§
Change out food every 6 months at stake
conference
§
Make a note to change constantly used medications
every 3 months or as needed. You can make a list of medications with expiration
dates on a note on the BOB bag. Keep them up to date!
§
You can use water bottles to store things needing
to be water proofed such as pictures/ id/ fingerprint/ allergies and emergency
contacts/ medical history
§
Update your kit every 6 months to make sure that
all food, water, medication, and batteries are fresh and that clothes and
documents and credit cards are up to date. If you have wind up flashlights,
make sure that they still hold a charge and wind them as much as you can.
§
Card games, books, pen and paper, and small toys
are very important in a time of disaster; especially for children. Add games
and instructions to entertain.
§
If your man uses a flat head straight razor for
shaving, carry extra blades that can be used for a sterile cutting tool.
§
Feminine products (napkins) can be used as bandages;
Tampons can be used to stop bloody noses. Gross, but if you are desperate..
§
Choose hand crank radios/ flashlights (pack a
regular flashlight with batteries in addition to this). Batteries can be heavy
to carry and add a lot of weight.
§
Add flip flops in case you have to leave in a
hurry. Shoes are one of the last things we think about, especially with children,
but are probably one of the most necessary things out there. Flip flops can
also be used if you have to cross a stream or river. Choose sandals that are
durable and will not break easily.
§
Write out how each days food and items are to be
used to prevent overuse or misuse, write detailed instructions on things like
cooking and setting up tents, etc.
§
A mirror is very important. You can use it to
start a fire using the sun (as well as a magnifying glass), signal overhead
planes or people far away, or make sure there’s nothing stuck in your teeth.
§
Pencils, colored pencils, and a permanent marker
(to label things; make sure to check and see if it is working every 6 months
when rotating your kit)- do not recommend pens as they explode, leak, or dry
out and are unreliable
§
Also add a measurement
conversion chart and one of those measurement shot glasses. You can buy a 7 day
pill box or empty tic tack containers to store most used spices- add extra
sugar, salt, flour, and any other common ingredient.
§
I suggest the purchase of a live chicken. Eggs
can last weeks to months (as long as they don’t float in water) if unwashed-
even without refrigeration. Always water test first. If the egg sinks, it is
fresh. If the egg floats a little yet the bottom is still touching the bottom
of the cup, it is good to eat but in the process of going bad. If the egg
floats completely, it is no longer good and should be discarded.
§
Other items that you should have near your food
storage/ emergency area include:
§
Barter items: You may want to stock pile barter
items. Try to carry at least 5 ounces of pure silver with you, otherwise you
can use items such as coffee, tea, cigarettes, bleach, medical supplies, chocolate,
ammunition, alcohol, batteries, tools, MRE’s, seeds and soil, spices such as
sugar and salt, and toiletries- especially toilet paper and feminine products. It
is both amazing and disturbing what people will do for those items in crisis. I
wouldn’t keep any in the BOB, but you can store them in your food storage.
Note: If you do not use said items (for example, I do not smoke yet I could
store cigarettes), keep them sealed in an air tight package and be wary of
their expiration dates.
§
Tools such as a crowbar, hammer & nails,
staple gun, adjustable wrench and bungee cords
§
Large heavy duty plastic bags and a plastic
bucket for waste and sanitation
§
You may want to invest in a generator, water
purifier, solar oven, and garden with seeds for every season.
§
Have in your garage, plastic sheeting (I have
dollar store shower curtains to cut up) and duct tape to cover broken windows
or AC vents if your area is prone to disaster.
§
After you empty milk jugs, soda bottles, etc.,
clean then refill them with tap water and store in your garage for cleaning
water storage. Do not drink this water unless dire emergency and after
purification. This water is intended for cleaning and washing.
Some Emergency items to think about purchase:
Life Straw: individual water purification
device http://eartheasy.com/lifestraw#review-list.
Sterno: portable fuel source
that can heat things
Thermal emergency Mylar
blankets, tents, sleeping bags
72 hour kit information:
www.72hrs.ca
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