I have been an active enthusiast about emergency prep for some time, serving on several local, and neighborhood committees. I will be uploading tips and ideas that have worked well for me and my family. I would like to extend an offer for you to provide feedback and tips that have worked for you.
Here is my personal 72 hr kit – or 72 hr condo.
I don’t want to get caught without most of the essential items. Of course you can’t carry it all. However, you can carry a decent amount if you are willing to sacrifice the space in your car. This bag is 30″ x 14″ x 14″. Not bad, and it fits into the back of my Liberty easily. I am not going to go into my clothing. Just make sure that you are prepared for all kinds of weather. I can’t keep my boots in this bag, so as the weather starts to turn here in UT. I throw a pair of my winter boots in the bag of my Jeep.
I have enclosed all of my personal clothing in a waterproof bag. Thinking that if I ever had to be out of my car in bad weather, the items would be protected.
In my bag in the various compartments I have Mountain House dried meals. Along with these meals I have purchased their self heating bag that cooks the food for me. My thinking is that in an emergency, I will be involved in far more serious situations than cooking. Hence, waiting around for my meal to cook won’t be a priority. Yet, eating is still important. You have to maintain your energy while you are working out the crisis situation. So having this option of having the meal cook while you are assisting in other ways appealed to me.
In my bag I carry two first aid kits. One carries my personal needed health items, along with basic first aid gear. The other is a lighter weight, small trauma bag. More along the lines of slings, larger pads, etc.
Along with my dehydrated meals I keep rotating out a bag of jerky every year. I want something that I can just grab and eat for the quick need of staying nourished while working out the problems.
I have a waterproof bag for my kit, along with an insulated sleeping bag that rolls up to the size of a TP roll. This is a lifesaver in my opinion. It allows me to retain 80% of my body heat, without taking up lots of space in my car or bag.
Tin Foil, TP, Water, Water purification bottles with extra filters. A lean-to tent. Solar flashlight by Hybrid. Water proof matches, a butane lighter that will actually direct the flame to my fire area. Regular lighters won’t let you direct the flame. The flame rises no matter how you turn it. A small butane lighter actually shoots the flame out like a mini torch. Nice to have! Then I have a variety of foot and hand warmers, along with a mini tool set, knife and cutter blade. You can never go wrong with some snap and glow pop lights.
I keep all of these smaller items boxed in a little container to keep them organized.
Most importantly is to start somewhere. It doesn’t have to be a big bag like this. You can start off with a gallon sized zip bag. Put in a couple of granola bars, and you personal first aid needs, then work up from there.
Make the bag tailored to you. As the weeks go on I will be adding all sorts of emergency tips and ideas for you and your home. Be safe and Be Prepared!
OK.. I have been gently reminded by my sweetheart that my grammatical skills are not the best. I am sorry for that. I will include this disclaimer here in the early onset and let you all know that this is how it will be. I do type as I speak and it is not perfect. Thank you all for viewing and grabbing the essentials out of these blogs, forgiving me of my literary lack or verbal prowess.
Now, back to the good stuff.
There are great products out there that can make your 72 hour kit much smaller. These items don’t sacrifice on quality. Just the contrary. They are great products and that is why I am including them. I just don’t believe in buying an item just to say you have it. Just to say, …there, my kit is complete. If it is not quality, then who would want to be stuck with it in an emergency? Not me, I want the reliable, and manageable goods.
Below is a quasi sleeping bag designed by SOL. I have come to really like this company. They are making durable, lightweight and solid emergency items. This Bivvy reflects 80% of your body heat. Check out http://www.surviveoutdoorslonger.com to see what great products they have. I will be covering several of them.
durable, retains 80% of your body heat. Lightweight.
