DIY 72 Hour Kit

By Charisse

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Looking to build your 72 Hour Kit but don’t know where to start? Here are some quick-to-follow tips along with an extensive guide to download at the bottom. There are 3 Major steps.

A quick side note, it helps to know WHY you need to be prepared

Take this Emergency Kit mini-class now and make sure you have everything you need.

1. Gathering the Basics

My sister recommends having a picture of a girl with her arms full of her blow dryer, straightener, makeup, and all other girl things falling onto the ground. No… this is NOT what the “basics” of a 72-Hour Kit are.

Food

You want to be sure you have enough food for a 3 day time period (that’s where you get the name 72 Hour Kit). Make sure it’s food that can be cooked easily, opened easily, gives you plenty of calories and food you WILL EAT! Read this post on the pros and cons of different food options.

Water

Along with food, is water. There is a HUGE list of ways to accomplish your need of water. Carry it with you, filters, UV lights, ect. You will need a way to have 3 days worth of water for drinking, washing, and cooking.

Shelter

Where will you sleep? Can you build a shelter, do you have a location you will be at? Think about items you and your family need to protect you from the elements.

Fire/Heat

Finally, gathering the basics includes fire/heat. These can come in many different forms, and will have many more uses. Cooking, warmth, light, and protecting you from animals are some of the most basic reasons to need fire and heat in your DIY 72 Hour Kit. You can even make your own fire starters with stuff you have around your house.

Personal Items

Since you have the basics covered on food, sleep, water, and shelter… you want to make sure you take care to protect your identity. Have copies of your ID’s and cash on hand. A map of the surrounding areas and clothing are also some great ideas to add to your kit. Be sure to include personal hygiene items as well. Feeling clean, will put you in a better mode to tackle a stressful situation.

2. Storing your 72 Hour Kit

A DIY 72 Hour Kit can get bulky and inconvenient. You MAY be tempted to store it in a deep dark corner where you can forget about it and it will be out of the way. NOT A GOOD IDEA! If an emergency arises, you want to be able to grab your kit and get out fast.

Think about how you want to store it. A backpack, duffel bag, rolling suitcase, rolling ice chest, buckets and plastic bins are a few ideas. Since this is your DIY 72 Hour Kit, think about your personal situation and what will work best for you and your family.

72-Hour Kit Mini-Class… How to adapt it to your family and your needs

3. Rotation

Growing up, we would rotate our kit out once a year. This worked great with our large family of 11 and I am amazed we did it that often with how crazy life could get. BUT, we recommend rotating it twice a year. Once in the spring and once in the fall. Double check to make sure batteries, food and other items have not expired or gone bad. Rotate your clothing. Add warm clothes in the fall, and lightweight clothes in the spring. In AZ, where I grew up ,it was hot year round… so we could get a way with rotating out clothes once a year. We made sure to have pant, a light weight long sleeve shirt and a hat. Even though its hot, the sun can dehydrate your fast and long clothing will protect you from dehydration and sunburn.

In conclusion…

Creating a DIY 72 Hour Kit is a great way to protect your family in case of an emergency. This was a quick run down on the essentials to get you started building your DIY 72 Hour Kit. If you would like more in depth instructions with a CHECK LIST, tips and recommendations on gear sign up to have your Personal Step by Step 72 Hour Kit Guide emailed to you!