WATER & PURIFICATION
Store a minimum of 2 gallons per day per person for 2 weeks
(approximately 30 gallons per person).
For added safety, store 55 gallons per person, which would provide about for 4 weeks of water per person (55 gallon barrels offer the least expense per gallon for storage use). Use only BRAND NEW, NEVER USED containers for your water storage reserves.
Emergency Water Suggestions:
Heavy Duty Plastic Water Storage Barrels** for Home
Oxy-Stabile or Aerobic 07 five year water stabilizer (for stored water)
Home Counter Top Gravity Water Filter such as the Katadyn Gravidyn/Ceridyn or AquaRain filters
Camping Water Filter
Emergency Water Rations (pouches)
Collapsible Water Container(s)
Plastic Sheeting (for sheltering, catching rain water)
{can find at most paint departments or stores)
Chlorine Bleach (Ratio for water purification: 2 drops per quart, 1/2 teaspoon per 5 gallons. Double dosage if water is cloudy)
Water Purification Tabs - Mircopur, Potable Aqua or Iodine Crystals (Polar Pure)
(Suggestion: If you regularly get bottled water delivered to your home in 5 gallon plastic bottles, consider ordering up to 10 or so additional bottles [store in the garage] along with their stackable storage crates. Rotate this water weekly as used).
Back to top
EMERGENCY FOOD
Next to water, food is a vital part of any preparedness plan. Food considerations you should be looking at when making your 72 Hour Emergency Kits are emergency foods that have a long storage life and that are made to be non-thirst provoking and are not affected by extreme heat or cold. Lifeboat "Emergency Rations" are ideal for this use.
Foods for home reserves should consist of both normal grocery store bought foods (a 2 to 4 week supply on hand minimum [3 months would be ideal]) and a variety of long storing freeze-dried or dehydrated foods. Remember to store what you eat and eat what you store. If you're not a regular scratch cooker, don't store bulk grains and the like unless your family normally uses them. Buy food items your family is familiar with and will eat without a problem.
Foods should be lightweight, compact, and require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking. For long term storage, FREEZE-DRIED foods are our #1 recommendation. Freeze-dried foods, like Wise Company®, have up to a 25 year shelf-life, making them ideal for emergency backup. In addition they require much less water and require NO COOKING & NO PREPARATION. These are our top sellers today. It's what we call "no-brainer" food storage.
One other emergency food you may wish to consider are military MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat). These are excellent for run-and-go quick evacuations. 12 Meals typically come in a case. Shelf-life is usually about 5 years if stored at room temperature. Not recommended for kit stored in your car.
USA Ammo Wise Food Emergency Food Kits
Emergency Food Suggestions:
Extra 2 to 4 Weeks of store bought non-refrigerated foods*
(canned goods, crackers, boxed drinks, cereals, oatmeal, etc.)
Freeze-Dried Foods in Pouches or #10 Size Cans
(Mountain House #10 can foods have up to a 25 year shelf-life, pouches 5-7 years)
Military MRE Ready to Eat Meals (excellent for run & go evacuations)
Emergency Food Ration Bars for Kits (3600k)
Survival Food Tablets
High-Energy Powdered Drinks
Manual Can Opener
Long Storing Vitamins (Super Spectrim)
Instant Powdered Soup Mixes
Instant Oatmeal Packets
Disposable Bowls, Cups & Utensils
Foods for your Pets
High Energy Hard Candy
Recommendation: Write the purchase date on all food packages before placing in your pantry or cupboard. Most store bought foods will require rotation within 12 months.
Back to top
FIRST-AID SUPPLIES
Having a good quality first-aid kit on hand at home and one in your 72 hour kit is like money in the bank. Wounds treated immediately lessen the possibility of becoming life threatening.
Medical assistance may be hours to days away when disaster strikes. Be prepared with a good supply of first-aid supplies. In addition, we highly recommend taking some basic first-aid & CPR classes from your local Red Cross chapter, hospital or your local fire department. First-aid help after a disaster is critical and usually overwhelmed with others. You could save a life...perhaps someone you dearly love.
First-Aid Suggestions:
Group Size Comprehensive 1st-Aid or Trauma Kit
Compact Car/72 Hour Kit First Aid Kit(s) [KnuckleMender™]
Oral Rehydration Salts [CeraLyte®]
Extra Prescription Medications (4 to 8 weeks for Home Use)*
Personal/Family Prescriptions Medications (for 72 hour kit)*
Extra Bandages, Gauze, etc.
Surgical Exam Gloves (for wound cleaning)
Extra Aspirin & Ibuprofen*
Dental Emergency Kit
Chapstick or Blistex*
Emergency Surgical/Suture Kit
(In an major disaster, it will be easier to find a medical professional who can use your supplies than expecting to find a medical person who has the supplies themselves)
Detailed & Easy to Understand First-Aid Book or Manual
Back to top
SANITATION
After water, food and first-aid, sanitation considerations are essential. Sanitation is often overlooked. Most don't want to think about it, but it is of utmost importance. Unsanitary conditions bring about disease and dysentery (lower intestinal tract producing severe pain and diarrhea). Put this area high on your preparedness list.
Sanitation Suggestions:
Toilet Tissue Rolls (buy in bulk)
Instant Hand Sanitizer
Alcohol Wet Wipes or Alcohol Gel
Portable Chemical Toilet (home)
Toilet Odor Chemical (Bio-Blue)
Heavy-Duty Toilet/Trash Bag Liners (double bag to minimize breakage)
Large Rubber Bands (to seal liners)
Liquid/Bar Soap
Latex or Nitrile Gloves
Plastic Storage Barrel for Waste Storage
Chlorine Bleach (used as a sanitation disinfectant)
Specially marked trash cans or sealed survival cache barrels normally used to store your supplies can be used afterward to store sanitation waste for later disposal. See our plastic storage container above.
Back to top
PERSONAL HYGIENE
Not as essential but will make life more comfortable living in disaster conditions.
Toothbrush & Paste
Comb or Brush
Hair Shampoo
Solar or Hotman Shower
Shaving Razor
Contact Lens & Solution
Feminine Hygiene Supplies
Chapstick Lipbalm
Small Plastic/Metal Mirror
Bar or Liquid Soap
Wet-Wipe Towelettes or Alcohol Gel
Small Tissue Packs
Back to top
FIRE PROTECTION
You may need to quickly put out a small fire when help is unavailable. Don't cut corners here. You've got too much to lose. Cheap insurance for any home or car.
Fire Protection Suggestions:
2-4 (one for each level of your home and one for your garage) LARGE 5 to 10 lb. A-B-C extinguisher rated for all fire types (grease, electrical & paper/cloth). Be safe. Get several. You'll be on your own! (Find at "Depot", "Club" or "Mart" stores)
One 2 lb. fire extinguisher for each car
Several Boxes of Baking Soda [Arm & Hammer]* (helps put out small kitchen grease or electrical fire by smothering the flames when throwing a handful at the base of the fire)
Back to top
COMMUNICATIONS
The need to know what is happening and recommended evacuation routes is essential. Also helps the time pass faster and lessens stress when no TV or power is available.
Communication Suggestions:
Cell Phone w/ 12volt Car Battery Charger Plug/Cord
Quality Am/Fm Radio (battery operated
with built-in solar and/or windup power generator [FreePlay Plus])
Am/Fm w/ TV, Weatherband or SW Radio
12 volt Battery TV
BATTERIES Spares for each Flashlight, Lantern, Radio, etc. Get several sets/sizes for each! (Alkaline, Rechargeable Metal Hydride and 10 Yr. Lithium batteries recommended. Minimum 3 sets)*
Solar Battery Charger
Loud Whistle
List of Important Phone Numbers
Police Scanner
Compass & Detailed Map of Your Area
Pen, Pencil, Paper pad, small roll of duct tape*
Stamped Postcards (the mail will go through)
Suggestion: Have all family members know an outside contact person to check-in with if the family is separated when disaster strikes.
Back to top
EMERGENCY LIGHTING
We recommend having several backup sources of light. Be sure to store plenty
of extra batteries & bulbs. LED flashlights and lanterns will provide longer
light use but not as bright of light.
Lighting Suggestions:
Mulitple Flashlights w/ Spare Batteries & Bulbs
LED Flashlights & Lanterns
Solar Rechargeable Lantern
Extra Batteries (alkaline / lithium) Min. 3 sets*
Instant Lightsticks (Green, Yellow or White are best)
Kerosene Lamps or Lanterns (Dietz®
or Aladdin® recommended)
Battery-Powered Camping Lantern
Long-Burning Candles
Propane Lantern—when safe to use
Spare Lantern Mantles
Waterproof Matches
Propane Fuel Bottles or bulk BBQ tanks
Power Generator (sizes vary. Portable Size: 1-2,000 Watt, Home Size: 3500-8000 Watt)
Generator/Auto Gasoline Storage (Find at "Mart", "Depot" or autoparts stores)
Fuel Storage Preserver
Back to top
HEATING & COOKING
Small folding stoves like the Esbit Stove work best in 72 hour kits.
Heating & Cooking Suggestions:
Kits: Folding Esbit® or Jetboil Stove
Nuwick® Candle w/Folding Stove
Replacement Fuel Tablets
Waterproof Matches
Firestarter Sticks
Instant Hand/Body Warmers
Magnesium Fire Starter Stick
Home: Kerosene or Propane combo Heater & Cooker
Wood Fireplace w/ Lots of Wood
Spare Propane (16 oz. or 5 bulk tanks w/ hoses)
Kerosene Fuel (5 to 10 gallons. Find at "Mart", "Depot", or most paint stores. Only use #1 Grade Clear Kerosene)
Back to top
BLANKETS & SHELTER
There are a variety of choices for you to consider. How will you keep warm in the middle of winter? Traveling? At home?
Blanket & Shelter Suggestions:
Kits: Compact SPACE® Blankets
Reinforced All-Weather Blankets
Utility Wool Blankets
Thermo-Lite Bivy Bag
Compact SPACE® Sleeping Bag
Survival Sleeping Bag
0° to 20° Rated Sleeping Bags
Heavy Winter Jackets
Popup Camping Tent
Back to top
OTHER SURVIVAL GEAR
Survival Gear Suggestions:
Pre-Made 72 Hour Kits
Surgical/Dust Masks
Leather Work Gloves
Duct Tape
Rolled Plastic Sheeting 3 mil Thickness
Fire Escape Ladder for 2nd/3rd Floor Homes
Smoke Detector & Carbon Dioxide Detector
Plastic Tarps (for shelter or protecting
exposed personal property
3 to 4' Crowbar
Gas/Water Shutoff Tool or Adj. Wrench
Folding Shovel
3-4' Bolt Cutters
Camping Wood Saw & Spare Blades
Chain Saw w/ Spare Chain Set, Oil & Fuel
Construction "Bump" Helmet
100 to 500' of Heavy Nylon Rope (shelter, towing, heavy pulling, etc.)
Assorted tools, screw-drivers, hammers, etc.
Plastic Eye Protection Goggles
Plastic Zip-Ties (hundreds of uses)
Self-Contained Motor Home (The ultimate evacuation vehicle)
Potassium Iodide Radiation Tablets
Personal Protection Items (pepper spray,
stun guns, handgun, rifle, ammo, etc.)
Back to top
KNIVES
Used for a variety of uses. Multi-Tools are especially useful.
Knife Suggestions:
Multi-Function Pocket Knife
Multi-Plier Tool (SOG/Leatherman/Gerber)
Back to top
EVACUATION MASKS
Used for breathing dust-free air in an emergency.
Mask Suggestions:
N95 or N100 Hospital Grade Dust Masks
Evac-U-8 Smoke Hoods
Evacuation Gas Mask (Adult, Child/Pet)
Back to top
STORAGE CONTAINERS
Should be strong, water-resistant, and lightweight.
Cache Storage Barrel
Plastic Buckets
Backpack or Tote Bag —for your 72 hour gear
Back to top
INFANTS & TODDLERS
Think of your child’s specific needs.
Suggestions:
Baby Formula and/or Dry Cereal and snacks*
Large Box of Disposable Diapers*
Baby Wet-Wipes*
Baby Blanket/Jacket & Knit Cap*
Back to top
CASH/MONEY
It is important to have a "cash reserve" on hand for use in a disaster. The phone lines will be down that authorize credit cards and checks. REMEMBER Most businesses only take cash in a disaster.
Cash Suggestions:
Phone change (when the phones are active again). 1 to 2 rolls of quarters
Small bills $1, $5, $10's (Goal: $200-$500 or more. No $50's or $100's) Banks will not be open. ATM's will not be working. Change may be limited. Stores take CASH ONLY.
Longer Term Cash Reserve (1 to 3 months living expenses) stored away from the bank.
Phone Card(s) might be usable.
Back to top
MORALE BOOSTERS
We recommend having a variety of morale boosters on hand to help occupy children and adults. These can consist of books, games, crossword puzzles, card games, etc.
Morale Boosters:
Small games, Puzzles, Playing Cards*
Small set of Holy Scriptures
Pocket Books
Chewing or Bubble Gum
Hard Tack Candy
Other Favorite Treats or Snacks
Back to top
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
We have found the following books useful and provide helpful suggestions.
Book Suggestions:
"Sense of Survival" Book
"Preparing for Emergencies” Book
"A Year's Supply" Book
"Survival in Today's Turbulent Times" Book
See our other books offered under "Books"
* Items marked with an (*) are items we recommend acquiring first, then added as many additional items as your budget will permit.
Back to top