Survival Life’s Comprehensive Checklist For A 72 Hour Survival Kit

When adversity strikes, being armed with a survival kit could literally mean the difference between life and death. A true and devoted survivalist, or prepper, is resilient in the face of challenges. Each and every family should be equipped with a 72 hour survival kit.

More often than not, a disaster scenario will last for seconds, minutes, or even hours, but first aid and disaster relief can take 2-3 days. With that being said, we've come up with a checklist for your 72 hour survival kit to help you get through a critical episode of your life. Scroll down to find out more about it.

Checklist For Your 72 Hour Survival Kit

Earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, or other terrorist attacks are perilous circumstances that we might not be able to prevent from happening, but we can always do something to survive its threatening consequences. Every time I'm engaged in a conversation about survival situations, the old adage “It's better safe than sorry” flashes in my mind like lightning.
So on that note, check out this comprehensive checklist (or this video) for a 72-hour survival kit. You can also personalize your emergency kit to make it more suitable to your needs. Read. Learn. Survive.

Food and Water

Being safe also means taking good care of our health. In the event of a disaster where groceries and convenience stores are closed, it would always be advantageous to have food and water in our 72 hour survival kit.

In an emergency, you likely won't be able to go on a grocery run. When SHTF blows indiscriminately, you will need all the energy you can muster just to get by. Your kit should consist the following emergency food:

• canned meat, fish, and beans (“pop-top” cans that open without a can-opener is a sound idea)
• canned juice
• trail mix
• dried fruit
• cereals
• biscuits
• protein or granola bars
• freeze-dried foods
• water purification tablets
• water (3 gallons per person)

Bedding and Extra Clothing

Every kit should have a complete outfit of suitable clothing for every family member. Never disregard the benefits of having some protective clothing in your kit, especially amid a severe weather condition. It's always a good idea to prepare for any kind of weather. Include these items below in your kit:

• Wool-blended blanket and Emergency heat and reflective blanket
• Sleeping bag and sleeping pads
• Extra clothing (long-sleeved and short-sleeved shirts, pants, jackets, socks, etc.)
• Undergarments
• Raincoat or poncho

Personal Supplies and Medication

Having a first aid kit in your pack should not be an option, rather it is a must. In emergency or survival situations where someone is wounded, administering first aid can reduce the severity of the injury and the risk of infection. Non-prescription medication should also be included to treat fever and body aches.
And of course, we shouldn't neglect the importance of hygiene and sanitation when we're talking about survival, for sickness and disease will exceedingly lower your chances of escaping a perilous circumstance alive and well. Don't forget to include the items below in your emergency kit or bug-out kit:

• First aid kit and supplies (ointments, gauze pads, assortment of bandages, cold/hot packs, scissors, and tweezers)
• Toiletries (toilet paper, moist towelettes or baby wipes, toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products, etc.)
• Cleaning supplies (sanitizers, soap, shampoo, dish soap, etc.)
• Medication ( For fever, stomach ache, toothache, and children's medicine)
• 3-day stock of prescription medicine
• toilet paper

Equipment

The items listed below are important components of your 72-hour survival kit. These things will serve as your dependable protector in a survival situation and will definitely make your task a lot easier. During evacuation, you won't have time to collect the tools you need. Preparedness is key, so make sure you have these tools in your emergency survival kit. Just make sure that they are durable enough to withstand even the most unrelenting weather conditions.

• basic tools (wrench, pliers, shovel, hatchet or ax, pocket knife, etc.)
• can opener
• dishes and utensils
• camp stove and fuel
• rope
• duct tape
• whistle with neck cord
• cell phone charger
• dusk masks
• hand operated or crank radio with spare batteries
• pen and paper

Light and Firestarters

When we are confronted by a natural disaster such as an earthquake or a typhoon, power outages are inevitable. And it's absolutely difficult to maneuver in the dark. If, for example, you find that the only shelter available is a cave, you'll be happy to have these in your bug-out kit. So these items below will undoubtedly guide you out of harm's way.

• flashlights/lamps
• extra batteries
• long burning candles
• flares
• lighters
• windproof/waterproof matches

And talking about firestarters, you might want to check out the Everstryke Match Pro Lighter. It can be a real lifesaver. Shop for it here. 

Personal Documents and Extra Cash

Photo by Wikimedia Commons

Include your legal documents like your passport and birth certificate in your 72-hour survival kit. One of the most neglected areas of preparedness is having your important documents with you. This will prove your identity and possessions to authorities in times of a survival circumstance. Let us not forget what Katrina taught us.
To guard against looting, a lot of families were prevented by the National Guard and police from entering their homes unless they could present identification and evidence of ownership. Place these documents along with some extra cash in a waterproof container. Arguably, money has a long shelf life, so it's always nice to have.

• legal documents (passports, marriage, and birth certificates, contracts, wills, etc.)
• insurance policies
• contact information and several copies of your survival plan
• credit cards
• prepaid phone cards
• cash (include small bills and quarters for phone calls)

Ready-to-go kit

If you need to bug out or evacuate your premises, store all the necessary stuff you need in a duffel bag or in your backpack and place it in an accessible place. Make sure you can lift and carry your preparedness kit.

• non-perishable food
• water ( 3-4 liters per person)
• extra clothes
• first aid kit
• flashlight and extra batteries
• prescription and non-prescription medication
• personal hygiene items
• a card with emergency contacts
• protective weapon (if available)

Important Notes

• You need to update your kits every six months. Make a note in your planner to be sure that water, food, and medicines have not yet expired, and see to it that the clothing is still okay to wear. Also, check your personal records if they are still up to date and make sure that the batteries are well charged.
• Divide your items into groups and put them in individual Ziploc bags because some items might drip, dissolve, or break open.
• Adjust clothing for winter or summer needs
• Consider the needs of other family members such as the elderly and small children.

Check out this video and find out more about the things you need to include in a 72-hour emergency pack!

The contents of your survival kits will differ depending on your area, the size of your family, and the purpose. But having the proper kit is only the second most important thing next to having a solid plan. It is always best to have more than one kit —in your vehicle, office, and of course, in your home.
Others may feel that it is just a waste of resources or that it will never be needed, but little do they know that it is definitely worth every penny spent because it only takes one devastating situation to lose everything you have. This 72-hour survival kit will keep your strength up and fight off low morale whenever you are stuck in the gnashing teeth of disaster.

Penny for your thoughts? Tell us what you think about this checklist by dropping your two cents in the comments below.
Up Next:  Emergency Hurricane Survival Kit List & Preparedness Tips

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Editor's Note: This article was originally published on May 22, 2018, and has been updated for accuracy and relevancy.