72 Hour Kit Rolling BackpackAs promised here is the list of my recommended 72 hour kit supplies. Mind you, this isn’t the minimalistic 72 hour kit. This is the “rolling” one. By all means, if you have something to add to the list or have questions as to why a particular item is on the list, simply leave a comment.

Basic 72-hour Emergency Kit (*This is a list of ONLY the Basics)

Clothing

  • Leather gloves
  • Shirt, pants, socks and shoes
  • PVC poncho with hood
  • Bandana
  • Hat
  • Sweat pants and top or other light workout suit

Defense

  • Handgun
  • 50 rounds of self-defense ammunition

Note: Rather than “in” your kit, it should be on your person

Lexan Cutlery

Lexan Cutlery

Food

  • 3600 calorie bar OR (3) MREs of desired flavor with MRE heat-packs
  • Lexan fork, knife, and spoon
  • 20 feet of fishing line, (4) small hooks, sinkers, and a bubble
  • Small quantity of hard-tack candy
  • (3) granola bars
  • (6) sticks of jerky in sealed bag
  • Small wing can-opener

Heat/Light

  • Older style Bic lighter (flint spark can be used when fuel runs out)
  • Wind-proof, water-proof matches
  • Magnesium block with striker
  • (3) 12-hour cyalume lightstick
  • (2) 4-inch wax candle
  • (6) hand warmer packs
  • Sealable sandwich baggie with small quantity of dryer lint
  • Flashlight
First Aid Booklet photo c/o redcrossshop.org

First Aid Booklet photo c/o redcrossshop.org

Medical

  • 72 hour supply of personal medications
  • First Aid booklet
  • (4) Butterfly bandages
  • 3-inch foot wrap
  • (3) gauze compress
  • Burn-Free packet
  • Small bottle of Naproxen, Acetaminophen, and Ibuprofen
  • Small bottle of hand-sanitizer liquid
  • Bug repellant
  • Lip balm
  • Eye drops
  • (4) Safety pins
  • Small selection of band-aids
  • Alcohol wipes
  • (2) Feminine Pads (for males also as these soak up blood and other liquids fast)
  • Small quantity of salt (a few teaspoons)
  • Small quantity of baking soda (a few teaspoons) (1/2 tsp. soda + 1 tsp. salt + 1 qt. water for shock)
SAS Essential Survival Book

SAS Essential Survival Book

Miscellaneous

  • Whistle
  • Mirror
  • SAS Essential Survival Book
  • Toilet paper
  • Pocketknife (preferably a multi-tool type with pliers)
  • 20-foot length of nylon rope or utility cord
  • Marking pen and small Memo-pad of paper
  • Small plastic hand shovel
  • Duct tape
  • Compass and basic map of your area
  • FRS or GMRS radio
  • $2.00 minimum  in change (combo of nickels, dimes, quarters)
  • Waterproof, sealable baggie with copy of driver’s license, other identifications, marriage certificates, passports, emergency contact numbers (relatives or contact points), etc.
  • (3) large garbage bag
  • (12) large cable ties
  • 12” x 24” piece of tinfoil or aluminum foil
  • Small copy of your scriptures
  • This list of items
  • Day-pack with multiple outer pockets to carry it all in
Foil Blanket photo c/o benmeadows.com

Foil Blanket photo c/o benmeadows.com

Shelter

  • Foil Emergency sleeping bag
  • Fleece blanket
  • 12’ x 8’ plastic sheeting or tarp (ground cloth, tube tent or other)

Water

  • (2) Quart-size sealable plastic bag
  • (2) 20-oz bottle of Gatorade or Powerade with screw-on top
  • (8) 4-oz Water pack
  • (20) Iodine pills or other water purification method
  • Sierra cup

Notes

  • Customize this list to the individual
  • Most items (but not all, for obvious reasons) should be duplicated in each kit since separation is possible

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22 Comments

jamie · August 28, 2009 at 6:37 pm

You might include some trick birthday candles. They are cheap and the wind can’t blow them out.
I would recommend fishing lures, instead of just hooks.
I have a small ziplock bag with bullion cubes 2 packets of instant cocoa, 2 tea bags and Salt, pepper, sugar packets from restaurants. A couple of “safety” razor blades.
I have Construction garbage/debris bags. They are much thicker than Household type bags

Passer · August 29, 2009 at 12:05 am

In addition I carry a small tube of Petroleum Gel. It can be combined with cotton balls or dryer lint to start a fire. Be sure to use real 100% “cotton” balls and only the lint from cotton bath towels. Polyester melts and cotton ignites. Lip Balm as mentioned can be used for a fire starter as well.

I also recommend a wool blanket over fleece. Even when wet it helps retain body heat.

Michael · August 29, 2009 at 4:39 am

We have water in each kit, but we also have a rolling suitcase with bottled water for an additional few gallons of water. The rolling suitcase will make it much easier to carry along with us.

Kellene · August 29, 2009 at 6:50 pm

I can see some merit in the trick birthday candles, however, they don’t provide much light at all and they require yet another fire source to light. So I would pass on them in lieu of more matches, etc.
Salt, pepper, bullion cubes and hot cocoa can turn just about anything into “edible” eh? I agree!

Ed Gruberman · August 31, 2009 at 7:08 pm

“Small wing can opener”? I hope that’s not one of those that has the hand-crank mechanism. Better to use the opener in the pocketknife, or else a 50¢ p-38 can opener. Smaller, lighter, and easier to use.

TNDadx4 · September 2, 2009 at 1:02 pm

Super glue for cuts and minor repairs

Also, a small caveat with personal meds… All controlled substances (painkillers, etc.) need to be kept in original prescription bottles, otherwise if you are stopped by a police officer, you may be suspected of trafficing as you have several pills of different types in unmarked containers. For those with large bottles of medicines, ask your pharmacist for their smallest bottle and have them print duplicate information on it.

Kellene · September 2, 2009 at 3:32 pm

You are correct, unfortunately, TND. I say unfortunately, because if there is an instance in which your meds are being checked in the manner you described, you are forsaking your constittional rights to your property, unlawful search and seizure and a litany of other rights ensured to us by the U.S. Constitution. Mother Nature, an act of war, or a financial collapse does NOT trump those rights. I pray that we do not have to endure such days.

    laurie long · April 8, 2015 at 1:42 am

    Yes, TNDadx4 is correct….it
    Yes, TNDadx4 is correct….it happens all the time here in Tn. Any stop is considered “cause” and we cannot deny seaches because that is automatic cuffed, car and K9.
    I have a concealed carry permit and the police know it if they run my tags. They approach cautiously and ask if I am armed first before any other conversation ensues. I personnaly not ever had it go any futher, but I know of people who have…LL

TNDadx4 · September 2, 2009 at 4:48 pm

Amen! I agree, wholeheartedly, Kellene.

Although I’ve never had it happen to me, I have read two news articles where this happened, one of which was a traffic stop and the officer saw an empty unlabeled prescription bottle which was the supposed grounds for the search.

I also know from what I’ve read about how some things were handled in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina that unfortunately, sometimes are rights do get unfairly trampled on.

Keep up the great work! I love your blog!

Pam · September 4, 2009 at 9:42 pm

Kellene, you know I love your blog…
I was wondering if fighting germs too much will lessen our bodies immune system to learn how to fight them off naturally?

Kellene · September 4, 2009 at 10:38 pm

There’s a lot of hoopla with that. But the fact of the matter is, new germs are always developing. Our body is constantly in a state of immune adaptation. It’s much more complex than constantly using a hand sanitizer. So I would say IMO, no.

karizorn · September 8, 2009 at 3:43 pm

Hey, you have a great blog here! I’m definitely going to bookmark you! Thank you for your info.And this is **construction safety** site/blog. It pretty much covers ###safety article## related stuff.

jamie · September 12, 2009 at 5:33 am

I forgot to add you can make your own “waterproof” matches. Use the strike anywhere type matches and dip them about 1/3 in melted paraffin wax. Scrape the wax off and then strike.

Chuck White · February 1, 2011 at 6:12 pm

You never think about this sort of thing until someone points it out like this. Ideas are floating around out there; all you need is someone to grab ‘em. Great stuff!

Mike · March 17, 2012 at 4:41 pm

I’ve reviewed similar lists on several web sites, but I’ve never seen the following (to me obvious) items listed:

1) small hachet which can be used as a functional tool
2) magnifying glass

Lisa Roloff · February 7, 2013 at 6:54 pm

don’t forget to use your vacuum sealer! the boxes of band aids take up a lot of space, make up multiple packets and vacuum seal them. the toilet paper alone will save you a lot of space

M. J. · February 8, 2013 at 12:02 am

I would also add a headlamp. Much needed in the dark, and it can also be put around a 1 gallon clear jug of water (light facing inward) as cheap, efficient light source.

Barbara · April 8, 2015 at 12:21 am

A small jar of honey and one
A small jar of honey and one of vinegar. Honey is very healing and works to keep wounds sterile. Vinegar is great for sterilizing, gargling and for flavoring among it’s many other listings. A small can of W-D40 works great to lubricate and waterproof shoes, boots, gloves, etc.

christy · April 27, 2015 at 3:58 pm

Here’s a question I’ve been
Here’s a question I’ve been wondering lately. Payphones have pretty much become obsolete right?

So, what use, at least here in the United States, would quarters be in an emergency situation as part of the 72 hour kit.

Marilyn · November 10, 2015 at 1:16 pm

Kellene,
Kellene,

At the top of the blog you show a rolling backpack. Will everything on this list fit into one? (I’m particularly thinking of the fleece blanket …) If not, what would you suggest using?

    Preparedness Pro · November 10, 2015 at 4:10 pm

    I would use one of the travel
    I would use one of the travel bags that will fit in the upper storage section of an airplane. I prefer to use the ones with wheels though.

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