A 72-hour kit is not a camping pack. It is a three-day buffer for a household that may have to leave home or live without services. Build one bag per adult, a smaller bag per child, and a shared household bag.
Water
At least 1 gallon per person per day. For four people, that is 12 gallons for three days. Water is heavy; keep a rolling duffel or a vehicle kit for the bulk, and a small bottle in each personal bag.
Food
Pack no-cook food that the household actually eats:
- ready-to-eat bars, nut butter, crackers, canned fish or chicken;
- dried fruit, nuts, cereal;
- manual can opener;
- paper plates, cups, utensils, and a trash bag.
Avoid food that needs a lot of water or cooking. Check expiration dates every six months.
Personal supplies
- glasses or contacts, hearing-aid batteries, and other personal devices;
- hand sanitizer, soap, toothbrushes, menstrual products;
- spare chargers and batteries for any device you rely on.
Documents and money
Copies of ID, insurance, and property documents in a waterproof bag. A small amount of cash in small bills. A paper contact list, including one out-of-area contact.
Light, power, and warmth
- flashlight or headlamp per person;
- extra batteries;
- power bank and charging cables;
- battery or hand-crank radio;
- emergency blanket or warm layer per person;
- sturdy shoes and socks.
Pets
Pack pet food, water, a carrier, leash, and vaccination records. Not every shelter accepts animals; identify pet-friendly shelters or hotels on your route.
The shared household bag
- copies of documents;
- extra personal supplies;
- duct tape, multitool, and a small repair kit;
- maps and a paper contact list;
- a tarp or emergency shelter;
- sanitation supplies.
Rotation
Check the kit every six months:
- Replace expired food and medicine.
- Test flashlights and the radio.
- Recharge power banks.
- Update documents and contact lists.
- Try carrying the bag for 10 minutes.
A bag you cannot carry is not a go-bag.
For the field version, see Build a 72-hour go-bag, Family emergency plan, and Important documents in Fieldry.
Sources
- Ready.gov — Build a Kit: https://www.ready.gov/kit
- Ready.gov — Important Documents: https://www.ready.gov/important-documents
- Ready.gov — Pets: https://www.ready.gov/pets