Guest Author:
Ben Krahenbuhl
Nampa 30th Ward
72 hour kitsThe first thing to remember when trying to put together a 72 hour kit is that it is just that….a 72 hour kit. It is really easy to get into the mindset of trying to create a GOOD (get out of dodge) kit that will last you through Armageddon and back. Believe me, I have tried and failed miserably! You can’t prepare for everything that can go wrong so don’t try. It is overwhelming and will end in you just giving up. So, remember when thinking of supplies to put in 72 hour kit, you are only looking to last 72 hours with this pack. Not 5 days, 2 weeks, or a month. You won’t be able to do it and still be able to wear it
Next, there is a saying in the survival world known as the “Rule of 3”. What this states is that an average person will be able to survive:
• 3 minutes without air
• 3 hours in extreme weather (both cold and hot)
• 3 days without water
• 3 weeks without food
After looking at this, 72 hours is only 3 days. Look at the things that will kill you within those 3 days. They are air, extreme weather, and lack of water, and food if you have a medical condition.
First is air. Not much you can do here. If you don’t have air you die very quickly. Most of us don’t really need to worry about storing air either since it is free. So there is nothing we can do to prepare against this “rule”.
Second is extreme weather. This mostly deals with shelter but also is attributed to clothing as well. In extreme heat (100˚ +) or cold (around freezing levels), without shelter, an average person will last about 3 hours till death. In preparing to counter this, you will need things to create a simple shelter. Items that you might consider to include would be:
• Rope (25-50 feet, preferable nylon)
• Knife
• Tarp
• Matches/Magnesium block/Flint and stone
• Wool socks
• Insulated pajamas (not cotton)
• Beanie or hat
This is just a sample list. Think about your own needs and what you would need to survive a night in cold/hot weather. Now most of you will look at the list and say, “why would I want pajamas, a beanie, wool socks, stuff to start a fire, etc. in hot weather?” The answer is that at nights it can still get pretty chilly and kill you. Fire is a must have in this “rule”. Look at bring multiple different instruments to start a fire in case matches get wet, the tinder you have is wet (flint and stone), etc. Don’t just rely on one method for starting fires, cleaning water, making a shelter, etc. You could pack 6 boxes of waterproof matches, but if they don’t work, you will hate yourself
A word on clothing. In a time when we might need to grab our bags and book it out of town, most of us aren’t going to have time to change clothes to suit the outside weather. Most of us dress comfortable as we are in a nice heated/cooled house out of the elements. If a situation did arise that you had to book it and didn’t have time to change, pack a few extra clothes items for that reason.
In cold weather, avoid anything with cotton. It will absorb water/sweat/precipitation and is very difficult to dry, meaning you stay wet and cold for a long time, ultimately resulting in death. Polyesters, wool, fleece, etc. are good options when looking at clothing for cold weather.
In heat, you want the complete opposite. You want cotton because it will absorb water/sweat/precipitation which you can then use to keep your body cool. So in heat, use all cotton. In cold, pack everything but cotton.
Third is water. I would not suggest trying to pack water as it is very heavy and you won’t be able to pack enough of it to last you three days. This then makes the assumption that you will be looking for water while away from home. Never drink water out in the open as it may contain parasites that will make life interesting for you I suggest packing water filtration supplies like purification tablets, iodine, or water filtering pumps. Pumps are expensive so it may not be practical. Most water purification tablets are cheap and will work relatively well. Iodine can be problematic if used incorrectly. The last and most common method of getting clean water is boiling it. You will need something to store your water in as well. A small cup, plastic tubing, bottles with lids, canteens, etc. are all good options. As for boiling water, a small metal pot (about a quart big) will boil a good amount of water for you without taking up too much room in your pack.
Fourth is food. Now for adults, we don’t need to worry about this. As much as we don’t like it, we could fast for a few days and still be ok. If you are diabetic or have other medical complications, you might want to pack a small few things to eat. I don’t claim to know much in this area so make an assessment of your individual needs and pack what is reasonable for 3 days. As for children, they can last about 5-6 days without food before serious problems start arising. That doesn’t mean you don’t want to pack a few things for them to eat. Stick with items that are high in calories, fat, and protein. Cans of tuna, nuts, granola bars, etc. are easy items to pack. Freeze dried meals are available at most stores and are fairly cheap. They only require water and provide a good tasting meal with relative ease. A few pieces of candy will give your kids a psychological boost and help them and you cope with this stressful situation. Now, don’t try to pack full meals. They are too heavy, expensive, and not really necessary. Remember, you can go weeks without food (even though it will be painful, unpleasant, difficult, etc) so think with your head, not your stomach.
Last word is on misc things that you might need, mostly medical. Some people take medication on a daily basis. Some people require life saving meds, shots, pills, supplements, etc to stay alive. Remember this when compiling your list of things to pack. I realize that you may not be able to pack these items, but maybe you can think of a way to make it work
Now, this is just a general discussion about a 72 hour kits and what you need to pack in them. There are tons of itemized lists online that provide a good starting point. When looking through these lists, remember that most people will go way beyond what is really necessary to survive for 3 days. Remember that your pack is only supposed to last you 72 hours, no more. Fight that urge to prepare a pack to take on Armageddon, it won’t work (believe me…I tried many times). Another helpful idea is that when looking at your list or lists off of the internet, use the items in the “Rule of 3” to decide what you really need. Go through each item and see if it relates to the 3 things that will kill you within those three days (air, extreme weather, water, and if needed for medical reasons, food). If it doesn’t, you probably won’t need. If you have any questions, would like to talk more about this, etc., please contact me and I would be more than happy to help you with this project.
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*In the future we will be having other Guest Authors who will be sharing how they do their 72 hour kits.
