Affordably Create Your Own 72-Hour Survival and Evacuation Kit

Preparing Ahead of Time

In a disaster you don’t have much time. This is why you need to plan ahead. In general you need to prepare sufficient supplies that will sustain you and your family for 72 hours outside of your home. During this time things like power, gas, and water may not be available. To be on the safe side, you will create two emergency survival kits (two backpacks) stored in different locations. One backpack will be stored in your house. The backpack kit will be stored in either your car or garage. If something happens to your house, you will have the backup emergency kit waiting for you at your car or garage. 

You will need to have a plan for camping outside of your house, and you should be able to reach your survival kits. Make sure you have planned a designated meeting place outside of your home (you and your family members need to discuss where the best meeting place will be).

Preparing a survival kit isn’t too difficult, and it does not have to cost you a fortune. So let’s get started on making your kit and learning how to use it.

Items you need in each survival kit:

Backpack

Flash light

Battery operated/ Wind-up radio

Cell phone (charged)

Bottled water

Blanket

First aid kit

Portable gas lighter/ cigarette lighter

Swiss army knife (including can opener)

Cookware for camping (keep it minimal)

Canned food

Flat bread

Start building your survival kit by gathering things you have laying around the house. Items that you desperately need can be purchased from the store, but you should check what you have on hand first. Some places to look include:

·         Tool boxes

·         Car kits

·         First-aid kits

Prepare for the worst, and hope for the best. In the event that your home is inaccessible after an emergency, you may still have your second kit ready in the car or garage. Your goal is to access at least one backpack/ kit.

Take Action

Get your survival kit and go to the designated meeting place. If your home has been destroyed or is inaccessible, check the car or garage for your backup survival kit. Ensure that everyone is okay, and treat any injuries promptly. After everyone has been accounted for, do the following:

1. Secure a shelter or at least make sure you have some protection from the elements. If you are in a cold climate generate a source of heat quickly (i.e. fire and/ or food). If you can’t build a fire, at least eat something to strengthen and warm up your body. Cover yourself with blankets and keep dry. If you live in a hot climate, get out of the sun and stay cool (reserve your blankets for after sundown).

2. Assign or divide tasks amongst your family members, such as finding wood for the fire, rationing the food and water, and calling for aid on your cell phone (keep in mind that cellular networks may be down). If you happen to be alone, the first thing you’ll want to do is get warm and stay out of the weather. If you have sunlight, try to get as much done before nightfall. Gather wood, build a fire, and keep your body warm. When the weather is bad starting a fire may be impossible or difficult. Reserve your body heat by applying a blanket over your clothing. On a very cold night, sleep facing the ground to keep your heart warm.

3. Wait for rescue teams to arrive.    

Maintain Your Survival Kits

Keep your food and rations up to date. When you visit your local grocery store, consider renewing the items in your survival kit with fresh supplies. In the event that an emergency requires you and your family to evacuate your home, you’ll have fresh food and water. Imagine the devastation you might face if you got sick from eating outdated food during a crisis. Renew your rations and emergency supplies frequently, until it becomes a habit.

Other Considerations

Be a survivor. Consider today that which you might lose tomorrow. The idea of preparing ahead of time is to ensure that you have a chance to survive until help arrives.

Depending on where you live, and the intensity of the emergency, repair services may not reach your area for days. Damaged power cables can leave thousands without heat, communication, light, and water pressure. Inevitably, you’ll need to have your own water and a source of heat. You can use blankets to keep warm if you are unable to make a fire. Use the flashlight sparingly. Do not forget to check your radio for updates and news about rescue, weather, and crime. Your radio also does more than keep you informed. Radio can offer a sense of reassurance and boost morale. As long as you use your kits wisely and keep positive, you’ll have a better chance of surviving until a rescue team reaches your area.