Before we can worry too much about longer term preparation, it is most important to get ready for the short-term crisis. This might be a weather incident (ice storm, hurricane, blizzard, flooding, etc) or something like an earthquake or it could be a financial crisis or bank closure, or it could be a terrorist attack…
Our government has pretty much told us that we are on our own for at least the first 72-96 hours of any emergency, so we should be prepared to fend for ourselves…
Over the next month, I am going to start talking in some detail about your 72 hour emergency bag which should ideally be stored in your car ready to go. This is also called a BUG-OUT BAG” by some people. This emergency kit contains the essentials that your family would need to survive in the event of a natural disaster or other calamity. If you have two vehicles, and you have one of these in each vehicle, then you are covered for about a week. For people with limited storage space, having a compact 72 hour kit in each of two vehicles might be the perfect way to store your one week supply.
You will need a backpack or duffel bag to put this stuff in, so start looking around to see if you have a couple that will work. The waterproof duffels from Army surplus stores can be great for this.
Be on the lookout for future posts on this topic, I’ll call them 72 Hour Essentials…
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Rob, sounds like a great place to start! Do people sell these kits as well?
Sonya Lenzo
http://www.yourchanceforromance.com
Rob
72-92 hours – so thats three to four days.
It sounds like a long time. Is that a conservative estimate or liberal estimate?
Is it different for different times of the year – like winter or summer – and for parts of the country?
Michael
http://datingguruhq.com
Bags are ready…..awaiting further instructions….
http://alamghafoor.com
Hi Rob,
that sounds great. Having lived and living periodically in earthquake country, I have read newspaper articles on this and listened to Red Cross presentations. However, they were always just short pieces. Helpful. However, I am sure your coverage over the next month will be more in depth and thorough.
What kits do you recommend we purchase? (first aid kits, etc.) and what are the links at Amazon for that? How often should what supplies be rotated? And also what about the sort of Meal Rations kits. Where do you recommend we keep these things? I am serious. Because if you have it upstairs in your home and then there is a collapse, um, good luck finding it. ground floor? garage? outdoor shed?
and when they recommend turning off gas etc. HOW do you do that? It’s important for our families and for singles too to know about emergency preparedness. We are all part of a family who cares about us and wants us to live and survive an emergency.
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
Cyberdating Expert and Online Dating Coach
I have so many totes around but not really a good duffel bag. I’ll have to keep my eye out for one. April asked some interesting questions. Looking forward to your response on those.
Lisa McLellan
Babysitting Services, Nanny Services, and Nanny agencies
Can’t wait to see what tips you give us on what to put in…sonya had a great question..are their prepared bug out bags?
Great idea Rob. The old bug out bag. Most people just assume someone will be along to take care of them in a few hours after a disaster.
Mike
Safety Is Everyones Business
Great idea. I look forward to your instructions. Hoping you do them a few at a time so I have time to purchase or prepare over time because if there’s too long of a list I just know I’ll procrastinate, which of course defeats the whole purpose!
Peggy Larson
Quilting – Colors and Fun!
I’m looking forward to learning more about the bug-out bag. I already like the name.
Tim Van Milligan, helping you Make Money Online, God’s Way!
Yes, 72 hours or more, depending on where you live, who’s governing and the type of emergency…. Looking forward to reading your suggestions… and I agree: April had some very important questions …
Eileen
Mixing Romance, Feet & ESL lessons
Enjoy Being Online here!
Looking forward to further instruction! Does one bag provide for 1 person or a family of X?
Mark
Direct Selling Advice, Leveraging Relationships for Long-term Profit
One for each vehicle? Excellant advice. Thanks to the TARP financial project my daily commute has just been extended 15 minutes each way. Not much, I know. But when there’s one way up the mesa and only one way back down, getting back to the house might even be impossible. Thanks,
http://dewaynechriswell.com
I hadn’t considered keeping a 72 hour kit in each vehicle but this is great advice. What about keeping one at your office too?
Does a Bug Out Bag include insect repellant?
Sabrina Peterson, NASM CPT,CES
Corrective Exercise for Every Body
Rob a few years ago my kids gave me a 72 hour kit that they ordered from Costco. It is a backpack with all the things in it. I keep it by the garage door to grab if needed. I will take your advice and have them in the vechiles also.
Dale
Rob,
You’ve got my attention. I look forward to learning more about the “bug out bag”.
Yours In Health!
Dr. Wendy
http://www.kettlebellolympia.com
Hi Rob,
Great advice on building your own 72 hour essentials kit.
I’m looking forward to reading more details on what you recommend.
You’ve really got me thinking about short term & long range plans for making sure my son & I are able to take care of ourselves.
Thanks!
Michael
The Success Secrets
I can see the wisdom of a 72 hour kit but I hope I never have to use one. I look forward to the rest, I could use some advice on preparing one.
Shane
Hypnotism – Change Your Thoughts and Change Your Life -