Japanese earthquake and seventy-two hour kits

This morning after hearing about the earthquake in Japan and the tsunamis, I decided that today’s post would be a quick review of seventy-two hour kits.  The earthquake and evacuation shows just how suddenly the need for a seventy-two hour kit can occur.  Now, might be a good time to check the contents of your kit or if you don’t have one, build one.  The following list is a very basic one.  More information will be put up in future posts.

BASIC CONTENTS OF SEVENTY-TWO HOUR KIT

Three days’ supply of food minimum, ( I carry more) to be determined by size and age of family and personal needs.
Suggested items

•    MRE’s (meals ready to eat)
•    Freeze dried or dehydrated products
•    Canned food – meats, tuna, sardine, fruits, vegetables chili etc.
•    Hard candy dried fruit, etc.
•    Top Ramen Noodles
•    Lipton Rice & Sauce or Noodles & Sauce
•    Granola Bars or Power Bars
•    Instant Breakfast
•    Fruit bar or fruit rolls
•    Grab & Go buckets from FreezeDryGuy
•    Mountain House or similar freeze dried of dehydrated foods

U.S. military surplus mess kit or similar backpacking set
Knife, fork & spoon set
U.S. stainless steel canteen cup can be used for drinking or cooking.

WATER PURIFICATION
One Qt. Military canteen.
One Qt. Nylon canteen cover.
Portable Aqua Tablets, 50 per bottle, 4 year shelf life or a good quality water filter like the one made by Aquamira, Katadyn or First Need.    I like the Aquamira’s Frontier Pro which only weights 2 oz and will filter 50 gallons of water.  The cost is only about $25.00.

SANITATION
Toilet paper
Bar of soap
Towel
Feminine supplies
Personal items
Insect repellant

WARMTH AND SHELTER
Sleeping bags are the best choice for warmth and comfort
100% wool blanket is the best second choice for warmth.  Check the military surplus outlets.
Space blanket, emergency use only, poorest choice
A good poncho, it can also be used to make a temporary shelter.
FIRE STARTERS
Waterproof match case
Strike anywhere matches
BlastMatch, Strike Force and a Sparkie are all commercial manufactured fire starters that will work after having been wet. I carry one of these in addition to matches.
A small container of cotton balls impregnated with vaseline.

MISCELLANEOUS
Legal papers, insurance policies and other important documents.
Large trash bags
Battery or solar power radio
A good knife
A good LED flashlight and spare batteries
50’ hank of parachute cord
Small shovel for burying waste
Large rucksack or other means of carrying kit.
Clothing is an item that depends on the area in which you reside, and the time of the year.  Be sure and pack warm clothes, if you have to stay outside all night it can get cold even when it seems hot during the day.

FIRST AID KIT
The kit should contain a minimum of the following items.  If possible package them in a water proof container.

•    Surgical dressing, approx. 4” x 6
•    Band-aids assorted sizes
•    Gauze pad 4” four each
•    Gauze pad 2” four each
•    Adhesive tape ¾”
•    First aid book
•    Vaseline
•    Ace bandage
•    Triangular bandage
•    Antiseptic
•    Anti-diarrhea medicine
•    Aspirin and acetaminophen
•    Calamine lotion
•    Cotton swabs
•    Ace bandage, 3”
•    Moleskin for blisters
•    Sunscreen
•    Mosquito repellant
•    Prescription medicine as needed