When facing an emergency, having the right supplies can make all the difference. Most would agree that being prepared with a thoughtfully stocked survival kit is vital.
This comprehensive guide outlines the essential items for inclusion in any survival kit, providing actionable checklists for beginners and seasoned preppers alike. You'll discover the key components that ensure you're ready for anything from a 72-hour emergency to a 14-day crisis.
We'll cover fundamental questions like: What are the 20 must-have items for an emergency kit? And What documents belong in a survival pack? You'll leave equipped with customized checklists tailored for specific climates, needs, and scenarios.
Equipping for the Unexpected with a Survival Kit Checklist
A comprehensive survival kit checklist is crucial to have on hand for any prepper. Building your emergency preparedness kit may seem overwhelming, but it can be simplified by focusing on a few key categories:
Food and Water
Having enough food and water is critical in an emergency situation when access to resources is limited. Your kit should include:
- Canned goods and non-perishable foods like granola bars
- Emergency ration packs with enough calories for 3 days
- At least a 3-day supply of water (1 gallon per person per day)
First Aid Supplies
Your health is essential, so be sure to have basic medical supplies:
- First aid kit
- Bandages and gauze pads
- Antibiotic ointment
- Medications you regularly take
Tools and Emergency Gear
Reliable tools and gear can provide safety and security when help is not readily available. Consider packing:
- Flashlight
- Battery-powered radio
- Multi-tool
- Emergency whistle
- Weather-appropriate extra clothing and footwear
Following this survival kit checklist ensures you have essentials for facing emergencies with confidence. Continue expanding your supplies over time to tailor your kit to your unique needs and evolving situations. But having even these basics readily available can make a lifesaving difference.
What would I need in a survival kit?
When creating a survival kit, there are some essential items every prepper should include. At a minimum, FEMA recommends having basic disaster supplies like water, non-perishable food, a radio, flashlight, first aid kit, extra batteries, and a whistle.
Here is a checklist covering some key survival kit essentials:
Water and Food
- 1 gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days
- High-calorie, non-perishable food like granola bars, canned goods, beef jerky
- Manual can opener
- Water purification tablets or filter
Tools and Supplies
- Battery-powered or hand crank NOAA radio
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Multi-tool knife
- Fire starting kit with matches, lighter
- Emergency shelter like a tarp, tent, or emergency blanket
First Aid
- Adhesive bandages, gauze
- Antibiotic ointment
- Pain medication
- Latex gloves
- Sunscreen
Navigation and Communication
- Map of the area
- Compass
- Emergency whistle
- Signal mirror
Sanitation and Hygiene
- Toilet paper
- Soap
- Feminine hygiene products
- Towelettes
- Garbage bags
Customize your survival kit based on your needs, adding prescription medications, pet supplies, or other essentials. Maintain your kit so it’s ready to go when an emergency strikes.
What are 20 items in a emergency kit?
KNOW MORE ABOUT THE SPECIFICS OF WHAT YOUR DISASTER EMERGENCY KIT NEEDS BY READING MORE BELOW: Family first aid kit. ... Supply of medicine for 7 days. ... Lots of drinking water. ... Special needs of children, older adults, and persons with disabilities. ... Special needs of your pets. ... Standalone flashlights. ... Candles and matches, glowsticks.
Having the essentials on hand for an emergency can be a lifesaver. A well-prepared survival kit should contain enough food, water, first aid supplies, and other critical items to support your family for at least 72 hours.
Here is a checklist of 20 key things every preparedness kit needs:
- First aid kit
- Prescription medications
- Flashlight and batteries
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Water (1 gallon per person, per day)
- Canned and non-perishable foods
- Manual can opener
- Personal hygiene items
- Cash
- Important documents
- Multitool or pocket knife
- Emergency blankets and warm clothes
- Emergency shelter (tent, tarp)
- Fire starting materials (matches, lighter)
- Water purification tablets
- Whistle and/or signal flare
- N95 masks and work gloves
- Duct tape
- Garbage bags
- Chargers and backup battery packs
Having these emergency essentials on hand will ensure your family can safely ride out any storm. Customize your kit based on your household's unique needs, regularly check expiration dates, and replenish any depleted items. Being prepared saves lives!
What documents are needed in a survival kit?
Having the right documents readily available is a key part of any survival kit. Here are some essential documents to include:
- Personal identification: Copies of documents like driver's licenses, passports, birth certificates, social security cards, etc. These help prove identity during an emergency.
- Medical information: Any prescriptions, medical conditions, allergies. Having this info allows first responders to best assist you.
- Insurance policies: Copies of health, homeowner's, auto insurance cards. This ensures you can make claims if needed.
- Property deed/lease: Proves home ownership and rights. Useful during property disputes.
- Emergency contacts: List of family members, friends, doctors. So you can easily reach your support network.
- Cash/cards: Have some emergency cash on hand. Also charge cards and debit cards for purchases during disasters.
Keeping copies of key documents in your survival kit means you have vital information no matter the situation. Be sure to keep documents current and review the contents yearly. Stay prepared, fellow prepper!
What items should be in a 72 hour kit?
A 72 hour emergency kit, also known as a 3-day survival kit, is essential for every prepper to have on hand. This kit contains basic supplies to sustain an individual or family for 3 days in the event of an emergency evacuation or disaster scenario.
Here is a checklist of recommended items to include in your 72 hour emergency preparedness kit:
- Water - At least one gallon per person per day. Having bottled water stored ensures access to potable water.
- Food rations - Pack high protein food like peanut butter, nuts, protein bars along with canned goods and comfort foods. Prioritize lightweight, non-perishable items.
- First aid kit - Adhesive bandages, gauze, antibiotics, pain relievers, gloves. You may also need personal medications, prescriptions, and medical equipment.
- Tools and Supplies - Flashlight, batteries, radio, multi-tool, garbage bags, zip ties, duct tape, fire starters, whistle, face masks. These support communication, safety, navigation and survival needs.
- Clothing, Bedding - Seasonally appropriate clothing, sturdy shoes, sleeping bags, thermal blankets for warmth and shelter.
- Hygiene Items - Toilet paper, feminine products, toothbrush and paste, soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes.
Having these basic survival necessities prepacked into a bag or container makes grabbing your 72 hour kit easy in an emergency evacuation. Maintain your kit with fresh batteries, food and water replenishment at least annually. Add items tailored your personal needs like medications, pet food or documents. An up-to-date 72 hour emergency kit prepares any prepper to handle disasters from earthquakes to hurricanes.
Identifying Essentials: What Are 10 Items in an Emergency Kit
We detail ten foundational items every emergency preparedness kit should include, ensuring you have the basics covered in any situation. Having these essentials on-hand will provide necessary sustenance, safety, communication capabilities, and more during an emergency event - whether weather-related, seismic, or otherwise.
When building your survival kit, start by ensuring you have ample food and water supplies. We recommend having at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable foods that don't require refrigeration or preparation, like granola bars, canned goods, nuts, and dried fruits and vegetables. You'll also need 1 gallon of water per person per day - don't forget water for any pets!
An emergency kit would be incomplete without a resilient shelter option, like a tent or tarp, and sleeping supplies to maintain warmth, like blankets and sleeping bags. A crank or solar powered radio helps you stay updated on emergency notifications and weather reports when the power is out. Flashlights, lanterns, and extra batteries provide light. Other necessities include a well-stocked first aid kit, whistle, dust masks, garbage bags, tools, and more specialized personal items like prescription medications.
Having these ten basic items forms a strong emergency kit foundation. You can then build upon it with additional gear to suit your personal needs and likely risks in your geographical area. We'll explore an expert checklist for expansion later on. First up though, let's outline FEMA's official emergency supply recommendations.
The FEMA Emergency Supply List PDF: A Guided Start
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) publishes an emergency supply list PDF designed to help individuals and families prepare an emergency kit with sufficient supplies to survive comfortably for a minimum of three days. Their comprehensive checklist covers all basics across categories like food, water, tools, hygiene items and more.
We recommend using the official FEMA emergency supply list as a starting point when compiling your own survival kit. While tailoring the checklist to your personal needs, ensure you have all FEMA-recommended items covered as an informed foundation. Once you check those necessities off, continue expanding your supplies based on likely risks in your area - floods, earthquakes, storms and more.
For example, FEMA's list may not emphasize earthquake-specific supplies if you live on the West Coast. So make sure to integrate seismic safety items like hard hats beyond the official recommendations. This comprehensive approach helps guarantee you have both expert-guided essentials and situation-specific gear covered.
Apply FEMA's list as an authoritative building block, customizing further to address unique regional and personal risks. This balances broad disaster preparedness with an emergency kit personalized for your environment and family. With such a thorough approach, you can rest assured knowing you have the critical supplies on-hand to safely weather any storm.
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The Emergency Go Bag Checklist: Your 72-Hour Lifeline
Having an emergency go bag packed and ready to grab at a moment's notice could mean the difference between life and death in a crisis. This bag, designed to sustain you for 72 hours, serves as a lifeline to bridge the gap until help arrives or you reach safety.
When assembling your 72-hour kit, prioritize gear that covers your basic survival needs - shelter, water, food, first aid, communication, tools, and navigation. Tailor the bag's contents to likely emergency scenarios in your region, as well as your personal needs.
Here are some key factors when preparing an emergency go bag:
Selecting a Bag: Features and Comfort
Choosing the right backpack for your 72-hour emergency kit ensures quick access to gear while on the move. Prioritize these features when selecting a bag:
- Durability: Opt for abrasion-resistant fabrics like 1000D nylon or cordura that can withstand harsh conditions and sharp objects. Waterproofing provides extra protection.
- Comfort: Pack weight will increase quickly. Prioritize an ergonomic design with breathable back padding and chest/hip straps to distribute weight.
- Capacity: Balance minimalism with meeting 72-hour supply needs. Aim for 20-40 liters storage.
- Compartments: Multiple pockets and dividers keep gear organized and easy to access. Key lockable sections deter tampering.
- Attachment Points: Gear loops and molle webbing hold tools. Side pouches fit water bottles.
Some top-rated emergency backpack models include the 5.11 Rush72, Direct Action Dragon Egg, and MAXPEDITION Falcon II. Getting the right bag for your needs and body type ensures preparedness and mobility when disaster strikes.
Comprehensive Preparedness: The 14-Day Emergency Kit List
When preparing your survival kit checklist, it's important to think beyond just the first 72 hours after a disaster strikes. Having supplies and gear to sustain you and your family for up to 14 days ensures you can ride out extended disruptions and delays until help arrives or infrastructure is restored.
The key categories to stock up on for 2 weeks of self-sufficiency include:
Food & Water
Having ample reserves of shelf-stable food and clean drinking water is paramount. Plan for at least 1 gallon of water per person per day. Stock up on lightweight, nutrient-dense foods like protein bars, dried fruits and nuts, peanut butter, canned meats, cereals and grains.
Medical Supplies
A well-rounded medical and first aid kit helps manage injuries and illness when medical care may be unavailable. Essentials include bandages, gauze, antiseptic, medications, disposable gloves, trauma supplies, etc.
Hygiene & Sanitation
Maintaining health and sanitary conditions prevents the spread of illness. Pack soaps, disinfectants, toilet paper, feminine products, toothbrush/toothpaste, and even a makeshift toilet setup if plumbing is compromised.
Tools & Supplies
Equip yourself to handle common issues after a calamity. Include multipurpose tools, batteries, flashlights, rope, tarps, duct tape, matches, pocket knife, emergency blankets, whistle, compass, cash, and a crank or solar charger for devices.
Clothing & Shelter
Having versatile layers, protective outerwear, and durable footwear allows you to traverse damaged areas and withstand diverse weather conditions. A backup shelter like a tent or tarp provides refuge if your home becomes unsafe or uninhabitable after a crisis event.
Preparing for 2 weeks without running water, electricity or access to stores takes forethought. But following a comprehensive 14-day emergency kit list tailored to your situation helps ensure you have the survival kit checklist necessities to be self-reliant until emergency teams can provide assistance.
Customizing for Climate: The Hurricane Kit List and Earthquake Emergency Kit List
Tailor your kit with specific items needed for emergency preparedness in the face of hurricanes or earthquakes, two common natural disaster scenarios.
The Hurricane Kit List: Bracing for the Storm
When preparing your survival kit for hurricane season, focus on provisions that will help you withstand high winds, heavy rainfall, flooding, and potential power outages.
Waterproof containers are essential for protecting documents, electronics, food, and first aid supplies from water damage during a hurricane. Choose durable, airtight plastic bins or metal cases. You'll also want to pack items in waterproof bags like heavy-duty zip-close bags or dry bags used for boating.
Tarps, ropes, and bungee cords can provide makeshift shelter and help secure outdoor items that could become flying debris. Having materials for temporary repairs like tarps, duct tape, and even basic tools can also help minimize damage to your home.
Include sandbags or other type of water barricade to help prevent flooding indoors. Sandbags should be placed around doorways and any potential water entry points into the home in advance of the storm.
Of course, food, water, batteries, flashlights and other typical emergency preparedness items still apply. Just package them for extra protection against a hurricane's heavy rains and winds.
The Earthquake Emergency Kit List: Staying Safe Amidst Shaking
Earthquake survival kits should emphasize personal safety, structural protections, and the ability to access necessities when utilities may be impacted and debris makes areas hard to navigate.
Investing in an emergency multi-tool provides necessary instruments like a pry bar, pliers, screwdrivers, and more to help dislodge trapped individuals and access emergency supplies if entryways and storage areas get blocked off or damaged. A flashlight, glow sticks, and headlamp make lighting hands-free when navigating through unstable surroundings.
Heavy work gloves and protective footwear can shield your hands and feet when removing debris and walking over unstable, glass-covered ground in the aftermath. Dust masks protect respiratory health when airborne particles saturate the region.
Most critically, include tools needed to manually turn off home utilities like gas and water lines in the event of ruptures and leaks. Wrenches, pliers, and basic shut-off instructions in your kit could save properties or lives if swift action is taken.
As with any emergency kit, have necessary provisions like non-perishable food, bottled water, first aid, and medications packed and easily accessible. But tailor your earthquake kit to face the direct threats of ground tremors and structural impacts for your specific region. Include objects to remove debris, stabilize structures, block openings, and manually cut off home systems that could pose safety issues after seismic activity.
Survival Kit List and Uses: Tools for Every Scenario
A well-stocked survival kit is essential for every prepper. When an emergency strikes, having the right tools on hand can make all the difference. In this section, we'll explore some of the key items to include in your kit and how to use them effectively.
First Aid Supplies
No survival kit is complete without basic first aid equipment. At minimum, your kit should contain bandages, gauze, antibiotic ointment, pain medication, latex gloves, trauma shears, and a first aid instruction manual. Learn basic medical skills like stopping bleeding, treating infections, and immobilizing injuries. Familiarize yourself with the supplies in your kit beforehand so you can use them confidently in an emergency.
Multi-Tool
A good multi-tool combines pliers, screwdrivers, knife blades, scissors, and other functions into one compact unit. It allows you to handle basic repairs, gear maintenance, food prep, and even self-defense if needed. Choose a durable, corrosion-resistant model with locking components for safety. Learn the different features so you can quickly access the right tool. Consider complementing your multi-tool with a fixed-blade knife and folding saw for more demanding tasks.
Fire Starting Items
The ability to start a fire is a fundamental survival skill. Pack waterproof matches, a ferrocerium rod, tinder, and kindling in your kit. Know multiple techniques like flint and steel, friction fire methods, and even how to start fires with found items. Practice in various weather conditions until fire starting becomes second nature. This will prove invaluable if you need to signal rescuers, purify water, cook, or keep warm.
Signaling and Communication Gear
Pack both active and passive means of signaling rescuers, including a signal mirror, whistle, air horn, flare gun kit, glowing sticks, and a high-visibility vest. An emergency radio and sat phone allow two-way communication when possible. Know applicable distress signals like groups of three for "help needed" and straight lines or crosses for "need medical aid." Regular practice ensures you use gear properly in high-stress scenarios.
Shelter and Insulation
Even in temperate climates, exposure can quickly become life-threatening. Carry a lightweight bivvy sack at minimum, while a tube tent provides more substantial shelter. Mylar space blankets regulate body temperature in cold or hot environments. Hand and foot warmers, wool socks, gloves, and a cap prevent dangerous heat loss. Use materials strategically to block wind, rain, and snow. Setting up an insulated shelter should be step one after securing food, water, and first aid.
Food and Water
Water filters, chemical treatments, collapsible bottles or bags, canned goods, MREs, protein bars, freeze dried meals, nuts, jerky, and high-calorie survival bars are survival staples. The general guideline is to have 1 gallon of water and 2,000 calories of food per person per day. However, adjust your supplies based on factors like climate, exertion level, and evacuation timelines. Rotate stock routinely for freshness.
With the right mindset and properly equipped, you'll be ready to safely endure any emergency scenario until help arrives. Regularly re-evaluate and resupply your survival kit as needs evolve. Consistent training is key to using your gear effectively when it matters most. Stay vigilant and prepared!
Preparing for Specific Needs: Customizing Your Emergency Preparedness Kit
While the above covers essentials, tailor items for likely regional risks, specialized needs like medications and infant supplies, and your personal preferences.
Regional Considerations for Your Survival Kit Checklist
- For those living in hurricane zones such as the Southern U.S. and the Gulf Coast, ensure your survival kit checklist includes an extra battery-powered radio, duct tape, and rope in case of strong winds and flooding. Storing important documents and identification in a waterproof container or safe is also wise.
- Those in earthquake-prone areas like the West Coast should stockpile extra water, have a multi-purpose tool on hand such as a crowbar, and consider a helmet for protection against falling debris in aftershocks.
- In tornado-prone regions of the Midwest and Southeastern U.S., have an underground storm shelter or safe room mapped out. Keep emergency supplies handy in an easy-to-carry go bag in case you need to evacuate quickly.
Medically-Focused Survival Kit Items
For those who rely on life-sustaining medications, an emergency medical kit is non-negotiable. Stash at least a two-week supply of essential prescription drugs, injectable/inhalable medicines, and any supportive medical equipment that doesn't require electricity. Those with allergies or asthma should keep extra EpiPens and rescue inhalers on hand.
Customizing Your Survival Kit for Infants and Children
Parents with young children should include age-appropriate items in an emergency preparedness kit. Have extra diapers, wipes, rash cream, blankets, bottles/formula, portable cribs, baby carriers, and favorite stuffed animals or toys to minimize trauma. Pack child-friendly snacks as well as extra meds, medical records, and comfort items for any kids with special healthcare needs.
Personalizing Your Survival Kit Checklist with Must-Have Creature Comforts
While the standard survival kit focuses on essentials, pack a few personal items for comfort. This could include favorite non-perishable snacks, a deck of cards, religious texts, photo albums, cash/coins, portable chargers, and extra batteries for devices/flashlights. Those in cold climates may want to include hand warmers, thermal blankets, and weather-appropriate extra layers. Pick items offering emotional reassurance tailored to your unique needs.
Routine Review and Replenishment
Inspecting the contents of your survival kit regularly is crucial to ensuring you are truly prepared when an emergency strikes. As the saying goes, "proper planning prevents poor performance."
Set reminders to cycle out any food, medicine, water filters, batteries, or other perishable items before their expiration dates. Check use-by dates at least every 6 months and replace anything that may have spoiled or degraded in effectiveness. Track when you swap out items to know when it's time to replenish again later.
Consider upgrading to higher quality gear as your experience level grows or budgets allow over time. For example, swap out that cheap plastic poncho for a durable waterproof jacket, or replace a basic first aid kit with one stocked for trauma injuries. Invest in items built to last through repeated use.
Re-evaluate your kit needs as personal circumstances evolve too. Having a new baby in the family may necessitate adding extra food, diapers, medications, etc tailored to infants. If mobility issues arise, ensure your kit aids accessibility challenges by including walking aids or comfortable shoes. Kits should morph to address changing vulnerabilities.
The key is routinely revisiting your emergency preparedness supplies to guarantee all bases are covered. Set twice yearly reminders to review and replenish so you can rest assured knowing your survival kit has your back when you need it most.
Rotating Stock Before Expiration Dates
Perishable emergency supplies like medications, food, water filters, batteries, and other gear have limited shelf lives. Setting expiration date reminders every 6 months prompts you to cycle out degraded products so your kit retains maximum efficacy over years of storage.
Scan all survival kit items for use-by dates biannually. Immediately replace any foodconcentrates, tetanus shots, water purification tablets, or other perishables that may have expired. Even durable items like thermal blankets and tools benefit from occasional replacement as newer technologies emerge. Build a system to continually rotate stock.
Apps like Sortly or Expiry canhelp track expiration dates for faster inventory reviews. Or go low-tech with a paper log reminding when to swap out supplies. Just be sure to stick to the schedule, as forgetting until an actual emergency can render kits useless.
Evaluating and Updating: The Dynamic Nature of Emergency Kits
Emergency preparedness kits require occasional reevaluation as personal needs and product options evolve over time. Revisit your survival supplies at least biannually to address life changes or take advantage of newer gear.
Have you moved to a different climate, gained/lost mobility, or had kids since originally assembling your kit? Review gear against any new vulnerabilities that may impact what you'd need in a crisis. Ensure food accommodates dietary restrictions, medical aids adapt to disabilities, and protection factors in kids/pets if family dynamics have shifted.
Furthermore, take stock of survival industry advances that may bolster your kit's efficacy. For example, upgrade to lighter thermal blankets, multi-use tools, or longer-lasting food bars as technologies progress. Sign up for prepper newsletters highlighting the latest innovations.
Treat emergency kits as dynamic entities requiring habitual review for expired, outdated, or suboptimal gear based on evolving needs and options. Reassess your supplies biannually to guarantee your kit provides optimal crisis protection as life circumstances change.
Conclusion: The Empowerment of Being Prepared
Having the right survival kit checklist is crucial for peace of mind when emergencies strike. As outlined in this article, a well-rounded kit contains essentials like food, water, first aid supplies, tools, and other gear tailored to your needs.
While each situation calls for specific items, some fundamentals hold true across the board. Stocking up on non-perishable food, a gallon of water per person per day, flashlights, batteries, matches, and a first aid kit puts you on steady ground. Local hazards like earthquakes or storms may warrant tweaks as you assemble the perfect setup for your household.
Beyond logistics lies a deeper benefit - the confidence and readiness that comes from being prepared. Assembling your kit brings motivation to plan ahead. Knowing support is on hand lets you approach adversity with calm and clarity. Rather than reacting hastily, thoughtful preparation allows rising to the occasion.
Facing the unknown is daunting. But simple steps empower you to handle almost anything. Use this article's tips to create your custom survival kit checklist. Embrace the peace of mind, resilience, and self-reliance that emerges. And gain the assurance to protect what matters most - your family, health, and wellbeing.
