Emergency Survival Kit Considerations

Going Beyond the Backpack in Emergency Survival Kit Planning

Store-It Foods provides one or two person survival kits that are already packed with items designed to ensure survival during those first critical days of an unexpected emergency.  They have been carefully prepared using expert advice and with compactness and portability in mind.  Weight considerations have also entered into the picture with space being left so that personal needs can be met.  We also offer a selection of other emergency preparedness gear to assist in that personalization.

For those wishing help in accomplishing that task, or who would simply like ideas for planning their own 72 hour kit(s) Store-It Foods is pleased to provide you with the following list of emergency survival kit suggestions.  Please be aware that they are only suggestions, and that following them all may well require more than a small backpack to accommodate your selections.

Food and Water:

• 1 Gallon water per person
• 12 200 calorie food bars (to meet minimal needs) per person.  For variety, the following list could be considered as substitutes:
  • 1 pound dried fruit or trail mix per person
  • 1 package soda crackers per person (tasty, but be aware that, if salted, these will increase the need for fluid intake.)
  • 1 package graham crackers per person
  • 2 liters tomato or orange juice per person
  • 4 granola bars per person
  • 2 sticks beef jerky per person
  • 1 package chewing gum per person
  • 2 packets hot cocoa per person
  • 1 can pork and beans per person
  • 2 instant soup packets per person

 Equipment:

• Ax, shovel and bucket
• Utility or Swiss Army Knife
• $20 to $25 in cash (at least some of it in coins)
• Emergency cell phone charger
• Personal Documents
  • passports
  • birth certificates
  • photo ID
  • contact list (including phone numbers)
• Computer thumb drive containing scanned copies of -
  • wills
  • insurance
  • contracts
  • credit card information
  • other important family records
• AM/FM radio with headphones and batteries (if needed)
• Flashlight (lights powered by shaking, squeezing or cranking are much preferred over ones requiring batteries)
• Compass
• Hand and body warm packs
• A map of the local area
• Container for your 72 hour kit
  • Garbage can with wheels
  • OR sufficiently large backpack or tote for each family member
• First aid kit or kits
• Burn gel and dressings
• Special medications
• Sun block
• Blankets or sleeping bag
• Emergency blankets or sleeping bags (silver foil)
• Paper and pencil
• Items to entertain (cards, toys, books, etc.)
• Camp stove or portable BBQ and fuel
• Insect repellant
• Disposable plates, cups, bowls and silverware
• Soap / washcloth / towels
• Disinfectant
• Shaving supplies / Feminine needs / infant needs / toilet paper
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Shampoo / hairbrush / comb
• Portable toilet
• Aluminum foil / waxed paper / zip lock bags
• Garbage bags
• Matches and/or BIC style lighter
• Candle
• Can Opener (if you are including canned foods)
• Rain ponchos
• Whistle (for signalling purposes) preferably with neck rope
• Rope
• Change of clothing (adjusted for the season)
• Gloves and dust masks (to accommodate dust, smoke and clean-up needs -- there is no telling what type of an emergency might be encountered.)
• Method of water purification
  • Tablets
  • Filters
• Tent / Shelter
• Pet needs (if you plan on taking your dog or cat with you)