72 Hour Power Kit

We’ve all seen them right? Broke down on the side of the road, stuck in a ditch, power goes out and everyone is running everywhere. I’m pretty sure we know of people that are also surprised by Mother Nature when it comes to tornados, mud slides, freezing temperatures or severe heat waves.

Maybe we’ve seen some of these folks on TV or on the news. Some of these things happen when we least expect it.

The big question is if any of these were to happen to you in the next 5 minutes, how will you react? Do you have a game plan? Do you have a ‘pick up and go’ pack?

Most people don’t and I certainly didn’t!

We did our research and started putting a pack together little by little and it all added up to what is now a healthy 72 Hour Power Kit. The overall key is starting with something and updating or replacing the perishables once a month.

My son Denali was born in December of 2012 and I’ve always wanted to take him on as many trips as possible. We had to create a game plan and prepare for him just in case if something went South.

I’ve been taking Denali camping and photographing since he was about 4 months old and hanging out with him was truly one of the highlights of my trips and photography career.

When he started to stand, we took a trip to the Grand Canyon and little did we know, the entire canyon was filled with fog for several days but I was able to create the following image of him enjoying the weather!

So don’t look at my kit as a complete list because your needs may change down the road.
There may be certain things you or your family member may need.

This is also not professional advice so don’t hold me to it. I guess you can say, I’ve seen my fair share of where the kit has helped other people more than our family. Wild isn’t it?

Here are some top things to consider when starting your own kit or adding to/improving what you may have.

#1) How to haul it: Use a durable bag! I would recommend something you can put on your back. IF you have children, maybe something with wheels can work well. Get a good (back) pack.

#2) When you’ve assembled your kit, have a quarterly, half year or annual review with everything you have in there. By doing this, you’ll be more up to date on what needs replacing and by changing needs as family life changes.

#3) Clothes: If you lost or added some weight, make sure the clothes in the kit will fit you. You wouldn’t want to have something to big or too small when you really need it most.

#4) Food: Add, change or replace perishables. I remember one time, a guy broke down between Moab and Salt Lake City. His battery died and I was able to give him a jump start BUT get this, he was really low on cat food so I dove into my bag and pulled out some tuna. The cat ate 2 cans and I had to replace them. Refill what you use, especially food.

#5) Depending on where you live or what your needs are, customize the kit to you and your family. An example. You may not see snakes. I often hike and photograph around rattlesnake territory. I’ve seen some big nasty snakes deep in the desert!

If you have health needs like medications, inhalers, insulin and other things, make sure to keep these current and that things are not expired.

#6) It is better to have and not need, than to need and not have – the best definition of SOL! Don’t pack a store full of stuff but pack a little more than you may expect.

#7) Use Ziplock bags or plastic containers. Metal containers can add up to unnecessary weight. Go light and strong!

#8) Packs for big and little people in case if you need to split up or have the family members carry their own gear.

I’ve gathered my resources from multiple areas online, YouTube, my dad, the local automobile shop and taking into account where I usually go.

Here is the bullet point list of everything:

•   Water for 3 days. (I’ve found many experts recommend 1 gallon per day per person.)
•   Food for 72 hours per person. The food should be nonperishable items that you can eat without fire. (You may want to pack an all in one tool that has a fork, knife, can opener and such. All my personal and survival tools come from Gerber Gear.)
•   Clothes and shoes for each person. Clothes for warmer environments can always be cut down or ripped if needed. You may want to consider sweats, t-shirt, heavy sweat pants, 1 pair of undies, socks and shoes.
•   Change like quarters, nickels and dimes. I pack about $5 in the car if I need them. You may still find pay phones out there or you may need to use a random washing machine.
•   Keep the following in a dry container or Ziplock bags:
  • –  Cash: About $20 to $50 handy will work and even change – you may need to use a random washing machine or a possible pay phone. I have!
  • –  A first aid manual.
  • –  Small books as good reading material. Inspirational books, scriptures, cartoon or comic books. Entertainment for the kids.
  • –  A deck of cards is not a bad idea too! Some card games to keep thespirit of the young ones up! Sometimes we like to play matching the numbers.
  • –  A list of phone numbers. This is the reason you want to make sure these things are in a water proof container or baggie. Important cell and landline phone numbers. WRITE THESE DOWN.
  • –  Cell phone charger.
  • –  Photocopies of Passport, Birth Certificates, Medical History, Health/Home/Car Insurance info.
  • –  NOAA Weather Alert Radio.
  • –  Writing tools. Pen, pencils or small permanent markers.
  • –  Waterproof matches.
  • –  Work gloves – I LOVE THESE FOX BOMBERS!
  • –  Hand crank powered flash lights. (Like a mini generator on a flash light.) I LOVE my Goal Zero Torch 250!
  • –  Plastic sheeting or duct tape to make shelter.
  • –  Pepper Spray/Bear Spray.
  • –  Ear Plugs
  • –  Lip Balm
  • –  Heat blanket
  • –  Hand warmers
  • –  Whistle
  • –  Flares
  • –  Real Blanket- we put this on top of our 72 hour kit in the car.
  • –  Baby wipes/moist towelettes
  • –  Dust masks
  • –  Sunglasses (I like these from Proof Eyewear!)

• –  Water sanitation drops or bleach
• –  Knife
• –  Twine/rope
• –  Compass
• –  Feminine supplies
• –  Sunscreen
• –  Medications
• –  Bayer aspirin
• –  Tylenol
• –  Rain poncho
• –  Candles (long lasting ones)
• –  Bug repellent
• –  Toilet paper
• –  Razors
• –  Hygiene needs: small shampoo, soap, hand sanitizer, toothbrush andtoothpaste

•   First Aid Kit with the following:
  • –  Two pairs of Latex or other sterile gloves if you are allergic to Latex
  • –  Sterile dressings to stop bleeding
  • –  Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes
  • –  Antibiotic ointment
  • –  Burn ointment
  • –  Anti-itch cream
  • –  Rubbing alcohol
  • –  Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes
  • –  Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminate
  • –  Thermometer
  • –  Cotton balls and/or Q-tips
  • –  Scissors
  • –  Tweezers
  • –  Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
  • –  Hot/cold packs
•   For Babies:
  • –  Extra Diapers for both day and night.
  • –  Bottles
  • –  Powered milk/formula
  • –  Medications
  • –  Moist towelettes
  • –  Diaper rash ointment
  • – Extra baby clothes
  • – Blankets
  • – Comfort toys, books or teddy bears.

•   For Elderly:
  • –  Denture Cream
  • –  Extra eyeglasses
  • –  I’m not sure what else you may want to add here. 
•   Emergency Car Kit:
  • –  JUMPER CABLES!
  • –  Tools
  • –  Flares
  • –  Heavy Duty Tow Straps
  • –  A shovel that can collapse
  • –  Zip ties
  • –  Duct Tape
  • –  IF you have a key for your lug nuts, know where it is.
  • –  Wrench to loosen and tighten your lug nuts.
  • –  Car Jack.
  • –  Orange Triangle with reflectors.
  • –  Reflective tape, vest or bright colored shirts.
•   LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I have a solar powered system to recharge nearly anything. Visit GoalZero.com to see what they have. Goal Zero is leading the industry and has helped thousands of people in the Philippines, Navajoland, Haiti and other locations where Nature strikes with typhoons, earthquakes, sever cold and hot weather. THAT IS THE LIST!!!Again, with time and changes of your needs or even the seasons, you may want to check on your 72 Hour Power Kit and see what else you may need to add.IF you don’t have a kit yet, start one and slowly add to it. You don’t need to get everything overnight. Just as long as you have one, you will be better off than most people.Mylo Fowler