Need survival kit ideas?
I have many people ask me for survival kit ideas, a bug out bag list, or 72 hr kit suggestions. I’ve spent some time trying to decide the best way to address these questions. Not only should you be able to survive in your own home for 72 hours, you should be able to survive on the go for 72 hrs in case of an evacuation or the destruction of your home. Building a survival kit that will allow you to live completely on your own for 3 full days is no simple task and can be quite overwhelming. The organization, planning and prep can seem daunting and so can the cost.
Looking for an easier way?
Here is the good news: I’ve made it easier for you! I’ve broken down a portable 72 kit list into weeks that add up to 6 months. So each week, you will only have to purchase, organize (or re-organize if you already have a kit) 1/25th of your kit. Sound more do-able?
Each Wednesday I will address an overall topic / theme. I will give suggestions of things you may want to consider including in that category, but you will need to determine what is right for your family.
In addition, you can enter a giveaway each week to win items that will help you build your kit. All you have to do is leave a comment each week. Sound like fun?
Weekly Topics:
Since I have already completed the series, you can skip ahead if you want by clicking on each week’s topic below. Or, just follow along each Wednesday as I re-post each week’s topic with added ideas / comments from readers and / or additional information I’ve learned over the last 6 months:
- Week 1: Packaging
- Week 2: Water part I
- Week 3: Water Part II
- Week 4: Food Part I
- Week #5: Food Part II
- Week #6: How ya gonna cook?
- Week #7: How ya gonna eat?
- Week #8: Protection from the elements
- Week #9: Where ya gonna sleep?
- Week #10: Staying Warm
- Week #11: Bandages
- Week #12: Sanitation
- Week #13: Other First Aid
- Week #14: Meds
- Week #15: Hand Tools
- Week #16: Communication
- Week #17: Light
- Week #18: Random Tools
- Week #19: Hygiene
- Week #20: Entertainment
- Week #21: Baby / Kids
- Week #22: Prepare for your Pet
- Week #23: Important Documents
- Week #24: Religious Items
- Week #25: Rotate
- Week #26: The List
If you’ve already built your kit, you can add to it, or double check the items you have in that category each week.
Money
You should have a good amount of money in your survival kit. It should be in small (think $1) bills and some quarters b/c it is unlikely others would be able to “break a $100 bill” in an emergency situation. As such, I recommend adding at least $1 per person per week to your kit. For my family of six, that would be $6 per week.
Don’t miss a week!
Come back and visit each Wednesday. Or better yet, subscribe to my blog by email orin a readerto be sure you don’t miss a week!
I shared with friends at church. I talked with at total of 11 individuals this week so far.
Thank you Dione!
I joined in here late so have been trying to do some catch-up reading onprevious weeks. Can't seem to locate infor for week #9.
Sorry about that Rachel! Here is the link for week #9: http://www.yourownhomestore.com/2011/11/survival-kit-series-week-9-where-ya.html
I've also updated the post above to include all the links so far. Thanks for reminding me to do that!
just found the rest of them. Thank you for posting them.
Also have a question, do you want us to send a post to the questions above each time we talk to someone, or should we save it up and post once a week?
Rachel: It is up to you! I keep count either way. If it is easier for you to just post it each time you do something, great! If you'd rather keep track somewhere else and just post once a week that is totally fine too. Thanks for asking!
I have been in my home town for the last week and have been able to share your site with several friends. And I am constantly “sharing” your posts on my facebook page. Thanks, Misty, for all the information you provide.
Thanks Marcia! I appreciate the support
I have pinned your 72 kit week by week post to my pintrest board because I think it’s such a awesome idea and I’ve enjoyed getting excited about getting mine finally put together!!
Thanks Sabrina! LOVING pinterest!
This is great! I love your preparedness info. Thanks so much
You are welcome Chelsey! I’m so glad you’ve found it helpful!
I don’t know if we can qualify more than once, but I’m still sharing. I’ve emailed 17 more people, and put links on Pinterest.
and…still going. 
Just once Chelsey, but I’m still very grateful! Thanks!
no problem. I love your site – still sharing.
I love your recipes from food storage. Thank you for sharing. Do you do this all by yourself? I have shared it with women at work, in my ward, friends, and family. I think I totaled 53.
Welcome Rochelle! And thanks for sharing! Yes, I currently do this all myself though in the next month I will be adding some “team members” to help me out! (-:
Swe are starting with week ! again? Revising/updatoing our !st week right??? Or am I in the wrong section?
I’ll start with week #1 again next week Melanie! You can see week #26 here: http://www.yourownhomestore.com/2012/04/survival-kit-series-week-26-list/
This is fantastic! I’ve been telling all of my friends about this. I recently found this blog through Pinterest, and what a great time of the year to do so. Tornado season is in full swing. Thanks for all the info, and for FREE.
You are welcome Liz!
A friend just sent me your way- and I LOVE it. Thanks for the motivation!! Thank heaven for the internet!
You are welcome Cortney. Thanks for the comment! (-:
Would you consider adding a link at the bottom of each separate post, to get to the NEXT step? For example, at the bottom of “week 1″, there be a link directly to “week 2″‘s post? I know it would take some doing, but for those of us reading through post to post, it would be very helpful.
Yes, it has been on my “to-do” list for a while…I just haven’t gotten to it yet! I should have done it when I created the whole thing, then it wouldn’t have seemed quite so overwhelming! (-: I will do it soon and let you know when I do!
I’ve pinned your site and can’t wait for others to do the same!
Thanks Debbie!
I just found you via Pintrest. I absolutely love the info you’ve included here. I’m always interested in what others are doing and how to get started. I do have 2 questions though. (1) Is “religious items” just whatever items you believe you’ll need or is there supposed to be a link? I’ve tried and it keeps telling me there’s nothing there. (2) Am I supposed to continue adding the $1/week/person indefinitely of do you suggest a specific amount?
Thanks for all the time you’ve put into this for those of us that just don’t know where to start.
(1) Nope, it is an actual post. Sorry about that and thank you for catching that broken link! Here is the correct link to the religious items post: http://www.yourownhomestore.com/religious-items/
(2) I’ve continued to add it every week. I occasionally use the money in my kit for “mini-emergencies” when I don’t have other cash (to pay a babysitter, buy fresh strawberries on the side of the road etc, pay the toll on a toll road etc.) so I’m always replenishing mine. I say the more the better (to a point). My own personal goal is to have at least $100 per person in our family there.