In Case of Emergency 72 hour kit update

A month ago I was asked to teach a class on 72 hour kits.  It gave me a chance to go through our backpacks again and evaluate everything. I thought I would answer a few questions that I have gotten about our 72 hour kits.

(Warning-blogger decided to be difficult, 

please disregard the all caps toward the end of the post..I really am not yelling at you...I promise.) 

Here is a look of some of the items that I have inside our backpacks.

 Hygiene Kit, Small First Aid Kit, Change of clothing, Safety Tube, Flashlight....just a few of the essentials.

 Magnetic Game, Poncho, Emergency Blanket, Extra Glowstick, Flashlight, Batteries and Hand warmers.

 
 As overwhelming preparing for an emergency may be the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are prepared for an emergency is unmeasured.


So lets get started....
 

Someone asked....
Can you share in a little more detail what is on your shelf exactly other than the 72 hour kits. Thanks this is so helpful.

The blue containers you see are part of our Water Storage..did you know that you should store 2 weeks of water for your family? 1 gallon per day! That's a lot of water..I like these blue 7 gallon boxes found at Walmart for $12.00. 

 Buckner Family asked...

Do you get actual copies of your documents?

I scanned all of my documents onto my computer, printed them out, made a cd to give to my dad and put my originals in a safe.

Evie asked..
All this preparedness stuff is overwhelming to me sometimes. I appreciate your post that makes it look more simple. I'd love more details of what you've put in the kits, suggestions and ideas of how to fit it all in each person's pack.

When I was putting together our kit I made a checklist of items so that I could make sure that everyone had what they needed.  

Here is my checklist. Your list may vary. 

Food seems to be the hardest part. I suggest including items you have tried and know that your family will eat. We put oatmeal and granola bars for breakfast. 

 
Lunch I found these great little kits at Target. They are ready to eat meals...you could easily put them together yourself but I thought it was a easy grab and go item. You can do Lipton Chicken Noodle mixes, Cup of Soup if you want to use your water for cooking. Tuna and crackers, peanut butter and crackers, cheese and crackers, cans of soup, whatever you feel like you will be up to..cooking or not. For dinner we like Mountain House meals. Don't forget to include snacks, I put in fruit leather, granola bars, trail mix,the new apple sauce pouches, life savers and gum..Don't put your gum with all of your food..otherwise all of your food will taste like mint. I put it in the front zipper of our packs in a ziplock bag.  Additionally, I put all of the food into a large ziplock bag with a label on the front with the "menu". So food is eaten sparingly. :)  

I hope I have answered questions and I hope that I have motivated you to get started. I'd love to know your progress or any tips you have. 

Now have fun, print out your list and get started!