Emergency Preparedness | Is 72 Hours Enough?

For the average citizen, an emergency preparedness kit is a ready-to-use, portable package containing supplies, food and water rations, as well as other vital supplies and equipment for maintaining personal well-being—or, at least, staying alive when forced into extremely dangerous or uncontrollable circumstances.

The most important considerations for planning and developing your personal or family Emergency Preparedness Action Kit (E/PAK) is found in this Emergency Preparedness Rules of Three:

1.  Your level of emergency preparedness should exceed the anticipated level of risk!

That being the case, it’s time to re-examine the old emergency preparedness advice of having a 3-day kit, Bug-Out Bag (B.O.B.), Get Out Of Dodge bag (G.O.O.D.), Grab and Go Kit, or emergency preparedness kit—whatever you choose to call it!

Past experiences in times of disaster have proven the 3-day kit totally inadequate for the sustenance of life, health, safely, and security for the time required.

Historically, FEMA determined (more or less politically) that the 3-days’ sustainment was the degree to which the public would accept, and announced it as policy so many years ago it’s impossible to find the original dictum.

Whether wise or foolish, FEMA’s still sets the standard for the preparedness industry. This message rings so loudly—though incorrectly––that all other current and conventional wisdom becomes lost in the “official” voice of politically correct traditional advice.

Most experts agree that the number of citizens invested in emergency preparedness readiness for a 72-hour period is grossly overstated by government units—whether national, state, regional, or local.

2. You are the first responder for your family and responsible for them!

Perhaps in the past the 3-day kit was reasonable, but the experiences of those dealing with the magnitude and duration of many recent natural disasters has forced us to reconsider the advisability of a longer timeframe for adequate response from government, military, and private agencies.

In fact, worldwide, disasters now force us to regard the adoption of new parameters for response as lasting much longer than the 72-hour standard of yesteryear.

In the face of today’s reality of increased populations, larger towns, cities, increased areas of coverage, reduced budgets and manpower, and the rise in incidents of greater storm damages, the 3 days’ emergency rations and supplies are just not enough to give you and your family the extended protection that will most likely be needed.

This is the responsibility of parents and guardians! That is why the head of the household must take responsibility for the family and act now to prevent future problems. You must consider that you are on your own.

3. Get A Grip on Reality––Get Prepared or Become Better Prepared!

Think of these points of consideration as you define, collect, assemble, and organize your kit(s) for your disaster and emergency preparedness needs:

• A Grab & Go Kit—or 3-day kit, Bug-Out Bag (B.O.B.), Get Out of Dodge (G.O.O.D.) bag, or whatever you want to name it—should be added to your disaster and emergency supplies. These should include provisions for heat and light, shelter, sanitation, and cooking equipment. Items of such critical need and most likely to be lost or become ineffective in case of storms should be kept in waterproof containers.
• Every major disaster since Katrina required at least 5-7 average days before relief was available.
• Always keep your kit in a secure location at a protected place near an exit door.
• Don’t store emergency supplies near extreme heat or cold.
• Each family member should have a personal kit so all have access individually to food, clothing, and water. Where necessary, some heavy items could be removed and loads shared by family members.
• Make sure everyone can carry, push, pull, or handle their emergency kit without undue stress or injury.
• Keep a comfortable pair of heavy-duty walking/hiking shoes with your kit.
• Your extra keys and a reliable emergency light source should be kept in an outside pocket or attached to the kit for easy access.
• Be familiar with your emergency kits before the need arises. Practice often to assure everyone has familiarity with the kit and how to utilize all the components. Camping—even in the backyard—will assure that everyone can recognize, access, and utilize their kit.
• Rotate all foods and water in your kits on a regular basis. We have a picnic from our E-PAK when the lights go out, the cable goes down, or the Internet is lost to remind us there is another Emergency Preparedness Rules of Three:

1. Practice!
2. Practice!
3. Practice!

• Practice will highlight the items you and your family will need as experience is gained and knowledge increases.
• Check clothing items to make sure they still fit properly and are appropriate for the season.
• Always store batteries in waterproof locations so they are dry and cool, or they could leak and ruin your equipment.
• Plan to have from 7 to 21 days’ emergency preparedness supplies in your disaster/emergency kit(s).

Basic Disaster Supply Checklist

Need some more help on figuring out what exactly should be included in your disaster supplies kit?

Here’s what we suggest you have on hand in case of any disaster:

• 5-7 day supply of non-perishable food.
• 5-7 day supply of water – enough for one gallon of water per person, per day.
• Portable, battery-powered radio or television
• Flashlight
• Extra batteries for radio, television and flashlight.
• First aid kit and manual.
• Sanitation and hygiene items (moist towelettes and toilet paper).
• Matches and waterproof container.
• Whistle.
• Extra clothing.
• Kitchen accessories and cooking utensils, including a can opener.
• Photocopies of credit and identification cards, kept in a waterproof file.
• Cash and coins.
• Specific special needs items, such as prescription medications, eye glasses, contact lens solutions, and hearing aid batteries.
• If you have infants, items such as formula, diapers, bottles, and pacifiers

©2014 James Talmage Stevens. Content from Making the Best of Basics, ed. 12.5

This article is adapted from Doctor Prepper’s Making the Best of Basics.

Get your copy here.

Want to know more? Check out these related articles:

• Emergency Preparedness: What Are The Odds?
• Emergency Hurricane Survival Kit List & Preparedness Tips
• Emergency Preparedness With The S.U.R.V.I.V.A.L. Acronym