Everything Your Family Needs for 72 Hours and Beyond
By Larry Betz | Prepared Not Paranoid https://www.preparednotparanoid.com/
A Go Bag gets you through the day. A Bug-Out Bag gets your family through the days after that. When you have to leave home and can't come back for a while, you can't run to the store for what you forgot. This post is the full bug-out bag checklist, organized by category, so you can pack it once and pack it right.
When you're preparing for an emergency evacuation, having the right supplies can mean the difference between comfort and hardship. The following list covers the essential items you should have on hand in case you need to leave your home. Everyone's needs vary based on environment, climate, and region, so adjust accordingly. If you've gone camping before, many of these items may already be familiar to you.
Some of these supplies may seem excessive at first glance. But consider the possibility that you might not be able to return home for days, weeks, or even longer, because of natural disasters, civil unrest, or other unpredictable events.
How to Use This List
You don't need all of this on your back. Build your Bug-Out Bag for what you can carry, and stage the rest in labeled bins in the garage or a closet near the door, ready to load into the vehicle. Some items, like the tools and the larger power gear, belong in your vehicle full-time. (Part 6 covers what you can actually carry.)
Water
One gallon per day, per person, for drinking and sanitation
Additional water for pets, if applicable: about 1 ounce per pound of body weight, per day (see Pets below)
Water storage, filtration, and purification tablets (important for long-term sustainability)
Plan for the weight. Water weighs about 8.3 pounds per gallon, so 3 days of water for one person is roughly 25 pounds. Carry what you can, keep the rest in the vehicle, and pack a filter and purification tablets so you can make more.
For more on water purification and storage, see The Ultimate Guide to Safe Drinking Water, Part 2: How Much Water You Need and How to Make It Safe.
Food
Non-perishable items (canned goods, dried foods, energy bars, and similar)
MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat). One box contains 12 meals, approximately 1,250 calories each.
Manual can opener for canned foods
Special dietary considerations (allergies, medical conditions, infants, elderly family members)
Pet food, pet medication, travel bag, and pet toys, if applicable
In my Food PACE Plan, this is the Contingency layer: freeze-dried meals and MREs for the go-bag, the vehicle, and the long haul. For more on nutrition and food storage, see the Nutrition Basics series.
Alternative Cooking Options
Portable camp stove or small propane burner
Portable coffee maker or instant coffee packets (a real morale booster in cold conditions)
Extra fuel for cooking devices
Communication and Power
Handheld AM/FM radio and NOAA Weather Alert Radio, with spare batteries
Cell phone, charging block, and cables
Alternate communication options:
Rapid Radio, Garmin inReach, weBoost, Starlink, or similar options for when you've lost normal service
HAM radio for monitoring emergency broadcasts and communicating in a crisis
Laptop, charger, and a spare flash drive
Solar generator and panels
Know what each tool depends on. Some of these still need a working cell network or power to do their job. The Emergency Communications series breaks down which ones work when the grid is down.
Lighting and Visibility
Flashlight and spare batteries or charger
Headlamp and spare batteries or charger
Chem lights (glow sticks)
Vehicle emergency lighting options (see the Mobile Command Center series)
First Aid and Medical Supplies
Comprehensive first aid kit and trauma kit (tourniquet, chest seal, hemostatic gauze, bandages, and more)
Personal medications, including a list of medications, dosages, and what each one is for
Medical history and allergies list for each family member
Prescription glasses or contact lenses and solution
For a complete list of first aid equipment, see the First Aid and Trauma series. You may also want to keep a supply of essential prescription medications for common illnesses. Jase Medical offers an online option for getting these medications in advance. Talk with your doctor about what makes sense for your family.
Personal Safety and Protection
Whistle, bell, air horn, personal alarm, or another signaling device
Dust masks (N95 or equivalent) to reduce breathing in dust, debris, and smoke
Plastic sheeting and duct tape for sealing windows and doors in hazardous conditions
Fire extinguisher (portable size)
Matches in a weatherproof container, plus fire-starting materials
Sanitation and Hygiene
Pre-moistened wipes, shower wipes, and toilet paper
Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, and other personal hygiene items
Plastic garbage bags and zip ties (for waste disposal and emergency toilet use)
Unscented chlorine bleach:
For disinfecting surfaces: dilute nine parts water to one part bleach
For drinking water: use the CDC amounts. For clear water, about 8 drops per gallon of regular 5 to 6% bleach, or 6 drops of 8.25% bleach. Double it for cloudy water. Stir, then wait at least 30 minutes before drinking.
Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer
Portable toilet with a privacy tent
Tools and Navigation
Multi-tool (knife, pliers, screwdriver, and more)
Hand tools: wrench, screwdriver, hammer, axe, crowbar
Auto repair equipment (jumper cables, tire repair kit, tow rope, and similar)
Local street maps (paper version). If the cell network goes down, so does your map app.
Key documents (insurance, ID copies, emergency contacts) in a waterproof container
Spare home and vehicle keys
Clothing and Shelter
A change of clothes for each person:
Long-sleeved shirts and long pants, for protection and warmth
Sturdy shoes or boots, and socks
Outer clothing and rain gear (think layers for changing conditions)
Footwear that fits the environment, the time of year, the weather, and the possibility of hiking for a while. No flip-flops or sandals!
Gloves, hat, and scarf, if you're in a cold climate
Sleeping bag or blankets, enough for every family member
Pets and Pet Supplies
If you're evacuating with pets, they need their own preparedness plan. Animals rely entirely on us in an emergency. At a minimum, pack:
Food, plus about 1 ounce of water per pound of your pet's body weight, per day (a 50-pound dog needs about half a gallon). Pack extra for hot weather, active dogs, and cleanup. When in doubt, round up.
Collapsible food and water bowls
Leash, harness, and collar with ID tags
A crate or carrier labeled with your name and contact information
Medications, vaccination records, and microchip information
Tip: Keep your pet's items in a dedicated tote or backpack near your own go-bag so you can grab both quickly. Part 5 covers the full pet plan, along with bags for kids and seniors.
Cash and Financial Preparedness
Cash in small bills. Two weeks minimum is recommended. ATMs and card readers may be down in an emergency.
Part 4 covers cash, documents, and medications in detail.
Miscellaneous and Comfort Items
Paper plates, cups, eating utensils, and paper towels
Diapers and formula, if applicable
Books, games, and comfort items for children (they help ease stress in uncertain situations)
Personal Documents
Some documents would be critical to have if you couldn't get home to retrieve them for a long time, or ever. Store them in a secure, waterproof, and fireproof container, and keep digital copies in secure cloud storage or on a thumb drive.
At a minimum, have these ready to go:
IDs, passports, and birth certificates
Insurance cards and policies
Medication lists and medical records
Property deeds, titles, and vehicle registration
Wills and powers of attorney
Emergency contact information
A great storage option is the Savor All-in-One Desk Organizer. Having all your important documents in one spot is very convenient if you have to bug out quickly. Part 4 has the complete documents list, category by category.
Want the full list? Every item in this post, plus the ones I didn't have room for, is in the Go Bag Checklist inside The Family Safety Toolkit. Print it, check it off, and keep it with the bag. [Get it here: https://www.preparednotparanoid.com/family-safety-toolkit]
Final Considerations
This list gives you a foundation for emergency preparedness, but it should be tailored to your specific needs, family size, and environment. Preparedness isn't just about having supplies. It's about having a plan and knowing how to use everything in your kit.
Ask Yourself
If we had to leave tonight and couldn't come back for a week, what would we be missing?
How much of this list could each person in my family actually carry?
Do I have the supplies to make water safe, and do I know the right amount of bleach?
Remember
Pack for the possibility that you can't go home for a while. Carry what you can, stage the rest by the door or in the vehicle, and tailor the list to your family and your region.
Get Started Today
Grab the free Preparedness checklist bundle: the Go Bag Checklist, the Mobile Command Center Checklist, and the First Aid and Trauma Checklist. Print them, check them off, and keep them with your gear. [CTA: Comment or DM "KEYWORD" / or download it here: https://www.preparednotparanoid.com/preparedness]
Go Deeper
The Family Safety Toolkit. This post gives you the full 72-hour supply list. The Toolkit puts it in a printable checklist you can actually pack from, along with the Evacuation Actions page, the Mobile Command Center Checklist, the First Aid and Trauma Checklist, and 17 more checklists covering every area of family safety, all for $19.99. [Get it here: https://www.preparednotparanoid.com/family-safety-toolkit]
The Family Emergency Preparedness Manual is coming soon.
Tools I recommend: The everyday carry gear, first aid kits, flashlights, and backup communications I recommend are in my Amazon store.
Everyday Carry: https://link.amazon/B08cbUYC1
First Aid: https://link.amazon/B01SD3sHS
Flashlights: https://link.amazon/B0giJW8RY
Backup Communications: https://link.amazon/B09z0lfEb
Related reading:
Go Bag and Emergency Bug-Out Bag, Part 2: Preparing to Leave Your Home https://www.preparednotparanoid.com/pnp-library/go-bag-lesson-2
Go Bag and Emergency Bug-Out Bag, Part 4: Documents, Cash and Medications (coming soon)
The Ultimate Guide to Safe Drinking Water, Part 2: How Much Water You Need and How to Make It Safe https://www.preparednotparanoid.com/pnp-library/water-intro
Setting Up Your Mobile Command Center: Introduction https://www.preparednotparanoid.com/pnp-library/mobile-command-intro
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Making Water Safe in an Emergency: bleach disinfection chart.
Ready.gov. Build A Kit.
Ready.gov. Water.
U.S. Geological Survey. Water density and weight.
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Pet Emergency Kit: water needs by pet weight.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional emergency planning, training, or medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medications for your emergency kit. Affiliate disclosure: I've linked to products from my Amazon store that I personally recommend. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work.
If you are in immediate danger, or officials order an evacuation, call 911 or follow their instructions right away.
Awareness gives you time. Time gives you options.
The prepared protector is someone who's decided that loving someone means being ready for them, not just hoping things go fine.
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