While a zombie apocalypse isn’t likely, real disasters can strike at any time, and it’s smart to be ready. If you want to be prepped when a flood or tornado hits, you should start with a 72-hour emergency kit.
What Is a 72-Hour Emergency Kit?
A 72-hour emergency kit is a collection of items you can use to get through an emergency. This includes basics like food, water, and medications. It also includes items you need specifically for certain members of your household, like pets and babies.
The idea is that the kit contains everything the people in your home will need for 72 hours. It’s also important that you put all of those items in containers that are easy to carry. Consider the fact that you may have to walk to somewhere safe. A couple of backpacks or duffel bags are a wiser choice than plastic bins.
What to Put in Your 72-Hour Emergency Kit
There are some specific things you should have in even the most basic emergency kit. These items include:
Food
Mahatma Gandhi proved that you could go 21 days without food in his longest fast, but he had also trained himself in such matters. Yes, humans can survive for weeks without food, but that kind of hunger takes its toll. After a few days without food, you might notice weakness, lack of motivation, and reduced decision-making ability, all of which get worse the longer you go without eating.
For food, look for non-perishable items that you can eat without cooking. MREs from the military come in handy, and they are safety sealed with extended expiration dates. You’ll need enough for three days’ worth of meals for each person. Invest in mess kits as well, which ensure each person has a plate, cup, and silverware. If you pack canned foods, add a manual can opener.
Water
Your body is made up of a lot of water, around 60%. This makes water consumption even more important than food. The length of time a person can go without water varies. Scientific America explains it well: some people may only survive hours when extremely dehydrated, but others could be fine for a week with no water intake. Going without water can still cause health issues, and it’s important to have a clean source with you in case of emergencies.
Even if you could go without water for an extended period, you shouldn’t. According to a study from the National Institute of Health, even mild levels of dehydration can impact your cognitive performance:
Being dehydrated by just 2% impairs performance in tasks that require attention, psychomotor, and immediate memory skills, as well as assessment of the subjective state.
