The Big WHY for 72 Hour Survival Kit Items

When a disaster strikes, Your Survival Tools are What-You-Know, What-You-Have-on-You, or what you can reach.

Why Carry a 72 Hours Survival Kit? (also known as "Get Home Bags" - GOOD BOBs <Get Out Of Dodge or Bug-Out-Bags> are usually larger and more inclusive.)

Most Disaster Scenarios are over in seconds, minutes or hours but Help may not reach you for 2-3 days.

MY GREATEST FEAR: Forget wind storms, fires, terrorism, etc for the moment. NASA (our space agency) says Solar Storms are strongly possible. On September 1–2, 1859, the largest recorded solar storm occurred. The flares set fire to telegraph lines and office in the US and Europe. Do you know anything with wiring?

Imagine - IF a Super Solar Flare (Mass Coronal Ejection) occurs, the first wave slams into our communications satellites. All cellphones and the entire Banking ATM system shuts down. When the solar flare strikes Earth, the electrical wave would overwhelm and burn out major sections of our electrical grids. Unprotected motors would burn out. IF cars were drivable, roads would be restricted to Military and Emergency Vehicles Only. How Far Might You Have to Walk to Get Home? or, to reach children, family or friends?

Step 1: The Basics of a Great 72 Hour Survival Kit or Bug Out Bag

FIRST LESSON: Ounces Add Up to Pounds and Pounds Add Up to Pain.

The size of your backpack should be based on what you can realistically carry - At A Minimum - to survive 72 hours or more.

The pictures below show my current two favorites. You can buy backpacks with Water Reservoirs. Daily I carry the 72 hour kit on the left with the two external pockets for water. One is full and the other is a "filtered water bottle" for a dip-and-drink scenario. <<It's ALWAYS best to boil water.>>

The larger, green 72 Survival Kit is called an Alice Bag and they come in various sizes. It has a light metal frame which supports your lower back. It's famous in the US military for its large, deep pockets.

Comments

[Gcamper]

You are forgetting 3 seconds of stupidity. (Wandering off of a cliff, falling from a tree, peeing on an electric fence, or robbing a gun shop.)

[Survivor Jack]

You've been watching "A 1000 Ways to Die" reality show, haven't you?

You are right, Gcamper. Human stupidity trumps Nature.

Thanks for the laughs!

[yawneth]

can i ask you why the hard candy?

[Survivor Jack]

Hard Candy can have several uses. It's part of the "keep me human" philosophy. Candy is calories and in an emergency, every 'good' calorie counts. I've lost about 90 lbs. Those were 'bad' calories.

IF I'm low on water, sucking a hard candy provides me saliva and the illusion I've 'gained water'. It buys me time psychologically, cleans my palate (think of dust after 9-11) and gives me a little sugar rush.

IF I needed to create a distraction to escape a crowd, I might throw / 'slingshot' behind them for noise, or drop candies and coins (cash) in their path to slow them - hopefully. (It is Best to Win the War without Fighting. Sun Tsu)

When I look at my "Survival EDC" (Every Day Carry) items, I always want to see "multifunction tools". Hard Candy gives me options AND I haven't mentioned that hard candy has helped diabetics regulate their blood sugar.

The question is ALWAYS.  "Does this item provide me with a physical or psychological advantage worth the weight I'll be forced to carry?"  Ounces Add Up To Pounds and Pounds Add Up To Pain.  Are hard candies worth their weight to YOU?

Live Life for Its Best; but Prepare for Its Worst!

[Overkill Robots]

Respect for the Sun Tsu quote! Disposable lighters are cheap and available, but I now prefer a refillable 'micro torch'. It puts out a hot 2 inch flame and lights almost anything at a distance, also works better in harsh conditions. Its only slightly larger than a disposable and has more uses.

Are your antiseptic wipes alcohol based? They work OK as last-ditch fire starters, although I now pack a small amount of solid commercial fire-lighter brick as a general purpose fire accelerant.

If you already listed fire steels and other lighters, the plain matches are a bit redundant - I would swap them out for food & candy.

[Survivor Jack]

I'll look into the "micro torch" - sound like a good alternative.

[boris400]

On the subject of ladies sanitation and wound dressing, the British SAS medics swear by tampons for plugging bullet wounds. They are also multi functional, which is important. They can be used as intended, to plug wounds, as good fire tinder (effectively waterproof in wrapper), and as an emergency water filter. Also a very good resource for survival is the SAS survival guide,skills taught to the SAS that cross over into civilian survival too. The book is by John "lofty" Wiseman and available in a pocket sized format. It would be a good substitute to the first aid book you included as it covers first aid and basic survival medicine. It also covers just about every aspect of survival you can think of. It is the best survival resource I own and I have committed much of it to memory, though I still take the pocket book if room allows in my bag for reference and comfort.
Your instructible is very thorough and informative. Hope you like my suggestions, and I wholly recommend the book.

[Survivor Jack]

I too recommend the SAS Survival book.

[DB.Cooper]

Just one suggestion you may appreciate is to replace the standard multiple size bandaids with quality electrical tape. not "cheapwrap" mind you but a quality tape like 3m scotchlock. the adhesive prevents infection, is hypoallergenic, and when it needs to air out comes off easily. ( this is not a recommended product for first aid kits especially on a jobsite) I prefer blue red and white ... and it can be used for elcetrical tape or other quick fastening as well. I keep superglue, and wd 40 also. superglue you'll find was originally formulated as a replacement for stitches, and wd 40 can do an unlimited amount of things like help start a fire.

[Survivor Jack]

Wow! Great suggestion - I hope. Do we have any Doctors, Nurses or EMTs who might comment about the tape. Pros and Cons?

I do know the Superglue IS good for stitches.

If you want things looser, use WD40 (Water Dispersement - 40th Formula).
IF you want things tighter, Duct Tape. (Buy Made in the USA - at least two types)

[jeditanker72]

I work in an ER, and the medical "version" of superglue is some stuff called derma-bond. It is supposed to be sterile super glue. I am not sure, but in a pinch I would say regular super glue would do. However, there is a fine line between what can be glued and what really needs stitches. We tend to glue minor things, or use it on kids when we think they couldn't handle the stitching process. I would not glue a gaping wound that most reasonable people would consider a deep wound. In a real world scenario, I would dress it, keep it clean, apply pressure and attempt to get to a hospital. Most people don't know that there is a clock ticking. Dr's do not like to stitch anything that is more than 8-12 hrs old depending on the place and mechanism of injury. They almost never do animal bites or areas exposed to large amounts of contaminate like feet. Simply because closing that wound also closes all the bacteria inside and ultimately it Will become a nasty infected wound. In the worst case scenario, in the absence of stitches or someone who knows how to use them, you could rig up butterfly sutures with tape and glue. Just aproximate the edges as best as possible, and cut strips of the cleanest material you have and glue them perpendicular to the wound, and then keep it clean and dressed, and pray. Nothing worse than becoming septic when you are dealing with other things. As far as tape, I don't see why it wouldn't work. The key is cleanliness, keep a couple of sterile 2x2 pads or maybe even larger. They don't take up much room. Nice kit overall though. I hate to see kits filled with 500 band aids. It just doesn't make sense. If you are over the age of 10, how often do you need a band aid? I have a couple, and that is it.

[jgarza8]

Ive worked on film sets in the sound dept., but I've heard from Pros that medical tape adhesive causes irritation and rashes. i've never seen an adverse reaction to electrical tape adhesive, in my time of attaching tiny microphones to ppl that the camera wouldn't see. But I honestly cannot vouch for Duct tape, Because I've used it and trust it , but just don't have the professional experience with duct tape to recommend it definitively to this community.

[DB.Cooper]

YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.... ....ALWAYS HAVE THE DUCT TAPE!

[sgtpepper1138]

If you don't mind spending a bit more cash, Gorilla Tape holds almost twice the weight (85lbs) as opposed to Scotch's DT (45lbs). Popular Mechanics did a test, and GT won. http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/tests/4306415

[Overkill Robots]

Very wise advice on weapons & knives! I like the idea of a thick, full tang knife that can be converted to a spear in a pinch. As well as a larger multi-tool, I find the Victorinox cyber tool a must have for fixing everything else in the kit. As an office worker, its my only EDC item and gets used daily.

[Baronrc]

Hi Jack Jobe, nice 'ible. this is a topic I really enjoy reading once in a while but have never actually done myself.

As a microbiologist I can correct the following error for you: "The moment water reaches boiling, all of the biological organisms are dead"

Thermophiles are organisms which typically live in hot springs and some can certainly live above 100C. The converse is also true of psychrophiles which can live AND CONTINUE TO BE ACTIVE below freezing. I must add that these types of organism tend to be harmless to humans though. The golden rule of boiling water before drinking it still holds more or less true for PATHOGENIC organisms.

Another factor is time, you don't necessarily kill ALL organisms the INSTANT the water reaches 100. That is why autoclaves have timers.

It is my understanding that to render water safe for consumption you should ideally:
1. Filter out all particulate matter and "gunk" with a t-shirt or some other filter
2. get it as hot as you can (somewhere above boiling)
3. keep a relatively tight lid on the pot to save the steam - creating an autoclave-like environment (doesn't lose water and it will partially sterilise the entire inner surface of the pot)
4. keep the water atleast above boiling for 10-15 minutes. longer if the water looked really nasty.

I hope you find this useful :)

Peace!

[jgarza8]

Going from "instantly" to "10-15 minutes. longer if the water looked really nasty." Is a big difference when Hydration=Life, especially when children are involved.

[jgarza8]

@Baronrc: I forgot to mention Thank You.

[Survivor Jack]

I always find great information useful - especially from an expert microbiologist.   I read, listen and watch a lot of survival related material. “According to the Wilderness Medical Society, water temperatures above 160° F (70° C) kill all pathogens within 30 minutes and above 185° F (85° C) within a few minutes. So in the time it takes for the water to reach the boiling point (212° F or 100° C) from 160° F (70° C), all pathogens will be killed, even at high altitude.”

I agree with 'filtering" the water. I agree that it may look nasty and taste bad (thus the number of 'drinks' in my kit). I trust the above information. Second, most people in a dire emergency may not have a "lid on the pot". Actually they may not have a pot.

Mr. Thompson - try one experiment. Measure out two cups of water - let it boil for 15 minutes and remeasure, How much of your precious water is left?
Perhaps it's safer but will it last as long, or help as many people? 

Please remember the Real Point - carry something.  Why would you expect the rest of us to share our water & supplies with you in an emergency?  

... "but have never actually done myself."
Sir, I'm 65 and I'm doing it.  I learning and I'm leading.  91% of Americans are NOT ready for a Haiti or Japan sized disaster.  <<***the 3 largest Earthquakes in recorded history were in between St Louis and New Orleans.>>  Everyone needs to be better prepared.
Remember - Enjoy Life's Best but Prepare for its Worst.

[Baronrc]

thanks for your reply.

sorry if my comment offended, I just re-read it and it sounds a little arrogant. Your information is great, I am just perfectionistic about technicalities and I have an inferiority complex that I sometimes compensate for by placing myself in authoratative positions. For that I apologise.

I feel that given the way we have abused this planet we should not be at all surprised to find an upward trend in natural disasters. Would I expect someone to share with me? I don't know. That's their choice.

For the record I am South African :)

Peace to you man.

[Survivor Jack]

You did NOT offend me. I'm trying to be accurate also These discussions help ALL of us.

For Example, I misstated something above "the 3 largest Earthquakes in recorded history" should have read "the 3 largest Earthquakes in the contiguous U.S. history ..."

Always - correct my 'errors'. Even at 66, I'm young enough to learn. Be Honest, Be Excellent and Walk About Prepared™

[jnichols4]

instead of the poncho I carry 4 or 5 large black trash bags. Why you ask? 1. lighter 2. same uses as ponchos 3. you can cut them up to use as a tarp.

[cody.lomas]

also when i didnt have money for waders id wear taem between my socks and boots and tie the tops of the bags to my legs in the winter still cold but it will keep youre feet dry if you have to cross a shollow creek

[shoboli]

a couple of things i added to mine is 2 large rodent traps and a water filter off a faucet with hose hook ups 2oo gallons of water and filters everything

[cody.lomas]

if youre using an alice pack the ammo pouches perfectly hold 2 rat traps and a skoal container that i fill with penut butter for bait

[shoboli]

good idea with pb. i seen dave cantenberry puts as i did also a small trash can in alice pack for water and such.

[cody.lomas]

a nice lightweight alternitive for the shovel is a good plastic hand trowel ive got one for metal detecting it takes alot of abuse its good for burying waste

[cody.lomas]

i have a pop can stove in my bag its good for boiling/cooking light weight and it doesnt put off smoke if youre staying hidden and its free

[lajean]

On the subject of safe water, Carry and put a medium sized flake of Sodium Chlorite per gallon of water (not Sodium Chloride which is useless table salt) This will render sewer water sanitary. Covered, it activates in the water in 24 hours and kills everything, like viruses, bacteria, microscopic creepy crawlies and malaria etc. It's even great on killing germs inside of you. This is tasteless and harmless in this concentration. There's an instant activator, but you need both Sodium Chlorite and Citric acid in an exact percent solution. (If interested, let me know.) Left uncovered after the 24 hours, it disipates into the air.

[Caudata]

is it true that you can purify water with iodine?

[Survivor Jack]

I would like to learn more. Is there a website which has details? Let's share it with other readers. (PS: when we get 'exact' information, remember to print it out. In an Emergency, your electrical devices may not work.

[lajean]

http://www.JimHumble.biz will give a lot more info. Sorry, I forgot to add this.

[lajean]

It's found under "MMS" on the net. Very cheap and effective. In Jim Humble's book, he gives an exact formula that works the most effective. Half of his 1st book downloads for free. He explains how he first found out about it, and happened on a cure for Malaria, that lead to more and more cures. People all over the world are experimenting with the best way to kill viruses, bacteria etc. in a very short time. Malaria in 4 hours for example. My missionary sister went to PNG, and I had her take it with her, and sure enough, like the book said, it worked, indeed, it cured Malaria. In the 40's it was used in the US, exclusively as water purifying drops. On the cheap and very effective. Just pennies per dose. Water for animals and humans alike. I've saved the lives of my farm animals numerous times with it. It kills "Parvo" in dogs in just 24-48 hours. My dog is testiment to that. The active ingrediant is the Chlorine Dioxide ions or gas that forms from this activation, that kills the pathagens only for about an hour, but that's enough time to kill all the germs in your water.

For "instant" water purification:

When you get the 22.4% solution of Sodium Chlorite and 50% Citric Acid (available on the internet market,) put 3 drops of each in a small glass container and cover for 20 seconds. I use a wineglass because it can mix together in that dimple at the bottom, to activate properly,) then pour this into your gallon of water.

If you can wait 24 hours to treat your water:

Put a flake or two in a gallon of water, shake until dissolved and wait. More flakes for grey water. Sodium Chlorite is as harmful as Sodium Chloride (table salt,) so use with some discretion.

For most disease treatment:

Use 3 activated drops (3 drops Sodium Chlorite and 3 drops Citric Acid per dose as shown above,) for 8 hourly doses a day.

To make your 8 doses at one time:
Using a quart or liter bottle, fill it with water,
Sharpie mark 8 even portions, and pour in (24 drops Sodium Chlorite activated by 24 drops Citric acid as shown above,) then add 1/8 Tablespoon of baking soda to water to neutralize the acidy taste, making it more palitable.

Please, write me if you have any questions.

[Survivor Jack]

WOW! This is wonderful info and a great starting point for me to do more research.

Readers - Yes, You who are asking, 'Is he really talking directly to me?" Yes, I am.

This is a demonstration of what makes the Web powerful. One thread can teach us so much. What can you teach? Maybe your 'Wisdom' is part of a different topic. That's fantastic because there are others who are waiting for what you know.

Apply this great wisdom, "Let everyone who encounters me be better off for my having been there."

OR, "Let me be the person my dog thinks I am."

[dim20]

why would u need antiseptics o.O?

[shoboli]

i have a slingshot rubber the hoses i have a water filter from a sink with two nipples the hoses go on filters pretty much all but still needs to be treated

[bpfh]

Toothbrush and toothpaste if you have space. You do not want to be distracted by an onset of gingivitus or any other sort of dental problems (lost fillings, abcess...) - especially if you are on your own!

[KwartzKitten]

Oh my gosh! It's YOU! I loved watching your episode!

[Survivor Jack]

Thank you for your kind remark.

[AluminumFoilMaster]

Lol! I'm watching Jack's episode right now!