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The 72-Hour Survival Pack
One of the easiest ways to prepare for a drive through a remote area (or through nasty weather like a blizzard or a hurricane) is to assemble a 72-hour grab-and-go kit and keep it close at hand. I keep mine in a backpack and throw it in the truck when I’m traveling. Here’s what it should contain.
Clothing:
- 3 sets of underwear
- 3 pairs of socks
- change of pants
- 2 T-shirts
- long-sleeved shirt
- waterproof windbreaker
- cap
Food:
- energy bars
- gorp
- 3 MREs
- salt and pepper
- utensils
- paper plates and cups
- P-38 can opener
- small stove and fuel
- cooking vessels
Water:
- water purification system (or tablets)
- 2 liters in Nalgene bottles
Next: Hygeine, First Aid, and Shelter [pagebreak]
Hygiene:
- roll of toilet paper
- disposable towelettes
- toothbrush and toothpaste
- bar of soap
- liquid camp soap
- shampoo
- razor
- towel and washcloth
- deodorant
- scissors
- hairbrush
- paper towels
- hand sanitizer
First aid:
- first-aid kit
- bug repellent
- sunscreen
Shelter:
- lightweight tent
- Space Blanket
- extremely lightweight sleeping bag
- Therm-a-Rest sleeping pad
- emergency poncho
Next: Tools and Miscellaneous Items [pagebreak]
Tools:
- flashlight (wind-up)
- wearable LED lights
- fire starter
- knife
- rope
- gloves
- latrine trowel
- FRS radios
Miscellaneous:
- pen and notepad
- tape
- roll of quarters
- spending money
- photo IDs
- ID tag for 72-hour kit
- playing cards or other game
Next: The Basic Winter Safety Kit [pagebreak]
Winter Safety Kit Keep this gear in your truck during winter in case of emergency.
- Wool blanket
- Dry clothing, socks, boots, gloves
- Snacks and water
- First-aid kit
- Flashlight with fresh batteries
- Flares
- Hand and/or body warmers
- Windshield scraper/broom
- Extra windshield-washer fluid
- Jumper cables or portable jump-starter
- Kitty litter or sand for traction
- Shovel
- Well-charged cell phone or CB radio
Next: Bad-Weather Driving Tip [pagebreak]
Bad-Weather Driving Tip
In bad-weather months, carry a bag or two of sand in the bed of your pickup to add weight, which will give you better traction in snow or on ice. If you get stuck, you can always spread some of the sand in front of the tires to help get the truck out.
