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72 hour Survival Pack (with First Aid kit)


72-Hour Supplies

Put together a basic kit for your home, your car, and for work. The home kit should provide the basic equipment and provisions needed by the family for at least a 72-hour period after a quake. The car and work place kits should have enough supplies to last until you can get to the reunification site.

The 72-hour supplies container should be large enough to hold all the supplies, but small enough to handle without difficulty. A day pack or small duffel bag works well for the car or work place; a plastic garbage can is suggested for the home.

The composition of the survival kits will vary in size and contents, depending on your individual needs and preferences. But to be considered complete, these kits should contain food and water, clothing and supplies, and medical and hygiene items to fit your individual needs. This is especially important if a family member needs special medicines and other supplies, that a supply of these items be included in your kit.

The following are suggested supplies for the home, car and work place:

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Home Supply Kits

Water:

A supply of one gallon per person per day for 72 hours ( three days) should be included in your kit (a 7-day supply is even better). A person can last 30 days without food, but less than a week without water. Store water in a sealed plastic container, mark the current date on the bottles, and replace after one year. And remember, the family pets need water, too!

If your water supply is shut off and your stored emergency supplies have been exhausted, there are several alternative emergency sources. Shut off the incoming valve on your water heater, and you can drain the water out for drinking. Melted ice cubes in your freezer and the water from unsalted canned vegetables are other good sources.

If you have questions about the quality of the water, purify it before drinking. You can heat water until it boils, or use commercial purification tablets to purify water. You can also use household liquid chlorine bleach if it is pure, unscented hypochlorite. To purify water using bleach, follow this guide:

If Water Is:
Water Quantity
Bleach Added
Clear

1 Quart

1 Gallon

2 drops

8 drops

Cloudy

1 Quart

1 Gallon

4 drops

16 drops

After adding bleach to the water, shake or stir the water container and let stand for 30 minutes before drinking.

Food:

When selecting food supplies, consider the ease of preparation, ease of storage, shelf life and personal preferences.

  • The food that you select should not require a large amount of water to cook.
  • They should also be easily stored in your kit and last at least one year before they have to be replaced.
  • Do not purchase salty foods. They will only increase your desire for water.
  • Select foods that your family enjoys.
  • Pet food is also a necessity if you have pets.
  • Along with food, you will need an alternative way to prepare it. A camp stove with extra fuel, cans of sterno, or a barbecue all will work, but don’t forget the matches. You will also need various utensils, pots and pans, paper plates, paper or plastic cups, can opener, and eating and serving utensils. Aluminum foil, plastic wrap, garbage bags will also be useful.

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Clothing and Supplies

Clothing:

A complete change of clothing for each member of your family should be wrapped to remain dry and clean, and placed in your emergency kit. These should be heavy clothes that will protect you from injury, and include boots or heavy shoes to protect your feet.

Supplies:

A flashlight with an extra bulb, a portable radio, and extra batteries should go in every emergency supply kit. A space blanket is a useful and inexpensive item that is excellent at retaining body heat. Sleeping bags and a tent can also be included. Small hand tools and a utility shutoff wrench are a necessity. Duct tape and zip-lock bags will be useful in many situations. Also include paper, pencils and money in your kit. If electricity is disrupted after a quake, the ATM machines will not operate. Don’t forget to include a 3-A:40-B:C Fire Extinguisher in your kit.

Hygiene Supplies:

Include in your kit a bar of soap, liquid detergent, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, tissues, toilet paper, and sanitary napkins (which can also be used for pressure dressings to stop bleeding).

Personal/Home Supplies List:

  • Water – 1 gallon per person/pet per day for at least 3 days; this is the minimum supply that should be stored
  • Food – enough to last the family at least 1 week – include pet food
  • Bleach – 1 gallon of unscented perchlorite bleach to purify domestic water supply
  • Sanitation supplies
  • Hygiene supplies
  • Flashlights, Portable Radio and extra batteries
  • Fire Extinguisher (3-A:40-B:C)
  • First Aid Kit (see medical supplies list below)
  • Prescription medicines, Eye Glasses
  • Heavy Clothes, boots or Shoes
  • Shovel
  • Rope
  • Camp Stove and extra fuel
  • Camp Supplies…tent, sleeping bags, lantern
  • Cooking and Eating utensils, can opener
  • Paper Plates and Cups
  • Plastic Garbage Bags
  • Box of Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil, Plastic Wrap, Zip-lock Bags
  • Waterproof Matches
  • Pet Provisions
  • Money

NOTE: Perishable supplies should be replaced at least once a year!

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Medical Supplies:

Personal/Home First Aid Kit:

  • Kerlex, Kling, or any other brand of roller bandage, 4 rolls
    • Used to wrap over dressings and to secure splints
  • 4 x 4 inch Gauze Pads – used to cover lacerations and abrasions, 10 –20 pads
  • Sanitary Napkins – used to control excessive bleeding, 2 – 4 pads
  • 1 and 2 inch Adhesive Tape – used to secure dressings and bandages, 1 each
  • Band-Aids – 1 box
  • Chemical Ice Packs – use dot reduce swelling of strains and sprains, 2 packs
  • Sterile Water – used to flush wounds and cool burns, 1 quart
  • Antiseptic Solution – used to cleanse wounds, 1 bottle
  • Triangular Bandages – used to secure broken arms, shoulder dislocations or
  • a wrap for sprints; can be purchased or made from old sheets, 2 bandages
  • Scissors, tweezers and sterile needles for splinters, 1 each
  • Ace Bandage – used fro wrapping sprains, 1 bandage
  • Pain Relief tables – used as a pain reliever or for swelling, 1 bottle
  • Aluminum Space Blanket – used to protect against cold, 1 blanket
  • Pocket CPR Mask – used for CPR
  • Pen light or mini flashlight
  • Examination Gloves

 

Note: specialty items for your kit can be purchased through numerous outlets. As a starter, you can look at the following site for their Home, Office and C.E.R.T. safety supplies:

EHSgear.com

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Information courtesy of – The Fremont Fire Department Community Emergency Response team Student Training Manual – ci-082/ss – 12/99


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