A money belt can be worn under your clothing to hold cash (Mostly small bills- $1, 5, 10), personal ID, certifications (such as CERT, Red Cross cards, Ham radio), contact list, vital meds in small plastic zip bags, etc.
A large fanny pack can be comfortably worn at all times that could hold additional doses of meds, important papers, cell phone, charger, keys, pencil, paper, protein bars (so you have a “food” source at-hand in case you get separated from larger kit components), emergency whistle, lip gloss, lotion, candy, gum etc. From the belt of the fanny pack you can hang such items as a walkie-talkie, light flashlight, light weight water purification filter, face mask, etc.
A grommet belt can be added to attach additional items to your body.
A light weight back pack or cross-body sling bag for such things as a few bottles of water, several sanitation bags, TP and supplies, a few mess supplies (disposable products for eating a meal), heavy work gloves, a few basic first-aid and hygiene items. Nothing heavy.
Carts -- such as duffel bag or back pack on wheels, small luggage, child’s wagon, are very useful in your On-Foot Emergency Kit for carrying items, bedding, change of clothes, heavier shoes, better flash light. Include more complete hygiene and first aid, sanitation supplies. I use collapsible carts and wheeled-back packs. (SHOPKO sales).
A sturdy, wheeled cart that can be pulled is essential to transport major water supply, food, cooking implements, sanitation (lavatory) gear and more supplies, shelter/sleep/warmth gear. Consider a metal garden cart holds hundreds of pounds (Home Depot requires assembly), large tool caddy, heavy duty dolly (Harbor Freight sales).
If you prepare well, you will be able to meet the vital needs of your family and perhaps have a bit left over to share with those who are under-prepared or even empty-handed.
These carts are heavy, intended for on-foot use, not for lifting into a vehicle. Below are suggested items for your 96-Hour Kit. Create Kits to meet the needs of you and your family. It is a project best done gradually. But do get started now.
WATER: A few small bottles of water is not adequate for your 96-Hours Evacuation Kit. Water is more vital than food, because our kidneys begin to shut down after a few days. One gallon of water/person/day is the absolute minimum (experts want us to have more). Water is several uses in addition to drinking. (cooking, hydrating food, hygiene, sanitation, first aid). For taste and some nutrition, you might consider adding some cans of coconut water. Liquids are heavy--8.3 lbs per gallon. Carry in a sturdy cart.
Purchase water most economically in cases of 24 bottles, gallons or 6-packs. Mylar bags (5-year shelf life) or newly available 12 oz cans (50 Year shelf life) are more expensive. Brands taste differently, so try a few. Tap water is clean and safe. If you create your own water storage, it is essential that you put clean tap water into sterile containers. If Plastic, us only PEET1 plastic containers. (No milk or juice containers.)
SANITATION: This is something so crucial it cannot be overstated. In some disasters, including earthquakes, the sewer system fails. If you have read stories of Katrina, Rita, Sandy, Harvey, Lane, etc., you will never trust sanitation needs to chance or leave it to someone else to solve. The health and lives of you and your family could well depend upon sanitation being addressed in your kits. Human solid waste is very toxic and must be handled with care. Urine is not toxic.
Sanitation Suggestions: Let’s begin with the most economical: five/six gallon plastic buckets with a toilet lid or a pool noodle. In it pack a supply of sturdy, black biodegradable bags and ties to line the bucket, a deodorizing product. Kitty litter or saw dust is very useful. A more costly approach is a portable toilet (such as used in RVs, boats, camping). Reliance company makes a bio-gel granule that turns urine into gelatinous matter for easier disposal and solid waste bags called Doodie Bags. Consider a privacy tent. It flips open into 6’ tent, approximately 4x4. You will need a reliable receptacle to collect the used toilet bags. Consider a galvanized garbage can with a very tight fitting lid. It is a problem best approached at community level by purchase/pre-need placement of large hazmat drums for used bags.
PERSONAL HYGIENE: You will want to feel as fresh as possible, but should hesitate to use lots of water in the effort if you have only brought the minimum. This is one good reason for three gallons per day instead of one. You may already have a travel kit, but if not here are some items to consider for your hygiene.
Personal Hygiene Suggestions: 2 Wash clothes: one for washing, one for drying, soap, hand sanitizer (small ones that fit in your pocket and maybe a refill bottle that stays in your kit), antiperspirant (spray for use by all), tooth brush/paste/floss, tissues, hand cream — (vital because frequent hand washing w/soap or sanitizer can cause skin to crack), nail clipper & file, a chap stick for pocket and a spare, breath mints, feminine hygiene products, shampoo (dry is best), a few make-up items/remover, small mirror, etc. Needle/thread and safety pins.
FOOD: Food boosts morale and provides comfort. A bag of granola, protein bars, or travel rations will keep you alive, but might be inadequate for 96-hours or longer. EXs of snacks and treats: Crackers, preserved cheese spread, peanut butter, cookies, little restaurant size packets of honey, jam/jelly. Buy protein bars with high protein and fiber. Nuts and chips are a good snack. Salt is important, but increases desire/need for water. Sugar treats: candy bars, hard candy, gum are welcome - give quick energy, satisfy hunger, but no nutrition.
Don’t get too concerned about nutrition for the short-term. You can include vitamin/minerals, vitamin C, as well as D3 and B’s for stress or what works for you and your family at present.
Food Suggestions: Suggestions that don’t require cooking: Some canned foods; pickled beets, fermented foods; Meals Ready to Eat (MREs); pouch and mylar packaged food; preserved fruit/pudding cups, dehydrated or freeze-dried fruit/vegetables/meats; dry cereal; powdered milk (some brands taste better). There are advantages and draw-backs to each type of food.
For a family, consider large cans; for a single person or couple, the single serving size makes sense. With no refrigeration, most food items, once opened, need to be consumed, not saved. If using cans, pack a manual can opener. If using a cooking source. EX: Single burner butane stove, include fuel canisters. Don’t forget a pan.
MESS GEAR: Pack disposable products. You will not want to waste water washing dishes and it is far more sanitary to dispose of all used eating supplies. WASH HANDS before eating as a sanitation measure.
Mess Gear Suggestions: Paper plates, cups, plastic utensils, napkins, handiwipes, plenty of zip-lock bags, etc.
VITAL RECORDS: As a normal practice, response experts tell us to have multiple copies of vital papers in different locations. Remember household fires are the most common serious disaster.
Vital Records Suggestions: Create a thumb drive w/copies of all vital and personal records along with paper copies of any items mentioned below that are important for you and your family: Drivers License, Passport, or other official photo ID, marriage or divorce papers, SS card, birth/death certificates, wills, directives, insurance papers for home, auto, health, immunization and other medical records, professional certifications, property deeds and mortgage papers, current records of your credit card accounts, bank assets, debt and investment accounts, passwords, education transcripts and diplomas, a family contact list, proof of employment, family photos, etc. You will know what is important to you and yours.
SLEEP GEAR & SHELTER: In a large-scale disaster, you definitely should not count on being inside or having a Red Cross cot. What can you include in your Emergency On-Foot evacuation kit that would provide warmth, some comfort, and shelter?
Sleep Gear Suggestions: Sleeping bag, thick yoga mat, comfortable, warm blanket, mylar emergency blanket, blow-up mattress and pillow, sleep mask, ear plugs, etc.
MEDICATION: If a serious disaster befalls us, it may be a while before pharmacies are stocked, and longer yet before you can reach your doctor and your pharmacy. Therefore, it is suggested you stock an adequate medication supply, not merely enough for 4-days. You can accumulate this by re-ordering meds after 3 weeks, instead of 30 days. After several months you will collect a reserve supply of your meds. They do expire. Put your new supply of meds into your kit and rotate the old ones in your kit into normal, every day use.
We are encouraged to keep meds in original pill bottles. If you have to conserve space by transferring medicines into small containers/bags, it is vital to label name and dose accurately and include actual prescription or copy.
FIRST AID: Serious disasters create injuries. You can expect to be on your own for at least 4 days/nights to minister to your first aid needs.
First-Aid Suggestions: N-95 medical (or N-100) face masks, stomach remedies -- Imodium, laxative, anti-acid – lots of latex or nitrile gloves, rubbing alcohol, Ace bandages, Band-Aids, 4” sterile gauze pads, hypo-allergenic adhesive tape, cravats (large triangular pieces of fabric – good for a sling and other uses,), antibiotic cream, cotton-tipped swabs, cotton balls, thermometer, anti-itch cream, pain reliever, petroleum jelly, burn treatment, anti-inflammatory, saline solution, eye drops. Do you use anti-histamines, decongestants, hemorrhoid ointments? Small scissors, tweezers, wrist splints, etc.
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: Some items will add to the weight and bulk of your kit, but you may have use for some of these items:
Personal Equipment Suggestions: Personal size water filter (Life Straw is ex), flashlight(s) w/extra batteries - a powerful one in your kit and a small one to carry at all times. Cell phone and charger, solar charger unit. Utility knife or multi-use tool, wristwatch, radio – battery-operated (w/extra batteries), hand crank or solar, 2 walkie-talkies, emergency whistle, light sticks, flare, etc.
SEASONAL: Includes a change of clothing. Package separately so you can swap it out easily with the change of season.
Winter Package Suggestions: Thermal underwear, heavy sweater, knit hat, ear muffs, heavy scarf, parka, gloves, study shoes, wool socks, underwear. Include heat. EX: hand/foot warmers, a warming candle, portable propane/butane/kerosene heater.
Summer Package Suggestions: Practical top & pants, and long sleeves/ pants too, sturdy shoes/socks in addition to sandals, sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, rain poncho (plastic disposable), underwear. Small kerchiefs that can be soaked to tie around neck to help cool. Consider an activating cold pack.
COMFORT & ENTERTAINMENT: It may seem frivolous, but having sources of distraction, comfort and entertainment will be priceless.
Entertainment Suggestions: Paperback book(s), plenty of paper, a diary, pens/pencils, deck of cards, scriptures, other spiritual materials, crossword puzzles, favorite family and children games.
INFANT & CHILD KIT: For an infant, build a kit that includes those items you carry in a travel bag when you are away from home for a long weekend. For children, include things that will provide familiar activities and anything that will make the evacuation seem more like an adventure than a terrifying experience. Try to include snacks and treats that are your children favorites.
PET KIT: Make sure your pets have a tag with your identification. You must bring pets in carriers – another reason for a second wheeled component to your kit. Pets must have leashes. Include pet medical records, especially proof of immunization. Because the American Red Cross is the mandated mass care partner in any evacuation effort, please know they permit only legitimate service dogs inside shelters. If a pet owner, you’ll want to join w/other pet owners in your area to sort out a safe location for pets adjacent to the human location/shelter.
Pet Kit Suggestions: Sufficient water and food for the size and health of your pets. A small dog or cat could be okay with a quart of water/day; a large dog could need a gallon or more. Dry food and/or canned/ pouched food sufficient for 96 hours. Do not introduce a food that is unfamiliar to your pet(s). Include a collapsible bowl, a shirt or gift box that collapses flat, lined with plastic bag, can serve as litter box, with a few inches of litter. Include scoop and plastic bags for cleaning up your pet’s waste. Pack familiar toys and bedding, pet comb/brush, etc. Recommended first-aid supplies (anti-diarrheal, antibiotic, pain medications available over-the-counter at pet stores or your Vet. Carry a picture of you and your pet together; it may be needed to establish ownership.
© 2015 Linda Milne. Revised 10/18.
If you are a Do-It-Yourselfer, search websites for inexpensive ways to make some items. I like The Creative Cheapskate - Gail Jackson.
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