What kind of food in your 72 hour kit?

[Alana]

So it's time to replace my 72 hour kit and I was looking at what I got in there and was wondering what other people used. I know some people only have high calorie bars.

Here's what I had in mine:

Cooked brown rice (ready to eat)
Oatmeal packets (cream of fruit kind)
Ready to eat noodles with sauce, pad thai and peanut (the noodles are already cooked)
Large variety of energy bars (cliff bars, promaxx, luna bars etc)
Canned peaches, pinapple and fruit cocktail
Canned soup (chicken tortilla)
Fruit leather and m&m's
Rice milk
water
caprisons
Crackers
Peanut butter

I'm thinking of putting in less sugary stuff.

[Misshalfway]

I used to put together a little menu in our kits very similar to the list you gave. And then I got sick of spending the money and watching it go stale and then replacing it every six months. So, I bought MRE's. They stay good for five years. They are a little heavy though.

[Generally_Me]

We pull our food and use it annually the week of April general conference. We have:
Canned stew
Cup o' noodles
Canned ham and canned roast beef
Soy milk
Water
Mini packets of Kool Aid and lemonade
Beef jerky
Dry strawberries
Chocolate bunnies (I did say we pack it in April!)
Oatmeal packets

Probably some other random snack-type foods too, sunflower kernels and whatnot.

[Loudmouth_Mormon]

Our 72 hour kits are in our cars, so the heat from sitting in a trunk in the summertime reduces their life. So we buy cans and boxes of stuff we eat normally, and then rotate it through every general conference.

Since we might need to walk in a situation that would have us using the kit, we don't carry much water, but we do each have a portable backpacking water filter.

LM

[will227457]

I have no 72 hr kit.....

Looks like ill be going hungery....

[pam]

Originally Posted by Loudmouth_Mormon

Our 72 hour kits are in our cars, so the heat from sitting in a trunk in the summertime reduces their life. So we buy cans and boxes of stuff we eat normally, and then rotate it through every general conference.

Since we might need to walk in a situation that would have us using the kit, we don't carry much water, but we do each have a portable backpacking water filter.

LM

LM you brought up the possibility of having to walk. One recomendation that was given to me is to keep some good sturdy shoes in your trunk as well. For those that work in an office (especially women) who might not be wearing appropriate shoes for walking..this could come in pretty handy if having to walk a great distance.

[pam]

Just keep in mind that a 72 hour kit is something that you would grab in a hurry and might have to carry some distance. So try to keep things that could sustain you but not be too heavy. Alana you mentioned cans of things...those can get heavy over a period of time if you have too many.

[Misshalfway]

I honestly think mine are too heavy. I have a backpack for each family member and have packed everything from a change of clothing to portable tents. The little mini shovel and ax are heavy not to mention all the water. I don't know. I feel really prepared but only if I can though everything into the car. If not, I am gonna wish I had a wagon or a four wheeler to carry it all.

[pam]

Some other things to consider:

Roll of toilet paper
Whistle
Water (even if you just have 2-3 bottles of water)
Hard candies
hand and body warmers
Water purification tablets
Strike anywhere matches
Multi function knife
flashlight and batteries

There are also emergency ponchos and emergency sleeping bags you can purchase which are extremely compact.

[pam]

I got this off of an emergency preparedness site:

Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First Aid Kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust Mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers

Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:

• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Cash or traveler's checks and change
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from Ready.gov - Prepare. Plan. Stay Informed.
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

FOOD

Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.
Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water.
Pack a manual can opener and eating utensils.
Avoid salty foods, as they will make you thirsty.
Choose foods your family will eat.

• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
• Protein or fruit bars
• Dry cereal or granola
• Peanut butter
• Dried fruit
• Nuts
• Crackers
• Canned juices
• Non-perishable pasteurized milk
• High energy foods
• Vitamins
• Food for infants
• Comfort/stress foods