How to Build a 72-Hour Emergency Kit
Step-by-step guide to building a 72-hour emergency kit that actually works — with weight targets, cost breakdowns, and priority tiers based on FEMA and military standards.
What Is a 72-Hour Kit?
A 72-hour kit (also called a go-bag or bug-out bag) is a pre-packed backpack containing everything you need to survive for three days without external support. FEMA recommends every household maintain one per person.
The concept is simple: when you have to leave in minutes — wildfire, flood, chemical spill, earthquake — you grab one bag and go. No time to gather supplies. No time to think about what you might need.
Target specs:
- Weight: 15-25 lbs (adult)
- Self-sufficient for 72 hours
- Grab-and-go ready at all times
- Cost: $150-$400 to build
Step 1: Choose Your Bag
The bag is the foundation. Get this wrong and everything else suffers.
Requirements:
- 40-65 liter capacity
- Internal frame with padded hip belt (transfers weight off shoulders)
- Water-resistant material
- Multiple access points (not just top-loading)
- Neutral colors (gray, green, tan — not tactical black with MOLLE webbing)
Why not a tactical bag? In an evacuation scenario, you want to blend in, not broadcast that you’re carrying supplies. A standard hiking pack draws zero attention.
Budget option: Any 50L hiking pack from Amazon ($40-$80). Quality option: Osprey Atmos or Deuter Aircontact ($150-$250).
Step 2: Water (Priority 1)
Pack list:
- 2 liters of water (minimum) in durable bottles or a hydration bladder
- Sawyer Squeeze or Sawyer Mini water filter (filters 100,000+ gallons, weighs 2 oz)
- Water purification tablets (Aquamira or Potable Aqua) as chemical backup
- Collapsible water container (1-2 gallon Platypus bag, rolls flat when empty)
Weight: ~5 lbs with water, ~1 lb without (you can fill on the move if you have a filter).
The Sawyer Squeeze is the single best piece of gear in any emergency kit. Under $30, weighs 3 ounces, removes 99.99999% of bacteria and 99.9999% of protozoa. Attach it inline to a hydration bladder or use it with any water bottle.
Step 3: Food (Priority 2)
Target: 6,000+ calories (2,000/day x 3 days). Pack calorie-dense, no-cook foods.
Tier 1 (no-cook, ready to eat):
- Peanut butter packets or pouches
- Granola bars, protein bars, energy bars
- Trail mix and nuts
- Tuna/chicken pouches (no can opener needed)
- Hard candy (quick energy, morale)
Tier 2 (add-water meals):
- Freeze-dried backpacking meals (Mountain House, Peak Refuel)
- Instant oatmeal packets
- Electrolyte drink mix
Weight: 2-4 lbs for 72 hours of food.
Tip: Calculate actual calories, not just “3 meals.” Many granola bars are only 150-200 calories. You need 10+ of those to hit 2,000 calories for a single day.
Step 4: Shelter & Warmth (Priority 3)
Pack list:
- Emergency bivvy or space blanket (SOL Emergency Bivvy — reflective, windproof, 3.8 oz)
- Rain poncho (doubles as ground cover and gear cover)
- Compact sleeping bag or fleece liner (season-dependent)
- Fire starter (Bic lighter + ferro rod + cotton balls with petroleum jelly)
- Paracord, 50 feet
Weight: 1-3 lbs depending on season and climate.
Seasonal adjustment: In winter, swap the emergency bivvy for a rated sleeping bag and add hand/toe warmers, a wool hat, and insulated gloves. This adds weight but prevents hypothermia.
Step 5: First Aid & Medical
Pack list:
- Compact trauma kit: tourniquet (CAT Gen 7), Israeli bandage, chest seal, hemostatic gauze
- Standard first aid: adhesive bandages, gauze pads, medical tape, antiseptic wipes
- Medications: 72-hour supply of prescriptions, ibuprofen, antihistamine, anti-diarrheal
- Moleskin (blisters are a real problem when walking with a loaded pack)
- Sunscreen and insect repellent
Weight: 1-2 lbs.
Step 6: Tools, Light & Communication
Pack list:
- LED headlamp + spare batteries (hands-free lighting is essential)
- Multi-tool (Leatherman or Gerber)
- FRS/GMRS two-way radio (communicate with family members)
- USB battery bank (10,000-20,000 mAh) + charging cables
- Whistle (louder than yelling, uses less energy)
- Duct tape (wrap 10-15 feet around a pencil to save space)
- Zip ties (10-pack)
- Permanent marker + notepad
Weight: 1-2 lbs.
Step 7: Documents, Cash & Personal Items
Pack list:
- Copies of IDs (driver’s license, passport) in waterproof bag
- Insurance documents
- Emergency contact list (printed — your phone might die)
- Cash: $200-$300 in small bills (ATMs won’t work without power)
- Area map (not relying on phone GPS)
- Spare house/car keys
- Sanitation: toilet paper (compressed), hand sanitizer, garbage bags
- N95 masks (2-3)
Weight: 1-2 lbs.
Total Weight Check
| Category | Target Weight |
|---|---|
| Bag | 3-5 lbs |
| Water (2L + filter) | 5 lbs |
| Food (72 hrs) | 3 lbs |
| Shelter & warmth | 2 lbs |
| Medical | 1.5 lbs |
| Tools & comms | 2 lbs |
| Documents & personal | 1.5 lbs |
| Total | 18-20 lbs |
This is a manageable weight for most adults. If you’re over 25 lbs, audit for items that serve multiple purposes or cut luxury items.
Where to Store Your Kit
- By the door you’d use to exit in an emergency
- In your car if you commute long distances
- At work if you can’t easily get home (consider a smaller “get home” bag)
The worst kit is the one you can’t grab. Keep it accessible, not buried in a closet behind holiday decorations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How heavy should a 72-hour kit be?
Aim for 15-25 pounds for most adults. Military guidance suggests no more than 25% of your body weight for sustained carry. A well-built kit can cover 72 hours at 18-22 pounds.
What bag should I use for a 72-hour kit?
A 40-65 liter hiking backpack with a hip belt and internal frame works best. Skip military/tactical bags — they're heavy and draw attention. A quality hiking pack from Osprey, Deuter, or REI distributes weight properly.
Should I have one kit per person?
Yes. Every family member over age 10 should have their own kit. Children's kits are lighter (10-15 lbs) and focus on water, food, warmth, and comfort items. Distribute shared items (shelter, cooking) across adult packs.
How often should I update my 72-hour kit?
Review every 6 months. Replace expired food and medications, swap seasonal clothing, check batteries, and update documents. Do a full repacking annually.