72 Hour Kit Ideas Week #16: Tools

Welcome!v

Welcome to week #16 in the “72 Hour Kit Ideas: A week by week approach” series.

This series is all about making it simple and do-able to get a 72 hour kit put together for you and your family.

Creating such a kit can be overwhelming and financially difficult to do all at once. But through this series, I’ve broken it down for you into 26 small steps! You can see all the steps here. Just take one small baby step each week and in 6 months you will have a well stocked, personalized kit!

You can even go through the series a few times over a year or two adding just the most basic supplies the first six months and then a few more “extra” supplies each time you cycle through it again.

Want even more help?Build a robust, personalized 72 hour kit one week at a time over 26 weeks

This series is also available as an e-book. Purchasing the e-book gives you a few additional benefits over just reading the free series:

  • Additional details and tips
  • The ability to print the entire book!
  • Pictures of my own kit showing just how I pack each week.
Download “Your Own 72 Hour Kit Plan” E-Book Now!

* Some links in this post are affiliate links meaning, at no additional cost to you, I may get a small commission if you make a purchase. Some links (those to Thrive Life) actually provide you with a discounted price. Thanks for your support in this way!

Last Week:

I hope all of you were able to get some communication devices in your kit last week!

Week #16: Tools

The idea this week is to add a few basic tools that will ease the stress of a difficult situation and /or save you and your family’s lives in the event of a disaster.

Don’t get too carried away in this department, especially the first time around. Many tools are heavy and would be difficult to pack. Many are expensive. You do not need each and every tool and many can have multiple uses: especially if you get creative.

Consider the area you live in, the disasters you would be most likely to face and be sure the tools you choose to add this week will be most helpful in your situation.

 

What we have done in our family:

We have a fold-able shovel, a compass (combo tool with the adult whistles we have), a sewing kit, multi-tool (includes a screwdriver, knife, pliers etc.), gas shut off tool, duct tape, paracord, work gloves, zip ties, grocery bags, a large garbage bag, and scissors.

How About You?

Leave me a comment and tell me what you will be adding to your kit. Why? What light sources do you need? What do you already have?

Skip to:

 

Week #15: Communication Week #18: Other Random Tools Week #1: Packaging Your Kit Series Into: Survival Kit Series, A Week by Week Approach

 

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Becky is a wildlife enthusiast and pet and livestock care expert with a diploma in canine nutrition. With over a decade of experience in animal welfare, Becky lends her expertise to Simple Family Preparedness through insightful info about pets, livestock, bee keeping, and the practicalities of homesteading.

124 thoughts on “72 Hour Kit Ideas Week #16: Tools”

  1. I’ve already added a few of these things (shovel, axe, hammer, and screwdriver). Reading your list, I am shocked at the items that I would have never thought to include but use on a regular basis. I will be adding duct tape, gloves and rope today! Oh, yes, a sewing kit!!! Thank you! I have a compass and map but I’m not sure that everyone in my family knows how to use them… added to my “to do” list.

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  2. We had a folding shovel, knives, multi tools with screw drivers a hammer and duct tape,we each have a small compass but would like to get a map compass. We also have a box of stuff we may need incase we need to stay home such as plastic sheeting in case a nuclear plant blew up or somrhing to that nature. Were close enough to possibly get fall out but close enough it would probably be more dangerous to try and leave rather than staying put. But we wouldn’t necassarily need to carry a Buchanan of plastic sheeting if we had to bug out.

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  3. I have just started this program here with week 15 so I am a one person household and I will begin by putting $1.00 in my kit for this week. I will begin trying to catch up with the program.

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    • Or just start with this week! I will cycle through the first 14 weeks again. I suggest just doing week #1 and then jumping in wherever we are. no need to do things in a specific order! (-:

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  4. I am new to this series but have found it EXTREMELY helpful. I am going to have to play catch up. We used to go camping so we have a lot of these items. My daughter makes all kinds of things with duct tape so we are never in short supply. Maybe should get plastic sheeting to cover windows and door frames? I also think we need to get a fold-able shovel and definitely a compass. We have a store here where you can purchase tools relatively inexpensively and they usually have a coupon in the paper for free flashlights, gloves, or scissors with purchase. Think I might have to take a trip there.

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  5. My want (need?) list just keeps getting longer. LOL I have just spent a good deal of time going through SR’s tools lists. Trying to decide what is most useful for my family and what I can afford is difficult. Most of what I have been doing so far is repurposing stuff that I already had or finding deals at dollar stores! At least I am getting something done, right! We have a mallet for our tent, a pocketknife, a small hand tool that I sometimes use in my garden that is a pick ax, and shovel. Would like to get a pocket chainsaw and we are always running out of duct tape!! Need to restock.
    A few weeks ago I told you that I was exploring options regarding bugging out because my husband would not be able to walk far. We live very near a bicycle trail (part of the rails into trails) and it has inspired me. I plan to purchase 2 electric bikes with trailers. The bikes can go about 20 miles on a full charge. They can be pedaled too. On the trailers mount solar panels to recharge the batteries! 🙂 The trailers can haul supplies that we would need and our cat and chihuahua! We might get a harness to hook up our Lab! My husband thinks I am crazy but if we cannot go by car and we must leave, this is the next best option.

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    • What a great solution you’ve found Brenda! I love all these creative minds and ideas that get shared here. Thanks!

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  6. It makes me feel good that I have most of these items, but I can’t believe I haven’t stocked up on the easiest one on the list–duct tape!

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  7. This is the area we are the weakest in, but we are slowly adding to it. We have most of these things, but not in portable size really. I dont want to be lugging a full size shovel with me. I have multiples of some of these, we keep them in the truck and the garage. The axe though is just something I havent gotten around to. Always something that sits on the “to buy” list forever lol.

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  8. We have lots of tools in the garage, which would be useful if we had to shelter in place, but I think we need to buy multi tools or we’ll never be able to lift the backpacks!

    What is Paracord and what is it useful for?

    I’m so thankful I stumbled upon your site. I’ve told a few friends about it already and I’m now obsessed with catching up and getting prepared. So far, I’ve barely begun, but I have lists and I’m taking baby steps almost daily to move towards being prepared. I’m looking forward to reaching the point of feeling “ready.”

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    • Paracord (a/k/a, parachute cord) is a soft, lightweight nylon rope. It can be used for anything and everything requiring strong but light cord.

      And don’t stress too much! (-:

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  9. We riffled through the tool box and storage area to get tools to add to our kit. We added- a small roll of ducttape, a multi tool (has different screw driver ends and is a small flashlight as well), a trowel, a knife, and a hammer. We have a phone that can serve as a compass

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  10. I am a few weeks behind. I have some catching up to do. I’m not exactly sure what tools we have in our kits. I think we have some work to do in this area.

    p.s. I hope everyone is feeling better around there.

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    • I think we are finally better today Kristy. Thanks! Heading out (to the park) for the first time in a week! Everyone is SO excited, you’d think we were going to Disneyland!

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  11. My husband, who is in construction, has many, many hand tools. We camp and our trailer is stocked as well. However, I need to make sure I have a tool kit in my car as well. Thank you for your continued inspiration.

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  12. I’ve been sharing with friends but have not been to the blog in a while so I added the last few weeks together for my sharing numbers. We had a big bday party the other day and I got to talk about Shelf Reliance with everyone. It’s great conversation since everyone that knows me knows I am big into being prepared. I have been thinking I’d love to have a SR party soon, just need to make the leap so to speak and do it! We have been so busy though…hopefully I can plan one with you soon.

    We are really more prepared than we have ever been. Ever since I began following I have been more aware of what is necessary to have on hand. 🙂
    {[email protected]}

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  13. My kit also has a bag of kitty litter- we live in snow country and sometimes this is all the traction you need on an icy spot to get out of a jam by yourself! Or if you have sand bags for weight you can use the sand too!(just font forget to replace the weight after wards.

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    • We used to carry kitty litter, but the bag split too many times. Now we carry a few shingles. Each one gives you about 3 feetof good traction. Multiples can be lined up or, since we’re cheap, carry 4 and leapfrog them as needed.

      About learning to use a compass: the Boy Scout Handbook and the merit badge book (it used to be called orienteering I think) are great because they teach you how to use a compass in simple, plain English with lots of pictures.

      I can’t live with just one multi-tool. I carry a Leatherman Wave on my belt and a Leatherman Micra in my pocket. They complement each other well and the scissors on the micra are MUCH easier to use than the ones on the larger tools.

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    • Read the bag/box carefully on the kitty litter. I was looking on mine the other day and it actually warns you not to use it for traction because of the clumping and such.

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  14. We already have some of the needed items, I used to work for USDA before becoming a stay at home mom, so I have had extensive training in using a compass, reading a map, especially a topo and elevation map, skills i think would be handy in an emergency! While a compass is easy to use and does not require a lot to really learn well, I would suggest everyone take a moment to learn how and to find a map of the area around where you live, especially for those of us who are rural, to decide where high areas might be, where live water could be found, where a sheltered area might be in case you have to leave the house and be in need of an area where some natural shelter and water could be found, possibly in an area of high ground and where others can find you. some pretty good tutorials can be found online. Knowing how to use a compass and map will be more important for some than others.

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      • With map reading and navigation the Army provides many great manuals that can be had. Some things to learn about navigation: 1. Topo maps are always best they will provide the elevation and potential hazards or difficult terrian. Sportsmans Atlas usually provide a large area in a large magazine sized book covering larger areas then a single map. Next learning Pace count to measure distance, I for myself I take an average of 62 steps per 100 meters. Combined with “ranger beads” to keep track I can have a good idea of distance traveled. Finally use of a compass and how to find known and unknown positions can help releive the stress of being lost especially in rural areas. This is a skill that should be practiced, I make it fun with both kids they enjoy tracking while we are hiking.

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  15. I just found your website last night and I am so excited!!! After reading the first 15 weeks yesterday I went home and put together a rubbermaid tub of supplies that we already have as extras laying around the house. I have made a list of supplies to purchase tonight on my weekly trip to Target, and I will catch up on the first 14 weeks as quickly as I can. What I included for this week’s challenge is a leatherman tool, duct tape, and a sewing kit. I plan on purchasing another leatherman tool, and trying to locate a multifunctional tool with the shovel, saw, and axe tonight. I also hope to find a popup tent and I plan on purchasing some cases of water to start our water supply! Thank you for everything you are doing to help us unprepared become prepared!

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    • Welcome Candice! Thank you for commenting! It is so nice to know when others find this stuff helpful! I’m excited to hear from you during the rest of the series

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  16. Wanted to add that we have small shovels for burying our toilet stuff if we’re out in the woods…one for each adult pack…important to not just do our business anywhere so it doesn’t go into the run off water, etc. Parachord is also important and one strand can be unwound to be used as thread if needed.

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    • Realizing i must have zoned out and completely missed last week (#14). Not sure how that happened. But was busy still working on getting some of the things from previous weeks, as well of other items for our home storage not specifically for the go-bags.

      also noticed that this is week #15.

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  17. Keep reading that those Multi-Tools are good to have. we have purchased one for each backpack, including our teen and pre-teen.. (of course not for the toddler and preschooler). LOL

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  18. We have almost all of these items. But we still need to get our stuff packed into the backpacks. We purchased some backpacks early on (which are sitting in the corner of our family room) but have not yet started loading them. Trouble is though, the more i see on these lists, the more i’m realizing that we need to purchase much larger backpacks.

    Living in MD i never considered we were in an earthquake zone. However the quake we experienced back in August was a real shocker. First shake and rattle we have EVER felt here on the eastcoast. And i just saw news yesterday that VA had another (much smaller) one yesterday morning. That’s really scarey….

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  19. This area is my strong suit. I have EVERYTHING. Love tools. However, we were told in our CERT class not to bother with the shut-off tool for the gas meter. . . to use a wrench instead. The shut-off tools are usually too flimsy and bend with any pressure. Most meters haven’t been turned off in years, therefore are difficult to turn.

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  20. We are doing pretty well with this area. We have shovels, multi tools, sewing kits, duct tape, scissors, saws, screwdrivers, etc. We will add to this as we can but have a good start already.

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  21. Congrat to Betty! 🙂

    Not fully prepared in this area. Need to get a saw, shovel, axe, compass, and gas shut off tool. Everything else I already own thank goodness!

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