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. What i still need:
    Hammer or Mallet
    Screwdriver- specifically for my kit, not one of my husbands!!
    Gas Shut off tool- and to learn how to use it!

    Also, my target has colman instant tents for 1/2 off in clearence. They are going quickly, but just wanted to put the word out if anyone is still looking, check there!

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  2. For Christmas I got a emergency whistle with a compass to carry on my keys so I always have one on me. A new knife and a siphon. If we had to leave the city for any reason we would only take one car and wouldn’t want to leave our gas in the car we don’t use. We had to drive into La. After katrina and we bought a gas cap with a lock on it so no one could steal our gas. Something to get before you need it. We bought the last one two states out.

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  3. I’ve got all these things in my kit now except a foldable shovel, which is what I plan to add this week! I need to add several of these things in my hubby’s kit though and will be working on it this next week.

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  4. We have a multi-purpose tool that shuts the gas off, is a shovel, can-opener and an axe. We also have duct tape, rope and gloves. (My hubby has actually used the gloves during camping) As silly as it is I hadn’t thought of a compass so I am going to work on that!

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  5. I still need to get a couple folding shovels, a compass or two, and some maps. I was thinking a prybar would be of great use if a disaster happened and you need to pry doors open. Just a thought.

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  6. I really like the idea of a multifunction tool. I find myself getting carried away with items to pack and end up having to pull out stuff and shelve it. This week, I’m looking for a shovel tool and I’d also like to get a leatherman or something along those lines. Do you recommend one for both my kit and my husband’s or just one?

    Jennifer

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    • It depends…..I’ve thought about that a LOT. In the end we put MORE tools in my kit b/c I’m usually with the kids which is who we really want to protect. I figure, if my husband ends up at work without a few tools, he can be imaginative and make something else work a whole lot easier than I can with my kids immediate needs. Just my thoughts….

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  7. Jeeze, I seriously thought I was prepared in at least a slight way, but after keeping up with your blog and also now the survival kit weeks, I know now that I am NO WHERE READY for anything, really. Having to work a lot to make ends meet, it is hard, as most people have it, to even start stocking up on what will be needful things in the future. I’m a bit embarrassed. I need just about everything and the tips and lists are what I need the most to at least try and make a start.
    Thank you. Sincerely!
    M. German

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    • Please DO NOT get overwhelmed! It took me years to get all this! Even a little bit is more than nothing. Even a change in attitude / perception is incredible and will serve you well. You will likely enjoy the new series on Fri / Sat about prepping for $20 or less and make sure you enter the weekly and monthly giveaways!

      And I know not everyone believes as I do, but I truly believe that God will take care of the rest as we work to do our best. Your best may be different than someone else’s, but if you do what you can, God notices!

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      • Thank you so much for the comment and the input. Indeed, I believe as you believe and try hard to provide for my family. Sometimes it is hard, but putting a little way as a precaution, each week is something I do even if it is just change in the change jar. I appreciate the tips and the information here and it really has gotten me to be more motivated than ever now!
        Sometimes it just takes a pep talk from a stranger. Thanks again! 🙂
        God Bless!

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  8. My next big purchase will hopefully be water filtration bottles for all four of our packs. Right now filtration is what we are lacking on in the water department. Since we only recently started preparing our kits we do not have any tools yet. However I have found a really nice set of tools I would like to get from Walmart online, brand name SOG but unfortunately they have been out of stock for at least a month now. We are slowly but surely getting a few things here and there.

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    • The Shelf Reliance water filtration bottles are typically around $30, but you can get them in a 4 pkg for $80 (so $20 a piece). Just FYI as you price things out!

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  9. The first time around, I had a Swiss Army Knife on my person in my 2 hour kit and added a Leatherman type tool for my vehicle. I also added a folding saw which came in handy a couple of times already! During the Black Friday sale at Shelf Reliance in November I was able to add a multipurpose Hatchet to both my camper and my truck which can be used as a Hatchet, Crowbar, Nail Puller and Hammer. I also have a multi head screwdriver and a Stanley multi tool. I keep duct tape everywhere. I wrap it around an old credit card or my AAA card to keep in my purse, campers, truck and car glove boxes, etc. You can keep quite a bit of duct tape in a small area this way and the card doubles as a quick ice or frost scraper. I have actually used a lot of the items that I have in my kit and carry either as a 24 hour kit in my purse or in my 72 hour kits in my cars and truck! I still need a trowel or small shovel.

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  10. We have all this, but my family tells me I am directionally challenged, so the map and compass skills need work. My son moved to a different town to be closer to the University and we have a designated spot between us that we will head to if anything happens. Both the map and compass may be important.

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  11. Ooh, tools. Definitely a weak spot for me–and the challenge here is to keep them all in the one place rather than succumb to the temptation to use something rather than go all the way to the tool box for something.
    I’m really enjoying this series, thanks for posting, and for hosting the giveaway!

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  12. I have to say I love reading your blog each week. I’m proud to say we have just about everything in the list this week with the exception of the gas shutoff tool and updated paper maps. I will be getting those next. Also the two way radio is something I’ve really wanted to add to our kit so thanks for the chance to win. Keep up the great work!

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  13. We have a lot these tools, just laying around in the garage. When I get back from my cousin’s wedding this weekend, I’m going to put together a specific box of camping/72 hour kit items that could be loaded in the car if we need to evacuate or put into our wagon if we have to walk. I figure if we have the time/room to put them in our kits on the way out we could, but having them together in 1 place would be a good place to start.

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  14. We already have scissors, string, a sewing kit, duct tape, and gloves around. I know we have at least one multi-tool in the tool kit. If there is another, I will add it to the kit. If not, we know what is on my shopping list for the week!

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  15. Eeek! Reading this I realize how poorly equipped I really am! I have duct tape and a multi-tool knife. I have rope and a sewing kit, but I really need to get a shovel and an axe. I do have a number of tools in my car, but still, no shovel or axe. Guess who’s running to the hardware store this week? I think I need to spend some time researching multi-tools, and teaching the kids how to use them as well.

    We have compasses and one of our summer fun programs has been to read maps and use a compass. They’re enjoying it, and it’s been a lot of fun getting to know our area even better.

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  16. We’ve been on vacation and am getting back into packing our bags. Great ideas on that list. I had already added some duct tape, gloves, a small pocket knife, rope, and scissors. I also added a can of spray paint. That can be useful for marking your address on the curb and letting rescue squads know if everyone is ok.

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  17. I just found your website by browsing a link on pintrest. You have many amazing tips and ideas. I am looking forward to catching up and following along weekly as I enhance my families kits. We have some of the items you suggested above but really need to pick up a shovel tool. I am sure it can come in handy with sanitation, shelter, making fire pits/ fire safety along with many other things. Thank you for the great ideas!

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  18. I won a Smith & Wesson Bullseye 3 pc campfire set in a white elephant game last Christmas. It came with a handy nylon belt sheath. I was so excited! Definitley going in my kit. Now I need to put together a sewing kit! I’m slowly getting there. Thanks for all the helpful suggestions!

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  19. I need to get a good compass and a shovel. We have pretty much everything else on this list. Thanks again for some great information.

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  20. We do have most of this gear in our camping gear…however duct tape is one of those essentials that I can never find because it’s all used up!

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    • I put at least 10 feet of Gorilla duct tape around a card (used gift cards work great and this is a great way to repurpose them). We have one of these in each of our packs. They have come in handy on our daily hikes. Such as to hold a shoe on that kept coming undone on my little one. To fix a rip in my oldest daughter pants that kept rubbing her leg raw. And also applied to a blister on the foot or to preent a blister from forming. So many uses!! I love this stuff 🙂

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  21. I include a pair of vice-grips plus a dry-cleaners clear plastic garment bag/cover to use as a solar still. I teach my boy scouts to wrap the folded garment bag around a walking staff and hold it in place with para-cord. You can also wrap fish hooks/line, fire starter, etc inside the bundle.

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  22. I wanted to ask a question to all of these, as I love your blog. I’m really focusing more as I get your updates each week. I do notice, however, that there is s alot to get. But what do you do with it all? Do you all keep it in once place of your house or just anywhere in the house, or in actual bins that you can grab if needed (that would be alot). Especially with these tools- do you make a special place for these or just place them stocked up in the garage?

    I feel as if there’s so much that some times i wonder if all this effort will mean something or if i’m doing this all wrong… but i sure am planning on at least trying!

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