Welcome to week #23 in the “72 Hour Kit Ideas: A week by week approach” series.
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 show just how I pack each week.
Download “Your Own 72-Hour Kit Plan” E-Book Now!
I hope all of you were able to add some cash to your kit last week.
Week #23: Packaging Your 72-Hour Kit
Now that you have gathered all the supplies for your kit, you have an idea of the amount of space you will need to package it. Remember, this pack of supplies will be used on the go if you have to evacuate. However, you choose to package it, keep the following in mind:
- It needs to be something you can carry relatively easily.
- It needs to be durable.
- It should be as lightweight as possible.
If you’ve already got your kit and will just be updating it, then take a week off!
Here are a few ideas I’ve seen (and my opinions on them). Feel free to share your ideas and opinions if you’ve got them in the comments below. There is a great one from a reader, Don about a pull / push golf cart here!
Option #1: A Cooler or Suitcase on Wheels
- Easy to drag behind you, meaning you don’t have to actually carry it.
- May be difficult to use over tough terrain.
- Would be heavy/difficult if you ever DID have to carry it.
- Durable.
| Preview | Product | |
|---|---|---|
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Igloo 110qt Glide Coolers | Buy on Amazon |
Option #2: A Large Tupperware-Type Tub
- Relatively durable.
- Lightweight.
- Can easily see & find what is inside.
- Very difficult to carry.
| Preview | Product | |
|---|---|---|
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Rubbermaid Commercial Products Brute Tote Storage Container With Lid,... | Buy on Amazon |
Option #3: Duffel Bag
- Relatively durable.
- Lightweight.
- Could put them in a wagon / wheeled golf cart and pull them unless/until forced to carry them.
- You must carry it at all times…typically more difficult to carry for a long period of time than a backpack.
- Not a lot of separate compartments for making things easier to organize/find.
| Preview | Product | |
|---|---|---|
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NPUSA Mens Large 22" Inch Black Duffel Duffle Military Molle Tactical... | Buy on Amazon |
Option #4: Backpacks
- Very lightweight, but must be on your back at all times.
- Will be heavy once packed.
- Could put them in a wagon and pull them unless/until forced to carry them.
Option #5: Wheeled Backpack
- Could be carried if needed, but can also be pulled behind you to make things easier unless covering rough terrain.
- Heavier than a traditional backpack would be.
How We Packed Our 72-Hour Kit
Right now, we have 2 adult backpacks* and 2 children’s backpacks. Only two of our four children would be able to carry a pack (the 5 yr old twins), and one (a 1 yr old) would need to be carried. Both my husband and I will need to have both hands free in order to be able to carry a child and manage another.
We do have a moby wrap for the 1 yr old so we can carry her and still have both hands free. But I still want both hands free to be able to manage the other 3 kids. So, we went in backpacks. However, we will likely switch to wheeled backpacks eventually.
Tell Me Everything About Packaging Your 72-Hour Kit!
Leave me a comment and tell me how you plan to (or how you already) package your kit.
Pin It Now For Later!
| Week #22: Cash | Week #2: Water Part I | Week #1: Packaging Your Kit | Series Into: Survival Kit Series, A Week |
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.
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 19:27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I have a wheeled cooler that can be used and also some old wheeled carry on size suitcases just sitting in the garage. They are still in good shape so they could be used.
Excited about getting started.
I’m glad you are excited Sylvia! Don’t lose that!
I have two adult wheeled back packs and one child backpack. I still need to get one more backpack. LOVE the idea of the pull golf cart. We have one and will certainly use that, if needed. Someone else mentioned a stroller. I have a double stroller with all-terrain wheels that can be used. Such great suggestions! Misty, how much money total do you recommend we keep I the packs? Thanks!
I think the more the better Karrie though I don’t keep all my cash in my kit. I think I have about $400 in our kits (I’d have to go check for sure) and the rest is inside our home. Even if the power were just out for an extended period of time, you’d not be able to use credit cards at all. Having cash makes me feel more secure. (-:
OK, I’m right on track then. We are a family of 4. I have $400 in our packs, $500 in the home safe and $50 in the car emergency kit. Plus we usually have about $100 in our wallets between the two of us.
Sounds great!
I love this series every time I read it! Our kits are currently in a box by our bed…BUT we are wanting to get some backpacks to make them more mobile. And now that my daughter can carry her own back pack we’ll have one for her too.
I LOVE the idea of just keeping everything in a box until you can get the bags! So many let themselves get stopped at step one b/c they feel they can’t afford the bags. SO SO much better to have the supplies in your home even if you don’t have them all in a bag yet.
I am so glad we are back to week 1 – I jumped in mid-stream. I currently have the kids backpacks and am looking for a deal on the adult ones
We were just talking about starting a kit yesterday and then I run into your site on pinterest…thanks for all the great info!
I’m so darned excited to take on this adventure I can hardly stand it. So… because I read ahead when I found you last week I’ve already started 🙂 However finding the funds for 7 backpacks and a dog saddle bag is quite stressful. So… I purchased those drawstring backpacks. I know they are clumbsy, not comfortable and really not practical, but until I can get the funds together for “real” backpacks I can at least use them to seperate everything so I know who’s missing what. I also figured that when I do get the funds for those backpacks I can then use the drawstring ones for something like my car kit or to hold the extra pair of shoes. The strings are long enough that I could easily carry it over the top of my backpack with ease. That being said I’m also looking for fanny packs. Grandma always told me to never keep all of my money when traveling in the same place. Grandmas are always right… right??? Figured a fanny pack was a good choice also for snacks and certain meds for the kids so that we did not have to keep getting in the backpacks all the time…oh… I’m so so excited!!!!!
Jennifer, I just wanted to share a few money saving tips with you about getting some of your emergency supplies. Think about watching yard sales & thrift shops for backpacks. Since you have something to use ‘for now’ you’ll be able to wait & watch for good deals. Or you could even think about asking for backpacks on FreeCycle.
I just found this web page. Thank you for the ideas that you have provided. I have been thinking on doing this for awhile and now I have some ideas.
Misty,
I know this is late to your posting but just now getting into the game. Something you might want to think about is a push/pull golf cart. They are easier to maneuver than a wheeled backpack. I have one of those with a army duffel bag. Bag is too big to carry but can be pulled on cart. You can put bulky, heavy items like a tent, cooking stuff, and change of clothing for a couple of people including shoes, underwear, outer wear. Also if someone gets tired of carrying backpack you can hook to cart without adding too much pull weight. Then I have a backpack for emergency things, water, food, emergency medical kit and other essentials.
OK I’m a newbe,I have not began yet but plan to do so soon..I’m gonna start out making mine for the husband, me and our two boys, Boomer and Gizmo. adventualy will add to mine for other members of the family(not Living with us). As I know they won’t take the time out to do this for themselves..will take me awhile to catch up with you all but gonna give it my best shot..my first step will be getting back pack for the two of us and leashes for the boys..Glad i found you on the pinterest…will be looking for those back packs next trip to town…hoping goodwill will have something on very tight budget..
Thanks so much for posting all these great Ideas, I was overwhelm by the though of doing my emergency preparedness, but You made it so much easier.
I just started bags for my family. As a nurse, my first instinct was to concentrate on first aid supplies. But after my toddler got sick all over himself and me while at the table in a restaurant, I quickly learned never to forget the basics: extra clothes for everybody and some method to clean us up! Lol I think I will go from there.
right now we are using tupperware tubs, due to the fact our most likely problem will be tornados and it will need to be in water proof containers. I think today I may start searching for back packs in case we need to leave and have to walk after the storm
I am just learning about your site and this survival kit idea. I love it and can’t wait to start!!! I am starting with the week that gets my documents in order and then back here at week 1. That is where I really need help. Thank you for posting!
I use a backpack but instead of giving away my grandkids stroller I would just plop my backpack in and away I’d go. The wheels are goodsize and I think it could take moderately rough terrain…not to mention it would save my back and it is definitely better to push something rather than pull it.
Smart Judy!
This is great! We were cleaning out closets and had a pile of backpacks/bags that we weren’t sure what to do with. Now that we have just started getting things together, we know exactly how to use them! I love sites, blogs and books that break preparation down into easy steps. Thanks!
Great Shelly! I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the site!
Good idea! I have a few backpacks in the to be sold – future yard sale pile. Maybe I will just re purpose.
I know this is just the start but really you need a back pack as you may need to move. A key here is weight really. You need to be able to carry you bag as well as in your case and mine a child. I regularly take walks with one or 2 children added to me own weight. If you have pets, they will need food and water at least. Most dogs can carry a small pack with food and some water with folding bowls. A good start but really you need to be able to carry your stuff in a pack because you can not count on smooth roads to travel on.
Sorry Ric. Just saw this for some reason. Thanks for your thoughts. I agree with you and have packs myself. (-:
Thank you for this sensible site. I have been looking for tips that are broken down to make things cheaper and easier. I have not yet started but I now know what to start looking for.
I’m glad it has been helpful Cathy!
I just found you and got started and shared you in my facebook page. So far i have the backpacks and the 1.00 a person. I think now more than ever we all need kits. It might take me longer to get mine going i might do every other week cause of pay period and Christmas and my cars broke but im not stopping till i get it all done. Thanks for breakingit done into steps
Every little bit counts! Good for you for being so dedicated!
Picked up an amazing wheeled backpack today at the thrift store for $6! One pack down, three more to go. Also got a brand new 100 feet of rope for $1 and can opener for $.50. Picking up things bit by bit and I find them.
Yay! Sounds like you’ve found some great deals!
And sorry my response was so delayed. I was in Costa Rica for a week and I’m just now getting caught up!
Unless your one year old weighs 15 lbs or less, I strongly suggest getting another carrier/wrap for your baby that isn’t made of a stretchy material! Moby wraps and other stretchy wraps are potentially dangerous when carrying more weight than that, not to mention uncomfortable!
I actually really like mine and know many who use them for older children. I’ve never before heard they could be unsafe. Where have you heard that. I certainly want to make sure we are safe!
I use a tube style sling for mine it works up to 35 lbs and depending on how you put them in it and if the hold on or not its pretty comfy and its not stretchy so no worries about using it for extended periods of time
We increased our shelter-in-place water from 3 gallons per person to 4. There is enough room in our water storage cupboard to stack two layers of 2-liter or half-gallon bottles, so I will ask DH to install a shelf. We don’t buy soda for the house and only get juice when someone is sick, but I will likely be able to add 2-3 more gallons for each of us if we have our usual number of winter colds.
I have honestly never even thought about having a 72-hour kit. Thanks to Pintrest, I found your website this morning and have been pouring over it for the last few hours. I plan on purchasing two rolling backpacks, one for my husband and for myself. I will work on getting necessities in there as soon as possible. Thanks so much for all the work you put into your website, which makes emergency preparedness much ore manageable seeming for someone like me who has never thought of it before.
I am so glad to have you here Erica! I love knowing that this is truly helping people. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I hope to “see” you back each week!
I have one backpack for myself or my husband, and one for my oldest daughter (5). However, I need to get another adult backpack, so I’ll go to Salvation Army this week and pick one up. Anytime we need a bag or backpack we go there, because there is usually a good selection with most being under $3. After your recommendations, I’ll probably look for a backpack with wheels. Thank you! I look forward to this series. I have been needing to work on these, but wasn’t sure where to start.
Love this idea! My husband and I have nothing like this for our family (our 5 month old little girl and two dogs). Looking forward to getting this done! We have one hiking backpack and a plastic tub which will have to do for now. When funds are more readily available I think backpacks with rollers would be a great idea (at least one).
Since my existing kits are basically down to packs with socks after removing the outdated food & outgrown clothing, I’m going to start over. Each member of my family has a backpack for their kit, although I may get larger packs for my oldest two since they are now closer to adult size. I plan to do a 6month rotation for the basics this time. I like the idea of adding a small amount of money to each kit every week!