The 72-Hour Survival Kit

As Japan went through such devastation, countries through their emergency management organizations collectively concurred on the necessity of having a workable contingency plan amongst families. Under the concept of mitigating such devastating effects of earthquakes and tsunamis', having to cope with it within the next three-day period experts say would be the most crucial part of survival. It is also in this context that one has to prepare to help himself while awaiting for a sustainable level of rescue operations by private and government agencies.

Nature induced calamaties such as the "Katrina event, Malaysia, China and other heart melting reminiscins of killer disasters, the level of rescue and relief operations take place in three normal phases. The first responders both private and government local to the disaster site has to be the first teams to provide help, relief, rescue and medical proceedings. This escalates in our case in the city level, regional and so to the national level. And as what Japan has experienced in between this crisis, help started to arrive coming from foreign countries in merely a week or two after the event. It is at this point wherein full scale help, rescue, relief, medical and retrieval operations transpire.

The sight of families rich or poor now dwelling in various evacuation areas has become a common sight in any disasters, be it nature or human-induced such as those in Libya, Bahrain and Yemen. And in this light, the so-called 72 - Hour Survival Kit plays a significant tool in helping families deal with it as it happens. This importance has become part of a consistent security information from foreign governments such as the U.S. Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Organizations and that of our own the Civil Defense Office. Just few weeks back, a common household item "balde" (pail) was seen in a tv broadcast with its importance and the manner to use it. Shared here are just but few information on what a basic 72-Hour Kit should contain.

Food and Water Supply

• Water (1 Gallon/4 Liters per person)
• Canned Meat/Tuna/Chicken/Sausages
• Canned Beverage/Juices
• Cereals/Dried Foods/Crackers

Equipment, Fuel & Light

• Pocket or Utility Knife (Multiple Use)
• Rope, Duct Tape, Can Opener, Utensils,Foldable Shovel/Axe
• AM/FM Radio, Extra Batteries, Pen & Pad
• Flares, Candles, Torch, Windproof Lighters/Igniters
• Mini-Flashlights, Zip-Lock Plastic Bags

Personal Clothings/Beddings

• Rain Coats (Covering Full Body)
• Pants, Long Sleeved Clothings, Shorts, Socks
• Undergarments, Shirts, Hand Gloves
• Blankets, Extra Sheets of Cloth would be useful

Medication & Other Supplies

• Regular Medication a supply of at least a week
• First Aid Kit with basic supplies
• Sanitizers, Repellants, Water Purifying Tabs, Sun-screens or Sunblocks
• Toiletries and Toilet Papers, Detergent Soap, Shampoot, Toothpaste

Important Documents & Cash

(This should be contained in water-proof plastic container (zip-lock plastic bags)

• Personal ID Cards, Passport, Credit Cards
• Medical Transcriptions, Medical Records
• Personal Documents, e.g. Birth, Marriage and other government certificates
• Insurance Documents, Prepaid Phone Cards
• Emergency Contact Numbers Card

The kit is better off contained in a camping/travelling/back pack as this type allows a comfortable grab and go carry.

There maybe a dozen that i have overlooked, but you can always have a personal list of items depending on your type of need. The idea somehow is to acknowldge which items you think is of immediate importance.

A 72-Hour Kit container ideally should be a grab-and-go and one that can deal with adverse weather.