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Customizing Your Survival Kit
3-Day Emergency Kit
Every survival kit should have the means to provide for basic survival needs: food, water, fire, and shelter. However, there are a few additional items that can make a survival situation much easier to endure, without adding bulk to the kit.
Lip balm: Trekking for miles in the wind and/or heat will quickly dry lips and cause chapping. Having lip balm will add a much needed degree of comfort.
Hat and sunglasses: Keeping the sun out of the eyes is not only for comfort but it can be necessary to prevent sun blindness. The hat can be a cheap "gimme cap" or something a bit more expensive like a boonie hat. A hat will also help keep warmth from escaping through the scalp on cold nights.
Clean socks and underwear: Keep them in a sealed plastic bag so they stay dry. They are not only necessary for health reasons but they will provide a great morale boost. Anyone who has had to walk a distance with wet feet knows the importance of dry socks.Hand sanitizer: If there is no soap to use, this will help keep hands germ free when eating or providing first aid.
Baby wipes: These are great for a quick sponge bath as well as if the toilet paper supply has run out.
Sunscreen: Dealing with moderate to severe sunburn is no fun after a day at the beach, let alone if it happens during a crisis situation.
Bug repellent: In many parts of the country, the mosquitoes seem big enough to carry off pets and children. Constantly swatting at bugs expends energy as well as increases mental fatigue.
Bandana: This has many uses, from a makeshift dust mask to a tourniquet. They add almost no weight to the kit and can be wrapped around more fragile items.
Glue sticks: These are excellent for making expedient repairs to shelter materials and even clothing in a pinch. Simply heat the end of the stick over a flame to soften the glue.
Gloves: A sturdy pair of work gloves will serve well when building an emergency shelter, cutting firewood, and a myriad of other camping chores. Injuries to hands can quickly become infected if not cleaned and treated properly.
All of the items listed above would fit in all but the smallest of survival kits. Most of them are very inexpensive to buy now and will be invaluable during an emergency.
--Jim, Wisconsin
40 comments
Crystal Minnick
We appreciate you checking out our post, have a great week!
CPR Savers and First Aid Supply
Good tips..
Thank you for the post.
Barbara Hyde
Nicely done. You've laid out a good map to follow. Definitely a keeper.
Barbara
Oregon
mhbergner
Great info – thanks!
mhbergner
Great info! Thanks
Cee Love
Thank you for the great info!
Becky
Wow, this is exactly the info I've been needing and looking for! Thanks for the great preparedness information!
Keith
Jim great article. I know these kits can be customized to no end. However, two things I have in every kit are 550 para-cord and a couple of medium weight trash bags. You will always find a need for some cord and the trash bags have hundreds of uses, from water proofing, shelter, to water collection.
OneBoot
Oh wow…I'd never thought about customizing my Survival Kit! Cecily, that's a great idea to add playing cards. :)
Anonymous
im just getting started on all this survival stuff and i love this website!!!!
wsttex
People need to realize that most sites offer "suggestions" on what should be in a 3 day bag…..Each person in my family has one tailored to his/her taste. We all have the essentials but each has their own comfort items to. I add books, my daughter has an old I-pod plus extra batteries and candy, my wife added magazines and cocoa mix….make it yours as your the one who has to live with what is in it.
S. L. Haynes
I keep almost everything in plastic bags inside the pack. The food rations you not probably eat all at one time. Just roll/fold down the foil package and place it back into the plastic ziplock bag. The TP should be in its own ziplock too as TP is not to useful when wet. Lastly, wrap your electrical items in layers of plastic wrap, foil, plastic wrap, etc. in case your stranded by an EMP or CME.
John and Amy Stockett
I'd never considered some of these tips before. Thanks!
The Captain
Nothing is better than clean socks and underwear when you are on long hikes. Same is true for survival instances.
geeknik
Another great article, thanks Jim, keep up the good work. =)
Anonymous
Good stuff! I would not have thought of the glue stick.
Most people overlook just how important socks are until they have to walk for a distance.. its important that socks be good quality and provide some cushion.
I learned that the hard way with the cheapy 'bulk' socks.. those were some wicked blisters!
LyndiLou
What great advice! I never thought to include a glue stick, or any adhesive really, so thank you for that little gem. :)
my2qtpies
I always put a few tuna packets (not cans) in my emergency kit- they are full of protein, usually have a couple of years shelf-life and they are light weight!
Emily
I love all of these suggestions for additional items to add to our 72-hour kits. These are things that I didn't neccessarily think of, but am now going to include. Thanks.
Jim
I'm the author of the article and I'd like to thank all of you for your comments. Glad you liked it!
Anii
These are really neat tips. Thanks. Jim, congrats on your article, and make this site so great.
- Anikka
Whitney
I just found this site and am so impressed! There is such good information and so much to look at and plan for. Thanks!
Jason Cole
Very nice article!
Marielle
Clean Socks and underwear is one thing I have not added to our backpacks. Good idea!
Carolyn
I was just looking at these kits last night. We have a new car and I want to put some emergency supplies in it.
Cassi : )
Those are definitely good suggestions. They can be acquired for next to nothing if you watch for the right coupons, too. Making our emergency kits more comprehensive is high on our priority list right now.
Neely Fam Page
This is a great GIVEAWAY…I was just thinking a bit more on how my family of 5 need to be better prepared in case. I have been feeling strongly this way for some time. I am sure a lot of people have been lately.
You want to be prepared…for if you are prepared, you shall not fear!
Molomatic
A lot of great ideas! I would not have thought to put a glue stick in my kit, thanks!
Misty
I had never thought about glue sticks, what a great idea! Thanks for the list.
Debbie
Those were really good tips. Such a simple thing like chapstick can really make a big difference.
Amy
I would have never thought of a glue stick! I need to get on the ball and get my kits ready for both home and car. Thanks for the great article!
Anonymous
Being very new to prepping, I am learning so much. Hubby NEEDS this as he drives 2 hrs to and from work everyday through the high desert and over the mountains. We should have though about survival kits LONG ago! Love the addition suggestions!
Michelle
Thanks for laying this out for me. I'm putting my kits together this month!
Tammy
These are great tips – especially the lip balm! I always need that!
Amanda Brown
I love our Emergency Kit. We keep one of your temperature safe ones in our car and I love the security it gives us. I love knowing that we are prepared if ever we have an emergency while traveling.
Cecily
I also like to add a pack of playing cards. Nothing like boredom to add to the stress of an emergency.
Jamie
Good tips! Keep up the great work!
Brooke
I'm just getting started on this whole "emergency preparedness" stuff. Thanks for the great blog!
Scott R
Jim, congratulations on your article making it to a great site.
Scott R
Prepology.blogspot.com
Anonymous
well done jim.