72 Hour Kits - How do I customize my own pack?

Asking yourself questions may help you prepare.

What would I have needed if I was near 9/11 (dust masks, family pictures to help locate lost ones)? Hurricane Katrina (backpack with wheels so you could walk outside of the affected area, small bills to pay for gas or water bottles)? Does my family have any special needs (often items such as medicine can’t be purchased and placed in your kit ahead of time, so tape a note to the outside—saying “Grab medicine, or Grab baby formula.”)? What weather may I be in (mittens for winter, sunscreen or bandana to shield from the sun, or garbage sacks to line the inside of your pack with in case it’s rainy weather)? What if my loved ones were not with me (Separate kit for the workplace, pop top lids for young children’s backpacks so they can get in cans independent of you, paper and pencil to leave notes on message boards)? Will I remember important phone numbers (In emergency situations it’s hard to remember even the simplest facts such as out-of-state relatives phone numbers or work numbers of family members—put them in writing in your pack)? Will my kids need comfort/distractions (think of sitting in the Superdome for 3 days– maybe stickers or glow sticks)? Will there be those who need priesthood blessings (consecrated oil)? Will I need a pack horse to carry all of this? Just Kidding!

It’s also helpful in rotating packs when two lists are kept in the front pocket—one of perishable items that need to be rotated yearly, and one of non-perishable items. This also helps me remember what’s in there so I don’t have to empty it and check if I already have something when I hear of an item I want to add.