A 72-hour kit — also called a bug-out bag or go-bag — is the foundation of emergency preparedness. It is the kit that keeps you and your household functioning for three days if you need to leave home quickly or if normal services are disrupted.
The 72-hour window matters because that is typically how long it takes emergency services to establish organised support after a major event. Three days of self-sufficiency covers you for almost every realistic emergency evacuation scenario.
This article gives you a complete, printable 72-hour kit checklist — with specific items, estimated costs, and priority ratings so you know what to buy first.
What Makes a Good 72-Hour Kit
- Weight matters. A 72-hour kit you cannot carry is not a kit. Keep total weight under 25% of the carrier’s body weight.
- Familiarity matters. Every item in your kit should be something you know how to use.
- Food in the kit should require no cooking. Design your 72-hour food supply to be entirely edible without heat or power.
- Cash in the kit should be small denominations only. $100+ in fives, tens, and twenties.
The Complete 72-Hour Kit Checklist
Water
- 2 x 1-litre water bottles, filled — Critical, $5-10
- Water purification tablets (25+ litre capacity) — Critical, $8-10
- Filter straw (LifeStraw or Sawyer Mini) — High, $12-20
Food (No Cooking Required)
- 6 x protein bars or energy bars — Critical, $10-15
- 6 x peanut butter single-serve packets — High, $4-6
- 3 x instant oatmeal packets — Medium, $2-3
- Crackers or rice cakes — Medium, $3-5
- Hard candies or trail mix — Medium, $3-5
First Aid
- 10 x assorted bandages/plasters — Critical, $3-5
- 2 x sterile gauze pads — Critical, $3-4
- 1 x antiseptic cream tube — Critical, $3-5
- Personal prescription medications (3-day supply) — Critical
- Copy of household medical reference card — Critical, Free
- 5 x nitrile gloves — High, $2-3
- CPR face shield — Medium, $3-5
Light and Power
- Headlamp with fresh batteries — Critical, $12-20
- Power bank 20,000 mAh+ fully charged — Critical, $15-25
- USB charging cables for all devices — Critical, $0-10
- 2 x tea light candles and matches — Medium, $2-3
Documents and Finance
- $100-150 cash in small denominations — Critical
- Photocopies of critical documents in waterproof bag — Critical, $5-10
- Written emergency contact list — Critical, Free
- Physical paper map of local area — High, $5-10
Warmth and Shelter
- 2 x emergency mylar thermal blankets — Critical, $4-6
- Lightweight rain poncho — High, $5-10
- Change of clothes (2 x underwear, 2 x socks, warm layer) — Medium, $0-15
Tools and Miscellaneous
- Multi-tool (Leatherman, Gerber, or equivalent) — High, $20-30
- Small roll of duct tape (wrapped around pencil) — High, $2-3
- 2 x N95 dust masks — Medium, $3-5
- Hand sanitiser (travel size) — High, $2-3
- Wet wipes (small pack) — High, $2-3
- Notepad and pen — Medium, $2-3
- Whistle — Medium, $3-5
How to Pack Your Bag
- Top pocket / quick access: headlamp, phone charger cable, cash, emergency contact card
- Main compartment top: first aid kit, power bank
- Main compartment middle: food, water bottles
- Main compartment bottom: clothing, blanket, poncho
- Side pockets: water purification, duct tape, pen and notepad
Choosing the Right Bag
You do not need an expensive tactical backpack. A 30-40 litre daypack from a discount sports store or charity shop is perfectly adequate. Key requirements: at least one large main compartment and several pockets, reasonably water-resistant, and comfortable to carry when fully loaded.
Maintaining Your Kit
- Every 6 months: check batteries, replace food items, top up power bank, check medication expiry
- Every 12 months: full kit audit against this checklist, replace water
Get the free printable checklist at prepperonabudget.com