From: lockhart@mothra.nts.uci.edu (Jack C. Lockhart) Newsgroups: sci.geo.earthquakes,ca.earthquakes,alt.current-events.la-quake,sci.geo.geology,misc.emerg-services,misc.rural,misc.consumers,misc.kids Subject: 72 Hour Emergency Supply Kits (**LONG**) Date: 1 Jan 1995 19:37:00 GMT Preface and Credits: This material was compiled from different sources by karen@n8ino.UUCP (Karen Peterson) and FIRST posted to misc.rural, misc.kids and misc.consumers newsgroups on 30 Oct 89. We regret that the names of those who created those sources may have become detached from the file over the years. My humble apologies for your not being properly credited. If I knew your names I would post them myself. If you recognize material of your own, please send e-mail and we will be happy to give you proper credit. The article was re-posted to ca.earthquakes by djheydt@uclink.berkeley.edu (Dorothy J. Heydt) on 13 Nov 89. On 24 Feb 94 I re-keyed the material from a paper copy, having lost the electronic version. I modified it slightly (adding a few words here and there) but the material is unaffected. Dorothy J. Heydt has given permission to repost this to appropriate newsgroups providing proper credits are in order. The address for karen@n8ino.UUCP (Karen Peterson) is no longer valid. We would like to thank her. Send e-mail if you know a valid e-mail address for karen@n8ino.UUCP (Karen Peterson). Introduction: Some of you will probably want to put supplies together for longer than three days but the idea is that if need be you can pick this up and run. Most of you will want to modify the contents to some extent. There are people on this planet who will read the label on the ketchup bottle sooner than anything else, and others of us can't stand powered milk or meat. ~jack_ .......................................................................... >From ucsd!ucbvax!cogsci.berkeley.edu!dorothy Mon Nov 13 13:27:02 PST 1989 Article: 976 of ca.earthquakes: Path: orion.oac.uci.edu!ucsd!ucbvax!cogsci.berkeley.edu!dorothy From: dorothy@cogsci.berkeley.edu (Dorothy Heydt) Newsgroups: ca.earthquakes Subject: 72 Hour Emergency Supply Kits (**LONG**) Message-ID: <32393@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU> Date: 6 Nov 89 18:39:20 GMT Sender: usenet@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU Reply-To: dorothy@cogsci.berkeley.edu.UUCP (Dorothy Heydt) Organization: University of California, Berkeley Lines: 713 On 30 Oct 89 karen@n8ino.UUCP (Karen Peterson) wrote: I have just been taught how to post. Here is the information that I have put together from a number or sources on the preparation of 72 hour kits. It is very long. Hope the information is useful to anyone who needs it. IDEAS FOR FOOD FOR 72 HOUR KITS 01. Package each meal for each member in individual bags. Breakfast Day 1 Lunch Day 1 Dinner Day 1 etc... This prevents any loss of food for any one person in your party and allows you to keep order in your kits. 02. Pick foods your family will enjoy. You will find that it is very important that you place foods in this kit that your family will eat regardless. You might plan to place foods in your kits that your family particularly enjoys, but that you don't always serve. 03. Rotate your food. Most food comes with expiration dates on it. It will be impor- tant to rotate your food according to this schedule so that you do not find yourself in an emergency situation with expired food. 04. Place food in your kits that are easy to prepare or ready to eat. When you need to use this kit, remember you will have in most cases been evacuated from your home either by car or on foot. It will be a stressful time for your family. You may be in a Red Cross Shelter, in a campground or on the road or on the way to relatives homes. You will not have all the luxuries of home. Cooking at best will be difficult. Please keep this in mind as you choose your foods for this 72 emergency survival kit. 05. Don't spend a lot of money. This is a survival kit. You will want to be comfortable but not extravagant. The food you place in here, due to its convenience, will cost more than you desire to spend, however, you can keep the cost very reasonable. 06. Ideas for Food. Beef Jerky Saltine Crackers Corned Beef Hash Soup-for-One Roast Beef Hash Cheese & Crackers Beef Stew Oyster Crackers Chili Dried Beef Ravioli Fruit Cups Applesauce Cups Vienna Sausages Pudding Cups Bread Sticks Cookies Snack Pack Cereal Canned Milk Powdered Milk Fruit Rolls Fun Fruits Packages of Raisins Packages of Peanuts Granola Bars Beef Sticks Box Juices Hot Cocoa Mix Suckers Hard Candy Trail Mix Power Bars This list is just to give you some suggestions for putting together your own kits. As each families taste differ you will need to adjust for your own families taste. 07. Menus - Examples Breakfast-Day 1 Breakfast-Day 2 Breakfast-Day 3 --------------- --------------- --------------- Cereal Instant Oatmeal Granola Bar Powdered Milk Fruit Roll Granola Bar Fruit Cup Box of Apple Juice Box of Grapefruit Juice Box of OJ Hot Cocoa/Ice Tea Hot Cocoa/Ice Tea Lunch-Day 1 Lunch-Day 2 Lunch-Day 3 ----------- ----------- ----------- Cup of Soup Beef Jerky Box of OJ Saltine Crackers Peanuts Cheese & Crackers Box of Apple Juice Applesauce Cup Fruit Cup Pudding Cup Box of Grape Juice Granola Bar Dinner-Day 1 Dinner-Day 2 Dinner-Day 3 ------------ ------------ ------------ Corned Beef Hash Chili with Beans Beef Stew Applesauce Cup Saltine Crackers Bread Sticks Box of Grape Juice Box of OJ Box of OJ Granola Bar Tapioca Pudding Cup Fruit Cup EMERGENCY FUEL CANNED HEAT (STERNO) - This can be purchased at most sporting goods stores as well as most grocery stores. You will need to store 1 large can per person per day. BUDDY BURNER - Select a shallow can (tuna, cat food, etc.) and insert coil of corrugated cardboard the height of the can. Pour melted paraffin to partially fill can. Allow to harden. Birthday candle in center will help light. A lid on the can with a wire handle will help control the heat. VAGABOND STOVE - Use a number 10 can. Cut opening around the top of the can with a can opener punch. This is to provide a draft for your fire. Then cut an opening at the bottom of the can large enough to fit the Buddy Burner or a small fire. Cook on top. FUEL CONSUMPTION AND BURNING TIME Lighting Equipment GAS LANTERN (Coleman, two mantle) Burning at the rate of 5 hours per day, the following amounts of white gas would be used: Per day - 5/12 quarts; per week - 2 12 quart per month - 3 1/8 gallons; per year - 38 gallons. KEROSENE LANTERN - (with a 1" wick) This device will burn 45 hours on 1 quart. (Dietz Lantern Information) burning at the rate of 5 hours per day, the following amount of kerosene would be used: Per day - 1/9 quarts; per week 7/9 quarts; per month 3 1/13 quarts; per year - 10 gallons. FLASHLIGHT (Two battery) Batteries used were well-known brands in testing). Continuous running on new batteries - 7 hours. 7 month old batteries, continuous running - 5 hours. CANDLES (Burning time) 3/4 diameter x 4" tall - 2 hours and 20 minutes 7/8 diameter x 4" tall - 5 hours 2" square x 9" tall - 7 hours per inch or : 4 inches - 28 hours 9 inches - 63 hours Heating or Cooking Equipment TWO PLATE GAS BURNER (Coleman) With both burners burning for 4 hours per day, the following amount of white gas would be used: per day - 1 quart; per week - 7 quarts; per month - 7 1/2 gallons; per year - 91 gallons. CAUTION: DO NOT STORE WHITE GAS, KEROSENE, & SIMILAR FUELS IN THE HOUSE OR WITHIN THE REACH OF CHILDREN. Consult distributors of fuel, or government agencies that would have information on the proper storage of fuels. INTRODUCTION WHY A 72 HOUR SURVIVAL KIT? What will you do if disaster strikes your neighborhood: a fire, a riot, a flood, a tornado, a hurricane, or an earthquake? The most critical need for help after the disaster is during the first 72 hours, yet community and government assistance will probably not be available during this period. YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WILL BE ON YOUR OWN! With a minimum of expense and trouble it is possible to bring together a few basic items which will ease the stress of a difficult situation and may even save you and your families life. In any form of emergency situation, several things take place: both physical and emotional. 1 - We will all experience emotional shock and a cer- tain amount of hysteria. 2 - The propensity of accidents increases. The greatest threat to loss of life are accidents that lead to severe bleeding or other forms of injury or trauma. If we are not able to address these injuries as effec- tively as possible, this will greatly increase our own stress and could virtually debilitate some people and prevent them from acting in a sound and rational man- ner. We must keep in mind that in the event of a severe disaster, all familiar public services, including medical, will be immediately over-taxed and as a result, will be basically ineffectual to you as an individual, particularly during the first 72 hours. Assistance Organizations such as the Red Cross, Hospitals, the Military, National Guard, etc., require a certain response time They are looking to you to take care of yourself and your family completely for a period of a few hours up to 72 hours. It takes approximately 72 hours until their operations are in full service. HOW TO PACK IT...HOW TO STORE IT It is important that you take a comprehensive survey of your own family units needs and insure that you have included any special items that are unique to you. Your needs could be very much different than the suggested lists, only you can decide what you and your families needs are based on your resources and experi- ences. Once you have established and gathered together what you feel are necessary requirements for both an Emergency Preparedness Kit and a substantial First Aid Kit; you will need a container that these items will go in. 1- Fishing Tackle Boxes 2- Tool Boxes 3- Sweater Storage Boxes 4- Rubbermaid Tote and Go The items listed above are ideas for storing your large First Aid Kit. These boxes need to withstand the rigors of rapid transportation. Please keep in mind that none of the items you gather together are of any value to you if they cannot be brought to the point of need and be in useable condition and render the service that the items were intended for. 1- Rubbermaid Tote and Store 2- Suitcase 3- Footlockers 4- Plastic Garbage Cans 5- Corrugated Cardboard Boxes The items listed above are ideas for storing your 72 hour emer- gency kit. These kits do not have to be complicated! Rather, simple is better than complex, however, the need of quality and durability should be one of the major criteria for any items included. WATER STORAGE The Civil Defense Bulletin Reads: "Water to be stored should be drawn into containers before it is needed. Don't wait until an emergency happens before laying in your supply. When an emergen- cy occurs, it may be to late to act. The public water service may already be interrupted or contaminated. Also, if thousands of households are trying to fill water containers at the same time, they would reduce the pressure in the street mains. This would make fire fighting more difficult. Waiting until something happens before you draw and store the water you need could cost you your home or even your life." Be Careful About Rain Water - Rain water that has been collected should be treated the same as any other unknown water source. Rain water contains small particulates and acid. Good Methods of Storing Water - Store Bottled Water - may be stored up to six months with no detrimental effect or rotation required. Store Water in Old Bleach Bottles - Rotate every 7 to 9 months. No not rinse the Plastic Chlorox Bottles before filling with water. You should not get ill from drinking this water as the resi- due left in the bottle is probably just the right amount of chlorine to protect the wa- ter. Purchase five gallon water containers from a camping supply store or Army Surplus store. Keep in mind, however that you will need to transport this and possi- bly on foot so consider the weight involved if you choose this method. Water weighs approximately 14-15 pounds per gallon. Water Purification Methods - Boiling- Most water can be purified for drinking pur- poses by boiling it for 10 minutes. This will destroy the bacteria. In order to im- prove the taste it will be necessary to aer- ate it after boiling. This is accomplished by pouring it from one container to another several times. This should be done after the water has been allowed to cool. Chlorination- You can use any commercially available bleach solution. It should contain 5.25% Sodium Hypochlorite. Add the following to a clean container in which when the water is added. It can be thoroughly mixed by stirring or shak- ing. 4 drops per gallon 20 drops = 1/4 tsp or enough to purify 5 gallons. After adding the proper dosage and stirring, allow the water to stand for 30 minutes. It should then have a distinct odor of chlorine. If this odor is not present, add another dose of the solution and let stand for another 15 minutes. The taste or smell or chlorine in water as treated in this manner is a sign of safety. It is not harmful. On the contrary, if you cannot detect chlorine in water you are try- ing to purify by this method, do not drink it. Purification Tablets - Tablets that release iodine may be used safe- ly to purify drinking water. These tablets can be found at most drug stores and sporting goods stores. The names vary but it is ge- nerically known as halazone tablets. Follow the directions on the package. Usually one tablet is sufficient for one quart of water. The dosage is doubled for cloudy water. Iodine - Ordinary Household Iodine may be used to purify small quantities of water. Add 2-3 drops of Tincture Of Iodine to each quart of clear water (8-10 for cloudy water). Mix and allow to stand for 30 minutes. Other purification methods may be recommended by the proper authorities if special conditions arise. In such cases follow the instructions of your local government or authorities. It is suggested that each member of your household have a minimum of 1.5 gallons of water per day. This is including infants (nursing mothers will need more). It is suggested then, that you store 4.5 gallons per member of your family for your 72 hour supply. PROPER SEWAGE DISPOSAL I know that most of you do not want to consider the possibility of having to leave your home and then rough it even to the point of having to be responsible for the dispose of your wastes, however, the possibility exists and the following will help you to take care of this unpleasant task in the proper and safest manner. You will need 12 to 18 large brown paper bags for each person for each day. This allows the use of 4 to 6 bags each time for 3 times per day. You will place the bags 4 to 6 thick (one inside the other). Spray Disinfectant Newspapers and Toilet Tissue Insecticide Pointed Shovel The bags are called soil bags. Paper is preferable to plastic because of their biodegradable properties. You will place these bags one inside the other and spray with a disinfectant. Then fold up 2 sheets of newspaper and place in the bottom of the bag. Place this bag in the hole that you will use. After use pour 1/4 cup bleach into bag or douse with lysol then tie the bag shut with a piece of twine and spray the bag with insecticide. If you are moving on, dig a hose 30 to 36 six inches deep and bury the bag. Make sure that you cover it well with dirt and then stomp on the dirt to make sure that there isn't any air-gaps in the hole. If you have made camp and will be staying you can place all the soil bags in a large plastic bag with a tie on it and place it in a large trash can that is not being used for garbage. Then at the end of the day, all the paper bags can be buried at one time. WHAT DO I NEED? INSTRUCTION MANUALS ON EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS - This is a start. It can be reviewed with family members. Further information is available to you at your local library. BATTERY POWERED RADIO - Local stations and the Emergency Broad- cast System will be the only source of reliable information during an emergency. If the radio is a permanent addition to your 72 hour kit it should be checked regularly to make sure both it and the batter- ies are in working order. FLASHLIGHT - These should be stored outside of the radio and flashlight. The shelf life can be extended if the batteries are kept in the refrigerator or freezer. FAMILY RECORDS AND VALUABLES - Birth Certificates, Naturalization Papers, and Diplomas, Insurance Certificates, Genealogy Informa- tion, Computer Disks, Passports, etc. ITEMS FOR STRESS MANAGEMENT - After the initial response to an emergency, the disrupted life style and disorientation can cause undo emotional stress and feeling of insecurity. Items that are emotionally reassuring should be included in the emergency kit. These can include crayons, coloring books, story books, puzzles, soft small toys for children. Personal items for adults should be included such as books, handiwork, musical instrument, or sports equipment. PLASTIC BAGS AND TIES - These items can serve as garbage contain- ers, ground cloths, tents, wash basins, broken window cover, and substitute rain coat. DISINFECTANT - Bleach, lysol, betadine can be used to treat sewage, waste water, and refuse to minimize infection. Storage containers for these items must be unbreakable. IMPROVISED TOILET - Pack a pointed shovel, and a plastic bucket with a tight fitting lid. Pack 12 to 18 paper bags per person per day. Sanitation is the most important consideration. Remember to also pack the toilet tissue. PAPER CUPS, PLATES, BOWLS and DISPOSABLE UTENSILS - This will help you to conserve water and at the same time minimize contami- nation problems. PAPER TOWELS SOAP - Liquid soap (soft soap or pump ivory) works best when water supplies are limited. FEMININE HYGIENE NEEDS DISPOSABLE DIAPERS MEDICATIONS FOR THREE DAYS (72 HOURS) FOR EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY TOILETRIES - Although these are not necessary for survival they will contribute to a sense of well-being and comfort. Toothbrush and toothpaste, comb and hair brush, washcloth and towel, deodor- ant, shaving supplies and mirror, shampoo and mouthwash. FIRST AID KIT - It is assumed that major medical needs will be taken care of by community resources. The community has a plan which will deploy paramedics, fire departments, police, and other medical personnel as needed to areas where major injuries have occurred. The purpose, therefore, of the items included in the family First Aid Kit is to treat minor injuries so that they do not become a major threat to health during the first few days of an emergency. WATER STORAGE - General Water Storage is 1.5 gallons per person per day. SLEEPING BAGS and BEDROLLS - Wool blankets resist fire, they warm even when wet and they are less bulky than sleeping bags. There must be adequate and appropriate sleeping cover for every member of the family. FIRE EXTINGUISHER CAN OPENER - A manual type must be packed with any canned goods. UTILITY KNIFE - A sharp versatile knife will come in handy for many purposes. ADJUSTABLE WRENCH - This must be kept handy to gas and water lines. Each member of the family should be trained how to turn off gas or water in the event of an emergency. Turning off water not only prevents damage to one's home, but also provides in- creased water pressure for community use. Water trapped in the hot water tank and indoor plumbing will stay clean once the main water valve is turned off. EXTRA CHANGE OF CLOTHING and UNDERWEAR FOR EACH FAMILY MEMBER MISCELLANEOUS - Small Ax, Heavy Gloves, and MATCHES stores in a waterproof unbreakable container. SOS In the case of most emergency's there will be little if no communication over telephone lines. It is imperative that all members of your family learn to send morse code SOS. This is the universal sign for HELP. It can be sent many ways, by signal mirror, lantern, key and whistle. It is very simple, however, care must be taken to insure that each member knows how to send it and receive it. You must practice this skill if you are to retain it. S (dit dit dit) O (dah dah dah) S (dit dit dit) Dits are very short blasts of light or sound. Dahs are longer (3x that of dits) of light or sound. CHILDREN'S SURVIVAL KIT Store these items in water proof containers. A plastic bucket is ideal for this. Make it accessible to your emergency kits. Suggested Items: 01. Scriptures 02. Books & Magazines 03. Paper, Coloring Books, and Activity Books 04. Felt Tip Markers, Colored Pencils, Scissors 05. Games 06. Small toys 07. Any Hard Candy 08. Children's Vitamins, Pain-Reliever, Cold Remedies, Band Aids, and First-Aid Cream 09. Creative Game List 10. String 11. Clothespins 12. Feather 13. Straws 14. Wooden Blocks 15. Marbles 16. Metal Washers CREATIVE GAME LIST This is a list of games that children can play out of everyday items. Clothespins - 01. Drop in a bottle 02. Pitch at a target 03. Clothesline relay Wooden Blocks - 01. Print letters on cubes. Roll cubes to spell words. First one to complete 10 words wins. Marbles - 01. Roll them at a target 02. Toss them in a box 03. Old Fashioned Marble Game Metal Washers - 01. Toss them into numbered cups. Paper Cups - 01. Tossing Games 02. Blowing Relay 03. Telephone Paper Plates - 01. Toss through a wire coat hanger Straws - 01. Marble Blow Relay 02. Bean Relay Spoons - 01. Carry Ball 02. Flip Beans at target 03. Carry Cotton Balls Feathers - 01. Feather Volleyball: blow feather over string or net 02. Toss them at a target 03. Blow them over the line relay If you have any further need of information post or e-mail to me and I'll try to find the answers for you. Our kits are homemade and we keep them in small backpacks (2 for each person) and the water in portable containers. My Husband's backpack is in his vehicle as he is on the road most of the time. He keeps the first aid kit (extensive) with him as he is a volunteer EMT. I have the children's packs right by the front door in a closet, along with the family first aid kit. We keep an extra set in my car. By having an extra in the car - if you come across an accident or someone who is stranded with a broken vehicle - you can offer some assistance (i.e. blanket, flashlight food, or water). All of my children have been assigned jobs - one thing that they need to do in case of emergency or evacuation. We routinely practice these items. Then they pick up their kits and meet at the assigned meeting point. We have only had to leave once - it was during a fire when we lived in Southern California. We were gone overnight. It was good to have things that the children felt comfortable with. We returned home with no incident. Hope this helps. Karen. <*>