Tools
Tools. If this is your first time putting together a 72-hr kit and have a limited budget start out by planning for simple methods and then add or increase as you can.
Things to consider for Tools:
- Consider who you are preparing for, Adult, child or baby (you know, probably don’t want to give a toddler a large hunting knife, or maybe you do, that’s why you need to think about it, J ).
- Weight of the tools (this is probably the hardest, since the more you take the more it weighs)
- Size of the tools (space can be a premium in your kit)
- Consider the other parts of your 72 hour kit. Do you have a need for special tools based on the other things you have in your kit, such as a need to boil water for dehydrated food?
I would recommend at a minimum the following, then add or adjust as needed, also some may overlap with other areas we have already discussed:
- Multi-tool (should have a blade, can opener and pliers, etc. all in one)
- Small shovel
- Headlamp
- Steel cup (16oz is good)
- Portable radio
- Matches, candle
- Mess kit
- Gloves
- Whistle
- Stove and fuel
- Plastic bags for waste disposal
Tools list from Ready Colorado (pretty large list):
- Portable, battery-powered radio or TV and extra batteries (also have a NOAA weather radio, if appropriate for your area)
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Signal flare
- Matches in waterproof container (or waterproof matches)
- Shut-off wrench
- Pliers
- Shovel
- Other tools (screwdriver, etc.)
- Duct tape and scissors
- Plastic sheeting
- Whistle
- Small canister, A-B-C type fire extinguisher
- Tube tent
- Work gloves
- Paper, pens and pencils
- Needles and thread
- Manual can opener
- Mess Kits or paper/plastic cups, plates and utensils
- All-purpose knife
- Household liquid bleach
- Aluminum foil and plastic wrap
- Re-sealing plastic bags
- Cook stove
