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Kits & Gear

72-hour kits, bug-out bags, go-bags, first-aid kits.

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About Kits & Gear

Kits are the most commonly owned and most commonly incomplete part of emergency preparedness. A 72-hour kit missing a can opener, a go-bag with stale water, a first-aid kit that's never been opened, these are the gaps that turn readiness into theater. This section walks you through building kits that actually work: what to include, how much to carry, how to pack it, and when to refresh it. Use the checklists to audit what you own and the calculators to size for your household.

Tools 4

72-Hour Emergency Kit Calculator Calculate exactly how much water, food, and supplies your household needs for a complete 72-hour emergency kit, tailored to your family size and conditions.
Bug-Out Bag Weight Calculator Calculate the ideal bug-out bag weight limit for your body weight and fitness level, and see how your planned gear stacks up.
First Aid Kit Completeness Checker Check your first aid kit against a comprehensive list of essential supplies. Get a completeness score and see exactly what's missing.
Go-Bag Essentials Weight Budget Calculate your go-bag's total weight, check it against your body weight limit, and see which categories are heaviest so you can trim the load.

Guides 3

72-Hour Emergency Kit Checklist Build a simple 3-day emergency kit with this practical checklist.
Bug Out Bag: The Complete Guide for Real People A practical bug out bag guide. What to pack, what to skip, weight targets, common mistakes, and how to build a 72-hour kit you will actually carry.
How to Pack a Bug Out Bag for Kids: Toddler, School-Age, and Teen A pattern guide for kid-specific bug-out bags by 3 age bands: age-appropriate items, comfort items, weight limits at 10 to 15 percent of body weight (lb + kg), kid-specific medication and ID.

Printables 1

Bug Out Bag Packing List Printable packing list covering shelter, water, food, communications, and essential gear for a 72-hour evacuation.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between a 72-hour kit, bug-out bag, and go-bag?

A 72-hour kit stays at home for shelter-in-place (up to 3 days). A bug-out bag is portable, for leaving home quickly (3-7 days of supplies). A go-bag is compact, for daily-carry or vehicle storage and short-term emergencies (up to 24 hours). Our kits checklist covers all three.

How much should a bug-out bag weigh?

20% of body weight is a hard maximum; 15% is more sustainable if you'll be walking any distance. For a 180 lb adult, that's 27 to 36 lbs fully loaded. The go-bag weight budget tool shows you what to cut when the bag gets overloaded.

How often should I refresh the kit?

Water every 6 months, food checked every 6 months, medications at pharmacy refill dates, batteries and electronics tested yearly, and full rotation annually (daylight-saving day is an easy reminder).

Do I really need three different kits?

Depends on your risk profile. A renter in a low-disaster area might only need a basic 72-hour kit. A family in a hurricane, wildfire, or earthquake zone benefits from all three. Start with the 72-hour kit and expand from there.

What's the one item people most often forget?

A manual can opener. Modern canned goods mostly have pull tabs, but a surprising number still need opening, and nothing in a kit is more frustrating than food you can't reach. Close runners-up: cash in small bills, a written contact list, and a physical map.

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