November Self-Reliant Group Meeting

Thank you to all who came we had another great turn-out! And to those who missed, we hope you'll be able to make it next month! Starting next month we will be putting names in a drawing (if you complete the monthly goals) for a fantastic food storage booklet!

We gave our new month's goals:

• Getting a 2 week supply of water for another family member.


• Getting one full change of clothes & 3 pairs of underwear, socks & necessary items (tampons or pads, diapers & wipes) per 72 hour kit.

Brother Sanders was wonderful enough to bring his 72 hour kits and show us how he is able to make everything fit into his own backpack. His list for your 72 hour kit is posted on the post right below this one. We also noticed that Costco.com had two items that were buckets and had a complete set of many essentials for our 72 hour kits: this item (on sale for $50 thru this month) and this item (a more deluxe package for $100) for two people if you are interested. We discussed the possibility of making #10 cans of food or also mentioned this link which shows you how to make your 72 hour kit of food in a milk jug (video can also be found here).

Here are some additional suggestions from the various sites that I noticed (this was on the hand out given tonight):

• Add money to your kit slowly, in small bills. Enough to fill your tank of gas or get you to a hotel room. People won't have change in an emergency & the ATM's will run out quicky too.
• Most people don't need a full size, heavy duty first aid kit. But the essentials would be a definite plus. Things to consider having in your own 72 hour kit: anti=diarrhea medicine, aspirin/tylenol, band-aids, personal hygiene items and any necessary prescription medications.
• Consider purchasing an emergency road kit and placing it in your car. Also add a case of water to the trunk or your car for any type of emergency.
• Kids will have a hard time processing what is happening around them during an emergency situation. Pack some games, books, hard candy (that won’t melt) or small dollar toys to distract them.
• Make sure to have copies of your important documents (birth certificates, bank accounts, id, marriage license, insurance information) in your bag. Make sure these are kept in a water safe container.
• Make an extra set of car keys, you’ll never be able to get a tow truck in an emergency.
• Single change of clothes is fine, but you’ll need the change of underwear & socks.
• Blankets (wool is warmest, even when wet), or sleeping bags will help keep the kids warm during the night.
• Make sure to pack a large rain poncho that you could cover them with also if necessary.
• Pick 2 reunion locations if you are separated.
• Talk about your 72 hour kits with your children and explain it to them, this will help them to understand the situation if it ever arises.

Basic 72 hour kit from Brother Sanders

Brother Sanders was kind enough to show us his 72 hour kit and explain his reasoning behind his choices. He is able to keep it all in a single backpack by keeping it simple and minimalist. Because of the climate we live in, it's easy to not have to worry about large extremes like others in a more varied climate would need. Here is his basic list of items (complete with links & pictures):

Clothing

• 1 pair of pants
• 1 long sleeve shirt
• 2-3 pairs of socks
• 2-3 underwear
• Lightweight jacket
• Hat

Food

• Instant Oatmeal (1-2 packs per day)
• Granola Bars (1-2 per day)
• Nuts
• Powder Drink (1 quart per day)
• Dehydrated Soups (1 per day)
• Small Camp Stove - He likes a stove he made from a can. You can find the website information here & the directions for a Pepsi Can Stove here.
• Camp Pot
• Spoon
• 3-5 Ziploc freezer bags - he pointed out these are sturdier and can be used to eat the food from as well.
• Stove fuel - 1 bottle
• Matches to light stove - get strike anywhere matches
• Water (1-2 gallons per day)

First Aid

• Sm.-Med. Band-Aids (5-10 total) - He feels they don't really help too much, but help kids feel better
• Tylenol - small bottle
• Children's Tylenol (make sure to get your child's age appropriate amount)
• Benadryl
• Anti-diarrhea medicine (because diarrhea can dehydrate you & cause other health issues during that 72 hours)
• Sunscreen
• Chapstick
• Anti-septic wipes
• Hand sanitizer

Sleeping

• Light weight sleeping bag OR
• Light weight Quilt (wool or fleece) - he got his from an army surplus store, wool keeps heat in better than anything and was less bulky for his kids on their packs, then also it makes it easier to tuck the kids in with you in a blanket if needed

Misc.

• Small flashlight
• Extra batteries
• Head lamp
• Pocket knife
• $20-$100 small bills & change
• Whistle - he & his kids use these to help them locate each other if they are separated
• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• 1/2 roll of toilet paper - pull the roll in the center out to flatten it
• Baby Wipes
• Water Bottle
• Garbage Bag - he said he planned on using it as needed & would also use it for a poncho if needed as well
• Water purifying chemicals
• Feminine hygiene products

Optional

• Radio
• 2- way radio
• Compass
• Pencil & Paper
• Candles
• Scissors
• Needle & thread
• Rope - he got rope from a camping store that was rated for up to 350 lbs. because it was very sturdy
• Vital Documents
• Soap
• Keys
• Cell Phone
• Tarp/Tent

Individual Needs

• Babies
• Medication
• Glasses

An additional note that was provided by them was regarding identification cards for your children. Nevada Child Seekers will make ID cards for your children for free. You can reach them at 2880 E. Flamingo Rd. Ste. J, Las Vegas, NV, 89121. 458-7009

72 Hour Kit Ideas

So there are as many ideas out there as there are grains in the sand it would seem. Okay, not quite, but close. This particular list is from about.com and can be found here. I'm including my own personal notes in red. The main thing that we're trying for is actual weight. Weight you can carry, weight your kids can carry. So while some of the things would be nice to have, they really don't seem as practically necessary as others. This print up will be available for tomorrow nights' meeting though.

Food and Water

(A three day supply of food and water, per person, when no refrigeration or cooking is available)

• Protein/Granola Bars
• Trail Mix/Dried Fruit
• Crackers/Cereals (for munching)
• Canned Tuna, Beans, Turkey, Beef, Vienna Sausages, etc ("pop-top" cans that open without a can-opener might not be a good idea, read this warning from one site visitor.)
• Canned Juice
• Candy/Gum (warning: Jolly Ranchers can melt and using mint gum might make everything taste like mint)
• Water (1 Gallon/4 Liters Per Person)

Bedding and Clothing

• Change of Clothing (short and long sleeved shirts, pants, jackets, socks, etc.) - I would pack a single change of clothes, just to eliminate the bulk.
• Undergarments - for three days & don't forget the socks!
• Rain Coat/Poncho
• Blankets and Emergency Heat Blanks (that keep in warmth) - In Las Vegas an emergency heat blanket wouldn't be needed as much as just a decent rated sleeping bag.
• Cloth Sheet
• Plastic Sheet - Couldn't your poncho work just as well?
• Fuel and Light - If you are packing non-cooked foods then don't worry about fuel, just pack a single flashlight per person.
• Battery Lighting (Flashlights, Lamps, etc.) Don't forget batteries!
• Extra Batteries
• Flares
• Candles
• Lighter
• Water-Proof Matches

Equipment

• Can Opener - Remember to consider your weight ... can't you find some food for 3 days that DOESN'T require that extra pound?
• Dishes/Utensils - Personally I wouldn't worry about that and would go for easier to eat food.
• Shovel
• Radio (with batteries!)
• Pen and Paper
• Axe
• Pocket Knife
• Rope
• Duct Tape

Personal Supplies and Medication

First Aid Kit and Supplies

Toiletries (roll of toilet paper- remove the center tube to easily flatten into a zip-lock bag, feminine hygiene, folding brush, etc.)

Cleaning Supplies (mini hand sanitizer, soap, shampoo, dish soap, etc. Warning: Scented soap might "flavor" food items.)

Immunizations Up-to Date

Medication (Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, children's medication etc.)

Prescription Medication (for 3 days)

Personal Documents and Money
(Place these items in a water-proof container!)

• Scriptures - Again, as a weight factor, I would leave these at home for three days, or pack a very light weight B of M copy, not my tri-book.
• Genealogy Records - With the technological advances now, these can all be fit onto a CD & ditch the big book at home.
• Patriarchal Blessing - If you are in your worst case scenario and don't have this, you can always request a duplicate from the church later.
• Legal Documents (Birth/Marriage Certificates, Wills, Passports, Contracts, etc)
• Vaccination Papers
• Insurance Policies
• Cash
• Credit Card
• Pre-Paid Phone Cards

Miscellaneous

• Bag(s) to put 72 Hour Kit items in (such as duffel bags or back packs, which work great) Make sure you can lift/carry it!
• Infant Needs (if applicable)
• Update your 72 Hour Kit every six months (put a note in your calendar/planner) to make sure that: all food, water, and medication is fresh and has not expired; clothing fits; personal documents and credit cards are up to date; and batteries are charged. - Most families I hear from do this every general conference as a good guide of time.
• Small toys/games are important too as they will provide some comfort and entertainment during a stressful time.
• Older children can be responsible for their own pack of items/clothes too.
• You can include any other items in your 72 Hour Kit that you feel are necessary for your family's survival.
• Some items and/or flavors might leak, melt, "flavor" other items, or break open. Dividing groups of items into individual Ziploc bags might help prevent this.