Emergency Pack Rules of 3’s

By now, most people know they need a 72-hour emergency kit, whether a backpack, a bag, or a “go bag”. The common questions are: How can I afford it? Where do I start? What should go in it?”

Many websites sell expensive pre-made kits or provide long, unexplained lists. I avoid both. Growing up in the Midwest, I’ve seen tornadoes, the occasional earthquake, and the devastating 1993 Mississippi River flood. Those experiences taught me early that preparation saves lives.

I’ve built kits from camping gear, attended emergency prep seminars, taught classes, earned CERT certification, and became First Aid/CPR/AED certified. What frustrates me most are condescending “experts,” overpriced kits, and lists that lack explanations or ignore weight/portability.

Pre-made kits can be good if they include instructions and the right items, but you don’t need to spend a fortune. More importantly, if you don’t familiarize yourself with the contents and practice using them, the kit won’t help in a crisis. Knowing your tools makes all the difference.

I organize my kit using a modified version of the Rule of 3’s, a survival priority framework:

• 3 Seconds without Breathing (immediate medical needs)
• 3 Minutes without Hygiene/Sanitation (my addition, based on history and experience)
• 3 Hours without Shelter
• 3 Days without Water
• 3 Weeks without Food
• 3 Months without Communication

Prioritize in this order. Here’s how to apply it practically and affordably.

3 Seconds without Breathing: Medical & First Aid If you’re alive, and breathing, address ongoing health needs first.

Include:

• Prescription medications (e.g., insulin, EpiPen, mental health meds, and so on). Keep enough for at least 3-7 days. Use a pill organizer, refill when low, and store in a ziplock for quick grab-and-go.
• A basic first-aid kit: band-aids, antibiotic ointment, pain relievers, etc. Skip fancy EMT tools unless trained (like sutures I once bought and realized I wasn’t ready to use it).
• Multi-use items: A bandana can serve as a tourniquet, sling, or part of a splint with sticks. Think creatively! You will find many items that can be used in multiple ways.

You likely already have some of these at home. Build gradually. Dollar stores are great for basics.

3 Minutes without Hygiene/Sanitation: Hygiene prevents illness, which can turn a survivable situation deadly. History (e.g., Florence Nightingale’s work in the Crimean War) proves that sanitation saves lives. Camping taught me: clean hands, dishes, and waste disposal keep you healthy and critters at bay.

Essentials:

• Bar soap in a ziplock bag.
• Hand sanitizer or alcohol wipes.
• Trash bags, toilet paper, feminine products.
• Improvised toilet: 5-gallon bucket, plastic bags, kitty litter (or sawdust) for waste.

Plan how you’ll maintain cleanliness without running water. Practice your routine at home so it feels natural in a crisis.

3 Hours without Shelter: Shelter protects against exposure, the leading cause of death in many disasters (e.g., hypothermia during the 2021 Texas winter storm). Extreme heat, cold, wind, rain, or debris can kill quickly.

Key points:

• Shelter prevents hypothermia/heatstroke in 30-60 minutes.
• Keeps you dry, reducing the risk of infection.
• Provides psychological comfort, lowering stress.

If you can stay home, great. If evacuating: tent, tarp + duct tape, emergency blanket, extra clothes, wool socks, hat, coat, fire starters (waterproof matches, flint).

3 Days without Water: Water is critical. Your body uses it for temperature regulation, circulation, thinking, and flushing toxins. Without it, you last~3 days.

FEMA/CDC/Red Cross recommend 1 gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation (more for hot climates or pets).

Storage options:

• Bottled water (store in cool, dark place; check dates yearly).
• Food-grade containers (e.g., 2-liter soda bottles, not milk jugs). Clean, sanitize with bleach solution, fill with tap water, and label with date. Rotate every 6 months.

For portability (evacuation): Pack small bottles per person + purification tools, since carrying gallons of water is heavy.

Purification methods (use multiple for safety):

• Boiling (safest): 1 minute rolling boil (3 minutes at high altitude).
• Bleach (cheap backup): 8 drops unscented bleach per gallon (16 for cloudy water); wait 30 minutes.
• Filters (e.g., LifeStraw, pump/gravity): Removes bacteria/protozoa; need to pre-filter cloudy water before using filters.
• Tablets (iodine/Chlorine dioxide): Follow instructions on package; good for weight-conscious kits.

Pre-filter dirty water through a cloth/coffee filter first. Combine methods as needed.

3 Weeks without Food: Food sustains energy, prevents weakness, and boosts morale. Disasters can disrupt supplies for days or weeks.

Aim for a 3-day supply minimum (ideally 2 weeks at home). Focus on:

• Non-perishable, no-cook, no-refrigeration items.
• 2,000+ calories/person/day.
• Lightweight, long shelf life, easy-open.

Economical choices (grocery stores, sales, bulk):

• Foil-pouch tuna/chicken/salmon (high protein, tasty straight from pouch).
• Peanut butter + crackers
• Canned beans/fruit/veggies (pop-top cans or can opener).
• Granola/protein bars, trail mix, nuts dried fruit.
• Dry cereal/granola.

Rotate stock every 6-12 months (eat oldest first). Tailor to family tastes, allergies, and dietary needs. Portion for each person to carry if evacuating.

3 Months without Communication/Information: I’m adding this again as I continue to update my emergency packs. You do need information and the ability to communicate with others. Chances are, someone around you will have a radio or a way to communicate with others. There could be vital information about where to go, what is happening, and how to make informed decisions.

I added a hand-crank radio to my kit. It can be charged by battery, solar panel, or by hand-crank. It has AM, FM, and Weather band channels. The front of the radio is a flashlight, and the side has a lamp. Bonus is that the radio I have also has charging ports to keep phones charged. Sounds expensive, but I was able to get it online for less than $30.

Another item I added to my pack was a ham radio. If you’re able to invest, it is worth getting ham radios and, where possible, a ham radio license. I have family that live out of state, if certain events were to happen that cause cell/phone communication to fail, it would be nice to know that I have an option to communicate with them by radio.

Final Thoughts

Physical preparation goes hand in hand with spiritual readiness. Scripture reminds us of the last days: wars, rumors of wars, calamities, and the parable of the ten virgins. The wise prepared extra oil, while the foolish did not. In that parable, we are at that door right now, waiting for the bridegroom to open the door and invite us in to witness the greatest marriage of all time: the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. I can see the wise virgins right now, telling the foolish ones to go to the store to buy more oil, as they cannot spare their own oil.

As you build your kit, start with a prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Two weeks before writing this, I woke at 4 a.m. to a prompting to prepare a car kit. Things grew from there. This article is a result of that prompting: practical steps to help you and your family be ready.

Start small. Add one item at a time. You’ll gain confidence and peace of mind. You’ve got this.

Q&A: Answers to questions from readers

What about cash? Should that be in the kit? Short answer: You can have it in your kit, but it’s not a priority for your survival. Long answer: Do you remember Hunger Games? In the first Hunger Games, Katniss was told not to run up to the cornucopia where all the supplies were because it would be a bloodbath. Before the game began, all the tributes stood on their individual podiums waiting for the timer to go off. Once the alarm sounded, everyone who ran for the supplies was met with the foreseen bloodbath. Whenever there have been riots, like those involving Rodney King or George Floyd, or when there have been blackouts, stores, gas stations, or anywhere there were supplies, it became a cornucopia. There was a lot of looting, fighting, and even outright assaults on people. This emergency kit is for the first 72 hours, when most looting would begin if previous events are any indication of how people can behave. You can keep cash in your kit, but it is not a priority for me because it can’t be eaten, sheltered, or drunk.

If you are interested in more information about emergency packs, I have published my book, Rules of 3s: Emergency Pack, on Amazon. You can find it here: Rules of 3s: Emergency Packs.