Basic Items in a 72-Hour Kit

There is a lot to think about when it comes to making a 72-Hour Kit. Please don't get overwhelmed, but make this a project, one that you will take in baby steps. I have a kit, but it seems to be inadequate, so I will be preparing mine along with you. Today I will list categories of items that should be included in an emergency bag. Then I will try to cover one item more thoroughly each day for the rest of the month. Pick and choose what would be best for your pack. (Please add your comments. My posts won't be able to cover every aspect of each category and I appreciate your help).

Basic items that should be included in 72-Hour Kits:

--food
--shelter/bedding
--fuel
--food prep/eating/cleanup
--water
--winter clothes in season
--personal things
--pack
--defense/hunting
--books
--basic tool kit
--equipment
--light
--fishing equipment
--medicine
--documents/money
--address/phone number lists
--communication
--information card
--navigation
--a "don't forget" list
--nuclear/bio/chemical

This is not a complete list, but it gets the ball rolling.
[List from Utah Preppers]

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Over at the blog, Safely Gathered In, they are buying supplies for their 72-Hour Kits, 3-months food supply, and their year's food supply. They have broken it all down into a manageable step-by-step process, where each week, on Tuesday, they "assign" a few items to buy. Their goal is to complete all three categories in one year. If the above list is overwhelming, maybe this baby step system would help you achieve your 72-hour kit goal. Just don't give up--do something, ANYTHING, so long as you are working towards being prepared--even something is better than nothing!