The Unsung Heroes: 5 Non-Food Essentials Your 72-Hour Bag Needs
What provides comfort when the power is out? Discover the five highly overlooked, non-food essentials that boost morale and solve unexpected problems in your 72-hour kit.
When building your 72-hour kit, the focus often defaults to calories and hydration. While critical, often the items that provide comfort and solve unexpected problems are overlooked. We recommend adding a high-quality headlamp (freeing up your hands), multiple copies of important documents in a waterproof bag, and simple entertainment like a deck of cards to reduce stress and boredom for children during a prolonged stay-in-place order.
Top of the list for overlooked items is a reliable whistle. Its sound travels much further than a human voice and requires less energy to use. This isn’t just for attracting rescuers; it’s a simple, universal way to signal family members in low visibility or high-wind situations. Look for a pea-less whistle, as they are less likely to freeze or clog in harsh conditions.
Next, prioritize paper documentation. While we rely on digital access, power outages or network failures can make digital files inaccessible. Collect photocopies of insurance policies, identification (driver’s licenses/passports), and a list of medical prescriptions and store them in a durable, waterproof sleeve inside your kit. Having these critical files available eliminates a huge source of stress when you need to focus on recovery.
These non-survival items are key to maintaining morale, which is vital for long-term resilience. Simple additions like a pack of travel-sized wipes or a small notebook and pencil can bring unexpected comfort and dignity during stressful times. Checklists are great, but thinking through potential morale boosters ensures that your kit provides not just survival, but true peace of mind for the whole family.
