72 hr kit- poncho

An emergency poncho is small, cheap and essential in your kit. You can't keep warm if you are wet.

You can find one at http://www.emergencyessentials.com/...

If you are building a car kit, this would be great to add to your glove compartment.

72 hr kit-Emergency blanket

I think the next important thing besides food and water is an emergency blanket. You can find them pretty cheap, about $1.25, for each member of your family; add some to your car as well if you don't have something already.

Read more info on blankets here. I have a bungy cord hooked to my kids backpacks and if time permitted they would be able to roll up their "blankies" and carry it that way. They have the emergency foil blanket in their pack but I felt that they would need that security and warmth of a real blanket, and this is the only way I could fit it. I also carry light weight blankets in my trunk at all times, but they are not the special ones they love:) BUT they would be available if we were not able to grab their own blankets in time.

Food for 72 hrs

What you put in your pack for food depends on what you like and what you can carry. If you are sticking with the bare minimum than this is what you need: These food ration squares are intended to keep fed for 3 days. Tastes like a powdery cookie I think. Not awful, but not that tasty BUT you will live:) They have different kinds and are about $7. They also have individual flavored calorie bars that taste similar and are $1 each. The great thing about these are that they can be stored for a lot longer than regular food like granola bars.

You can also try Life caps which are intended to keep you full by taking 3 caps a day.

For other ideas check out my breakfast, lunch and dinner link for my meal plans.