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Building a Basic 3 Day Survival Kit by Derek Smith

Are You Prepared?

As a counterintelligence agent living and working in Turkey, I would go on 30-day missions where I was operating alone with absolutely no backup. If the shit hit the fan, there was no one for me to call for help. My team was over 100 miles away and would definitely not get to me in time. I had to be equipped to operate alone. While I had military arms and equipment, you may not. In this article I will instruct you on how to build your own 3-day survival kit should you find yourself in some precarious survival situation.

First Things First

Your first consideration for building a survival kit is to try to figure out what types of situations it is that you are planning for. Now, you are probably not going to be on a counterintelligence mission in the southern region of Turkey. But you could be in an equally dangerous situation. So first and foremost, you need to tailor your kit to meet your specific needs and goals.

What This Guide Covers

Today I will only be going over the fundamental aspects of what you will need to survive most emergency events. I certainly cannot cover every situation, and you can’t factor in every possible scenario. However, if you have an emergency kit or basic survival kit ready (we call this a “bug out bag” in the business), you will already be better prepared than most people when catastrophe strikes. So, without further delay, here is a 6 part guide to building a basic 3-day survival kit.

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Part 1: Storage

You need some sort of bag to hold all your survival items. Without it you don’t have a survival kit, you just have a pile of stuff. Having a stack of things won’t work if you have to vacate (bug out) hastily in an emergency situation. Having everything in a GOOD (Get Out of Dodge) bag is a much better idea when you need to relocate fast.

Do you need the absolute best survivalist backpack or will that smelly old duffel bag work for your survival kit storage? I recommend having a proper backpack that will make it easy for you to move if you find yourself traveling around on foot. But waiting until an emergency arises before finding the RIGHT backpack to put your kit together is not a smart idea either.

At least start by getting all of your items together in some type of bag that you can grab and carry quickly. You should get yourself an adequately sized bag that can fit enough survival equipment for at least 3 days. A large duffel bag can do the trick until you determine which backpack system best fits your needs and budget.

Part 2: Water

Look, you are simply not going to make it without clean, refreshing water. It will also double as a lifesaver when you don’t have convenient access to liquids. Many survival guidelines say that you should have 1 gallon of water per person per day. If your survival kit is going to be portable, then you should probably go with the bare minimum of 1 liter per person per day. The gallon jugs would be way too heavy to carry and take up too much room. Since your survival kit is going to supply you with a minimum of 3 days, you will want to pack three 1-liter bottles of water.

Next, you should pack a few items that will assist with water collection and purification. A collapsible water bucket can help you gather water from a stream or collect rainwater, and it takes up almost no room in your survival kit. Purification can be as easy as boiling the water and using iodine tablets or you can simply buy special filters. When you boil water, boil it for a minimum of 5 minutes, but 20 minutes is ideal.

There are ways to boil water without a pot or kettle, but I suggest you buy a small camping pot with a lid to put in your survival kit. You can use it for more than just boiling water. When storing the pot or kettle in your kit, take advantage of the space inside the pot to keep spices or other small things.

Part 3: Food

There are many types of backpack meals and high-calorie energy bars you can keep in your survival kit. Make sure that the food you choose has a long shelf life so that you don’t have to rotate your survival kit food stock. In the military I had Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) and to be honest, I did not think they were too bad. MREs are all in one meal stored in individual packages. I searched for this article and found suppliers all over the internet so pick one that suits your budget and tastes.

There are also backpack meals that are usually freeze-dried and only require boiling water to enjoy. What you choose will come down to personal preference. Don’t forget to pack some utensils in your bag. For a special agent survival trick, be sure to cover your utensils with something to prevent them from clanging together. This will help ensure you don’t rouse unwanted attention during a crisis.

Part 4: Clothing

You should pack enough clothes to get you through a few accidents like falling into a river or sliding down a muddy embankment. You might have to walk a lot more than you want to, so you should have a comfortable and durable pair of boots in your survival kit. Also, in the cold months pack a few pairs of wool socks and long underwear to keep you warm.

You should also pack a pair of comfortable pants. You don’t need to be decked out in full “deer hunter” gear, but something comfortable and somewhat tough is a must. You should pack two or three long sleeve shirts. Your long sleeve shirt can double as a short sleeve shirt simply by rolling up the sleeves. However, if you only pack short sleeve shirts, they cannot double as long sleeve shirts. You should also bring a light rain resistant.

Finally, don’t forget a wool hat or even a baseball hat to help protect you from the sun and keep some of your precious body heat from escaping through your head.

Part 5: Shelter

You should have some sort of shelter materials in your emergency kit. Pack a small 1-person tent or a tarp and some sturdy cord (or parachute cord if you can get your hands on some). If your survival bag still has a lot of room, you can add a bedroll or “space blanket.” If you choose a tarp, make sure the tarp is nylon or polyester and has reinforced grommet holes to make it less complicated to use for building a shelter.

Part 6: First Aid Kit

There are many types of first aid kits to choose from. You probably don’t need the deluxe home surgeon first aid kit because you won’t know what to do with all the stuff anyway and you don’t need the extra weight. A basic first aid kit should do the trick.

If you don’t have first aid knowledge, (I was taught basic first aid in my military and law enforcement training) then I recommend you pack a book on basic first aid in your survival kit. Look for something small like an army first aid field manual.

Let Me Be Clear

This list is not meant to be a comprehensive be-all, end-all list, and won’t help you put together the “ultimate” survival kit for everyone and every particular survival situation. This is meant to serve as a starting point and contains the minimum items I recommend you have. You should tailor your survival kit to fit the circumstances in which you are most likely to find yourself, especially based on the geography of where you live.

Filling Out Your Kit

If you’ve been following along, you’ve got your survival kit mostly put together. However, there are still some things that you may want to have with you when the SHTF. These include:

  • A dependable survival knife like the one pictured here.
  • Waterproof matches, a few lighters, and a flint rod to start a fire if you run out of the aforementioned items or if they get wet.
  • A few crankable or battery-powered flashlights (don’t forget to have extra batteries).
  • A small sewing kit with a heavy-duty sewing needle (this can be quite helpful).
  • A few flares to use for signaling and a few candles for warmth or light.
  • A small survival fishing kit to help you catch food (if you have the extra space available).
  • A compass (make sure you know how to use it before you actually have to).
  • Plastic garbage bags (these can serve many purposes).
  • A survival manual if you are not already a survival expert.
  • At least a small sum of money in your survival bag.

Plan Ahead

You will need to identify what situations you are preparing for and modify the contents I described accordingly. However, if you put together a basic survival kit similar to what I’ve described here, you will be better prepared than most people when disaster strikes.

So, is your survival kit up to snuff? Let me know in the comments section down below!

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45 thoughts on “Building a Basic 3 Day Survival Kit by Derek Smith”

  1. Dear Derek and Fight Fast:

    Very good summary, most of it logical if one has any backpacking experience. I would add to not take heavy tarps; they also will weigh a person down, and get dirty.
    It’s a bit strange, but most to all of these GOOD pack (or bug out pack) items I carry with me everywhere lately (I don’t have a present home).
    Thank you, K.B.

    Reply

  2. Very good. In my personal bug out bag, I keep a change of closes and two hats. While I live in a very mild area and would be good with my summer clothes in the winter time, the idea is to have a change of clothes for disguise purposes. I don’t plan on leaving while being hunted, but ya never know. (Aside from natural disasters, that’s the only reason I would leave.) A blackout bag to keep your phone from being tracked would be a good idea if you think there’s a remote possibility you’d find yourself in that situation.

    Lock picking kit for those who may find themselves in an urban environment after evacuating. FightFast sells a good one.

    Spare knife is also a good idea. Defense and survival capable, and low key are things to look for.

    If you have a family, make sure everyone knows what to do in an emergency. My family went though this last year, and it wasn’t pretty. We now know better, and there’s a list on the side of the fridge that dictates what to get if you have x amount of time. Also notate rendezvous locations in case of separation, different ones in different directions, in case you can’t get to one or the other for whatever reason.

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  4. Your right, that is good information. I have been scrounging seriously for about three months. Got most of it but, I’m on a fixed income and all this cost a lot of money if you are putting in together in this time frame. I’m not alone I have a fifteen year old daughter too. I got a feeling something is coming but I do not know what. There too, is what makes it more difficult. Not knowing what to plan for. It is hard to plan for everything from a to z. I do appreciate your input and thank you for it. I got quite a few items from you guys but ,the hawk boot dagger and the gator are all things I found out of our reach since there was so many things I needed. Thanks again for your input ideas and items Alan.

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  5. Good information. I have a small/medium backpack. I have a majority of the basic items, but the bag will be pretty well full. I’m thinking that I probably need to upgrade to a larger backpack, for starters, so that I’ll have the room to add items. If I end up with leftover room in the bag, I can always go over the list to see what I might need more of. Thanks!

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  6. There is a 1000 and 1 survival bug out bags lists..keeping it simple to the basics is best.. food , water. & or filters , extra clothes and really useful tools will always work best.. ponchos and paracord can always be used for shelter… water proof matches & fire starters go a long way…rudimentary survival knowledge is key… read practice prepare. Knowing that you can be self reliant even for a few days is more important than having the coolest most expensive big out bag on the market… God Bless

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  7. Thank you for your knowledge.. I appreciate it!
    I live in Seattle Washington, would I be more likely to need to be prepared for a earthquake?

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  8. In the war we had a “shelter basket”, which we could grab as we took cover, containing Ration books, important documents, medications etc and whatever we thought necessary for a few days. That is still a good idea in case of fire, earthquake or other sudden disaster.

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  10. One thing I learned in the army was “ALWAYS have a spare pair of socks!” You will be walking. Do not delude yourself that you can hike the 25 miles home, or to your alternate location, etc. etc. If you do not hike a lot, you will find that hiking only 10 miles a day is a long walk. Dry your socks out every night, and put on the spare pair. If during the day, your feet get wet, hang the wet ones around your neck and put on the spare pair. A blister will slow you down, a blister on each foot will really slow you down, and more than one blister per foot will make a mile seem like a really long way.

    Now I cannot even begin to emphasize the importance of taking care of your feet, so I hope you can see that among the other gear in the bag, the spare pair of socks is the most important item, right up there with a good knife. So get a spare pair of socks (or two), and stuff them into your walking shoes/boots. You will walk further with comfortable feet, than with blistered sore feet. Trust me on this one: get a spare pair of socks and change your socks frequently.

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  11. I have been preparing all my life and now at age 74 I’m just about ready to quit ! My son both my grandsons are Eagle Scouts ! They are capable of just about. Any situation you can pyt them in , my son is a Sgt Maj in the Marines 25 yrs in December.So far I’ve lived through almost anything you can imagine. The only thing I can tell anyone is the Boy Scout motto “ Be Prepared “ that says it all !

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  13. Thanks for all your tips. I am a single woman. Was married to the military for nearly 20 years. And came from a military family. I hike alone most of the time. Mostly desert, but venture into the mountains some also. I keep a bug out bag in the back of my SUV at times. You just never know when the S will HTF. So I’m always prepared. I did pretty good on building my bag. Only things I didnt have is there were a fishing kit and sewing kit. Which is kind of funny being I’m a woman. I do have fishing line and a small cane pole in the truck, just not in the bag. My “city folk” family thinks I’m a little crazy for having such a bag always ready to go. We’ll see who makes in when the SHTF.
    THANKS

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  15. Good Morning, Agent,

    Thank you for a well written and informative article.

    TMC (SS) Robert T. Large
    U. S. Navy (Retired)

    Reply

  17. Good article. I’d consider an old VN era Army poncho. Can he used for almost anything (that’s another article) other than keeping a person dry.

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  18. One other thing to keep in your first aid kit is a 3 day supply of any prescription medications you take (as well as any family members who you plan on being with you) and a 3 day supply of multi-vitamins for each person. These shouldn’t take a lot of room, but in an emergency when you’re not eating properly, in a compromised environment, and expending a lot of energy, these vitamin can boost nutrients you will probably need to get you through. Use these as a supliment to your food stores, not a replacement as you still need the calories & stuff as well

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  19. I’m up to the stage of stocking food – I use a cheap distiller for water but need on that can be butane-powered (the one I have is electric, but fast – gets a lot of gunk out of the ‘filtered’ supply bought by the ex-wife, so that tells me a lot,

    Also need a small tent and lightweight sleeping bags for Korean winters, like 5oz weight… otherwise food (rice) will be enough to store in the house – a lot.

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  23. Great information! Not a wasted word. It would be nice if you made this article easily downloadable, such as a PDF. Otherwise, a good read. IF everyone in America did this, we would ALL be better off. You know, like heard immunity from everyone getting vaccinations. I guess having a fire arm, and knowing how to use it is just a given? People who are not prepared will freak out, and turn into animals!

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  24. Well done sir I believe that you have given everyone a great start on the basics of the bug out bag, and as you mentioned every situation will be different so I DO suggest that anyone who wants to be truly prepared research more about different scenarios and how they should prepare for said scenarios, again well done sir.

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  25. Very good info for getting it together.I have already started on my bug out bag but don’t have everything just yet.Thanks for the advice. Tommy Thompson

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  26. I am (sort of) pretty good on most of this but had never considered extra shirt and pants. Another thing for the bob. My husband will, as usual roll his eyes, but he lets me do my thing. How do I get him to actually put the pack in his car?

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  28. I have 5 bug out kits ready to go at any time and have been updating them when needed and a self sustaining underground bunker already to go as well. I always read up other ways as well but prefer mine over all.

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  29. Thank you very much for your info. Basically take the items you will need camping l like the ideal of long sleeve shirts. I notice someone also suggested in wearing boots for the snow in an article l think when people was force to walk their father made them wear their boots for the snow which they hated but everyone who wore light shoes and was forced to walk in the snow they lost toes because of it. I lost everything to the flood and l forgot how much l let them throw out because of contaminated water from the chemical plants.
    I like your disposal bucketsmake a good filter.
    A man made a plastic pipe where he could tie a rope on to it and drop it down into a well head if a water well the end cap had been cut and flap with one screw the plastic pipe would fill up with water and then you can pull your water up but l didnt realize l would need a water test kit.
    You will need to have a wrench to remove the motor off of a water well .and to make sure the electricity is off a electrical tester.
    What do you use a ham radio.
    Do you use a four season tent.
    Always try to get good equipment because my life depends on it.l appreciate any knowledge

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  30. Mark Lubienski, indeed I do. Here are 10 over the counter things you should have. In addition to these, you should have some antibiotics.

    Here are 10 OTC medicines that everyone should have in their emergency supplies, everyday carry and bug out bags.

    1. Aspirin/Acetaminophen

    First and foremost, there should be both adult and children’s aspirin in your bag. The pain relief aside, this is excellent for fever reduction, thinning the blood, and aspirin (NOT acetaminophen) helping someone recover from a heart attack or prevent future ones!

    2. Ibuprofen
    Also good for pain relief and reducing inflammation and swelling due to menstrual cycles, arthritis or other pain caused by inflammation. It is a fever reducer much like acetaminophen but some can tolerate ibuprofen better.

    3. Antacids

    In a SHTF situation, people will still get gas or a lot of acid build-up due to stress and lack of food. Antacids will help with the discomfort and slow damage done to the stomach and esophagus. Ulcers are sure to form and for those who already have them, they will quickly run out of their prescriptions.

    4. Antihistamines and Anti-allergens
    Allergies will be even worse after SHTF. People will have to be outside more, if for no other reason than to gather, hunt, and grow food. Without electricity, staying inside may become unbearable in hot weather. For those in rural areas, once the prescriptions run out, all that will be left are things like Benadryl, Claritin, and Zyrtec. Antihistamines help with the reduction of swelling in the sinuses and assist with overall allergens by blocking the histamines that cause the symptoms.

    5. Bismuth Subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)
    this time-tested medicine covers many digestive system issues. Indigestion, nausea, and diarrhea are just some of the symptoms this medicine helps relieve. Diarrhea can kill if not taken care of, and one of the most important reasons for having something on hand is to keep yourself hydrated to make up for what you lose. Thankfully, this now comes in a convenient chewable pill form and is easy to carry with you.

    6. Cough/Mucus Control
    Sinus infections, influenza, allergies, damp conditions, and exposure can lead to being stuffed up, unable to breath or get the gunk out. Coming in both pill and liquid forms, this medicine has saved many people from a doctor visit (and bill). Other than providing relief for the ones who are ill, it can also help protect those who are not. If those who are sick are coughing a lot, the sickness has a better chance to spread.

    7. Laxatives
    No one wants to think about this but when their body forces them to, they will be eternally grateful for the little pill or chew that will relieve their discomfort. When in a SHTF situation occurs, what kinds of foods and how much or how often can result in constipation. If left untreated, constipation can kill.

    8. Sleep Aides
    In any major upset in your life, sleepless nights are often a side effect of the stress. Many people have troubles with, “turning their brain off,” so they can sleep. I would imagine that cases of insomnia will rise exponentially and in a post-disaster scenario, sleep will be more important than ever before. Your ability to make decisions and good judgments will be hindered from a prolonged lack of sleep. There are so many options for sleeping aides out there; I will leave it to you to decide which is best. Also consider natural remedies, such as lavender essential oil or dried lavender.

    9. Saline Spray/Solution
    Saline solution is another wonderful thing to have with you. Even a small bottle could save someone from infections or aid in another way. I am all for having versatile resources that have more than one use. Saline solution can help with wound irrigation, eye and sinus flushing, and of course cleaning your contact lenses.

    10. Vitamins
    SO MANY people overlook simple vitamins when talking about medicinal items to store and carry for emergencies. In my opinion, vitamins are more important than any of the other things listed here. In a post-disaster scenario, everyone who did not prepare will be suffering from a ‘lack.’ A lack of food, perhaps clean water, sanitation, and assuredly a vitamin deficiency will be all too common.

    Your body needs vitamins and minerals to function normally. Your immune system will be fighting off bacteria and viruses at a higher rate, particularly in urban settings, and will need extra nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to help with the process. When it finds none, it will attack the muscles or other organs to get what it needs.

    All of the above are easily bought over the counter without a prescription. Before you go out on a buying spree, though, take a look at your medicine cabinet and pull out all of the stuff stashed in there. Check expiration dates and keep them rotated.

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  31. Maureen Ameen, don’t get him to do it, just do it yourself. Stick it in the back of his trunk. If an emergency occurs, he will thank you for it.

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  32. Brenton Hamlin, you are spot on brother. I have an upcoming blog where I wrote about this very thing. Make sure you check it out.

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  36. Denise England, good job on your preparation. Forget what others think. Like you said, you will be prepared and they will remember you had the bag.

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  42. Great advice and a lot of every day things that could have been forgotten,the main trouble we have in England is the trouble getting something to protect you and yours,i suppose the easiest is a sawn off shotti but they are pretty poor if there are multiple assailants. A move down to the Mediterranean would make it a lot easier as the Baltic states and former Soviet countries I think could be better hunting for a good reliable semi Auto pistol. I just think that it would put you further up the food chain,it is a real worry in a country like England where you are meant to rely on the toothless police to protect from robbers as things go tits up.

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  43. One more thing, don’t forget to bring cash! When the electricity is down, card readers don’t work — AMHIK. You still need to be able to buy things like water if the electricity isn’t there. At least $100, I plan $300, in case we decide to stay in a hotel, or get stuck longer than anticipated.

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  44. The dollar tree (stores), where everything is a dollar… has more than a bag full of gear for a quick and easy (fast fix) survival bag. They have medical/instant foods, drinks,containers to conceal/protect, waterproof… your items/gear. Flashlights, batteries(up to 8 aa/aaa) for yovvur lights,etc…all this stuff is a dollar + taxes. Go over to the parties section to get the buffet like stereos to use for heat/cooking… They are light and last up to 2 hours each . Dollar General is a quick and easy fix, family Dollar, Wal-Mart’s… these are now almost on every block in America/USA. Cheap, usable, dependable, light weight Real time useful items in the event of Diasters of all kinds. Heck, some times you may just need to get away from mom-ma, or an in-law…M

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  45. A lot of good info here…. please address the III% rule…. I’m a vet and a III%’er….. I’m the sheepdog in wolf’s clothing…..

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