Ultimate Survival Plan: How Much Food & Water For 72 Hours

Emergency Preparedness Introduction

Brief Explanation of the Importance of Emergency Preparedness

Prepping, or emergency preparedness is a critical aspect of ensuring the safety and well-being of yourself and your loved ones in the face of unexpected crises. Knowing how much food and water to stockpile could save your life. Whether it’s a natural disaster, power outage, or civil unrest, emergencies can disrupt daily life with little or no warning. 

Being prepared means having the necessary supplies, skills, and plans in place to respond effectively to such situations. You don’t get the luxury of working on those things when the disaster is unfolding.

This proactive approach minimises the risks and impacts associated with emergencies, allowing you to hopefully navigate the challenging circumstances with greater confidence and security. You’ll be in an infinitely better place than if you had assumed society was immune to such calamities.

By investing time and resources into preparedness, you can significantly reduce the potential for harm and ensure a quicker return to normalcy after a crisis.

Overview of the 72-Hour Emergency Timeframe and Why It’s Crucial

The 72-hour emergency timeframe is a widely recognized standard in the field of emergency preparedness. This period represents the critical window following an emergency during which individuals and families must be self-sufficient. 

Emergency services and first responders may be overwhelmed or delayed, making it essential for people to rely on their own resources. Preparing for 72 hours of self-sufficiency ensures that you have enough food, water, and essential supplies to survive the immediate aftermath of a disaster. Most of the time you’ll be able to ride out those 72 hours at your home (or wherever you choose to locate yourself), so having a well prepared environment is key!

This 3-day timeframe is crucial because it bridges the gap between the onset of an emergency and the arrival of external assistance, providing a buffer that can save lives and reduce suffering. By planning for these three days, preppers can ensure they are ready to handle the most challenging initial phase of any crisis.

72 Hour Water Requirements

General Guidelines

Water is the most critical element to stockpile for any emergency. For a 72-hour survival scenario, it is recommended to stockpile approximately 3-4.5 litres of water per person per day [UK’s Gov Prepare Campaign]. Which if you scale it up and start storing it – becomes quite a big volume. 

This amount ensures that each individual has enough water for drinking and basic hygiene needs. Over a three-day period, this totals to 9-13.5 litres of water per person. Proper hydration is vital for maintaining health and energy, especially during stressful situations, making it crucial to have an adequate supply of clean water.

If the weather is particularly mild and you start off the emergency in fairly good health, how much food and water you need to survive on may be significantly less (i.e. you had to work to sterilise it first, or had to transport the liquid great distances). Saying that, make sure you’ve read our survival guide on extreme weather [LINK] to spot the signs of dehydration early.

Hows that Water Consumption Broken Down

• Drinking Water: The majority (~90%) of the 4.5 litres per day will be used for drinking. Staying hydrated is essential, particularly during emergencies when physical exertion and stress levels may be higher.
• Basic Hygiene and Sanitation: While drinking is the priority, some water will also be necessary for basic hygiene tasks such as washing hands and face, and for limited cleaning needs. This helps in maintaining health and preventing the spread of illness.

Four Tips to Consider When Storing Water Tips

1. Containers: Use food-grade water storage containers that are designed for long-term storage. These containers should be clean, durable, and equipped with tight-sealing lids to prevent contamination.
2. Storage Location: Store your water in a cool, dark place to reduce the risk of algae growth and bacterial contamination. Avoid areas exposed to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures.
3. Rotation: Regularly rotate your water supply to ensure it remains fresh. It’s advisable to replace stored water every six months. Mark containers with the date of storage to keep track of when they need to be rotated.
4. Purification Considerations: Consider storing additional water purification methods, such as water purification tablets or a portable water filter. These can be invaluable if your primary water supply runs out or if you need to source water from natural bodies like rivers or lakes during an extended emergency.

By adhering to these guidelines, you can ensure that you have a sufficient and safe water supply to meet your needs during the critical first 72 hours of an emergency. Regularly reviewing and updating your water storage practices will help maintain preparedness and ensure your supplies are ready when needed.

How Much Food Required for 72 Hours Survival

General Guidelines

In any emergency scenario, maintaining adequate nutrition is vital for sustaining energy and overall well-being. For a 72-hour survival period, it is recommended to stockpile at least 2,000 calories per person per day [NHS link]. This caloric intake ensures that each individual has enough energy to manage stress, perform necessary tasks, and maintain health in the short-term.

Over the course of three days, this amounts to a total of 6,000 calories per person.

So to answer the question, ‘how much food is needed’ – 2,000 calories per day!

Decreasing your Calorie Intake in an Emergency

Similarly to the water requirements; if you had to decrease your calories per person below 2,000 a day for 72 hours – you’re unlikely to have any prolonged or serious health implications. Why would you do that? Well maybe you had 3 days of supplies but you don’t think the emergency will pass for 7, or you have 3 days supplies but suddenly need to share those with someone else. How much food could you survive a weekend on at a bare minimum – well, no food! As you can of course, survive weeks without any food if necessary (it wont be fun or pleasant though!). 

Types of Food to Stockpile

We have written a fairly comprehensive beginners guide to the top 12 food items you should stockpile before disaster strikes – so check that out. However, it’s briefly summarised below.

• Non-Perishable Items: Select foods with a long shelf life that can be stored without refrigeration. Canned goods, such as vegetables, fruits, beans, and meats, are excellent choices. Dried fruits, nuts, and seeds are also nutrient-dense options that are easy to store and consume.
• Ready-to-Eat Meals: Consider including MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat) or freeze-dried meals in your stockpile. These meals are designed for long-term storage and can be prepared quickly with minimal effort.
• High-Energy Foods: Foods that provide a high amount of energy in small servings are particularly useful. Items like peanut butter, granola bars, trail mix, and chocolate are compact, high-calorie options that can boost energy levels.

How much food you should stockpile out from each category – well to establish that we better look at an example daily menu of survival food.

Example of a 72-Hour Food Kit

To give you an idea of what to include in your emergency food supply, here’s a sample meal plan for one person for three days – note this is surviving to a pretty comfortable level!

• Breakfast: Instant oatmeal packets and dried fruit.
• Lunch: Canned soup or stew, crackers, and canned vegetables.
• Dinner: Canned meats (such as tuna or chicken), rice or pasta, and canned beans.
• Snacks: Energy bars, nuts, and chocolate.

This sample plan [Menu and Shopping list we’ve written here] provides a balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats to sustain energy levels and nutritional needs over the 72-hour period. As mentioned above, if you were forced to reduce your calorie intake, you could easily take the lunch or dinner suggestion above, combine it with a few snacks and plenty of hydration, and you’d be fine (albeit, hungry).

Recently (June 2024) I checked to see if I could put together a 72-hour emergency menu for super cheap – and I managed it! Easy to obtain food, hearty and 2,000 per day, check out the 72-hour emergency menu. Would under £20 impress you for 3-days? Well how about under a tenner.  

The emergency menu even contains chocolate!

Stockpiled Food Storage Tips

• Organise: Keep your food items in a designated emergency kit or container, making them easy to access quickly. Organise items by meal or type to streamline meal preparation. Remember you may be weak, injured and looking for food by torch light.
• Check Expiry Dates: Regularly check expiration dates on all food items and rotate your stock to ensure freshness. We recommend using a calendar reminder for this purpose. Consuming and replacing items periodically also prevents waste and ensures that your supplies remain safe to eat (also gives you a chance to weed out those disgusting MREs or tins you thought sounded nice)
• Portion Control: Pre-measure and portion out servings to avoid waste and ensure that each person receives their required caloric intake. This can also simplify meal preparation during stressful situations. Having some zip-lock bags or tupperware can help keep unserved food fresh for longer.

Additional Food Considerations

• Cooking and Preparation: Ensure you’ve got a means to cook and prepare your food, such as a portable gas / camping stoves, fuel, matches or lighters, and a manual can opener. Including basic utensils and a multi-tool can also be helpful.
• Comfort Foods: Consider including some comfort foods and treats to boost morale during stressful times. Variety in your food supply can help maintain a sense of normalcy and improve psychological well-being. As mentioned in our article about 12 essential food items to stockpile, I’d throw in coffee, chilli sauce and maybe a can of something fizzy and sugary.

We reckon that if you follow these guidelines and regularly review and update your water & food stockpile, you can ensure that you and your family are well-prepared to face a 72-hour emergency with adequate nutrition and sustenance.

Conclusion

This article was designed to answer the question, ‘How much food and water do I need to stockpile’. Well hopefully we’ve answered that for a 72hr emergency situation.

To wrap this up, having a well-stocked food and water supply for a 72-hour emergency is essential for ensuring your safety and well-being during unexpected crises. Plus it won’t break the bank or deprive you of a whole room. 

By following the guidelines outlined above, you can effectively prepare yourself and your family to weather the initial aftermath of any disaster here in the UK. 

Here’s a recap of the key points discussed:

How Much Food & Water for of a Well-Stocked Supply: Having sufficient food and water allows you to maintain hydration, nutrition, and energy levels during times when external resources may be limited or unavailable. This preparedness can significantly increase your chances of staying healthy and resilient in challenging circumstances.

Regular Review and Updates: It is crucial to regularly review and update your emergency supplies. Importantly, check expiration dates on food items, rotate stock regularly to maintain freshness, and ensure that all equipment and supplies are in working order. This proactive approach ensures that your emergency kit is always ready for immediate use when needed.

How Much Food – Final Tips

• Stay Informed: Keep abreast of local emergency protocols and stay informed about potential risks in your area.
• Practice and Plan: Conduct drills with your family to practise emergency procedures and familiarise everyone with the contents of your emergency kit.
• Stay Calm: In any emergency, remaining calm and focused can help you make better decisions and support others around you.
• Check out our 72-Hour Emergency Food Shopping List for Under a £10

By realising how much food you need, actioning these steps and investing in your emergency preparedness, you are safeguarding yourself and your loved ones from a variety of UK based disasters. Preparedness is a continuous process, and your efforts today can make a significant difference in how well you and your loved ones navigate future challenges. 

Stay prepared, stay safe!