A 72-hour survival kit is a self-contained supply set — per person — covering water, food, shelter, warmth, light, and first aid for the first three days of an emergency, when outside help may not have arrived yet.
Written by Mike, a union electrical lineman with 21+ years on the job and mutual aid deployments after Sandy, California wildfires, Texas winter storms, and Gulf Coast hurricanes.
FEMA recommends a minimum 72-hour supply of food and water per person. — Ready.gov — Build a Kit
FEMA recommends a minimum 72-hour emergency supply kit per person including: 1 gallon of water per person per day, non-perishable food, a battery or hand-crank radio, flashlight, first aid kit, whistle, dust masks, plastic sheeting and duct tape, moist towelettes, garbage bags, wrench or pliers, manual can opener, local maps, and a cell phone with chargers. Source: ready.gov.
For most localized emergencies — power outages, winter storms, moderate flooding — 72 hours covers the window until outside help arrives. For larger regional disasters, recovery often stretches to 7–14 days. FEMA's 72-hour standard is a minimum baseline, not a ceiling.
No — a 72-hour kit is per person. A family of 4 needs 4× the water (12 gallons minimum), 4× the food, and enough medication and supplies for all members. Use one main family kit plus individual go-bags adults can carry if separated.
A portable 72-hour kit (bug out bag) should weigh no more than 20–25% of the carrier's body weight. A stationary home kit stored in a bin has no weight limit — prioritize completeness over portability for home storage.