Rank 1 of 5 · 72 hours
Greenhorn
Just saddling up
Every outfit starts here. The Greenhorn trail covers the 72-hour basics: water, food you don't have to cook, light, warmth, a way to hear the news, and a bag you can grab on the way out the door.
Who it's for
First-timers, renters, apartment households, and anyone who has been meaning to get around to it.
Start with
One Starter kit per person (the 72-hour shelf), plus a paper contact card for everyone in the house.
Goals
- Store 3 days of water: 1 gallon per person per day, more in dry Colorado air.
- Keep 3 days of food that needs no cooking and no can opener.
- Have light, warmth, and a way to stay dry with the power out.
- Pack one grab-and-go bag and keep it by the door or in the car.
- Get key phone numbers and a meet-up spot onto paper.
Checklist
Skills and gear milestones
Work through these at your own pace. Print the page and tick them off as you go.
Gear
- 3 gallons of water per person, stored away from sunlight
- 3 days of ready-to-eat food per person
- Headlamp or flashlight for each person, plus spare batteries
- Emergency blankets and a rain poncho
- A basic first-aid kit for cuts and scrapes (not medical advice)
- Small bills set aside in a dry bag
- All of it packed in one bag you can carry
Skills
- Find your water shutoff and know how to close it
- Sign up for your county's emergency alerts
- Know two ways out of your neighborhood
- Take a basic first-aid class (Red Cross or a local provider) (not medical advice)
Plans
- Write a contact card: phone numbers, an out-of-area contact, and a meet-up spot
- Set a reminder to check and rotate food and water every 6 months
Not medical advice. First-aid mentions here are general preparedness information. They don't replace professional care or first-aid training. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about your household's needs. In an emergency, call 911.
Recommended lists
The Greenhorn shelves
On the shelf now
Beginner 72-Hour Kit
Every item in all three kit sizes, at three quality levels, with quantities, estimated prices, and where to shop.
The Fully Loaded kit bridges into Ranch Hand: a 5-gallon water container, an emergency toilet bucket, a camp lantern, a power bank, and a sleeping bag. Jump to the Fully Loaded kit.
Last updated Oct 25, 2026
Role add-ons
Stack role gear on top of each person's base kit: Ramrod (Leader), Sawbones (Medic), Cookie (Cook), Lookout (Comms), Scout (Navigation & Security), Fixer (Tools & Repair).
Next rank
Up next: Ranch Hand (2 weeks). Your 72-hour kit is packed. Now stretch it to two weeks at home: more water, a real pantry, and a backup way to cook.
Ride on to Ranch Hand