A household three-night field kit being packed by job before winter weather

Field Guide 04 / First 72 Hours

72 HOURS
AWAY
FROM EASY.

Do not pack by product type. Pack by the job someone must do: treat, protect, heat, clean, see, or rest.

  1. 01Treat
  2. 02Protect
  3. 03Heat
  4. 04Clean
  5. 05See
  6. 06Rest

The six-job plan / 01

PACK BY JOB.
NOT BY PRODUCT.

A plan tells you what each item does, where it lives, and who can reach it. Start with six jobs.

  1. 01TreatReach first aid without unpacking
  2. 02ProtectKeep clothes, food, and bedding dry
  3. 03HeatStage ignition, fuel, and cooking tools
  4. 04CleanKeep hands, vessels, and camp clean
  5. 05SeePair each light with a tested charger
  6. 06RestPack a sleep system before you need it

System / 01

TREAT.
PROTECT.
REST.

Put first aid on top. Keep clothes and bedding dry. Store the sleep system where the household can reach it.

System / 02

MAKE HEAT.
SEE THE WORK.

Fire tools need fuel. Rechargeable lights need stored power. Plan for both.

Charging limit

These lights are rechargeable, but they do not generate power. Add a compatible charging source and test both together.

System / 03

GIVE EACH JOB
ONE PLACE.

A useful packing map is simple enough to explain in the dark.

TopFirst aid + light

Reach both before you unpack.

MiddleDry layers + food

Group them. Keep them dry.

OutsideWater + wet gear

Keep moisture away from dry supplies.

Known pocketFire + guide

Use the same pocket every time.

72 Hours Away From Easy PDF cover

Keep the guide offline / PDF

72 Hours Away From Easy

Put six jobs within reach: treat, protect, heat, clean, see, and rest. Choose the full-color field edition or the smaller printer edition. Both are free; no email is required.

20 pages • US LetterSee all 5 free guides

Six jobs / One usable plan

READY ENOUGH
TO DO
THE NEXT JOB.

Put first aid within reach

Keep building the plan

Previous / 03ToolsNext / 01When Convenience Disappears
Browse all 5 free guides