I've found so many lists for 72 hour kits that it's gotten overwhelming. I've chosen to post this list by Ken Moravec since he's pretty down to earth and has a good idea of what is actually used in a true emergency. I've been very impressed with the amount of practical experience in disaster relief that Kenneth Moravec has had. If nothing else, this will get you started - REMEMBER: Anything is better than nothing!

72-hour Kit

Taken from Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response
by Kenneth B Moravec

Your 72-hour kit is a collection of necessities that can sustain your life for at least 72 hours and should accommodate your own personal wants and needs. It is also preferably waterproof. It should be transportable, preferably on your back or shoulder, so that you have your arms and hands free, but a suitcase, box, plastic 5 gallon bucket, or garbage can will do if nothing better can be found. The following is a suggested list of items for your kit. Items with an asterisk (*) are optional. The others are deemed essential.

FOOD / COOKING
matches or a fire starter
eating utensils (washable or discardable)
mess-kit or some other form of plate, cup, & pot
water in a unbreakable container
non-perishable foods in unbreakable containers
(MRE’s, canned, dry packaged, or freeze dried)
3 meat portions
3 fruit portions
3 vegetable portions
3 milk portions
* ½ lb. rice or dry pasta
* 8 - 10 bullion cubes
* 3 sugared drink mixes
* 3 hot chocolate, coffee, or tea bags
* individually foil wrapped sugar cubes,hard candies, or chocolate bars
* peanut butter
* unsalted crackers
* cereal
* seasonings (salt, pepper, sugar, etc.)
* infant, diabetic, or other special foods
* water purification tablets (iodine / Halazone)
* Brillo pad for cleanup
* paper towels or napkins
* Sterno, alcohol, or other cooking fuel
* small cooking stove
* can opener (if using canned food)
* dish-soap in a small non-breakable container
* fishing line, hooks, worms, and sinkers

MEDICAL
small first aid kit including:
* first aid book
* Thyro-Block (potassium iodide)
* special medications (allergies, diabetic, heart, etc.)
* snake bite kit
* extra pair of eye glasses or contacts
* contact cleaning solution
* EMT sheers
* aspirin, Tylenol or other pain reliever

CLOTHING
1 complete change of clothing including:
2 pair socks or thick stockings
sturdy long pants
long sleeve shirt or blouse
work gloves
undergarments
* brimmed hat
* extra pair of sturdy shoes
* 4-5 bandannas/large handkerchiefs
* light-weight rain poncho
* sewing kit with assorted safety pins
* goggles

SANITARY
roll of toilet paper wrapped in plastic
hand soap and container
bath or hand towel
8 - 10 coffee filters or water filter
4 - 5 large trash bags
* 4 - 5 small trash bags
* toothbrush and container
* toothpaste
* laundry detergent and container
* clothes pins
* scrub brush
* toiletry bag
* small unbreakable mirror
* deodorizer/disinfectant (bleach/Borax)
* 2 - 3 pairs of rubber or surgical gloves
* 6 - 8 dust masks
* shampoo
* comb or brush
* feminine hygiene items
* shaving razor
* disposable diapers for infants or seniors
* pre-moistened towelettes
* cleaning solution for contacts
* newspaper for wrapping waste
* ½ lb. of lime for waste treatment
* plastic bag ties or closures

SHELTER
sleeping bag or blanket(s)
* tube tent with 25 feet of nylon rope or some other form of light weight tent
* plastic ground cloth
* emergency space blanket

OTHER
a backpack, box, suitcase, bucket, garbage can, or some other container to hold everything
identification
small battery powered am radio
map of state, county, city, and host area or possible relocation site
* extra shoe laces
* 25 feet nylon cord or rope
* wire saw
* hatchet, small axe, or machete
* hunting knife
* small shovel
* 1 - 2 flares
* insect repellent
* needle-nosed plies with cutting edge
* adjustable crescent wrench (for turning off gas mains)
* flashlight
* extra batteries
* 2 - 3 (8) hour light sticks
* 6 - 8 candles
* compass
* whistle
* straight razor blades
* air mattress or bed roll
* heavy-duty aluminum foil
* Xerox copies of insurance policies and other legal papers
* photos of self and family members with names, ages, hair, and eye color printed on back
* important phone numbers and addresses (include an out-of-state contact person)
* money (at least enough in quarters to make an out-of-state phone call)
* some kind of diversion (ball, chess set, cards, crochet, book, crayons, toys, etc)
* pencils, crayons, and markers
* blank paper
* duct tape

note: The food items are the same portions for adults and children alike. In a crisis situation, most adults consume much smaller portions while children and pregnant women consume much larger portions than normal. Although you may want to buy out the supermarket and put it in your 72-hour kit, DON'T! All items considered here should be in small (72-hour) quantities. Your kits should include familiar foods that you do and would actually eat and can actually carry. Also your food should not require a lot of water, refrigeration, or preparation, so canned foods and MRE’s are better than dried foods. Food in your kit should be high in calories and nutrition and also suit your unique tastes, desires, and needs. Nursing mothers should consider liquid or dry formula in case they are unable to nurse. Remember to keep everything as light weight as possible so that you can carry this kit at least two miles.

Remember, water is always scarce in emergencies. If you wish to double up on something, double up on water. You can never store enough water.