Is 72 Hours Enough?
When it comes to emergency preparedness, many people believe that having enough supplies for 72 hours is sufficient. This idea, known as the “72-hour rule,” originated during World War I when people were told to be self-sufficient for three days due to national defense priorities. In modern times, we see all the time that 72 hours is the amount of time it can take for first responders to be able to assist you during an emergency.
But how relevant is the ’72-hour rule’ today?
Outdated Thinking
Chris Collins, a professor of emergency management, points out: “We are still using a method of preparedness from war-times, but have advanced as a society in every other way. So, what’s wrong with this picture?”
New tools have been invented to help make emergency response safer and faster for both the rescuers and the rescuees, and systems like ICS have been developed to help organize large scale response. With newer methods in place, we should need to be self-sufficient for less time… right?
Not necessarily. 
Survey Says: We’re Not Ready
A 2010 survey by Public Safety Canada revealed some concerning statistics:
- 72% of Canadians agreed that an emergency plan and kit are necessary.
- 54% believed their area was unlikely to be affected by a disaster.
- 44% thought the government would take care of them in a large-scale emergency.
- 58% had never looked into what to do in case of an emergency.
These numbers show that many people are not prepared for emergencies, and the 72-hour rule might be part of the problem.
Changing Times, Changing Needs
Since 2010, Canada has seen significant changes in demographics, geography, and population. Natural disasters, construction, and inflation have also altered the landscape. Collins argues that a one-size-fits-all approach like the 72-hour rule cannot meet the diverse needs of different communities.
So, what can be done? The first step is to look at your specific community. No one can prepare a community better than its own members. Programs like FireSmart Canada and B.C. FireSmart are great examples of community-based initiatives. These programs help neighborhoods create tailored plans to reduce their vulnerability to disasters like wildfires.
Moving Beyond 72 Hours
While the 72-hour rule is easy to remember, it’s not enough. Many municipalities are changing the language of their recommendations to “a minimum of 72 hours” while others, like Sidney, B.C., recommend being prepared for seven days due to their more remote location. The key is to shift focus from a generalized approach to one that considers the unique needs of each community.
Some questions to consider when deciding how long to prepare for:
- How remote am I? If one or two major roads/docks/tunnels were unusable, could emergency services still reach me?
- Do I have any special needs? Is there anything I need outside the ordinary that first responders might not be able to provide quickly? Medications, food allergies, etc?
- How vulnerable is the surrounding population? Will those nearby need to be prioritized before me in an emergency? This might add to response times.
Conclusion
72-hours is a great place to start, but don’t stop there. Work towards having as much self-sufficiency as you can. This ensures that no matter what happens, you’ll be able to take care of your household, even if help can’t arrive right away. It also reduces the load on emergency services so they can prioritize those in the most need. If you’re looking to start with a 72 hour emergency kit, you can find those here. If you have a kit but need additional supplies to extend it’s duration, we recommend beginning with freeze dried food.
Thanks for reading, and as always: be prepared, not scared!
