72-Hour Self-Sufficiency – Emergency Food and Water

Imagine going three days without electricity, running water, or access to stores. Most people first think of lights or heating. But in reality, without water or calories, Wi-Fi becomes the least of your concerns. This guide walks you through how to think about emergency food and hydration—calmly, practically, and without fear-mongering.

A power outage means: no lights. Then, no heating. Stores stop accepting cards. The fridge turns into a warm cabinet. After a day or two, the water stops running.

That’s why the idea of “72-hour self-sufficiency” is gaining ground—everyone should be able to manage for three days without outside help. And the essentials aren’t solar panels or tactical radios. They’re food and water.

Emergency food supply Pro Ration in the evacuation backpack. Lightweight, compact, and ready for immediate use.

How Much Food and Water Do You Actually Need?

Plan for full independence over three days:

🔸 Water – At least 3 liters per person per day, totaling 9 liters per person for 72 hours:

• 2 liters for drinking
• 1 liter for minimal hygiene and cooking (if needed)

🔸 Food – Around 2,000–2,500 kcal per adult per day. Prioritize shelf-stable, easy-to-prepare, low-water and low-energy options.

Energy chocolate Scho-Ka-Kola in practical metal packaging. Perfect for evacuation kits or trips to nature.

Choosing Emergency Food: What Really Matters

Emergency rations aren’t about fine dining—but that doesn’t mean they should taste like cardboard. Key criteria:

• Shelf Life – Ideally 5+ years, no refrigeration needed

• Calories – Enough to support normal function and stress response

• Ease of Prep – No cooking or just hot water required

• Compactness – Small, space-efficient packaging

• Psychological Comfort – Familiar meals help in unfamiliar situations

Recommended Emergency Foods from Rigad

We’ve handpicked products that meet emergency survival standards—and also make sense in terms of quality.

🔲 Emergency Food & Water PRO Ration Box

Recommended product

Pro Ration® Emergency Food / Water, box 23 servings

€ 304,13In stock

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Ultimate Tactical Ration – Half Day Menu II

Recommended product

Ultimate Tactical Ration Half‑Day food ration, MENU II

€ 30,38In stock

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NRG-5 Trek’n Eat – Emergency Food Ration

Recommended product

Trek'n Eat® Emergency Food Ration NRG‑5

€ 12,29In stock

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Scho-Ka-Kola – Energy Chocolate

Recommended product

Energetic Chocolate Scho‑ka‑kola® 100 g

€ 4,13In stock

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Durable Rye Bread in a Can Trek’n Eat

Recommended product

Trek'n Eat® Long‑life Rye Bread, 500 g

€ 6,21In stock

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Grower’s Cup Coffee on the Go – Brazil

Recommended product

Grower's Cup Coffeebrewer Outdoor Coffee Bags ‑ Brazil

€ 2,46In stock

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Everyday Foods That Work for Emergencies

These store-bought basics complement your emergency kit:

• Rice, pasta (note: needs longer cooking)

• Instant porridge and soups

• Oats (quick, nutritious)

• Canned legumes (no cooking required)

• Nuts, dried fruit, protein bars

• Honey (long shelf life, versatile)

Drinking water in a practical 330 ml package – part of an emergency survival kit, evacuation, or evacuation backpack.

Common Mistakes in Food Storage

❌ Moisture – Leads to mold and spoilage
❌ Poor Packaging – Paper-wrapped items like flour or oats attract pantry pests
❌ Bad Location – Forgotten food behind the cupboard expires unnoticed
❌ No Rotation – Unused stock sits past expiration unnoticed

💡 TIP: Store in dry, dark places—plastic bins with lids work well. Mark expiration dates directly on the packaging with a marker.

Water: Storage, Filtration, Pitfalls

Water is often underestimated—but it’s absolutely critical.

📌 What to prepare:

• Canisters or PET bottles of drinking water (rotate every 6 months)

• Water purification tablets

• Water filters (for natural water sources)

💡 TIP: Also keep "grey" water—for flushing or hand washing. Doesn’t need to be drinkable.

Preparation of emergency food in the field. Durable Emergency Food/Water Pack with the option to add hot water directly in the package.

Practical Tips

• Store food both at home and in your go-bag—you won’t have to decide what to pack during a crisis

• Test your emergency food in advance—some MREs taste great, others not so much

• Label expiration dates and rotate stock regularly

• Don’t underestimate morale boosters—coffee or chocolate can do more than 1,000 calories in a dry biscuit

Final Thoughts

Preparing 72 hours' worth of food and water isn’t doomsday prepping—it’s peace of mind.
Having a food box, a few water containers, and the confidence that you can take care of yourself for three days is basic modern readiness.