Disaster risk management expert Fabiola Barrenechea recently detailed the essential components required for personal and family earthquake emergency kits on TVN Chile.
Proper preparation is critical because immediate access to basic supplies can determine survival outcomes during the initial window after a devastating earthquake. These kits are designed to bridge the gap before official rescue services can reach affected populations.
According to Barrenechea, water and food are the most critical elements for survival [2]. The primary goal of an emergency kit is to provide enough resources to maintain self-sufficiency for approximately 72 hours [1]. This three-day window is widely recognized as the critical period for survival and recovery [1].
Beyond nutrition and hydration, experts recommend including a first-aid kit, appropriate clothing, and essential personal documents [3]. These items ensure that medical needs are met and legal identities can be verified while displaced. The European Union also suggests a 72-hour supply for emergency backpacks intended for crises or global instability [4].
There are slight variations in recommendations regarding communication tools. While some guides focus on basic survival items like clothing and medicine [3], the European Union recommends including an emergency radio to receive official information during a crisis [4].
Barrenechea said, "The water and the foods are essential to survive almost three days after an earthquake" [2]. The necessity of this preparation was echoed by Salvador Illa, who said, "It is advisable to be prepared" [5].
Maintaining these kits involves regular checks to ensure food and medicine have not expired. Experts suggest storing the kits in an accessible location near exits to allow for a quick departure from a building during an evacuation.
“"The water and the foods are essential to survive almost three days after an earthquake"”
The emphasis on a 72-hour window reflects a global standard in disaster management, acknowledging that infrastructure collapse and overwhelmed emergency services often delay government aid for several days. By standardizing the 'three-day kit,' authorities aim to reduce the immediate casualty rate and lower the burden on first responders during the most chaotic phase of a disaster.
