10 Practical Tips For Surviving 72 Hours Without Power: Living Without Electricity

What if one day, something happens and you wake up, and there's no power? A life off the grid, or with no electricity – could you survive living without electricity?

While most people can handle a few hours without power, how do you survive three days straight without electricity? You have no electricity, and that usually means no heat for your home, no pumping of water to the faucet, no way to power your devices, and at night you had better hope you have some candles!. Lack of electricity can lead to an uncomfortable and anxiety-causing  situation for many. But don't fret, folks. Some people choose to live without electricity, and they are happy with their lifestyle.

No matter how you end up having to survive three days without power, living without electricity doesn't necessarily have to mean living primitive! Here are ten easy practical tips for surviving 72 hours without electricity. Start preparing NOW, so you aren't caught off-guard later:

1. Stash Enough Food and Drinks

To survive three days without electricity, you need to stash the right kind of food and drink. Above all, the food or drink you put away should be nutritional and easy to prepare. This will enable you to prepare the food comfortably, no matter the situation. Some good suggestions are:

– Dried food and nuts

– Canned food or any other ready to eat food. (Leave a  can opener (or two, next to your cans)

– Meals-Ready-to-Eat (MRE’s) -freeze dried only requiring heat or some water

– Ready to make oats and soups

– Breakfast bars or granola

Unless you have a portable generator to keep your refrigerator running, avoid food that can go bad.

When purchasing your food and beverage supplies, ensure you check the expiry dates and opt for those that will last the longest. Make routine checks to rotate the supplies if need be.

For the beverages part, water is most important—pack lots of water and instant hot coffee, tea, or cocoa. Consider packing things that can lift your spirits. Since everyone has their preferences, consider what every individual finds comforting.

2. Have A First Aid Kit Nearby

You may not know this, but the number one cause of injuries on camping trips is cutting your fingers while cutting veggies and cheese! Equipping yourself with a first aid kit can help you be at ease and help you administer safety precautions in case of an accident. The first aid kit should have essentials like bandages and band-aids, antiseptic cream, tweezers, sterile gloves, and clotting spray or liquid. Someone might get an injury, and with there being no power, calling for medical assistance could be challenging.

3. Jot Down Important Information

You would want to preserve your phone's power during a power blackout since it's your only lifeline. Write down important information like phone numbers or addresses of places you might get help from since you can't depend on your phone forever.

4. Invest In A Portable Power Bank

Having a portable power bank could prove beneficial in surviving three days without power because you might need to charge your phone or other mobile devices. Power banks may come in handy if your phone's battery dies and you need to communicate.

5. Invest In A Portable Generator … Now!

A portable generator can be an excellent option for back-up power in the event of a power outage or when you have to stay without electricity for three days. A top rated portable generator can easily take you through 3 days of no power while providing back-up power for all your electricity needs. 

Here is how a portable generator can help you survive 72 hours without power. 

– Reliable back-up power

First and foremost, portable generators are excellent for providing back-up power when you need it most. Whether you are out camping or experiencing a power outage, you can rely on a portable generator for all your power needs. However, you should know if your portable generator can provide power for all your appliances since each appliance has a different wattage.

A larger generator will be dwon-right essential if your home has a furnace with electronic starter, or you water comes from a well on your property and needs an electric pump! BUt for most people, a portable unit will suffice for this short period.

– Portability

Another good reason you should invest in a portable generator is because of their portability. You might need a back-up source of power when you go out for camping since there is no electricity in the woods. A portable generator will sort all your power issues wherever you might need a back-up electricity supply. The flexibility of a portable generator is one feature that contributes to its usability.

A portable generator allows you to connect multiple devices and appliances via several outlets. This ensures you can connect anything device or appliance you might need to use during the 72 hours without electricity.

– Recreational Benefits

The usability of portable generators makes them suitable for outdoor activities. When you are camping with family, friends, or partner, a camping friendly portable generator can help you power your mini-fridge or provide lighting to create a magical night. If you have a recreational vehicle, you can enjoy the same comforts you do at home wherever you are by investing in a portable generator.

Imagine being out on a long road trip or camping trip without communicating with loved ones or receiving work emails. In an era where the world is obsessed with technology, having a portable generator will allow you to enjoy yourself and ease your mind. It allows you to charge your computer or other mobile devices to stay connected. Or, if you and your loved ones feel like watching a movie in your camping tent, a portable generator can come in handy.

Portable generators provide convenience and comfort by supplying back-up power to help you survive without electricity. You should consider investing in a portable generator sooner rather than later. Below are examples of portable generators that can help you endure 72 hours without electricity:

-> DuroStar DS4000S Portable Generator – This is a lightweight, portable generator that is camping and RV ready.

-> WEN 56200i 2000-Watt Portable Inverter Generator w/Fuel Shut Off – This generator's most appealing feature is its ability to use the remaining fuel in the carburetor. It's also very economical since it uses very little fuel. This feature is what makes the WEN 56203i an excellent option if you were to survive without power.

-> Champion 3800-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator – This generator's selling point is its ability to use both propane and gas. Its dual-fuel ability makes it very appealing because it enables continued power supply even when one fuel type runs out.

6. Keep Small Emergency Equipment Around

To survive without electricity for three days, you will need to have your small emergency equipment on hand. Among the things you should consider including in your list of emergency equipment includes:

– A lighter or matches

– A flashlight and spare batteries (put a reminder in your phone’s calander to check the batteries once a year – as they can lose their charge overtime.

– Several Candles

– A whistle (one that can be heard even over the worst storm)

One thing that you can't afford to include in this list is an alternative source of light. A flashlight and lots of candles are essential and will come in handy, especially at night.

7. Stash Personal Care Items

Having no power shouldn't be a reason for you to ignore basic hygiene. While it doesn't necessarily have to be the first thing on your mind, it's important to stay clean and comfortable even when you don't have power. With no power to run your washing machine or water heater, you won't be able to do your laundry or take a bath. Make sure you have enough clean socks and underwear to take you through the whole period.

8. Keep Warm

You should consider how you can keep yourself and your loved ones warm without electricity for 72 hours. Blankets and warm clothes are great choices but may not suffice. If you own a fireplace, ensure you have enough firewood to last you through 72 hours without power.

Without electricity, you will have no power to run your HVAC system or your boiler. Keeping warm may become challenging. Having a portable generator could be beneficial at this point since it can provide back-up power to run your core electrical appliances like your HVAC system and boiler.

9. Keep Things Light & Lively

Having no power means that you can't do most of the things that keep you entertained. It can get very boring, pretty fast. However, that doesn't mean you should bore yourself to death. You can still have fun even without electricity. Engaging in any form of entertainment will not only keep you calm but also offer some distraction.

Try participating in a game or read a book to help pass the time and take your mind off your current situation. Board games like monopoly, chess, and checkers are a fun way to pass the time. This period can also be an excellent opportunity to learn how to play. You can also try playing a musical instrument like a guitar. This may be an excellent time to get some practice hours.

A portable generator can play a big part in your entertainment since it can power or charge the devices you use for entertainment.

10. Check On Your Neighbors

It's always nice to keep the community spirit alive. Communicate with your neighbors (even in campsites) to see if they are doing okay. If you have a portable generator and your neighbor doesn't have one, ask you could offer help and vice versa.

Living Without Electricity: Conclusion

When you have to survive for 72 hours without power, whether it's due to a power outage or because you are out on a camping trip, the best thing you can do is relax and try to make the most out of your situation. In such a scenario, being prepared and having a portable generator could have numerous advantages. Hopefully, after reading all these tips, surviving a few days without electricity won't seem so scary and daunting anymore. Do you think you can survive three days straight without electricity? What do you think would be a must-have for you to survive 72 hours without electricity? Tell us in the comments section below.