The Rule of Threes states several survival timelines for humans. Humans can survive three weeks without food. They can survive three days without water. They can survive three minutes without oxygen.

In an emergency evacuation, hopefully oxygen won’t be an issue. Finding a way to shelter should be a planned-for event using a designated emergency route. Three weeks is a long time to go without food. Even in the worst of emergencies, food should be available long before those three weeks go by.

The most likely issue that arises in an emergency situation is a lack of water, at least clean, drinkable water. Planning for this possibility is essential.

Portable water comes in many forms – bottled, packets, jugs – and though it’s quite heavy, weighing in at 8.34 lbs per US gallon, it’s easy to stock. It is important to have enough water in your bag. It is also a good idea to have a way to sanitize water. A bottle with a wide mouth is essential. It should have measurement lines to measure out the water for purification tabs. A tight cap ensures you can effectively deal with sanitization.

Water is life. Having enough, potable water available in an emergency situation can be life saving.