Device Management

Overview

Treat power like water—allocate by priority, cut waste, and schedule use. Disable radios you don’t need; download content for offline use.

Burn-Down Priorities

List devices by mission impact.

• 1: Life safety/comm (phone, radio, PLB) — keep charged
• 2: Navigation/light — scheduled checks; low modes
• 3: Comfort/info (entertainment) — last priority

Airplane Mode

Disable cell/Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth if not needed; enable GPS only for offline maps; set check intervals.

Dark Theme/Night Discipline

Dark themes and low brightness preserve night vision and extend battery life. Use screen filters at night.

Power Math in Plain Terms

• mAh vs Wh: Power banks labeled in mAh assume 3.7 V cells. Usable Wh ≈ (mAh × 3.7) ÷ 1000, minus conversion losses (~10–20%).
• Example: A “10,000 mAh” bank ≈ 37 Wh; at 5 V out with losses, ~30–33 Wh usable → about one full modern phone charge plus some.

Cables & Chargers Matter

• Short, quality cables reduce losses and flaky connections; label by device type.
• USB‑C PD vs older USB: A PD charger/bank negotiates higher voltages for faster/efficient charge when both sides support it.
• Standardize connectors in your kit where possible; carry one spare.

Duty Roster for Families/Teams

Designate one device “always‑on” for alerts and emergency calls; others stay off and wake on a schedule (e.g., at the top of the hour).

• Rotate the always‑on role to spread battery use.
• Log check‑in times on paper to avoid waking extra screens.

Charging Windows

Anchor charging to natural windows: midday solar, generator intervals, or when the vehicle is already running. Don’t idle solely to charge if avoidable.

☑️ Checklist — Device Plan

• Offline maps/files done; notifications off
• Power bank at known percent; cables tested
• Check intervals set (e.g., nav every 30 minutes)
• Brightness down; dark themes enabled
• One device “always‑on” designated; rotation noted

Examples

• Camp: Phones in airplane mode; GPS checks on the hour; headlamps red in camp.
• Evac: Family devices prioritized; one device left on for incoming alerts; others off.

Narrative — Two Phones, One Plan Your phone stayed off in a jacket pocket next to the warm power bank. Your partner’s phone was the “always‑on” alert device. At the top of each hour you powered up, synced messages, sent a quick WHO/WHERE/WHEN/WHAT/INTENT update, marked the time on a sticky note, and went dark again. The bank stayed above one bar because you charged during the sunny window at lunch.

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Key Takeaways

• Prioritize life safety devices; duty‑cycle others.
• Airplane mode + offline data saves power.
• Dark themes + low brightness preserve vision and battery.

Scenario

🧭 Scenario (Family power ladder): Outage for two days.
🔍 Decisions: Which device stays on; who carries the bank; check cadence.
✅ Outcome: One phone stays on for alerts, others cycle off; banks rotate; check‑ins hourly then 6‑hourly overnight.
🧠 Lessons: Prioritize life‑safety devices; schedule the rest
🏋️ Drill: Make a “device priority” sticky for the fridge.