Maintenance & Drills
Overview
Preparedness is a habit. Short, regular checks keep kits current and skills sharp. Drills turn plans into muscle memory and reveal gaps.
Kit Checks (Monthly/Quarterly)
Calendar recurring checks; tie to seasons.
- Batteries: Replace/charge/rotate; test lights and radios.
- Expirations: Medications, water treatment, food, fire starters.
- Wear/fit: Clothing, boots, gloves sized and intact.
- Documents: Update contact lists and copies.
Seasonal Refresh
Swap insulation, sun/bug protection, vehicle fluids (washer), and hazards (chains vs heat kit).
Scenario Practice
Run bite‑size drills: blackout evening, smoke SIP, fire egress, get‑home walk, water boil and filter, first aid scenarios. Time them; take notes.
Skill Trees
List core skills with next steps (e.g., CPR → Stop the Bleed → Wilderness First Aid). Track progress.
Training Logs
Simple log with date, skill, what went well, what to change, gear notes.
After-Action Reviews
Immediately after drills/events: what happened, what went well, what to improve, who owns fixes, by when.
☑️ Checklist — Monthly 30‑Minute Sprint
- Test lights, radios, and battery banks
- Check go‑bags (food/water/meds/clothes)
- Update docs; review PACE cards
- Drill one micro‑scenario (e.g., fire egress)
Examples
- Home blackout drill: Kill main breaker for 30 minutes; light plan works? Fridge temps? Comms? Notes for improvement.
- Get‑home drill: Walk 5 km route with GHB; adjust weight; note time and water.
Key Takeaways
- Small, regular checks prevent quiet kit failures.
- Drills reveal gaps; capture fixes with owners and dates.
- Tie maintenance to seasons and calendars so it actually happens.
Scenario
🧭 Scenario (30‑minute blackout drill): You flip the main breaker at 20:00.
🔍 Decisions: Light plan; fridge times; comms; AAR notes.
✅ Outcome: You discover two dead batteries, fix placements, and add a fridge thermometer; notes assigned to owners with dates.
🧠 Lessons: Small drills reveal cheap fixes
🏋️ Drill: Put a monthly 30‑minute sprint on the calendar.