[Seneca]

I know we are all very busy...I know I am...so a whole day to myself is a rarity...

If I had a whle day to devote to practice I would do something simple, like brush up on my bushcrafting skills or a day hike with the BOB.

What would you do for one day to test or challenge your preps, skills or gear.

 

[rickkyw1720pf]

I would turn the main breaker and water to the house off. If anyone has tried this they would quickly ditch the flashlight for a head lamp.

I say this because on so many sites they talk about flashlights and lanterns but to me a modern head lamp just about makes both obsolete. I turned the power off and after awhile using just a head lamp for light I found myself trying to turn the lights off in the rooms as I walked out. Try doing the dishes with a flashlight.

 

[PrepConsultant]

Remember. Perfect practice makes perfect!!

 

[Ripon]

I took my bug out bag on a hike through golden gate park in San Francisco. Its very good practice, complete with zombies and everything!

 

[PrepConsultant]

There ARE some scary people in San Francisco.. Some are pretty close to zombies too..lol

 

[1skrewsloose]

Just as a side note, my house has the old gate valve water shut off. Corrosion can prevent them from closing properly. Good idea to excercise them at least once a year. Same with electrical, springs on breakers seize, etc. Having creature comforts is important, but should be able to safely turn them off. jmho At work we do this on an annual basis.

 

[Piratesailor]

I shutting off the electric and water for one day is good. Since I prep for risk, likelihood and impact my biggest concern is a hurricane. In that case we'd have water but no electric. Pretending the house is damaged and not livable, we'd set up our camp on the property.

 

[Goose]

I'd probably just hike down to a river a little ways from my house, set up camp, and then see how much I could accomplish in a day to survive using just what I have in my bag

 

[roy]

I would turn the main breaker and water to the house off. If anyone has tried this they would quickly ditch the flashlight for a head lamp.

I say this because on so many sites they talk about flashlights and lanterns but to me a modern head lamp just about makes both obsolete. I turned the power off and after awhile using just a head lamp for light I found myself trying to turn the lights off in the rooms as I walked out. Try doing the dishes with a flashlight.

Yep, what backbacker have discovered. Add to this that a real bright headlamp is not necessary for most tasks. I use a Petzl e-lite that will run off of a couple of button batteries for a few months. It is also cheap, waterproof and has a red led as well. I used this little light as my only light source for more than 5 months.

 

[5Runner]

Day pack survival night in the Rockies. Pack only what you would for a day hike, then stay the whole night. No cheating (bringing something you wouldn't normally for a day hike).

I did this once back in my twenties, and it was an eye-opening and very uncomfortable experience. Smarter now in my thirties...but I'm also not as invincible as previously thought.

I want to do this again now, and then again with my kids as they get older.

 

[PaulS]

On a typical day hike I take enough food for three meals for three days, a first-aid kit, change of clothes, extra socks, a quart of water, my sleeping bag, a tarp for shelter, rope, paracord, cooking utensils, fishing rod, knife, axe, shovel, and my 357 is always under my shoulder. In wilderness areas you have to pack out everything.

I learned very early on that you always carry three extra days of food and a change of clothes and extra socks. I added the rest as I learned that sometimes accidents happen.

Even when a buddy and I went up into the mountains (14 mile hike in) for a week and discovered no one brought the food we ate like kings. Between what I had in my pack and the bounty around us everything turned out just fine. The first night was a little skinny but after that we made up for it.

 

[Seneca]

I've thought about setting up a bushcrafting area in the backyard. put in a fire ring and develop an area to practice. I already have a decent backyard bow range so maybe somewhere off to the side of it. Just have to get the ok from the missus. When I ask that question timing will be crucial. I can just see her explaining to her friends that occasionally her husband goes native and when he does that's where he goes to scratch in the dirt, make fires and odd things from sticks and strings.

 

[AvengersAssembled]

I got some unintentional practice living without power last week when severe storms hit my area. It took only 4 hours to regain power, but it was dark out. You'd be surprised how many people (neighbors) don't stock even a basic flashlight and batteries, people were going door to door asking to borrow anything. As for a whole day off, great practice to assess your supplies and skills.

 

[Seneca]

I took the crash course in evacuation...crash course as in pack you stuff you've got an hour to evacuate. A range fire was headed our direction and they didn't think they could contain it. It's one thing to practice for disaster and a whole other thing to be caught up in one.