My preparedness plans include standard life cycle maintenance of my bug out gear. Each month we do prepper day.  This is typically a Saturday where we will charge up chargeable batteries, rotate bottled water, and similar activities.  Once a quarter we have prepper weekend. We try and coordinate prepper weekend with a family camping trip so as to test gear, replace stored water, and inventory all of our equipment.  However, twice a year around daylight savings time we prep for the coming winter or summer.  It is particularly important to winterize the bug out gear in fall with adequate equipment. Since we live in Florida we can get away with waiting on this task until November. If you live in a part of the country where the weather changes much earlier, then obviously this task needs to happen sooner in the season.

Winterizing the bug out gear essentially means replacing key items with more climate appropriate equipment.This sounds like obvious advice but it is amazing how many people pack their gear, place it in the car, and then forget about it. This is particularly true for those who live in warmer climates and they do not experience harsh winters.  However, even a short term cold snap can kill you if you are exposed to the elements over night. Therefore, we need to plan at least twice a year to swap out climate appropriate gear. For example, the light rain jacket you normally carry will need to be swapped  out for a heavier winter coat.  Perhaps a knit stocking cap is included instead of the traditional ball cap.  A good pair of winter gloves is essential and maybe a heavier wool or fleece shirt.  Heavier warm socks, winter boots, and other key items are needed for your winter bug out bag.  If you live in the great white north you might consider a pair of snow shoes.  For my kit I typically use a gortex bivy sack as a sleeping bag in the summer but winter requires a full sleeping bag such as the Wigglies brand.  In winter time bottled water will freeze so we typically store water in GI issue canteens and leave plenty of room in the canteen for expansion due to water freezing.  Food that normally cannot be kept in your vehicle in summer can be stored in winter.  We will throw a few MREs in the car during winter months as extra food is always important for maintaining core body temperature.  Shelter is also very important in cold weather.  In summer months a hammock and rain fly is all we carry.  Depending on where you live or travel you might want to carry a two person tent or extra mylar survival blankets to make a survival shelter.  Hand and feet warmers are also a nice luxury item for hiking.

Instead of one end all-be all kit we customize multiple kits for the particular activity planned.  Additionally, we pack our preparedness bags based on a time frame contingency plan.  For example, if the planned activity is hiking or hunting, then the goal is to provide enough gear for a 24 hour stay with the intention of getting back to the vehicle.  Once back at the car we have 72 hours of supplies stored inside with a full change of clothing and all other relevant equipment.  Specialized gear can be added or subtracted to the bag based on the particular activity.

Perhaps you keep a bug out bag in your vehicle and store all of the winter items year round.  However, if space is more limited in your vehicle then at least a twice annual review of your gear to make sure it is climate appropriate is in order.

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