Practicing your bug-out and survival processes throughout the year is critical to honing your skills for when you have to use them.

Here are some suggestions for each month of the new year that will help you reduce those “surprises” that inevitably pop up during the stress of a survival situation.

January

New Year’s Resolution – Lose Weight (optimization)

Spend a bit of time this month looking over your EDC (everyday carry) and try to lighten the load.

February

Lights Out! – Isn’t the candle light romantic! (practice/mental fortitude)

Ever had to spend the night with no lights? Practice in this situation will make things much easier for you of the time ever does arise that you can’t just turn on the light. This also includes any devices that give off light.

March

Why weight to get in shape? (health)

Start a basic exercise routine. Seven minutes a day of varied static exercise or high intensity sprints will get you on the right path to getting SHTF fit. By starting this style of exercise routine bugging out with your BOB, heavily physical work will be less physically and mentally taxing.

April

A bit of spring cleaning (optimization)

Now is the perfect time to start going through your preps, food stores and kit bags. Why not take the time this month re evaluating what you have stocked, what you need, don’t need, and may be light or heavy on.

May

Hoof It (practice/health)

Grab your Bug Out Bag and get walking. Aim for one mile a day, seven a week. Keep track of how you feel after each walk and the time it took you. Try upping the distance to increase difficulty.

June

Eating straight from the bag (practice/mental fortitude)

Do you have two to three days of food in your bug out bag? Does it last? Is it easy to cook? Have you ever tried it? Keep note of how much you eat, how you felt each day and use this information to better evaluate your preps for the future.

July

Lets give your BOB that summer body (optimization)

Cut 1 kilo or more from your BOB. It is as simple as that. Cutting the fat will make movement easier and really make you think about what you truly need and what you don’t.

August

Set up the tent and enjoy the summer! (practice/mental fortitude)

Just like July, it really is that simple. Keeping your basic camping, fire craft and bush craft skills sharp is vitally important in survival.

September

What knot to learn and what not to learn (practice)

Take the time this month to learn a new knot. Some useful knots are listed below:

• Clove Hitch

• Double Fisherman’s Knot

• Climber’s Coil

• Double Figure Eight

October

Shit just hit the fan! – What could be scarier on Halloween? (practice/mental fortitude)

Why not run a full SHTF survival drill this October. This kind of practice in as realistic conditions as possible can really open your eyes to what you will be in for if SHTF.

November

Squirrel away those food stores for winter. (practice/optimization)

This November take the time to top up your food stores and keep a food journal. Spend a week on and a week off collecting the data to find out if you your stores really would see you through the a long cold winter.

December

Deck the halls and bar the doors! (practice)

Christmas is a great time for people to get together, exchange gifts and ideas and generally improve the lives of others. However, it is also a time when people are often burgled and have their homes invaded. Keep your December merry by taking the time to secure your home.

During a survival situation, it is inevitable that you will encounter events or circumstances that surprise you.

By practicing frequently, you can reduce those or at least prepare yourself in how to respond to them.

For more information on survival preparation and practice, please visit The Prepper Journal.