I practice regularly with (ie. use) my gear & rotate supplies routinely. Got a fancy fire starter flint and steel? Have you ever tried to use it? Ever fished with that gear? Ever sharpened a knife with the stone? Ever cooked in that pan? Set up that tent in the dark, in a wind? Ever actually dug with that folding shovel? Ever prepared a meal with that big honking ridiculous Rambo survival knife? (ha, now go get a normal sized one before you hurt yourself!) Ever prepared kindling with that hatchet? Do you now have work gloves in your survival kit - 'cause you're going to be using your hands a lot more and getting blisters... etc. etc.
Amen to all of those.
And do all of the above without electricity or electrical light of any kind (candles and lamps OK)
I’ll offer #8.
8. WALK any distance carrying your stuff. and #9
9. Use hand tools for an hour
and geesh ... if you plan to bug out, ...
10. have you EVER packed you vehicle(s) with you stuff?
so when were you going to find out you had three vehicles’ worth of stuff to fit in 1?
and on and on. prepping is NOT just stockpiling.
Just went camping. each trip we are dropping another essential.
lessons learned. bring slingshots to deter racoons. lol
bring scissors. you never have enough firewood.
we set up all tents ahead of time and discovered lots of missing pieces.
a hammer and axe are your best friend.
cant wait til the next trip. this time no can opener (military only).
next time no lighter fluid or matches.