Ops Challenge: Blackout Night – GoBag or Stay Home™ Without Power

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Survival Frog — Emergency Gear

Lights out. No cheats. This drill turns “we’ll be fine” into proof. Run it for one evening, then for a full night. You’ll find gaps fast—lighting, food, comms, security—and fix them before the real storm shows up.

Key Takeaways

  • Practice reveals truth: A one-hour “fun drill” hides failures; a whole evening exposes them.
  • Hands-free light wins: Stage headlamps at beds, kitchen, and breaker panel before you start.
  • Record data: Track fridge/freezer temps, battery use, and comms—then adjust the kit.

Main Points

Objective: Live normally from dusk to bed without grid power. Cook, clean, prep for tomorrow, manage security, and communicate—using only staged gear.

Rules of the Drill

  • No mains power: Flip breakers or tape switches. Fridge & freezer stay closed except on scheduled checks.
  • No “cheat lights”: Only headlamps, lanterns, or candles (if you actually plan to use them). Prefer headlamps.
  • Phone discipline: Airplane mode except scheduled comms checks. Use AM/FM/NOAA radio for news.
  • Kitchen discipline: Use your outage cook plan (camp stove or no-cook). Track fuel used.
  • Safety first: Combustion devices outside or in safe, ventilated areas only.

Timeline (Example)

  • T-00:15 — Stage headlamps, lanterns, batteries. Put the door kit (wedges, tape, glow tags) by the entry. Set a dry-erase or paper status board with columns: time, fridge °F, freezer °F, fuel, notes.
  • T-00:00 (Dusk) — Kill power. One headlamp per person on low. Set exterior light discipline (curtains/tape to reduce window glow).
  • T+00:30 — Comms check: NOAA/AM/FM scan; one text to family group with status and next update time. Return to airplane mode.
  • T+01:00 — Cook a simple meal on your outage plan. Time boil-to-serve, log fuel used, assess cleanup water and trash.
  • T+02:00 — Security pass: wedges for ventilation if hot; doors locked; exterior walk with low light; note light leaks visible outside.
  • T+03:00 — Hygiene with minimal water. Prep tomorrow’s breakfast (no-cook if possible). Stage clothes and keys for morning.
  • Bedtime — Assign one headlamp to each bedside, one to the panel. Log final fridge/freezer temps.

What to Measure

  • Lighting: Battery burn rate, comfort of beam patterns, number of lamps needed per room.
  • Food: No-cook options vs. fuel usage; cleanup water cost; morale foods impact.
  • Comms: Radio reception quality, backup power needs, family response times.
  • Security: Door/window light leaks, noise discipline, pet control, exterior hazards.
  • Fridge/Freezer: Temps every 3–4 hours; door opens limited to checks only.

Grid Doctor — Grid-Down Home Readiness

Pro Tips

  • Light zoning: One lantern per room on low, task with headlamp; tape shades to block window glow.
  • Fuel math: Sharpy marks on the stove case for boils per canister. Plan resupply thresholds.
  • Quiet storage: Move crinkly packages into gasketed bins—less noise, fewer pests.
  • Kids & pets: Glow tags on doorknobs and animal harnesses; reduce trip hazards before dark.
  • Morning after: Write a short AAR: what failed, what worked, what to buy, what to train.

Related Links

5 Overlooked Items That Save the Day in a Blackout • Shelter-in-Place Supply Checklist • Evacuation Planner – Move Fast, Move Smart

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