Trying to figure out all the gear and supplies you need for an emergency can be overwhelming, to say the least. Part of the reason it becomes such a hassle is that many variations of the same type of item are constantly being added to supplies. 

There is nothing wrong with having several of the same types of items. In fact, it is often encouraged as extra items act as backups or if you have multiple members in your group. But this can be frustrating down the road if you have to use a different piece of gear, repair an item, or deal with replacement parts. 

Why Standardize?

Here is a personal example to better illustrate what I am talking about. 

I recently bought a new flashlight that runs on a rechargeable battery. Thus far, I really like the light and it has held up well. After a while, I started to look for other lights that were brighter, but they used different batteries.

At one point, I had a lot of different flashlights and each took a different battery. This was annoying because I had to keep a variety of batteries stocked to power all the different lights I had. Sometimes this is difficult to do because some batteries are more expensive than others and are not as readily available at most stores. 

Rather than having multiple different flashlights, each taking a different battery, it makes more sense to find a quality flashlight. and purchase several lights that are the same model. By doing this, you only have to keep one type of battery stocked instead of several different kinds.

Replacement Parts 

Another reason to standardize gear is that it makes stockpiling replacement parts and replacing those parts much easier. This is because you only have to worry about purchasing parts for one specific model. It also allows you to swap parts from one item to another without having to worry about compatibility.

Imagine that you have four different models of one type of gear. To keep these items working, you will need four different kinds of replacement parts; four different types of tools to work on the item; and four different manuals that show how to service the item. 

Now, expand this idea across all the gear you have and you can see how much more difficult things become. 

Ease of Swapping Gear

Standardizing gear also makes swapping gear between members of your group easier. If one person’s tool were to break and they needed it more than another member, they could pick it up and instantly know how to operate it, repair it, take care of it, and it would be safer to use because they are already comfortable using it. 

Conclusion

Standardizing gear for a group of people is not going to make everyone happy because everyone has different preferences. However, it will make life easier by limiting the variety of batteries and replacement parts you need, as well as making the process of repairs easier and quicker. 

Thanks for reading and stay prepared.

Let us know what you think about standardizing your gear by leaving a comment below. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bryan grew up in the Midwest and spent every waking moment outdoors. Learning how to hunt, fish, read the land, and be self-reliant was part of everyday life. Eventually, he combined his passions for the outdoors, emergency preparedness, and writing. Bryan is a published author with Fox Chapel Publishing. In 2019, Bryan authored the book, Swiss Army Knife Camping and Outdoor Survival Guide. In March 2021, he released his second book, Paracord Projects For Camping and Outdoor Survival.