Gear – care and maintenance

• After prolonged use, or annually, stoves should be dismantled and cleaned and any worn parts replaced.
• All gear should always be cleaned and dried before storage.
• All gear should be checked regularly and repaired as necessary.
• Any steel items should be oiled and packed carefully.
• Any taped seams on tents or clothing should be checked and refreshed all the way along the seam. Tents seams are put under strain in high winds or when the dry after rain. The whole seam should be refreshed to avoid any leaks.
• Batteries should be removed from torches and radios before prolonged storage.
• Boot soles should be checked for wear and either resoled or a new pair bought.
• Cordage should be checked for wear and length and replaced as necessary.
• Ground sheets should be checked for tears or hole and repaired.
• Kip mats should be checked for tears or holes and repaired.
• Kit should be packed in boxes or rucksacks and stored in dry, dark conditions.
• Leather should be oiled or waxed as necessary.
• Paraffin and petrol lamps should be dismantled, cleaned and worn parts replaced at least annually, or after prolonged use.
• Proofing should be refreshed annually.
• Sharps should be cleaned, sharpened and oiled as necessary.
• Sleeping bags should be checked for any necessary repairs and washed and aired before and after use, according to manufacturers instructions.
• Stocks of tinder etc contained in your fire kit should be checked and replenished as necessary.
• Sun screens and insect repellents should be renewed annually, or at least checked for ‘BBE’ dates.
• Tent poles should be checked for signs of fatigue or splitting and replaced.
• Water purification supplies should be replaced as necessary.
• Wooden handles should be waxed or oiled with very light oil to keep them from drying and shrinking or cracking.
• Zips should be checked and replaced as necessary.