One way to judge your preparedness for a given situation is to evaluate your skills and preps in the context of a given scenario. A scenario is essentially a "what if" question, and you provide the answers. Scenarios are divisible into two basic types: simulations where you act as if the scenario were reality, and tabletops where you run through the scenario mentally, verbally with a partner or group, or on paper.
There are also short-term skill tests that I will refer to as "games".
These are amusing for adults, and may also train children while keeping them busy. :-)
In group scenarios it works best if one person owns the scenario, makes the rules, and settles disputes. Perhaps we should call this person the "scenario master" (SM) in homage to the "dungeon master" (DM) in role playing games.
Active simulations
Simulations are excellent tools for aligning your perception of your readiness with the reality of your readiness.
"Oops, I must have taken the hatchet out of my go bag." "Crap, this lantern is not fueled and I don't have any more." :-)
Simulations work best when you want to model likely, significant scenarios. For example: tornado on your street in Kansas, flooding in Mississippi delta, etc.
live with no water other than preps for X days
live with no food other than preps for X days
live with no electricity or fuel other than preps for X days
live with no automobile for X days
the Food Storage Made Easy scenarios:
day 1 (natural disaster: flood),
day 2 (pandemic: quarantine),
day 3 (everday disaster: unexpected dinner guests. Hey, they're grrrls.)
day 4 (economic crisis),
day 5 (natural disaster: earthquake),
day 6 (healthy lifestyle) ,
day 7 (everyday emergency: you need what?).
60-second escape Not a planned bug-out; get out the door and be mobile in 60 seconds. AKA "Escape Plan Alpha: This is not an evacuation. This is an escape.".
An unplanned bug-out; get out the door and be mobile in 60 minutes.
12-hour escape a planned bug-out; get out the door and be mobile in 12 hrs.
etc
tabletop scenarios
Tabletops are where the imagination really runs wild. Works well in group discussion around the table. The scenario can be as wild or improbable as you want.
strong flash of light out that window {point to the window}.
media report of invasion of CONUS by {fill in the blank}. Troops are in your region/state/city/neighborhood/street. Paratroops? Foot soldiers? Armored cav? Artillery?
State of Emergency declared in your country/state/city. National Guard, curfew, checkpoints, hooligans.
Flu pandemic and everyone is quarantined-in-place for 14 days.
Trucker strike and grocery stores are not restocked for 14 days.
Gasoline shortage and no gas is available for X days or weeks.
Economic catastrophe and no credit cards, debit cards, or ATMs work.
Telecommunications failure. Cell and/or landlines fail for X days.
etc
games
Games are very short in duration and usually rely on surprise. Like Cato jumping on the Pink Panther, these games teach us to be aware and prepared at all times.
What can you use that for? Pick out an object in the environment or spotted on the side of the road. In an emergency scenario what could you use it for or make with it? Each player gives a unique answer.
Close your eyes. Frequently played in restaurants or other public places while waiting, the object of this game is to remember as much detail as possible about the place. Which direction is the door? The restrooms? How many people are in the room? What is each person at the table wearing? What is the name of the waitress?, etc.
the mousepad
