6.1 Wildlife activities equipment maintenance

Wildlife activities equipment maintenance is the routine care of binoculars, cameras, radios, GPS units, tents, safety gear and other items used on wildlife tours, so that they stay in good working condition, last longer and are safe to use. Equipment used outdoors faces dust, rain, heat, sand and rough handling, so it needs regular cleaning, checking and servicing. Example: at a camp in the Masai Mara, the guides clean all binoculars and charge every radio and GPS unit each evening so they are ready for the dawn game drive.

Types of maintenance

• Preventive maintenance: Regular cleaning, inspection and servicing to prevent faults.
• Corrective maintenance: Repairing faults when they occur.
• Scheduled maintenance: Servicing at set intervals, such as annual servicing of fire extinguishers.

Maintenance of common equipment

• Binoculars and scopes: Blow off dust, clean lenses with a lens cloth and fluid, keep in a case with caps on.
• Cameras: Clean lenses and sensors, recharge batteries, protect from dust with bags.
• Radios, GPS and phones: Charge fully, check aerials and keep dry.
• Tents and camping gear: Dry before packing, repair tears, clean zips and poles.
• Safety equipment: Restock first aid kits, check expiry dates and service fire extinguishers.
• Life jackets and harnesses: Rinse, dry in shade and inspect for wear.
• Vehicles and bicycles: Check tyres, brakes and lubrication.

Maintenance procedure

1. Inspect: Check each item after every use.
2. Clean: Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
3. Power: Recharge or replace batteries.
4. Lubricate: Oil zips, hinges and moving parts where required.
5. Test: Confirm the item works correctly.
6. Record: Enter the work done in the maintenance log.
7. Report: Tag faulty items and report them for repair.