I hope it goes without saying any and all gear should be USED periodically to insure familiarity and functionality. The Coast Guard lost two ships; a 180' buoy slinger and an river tender in the early 1980s. Both were involved in inland or harbour collisions. One capsized with loss of crew. Many were found with OBAs ( oxygen breathing apparatus ) partially donned. Only one was properly worn, and it's victim shoved the cannister in wrong.I forget how many training sessions I went to and watched others moan and complain, or even quietly slip out when a film was started.