Survival skills, do you have some?

After watching the last few major storms to hit the Philippines and the US last year (several major ones here) Do you do anything to prepare or know what to do in a situation of such destruction?

I Don't view myself as a dooms-dayer (although, I probably am, seeing such an utter lack of responsibility in people in general and in our government) I do try to be as self sufficient as I can be. Knowing how to butcher, grow, gather, (I will hunt if I have to, I am sure) preserve, etc. do you do anything in particular to prepare for the "just in case" day?

 

Yes I do! I actually come from a technical background, so that is where I excel the most. Therefore even when the sky is falling (so to speak) I at least will still have clean drinking water, electricity (with some form of communication) aside from a few creature comforts too like refrigeration. And some food storage also. However, most of time, my main worry is not getting through a calamity - But keeping other people from stealing my resources from me at such a time. Which is why being armed to the teeth is a must for everyone who is interested in survival.

And yes, a seed bank of vegetable too is a must have for long term endurance.

Governments and elected representatives of today no longer care about the population (the very people who elected them in office). They only have one single priority, which is to make sure that no panic spreads during or after a disaster. So they only focus on keeping everyone calm (and not much else). Which is why even if a few people die due to lack of resources, they simply label it as an "acceptable loss".

Basically, they just wish to tend to us like a sheepherder controls his herd of sheep. This is why those in authority now secretly wish to completely devaponize the population in the years to come also. Just so they can have tame herd (that will not complain even when ordered to head straight for the slater)...

 

S-H, I kind of figured you would...Your you tube videos and other tidbit information shows how much you invest in the thought and practice of it.

I worry about protecting what we have too, in the case of such a calamity, but I figure when if it ever happens I at least can forage, whereas many other people wouldn't have a clue.

 

Well Carolyn, it's all about the basic right to live, with some dignity, (as well as to protect your near and dear ones). So I simply will not compromise on that, no matter what. It's really as simple as that.

As for people not having a clue in a challenging situation, well, I can say that they have their own fate (as I can't save everyone even if I tried)... But this really is sad is that today nearly everyone can survive with just a little bit of trained and organized common sense. Information too (that wasn't available so easily in the past), is now available by just a few clicks of the mouse.

Yet instead of spending just 10 minutes in a day in front of the PC, searching/learning about survival - 90% simply search for other unmentionable things instead... So this is where I sigh, and give up on everyone else! I mean like, for God's sake people - If you really like your home, family, and community. Than is spending 10 minutes a day (to maintaining and protecting it) asking too much??? It surely will mean the difference between life or death (should the time ever come)...

So exactly how many will read this, agree with some of what I said here - But quickly forget about all in the next half an hour. :-|

 

I do have some survival skills. I was a Girl Scout growing up, and their motto is the same as the Boy Scouts, to be prepared.

I do have outdoor skills, such as knowing how to build a fire, make a temporary shelter, find wild foods, and such. I can preserve foods, sew, etc. I doubt that I would kill an animal, even for food other than fish. I do know how to catch fish, and clean them. Though I do have to let them die before whacking off their poor heads. I can find my way by the sun. I know first aid and basic medical treatments. [I have had training in first aid and some nursing school.]

I have taken some Red Cross training also in working with my church in times of disaster, and am certified for that. I am sure my church is already on the ground there giving assistance, we are always among the first ones into a disaster area.

 

We would be fine for several weeks, even during winter. We can get long-lasting power cuts due to storms so we've got dried and canned food stuffs to last us for a couple of weeks. Most Norwegian homes have fire places, and we've got fire wood too.

The sea's just down there *points*, my husband and I both used to hunt, and we know how to gather. All of us know basic first aid. We would be fine for quite some time.

 

I taught survival school for the Navy at Brunswick Maine for 3 years. I wouldn't have a problem!

 

WOW, This is cool. I think I would be just fine for a long time, as long as we didn't have something like Typhoon-Haiyan in the Philippines. I would still be ok but it would be a struggle.

I would be good for along time, if it were a small disaster. I do have allot of many kinds of fuel, firewood, stove pellets, kerosene, and gasoline stockpiled. I have 2 big generators and, of course, lots of food and water stored. We could hunt and have traps, guns and ammo.

I am not very secure here. I know S-H is good in that area. If someone wanted to come in and steal or do harm to us. They would win. Maybe my hubby could defend us and our "stuff" but not me. So if you come to my property during my disaster come when I am home alone. LOL

If you come in peace, I would be very happy so offer you shelter, food and some of my warmth though. If my home is still standing, I have plenty of space for sleeping. All for free.......

 

Well I for one am now really pleased to see so many of our members participating in this thread. I honestly didn't expect this at all!

Now if only we all were neighbors in real life - I'd have a winning team by my side for sure!

However in reality, those of us who live in small towns or on their own farms will do a lot better than those of us who dwell in the cities. Because that is where trouble usually starts, from the urban areas. Be it civil unrest, or the spread of some incurable illness. Also, in the cities is also where doomsday preppers risk getting overrun by mobs (who in times of need will steal anything from anyone who seems to be doing a little bit better than the others). so this is why first I advise to be armed to the teeth, and secondly, be as stealthy as possible - As the less other people know about our capabilities and useful assets, the better.

Seriously, if there is a single doomsday prepper out there, then he or she will instantly become a target for others in times of need. Which is why I may sound very cold in saying this, but I will turn away from assisting anyone else (mainly because they are all today laughing at me for being a prepper). So I say, let the games commence - Then we'll see who's the last man standing...


However if just a few people in a community get together and pool their resources and skills - For example when it comes to machinery (be it electronic or mechanical) I can fix, operate, as well as create just about anything! Then we can seriously think of assisting others in need.

So like I had said above, if we all lived in the same locality - We make one hell of a winning team for sure! Kind of like the A-Team TV show from the 80s!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7zc1iySY1I

 

We would be okay as long as the house and/or barn wasn't destroyed. We do need shelter! Food wouldn't be a problem, and we'd happily share with anyone who needed it.
Fortunately (?) disasters in Texas are quick, like tornadoes or flooding, and somewhat predictable. We have our "stash" of flashlights, batteries, canned food and other necessities that would take us for a week.
After Hurricane Ike we had a lot of evacuees on a nearby highway heading north to shelters. I was amazed at the number of people who got in their car with a quarter tank of gas, no blankets, no food, no water and dressed in tee-shirts and flip-flops (no offense, Cheryl), and no provision for babies' food or diapers.
We put up a sign a mile down the highway directing people to our church for soup and sandwiches, and bathroom facilities. Everyone in the neighborhood stripped their shelves, and we have no idea how many people we helped. Living in a hurricane prone area, you'd think folks would have a box of necessities to put in the car trunk, and keep the gas tank topped up.

 

I'm not prepared at all. I don't look too far ahead. But once there's any mention of impending disaster... like hurricane's... I start to check to see what's on hand and what I need to get/do. I just don't worry until it's time to worry.
But I do have some survival skills learned from extensive camping when I was younger.

 

Man, If we all lived close enough in a catastrophe we would survive it.

AA, I was never in the girlscouts and we learned surviving as just a part of growing up..in a family of 7 kids, numerous horses, dogs, cats, pigs at times, calves, rabbits, dirt, chickens, mud, and "fend for yourself parents"....we made it.
I really need to do a basic first aid course, though. I haven't used much in the past 20 years and I am sure there is a lot I have forgotten, so it wouldn't hurt to do it.

Droopy...you go girl!


Capt, What kind of survival skills were the most important when you were teaching?


Barb, I will try to get there first and knock nicely, then I will pack you and all your stuff up and bring you back with me so we can defend you if need be. We like you....and your pantry, too.... or maybe we will all come there with our stuff and camp out til the "storm" is over. All of us together would make an awesome team... AKA "the A-Team."

S-H, You are correct...if we work together in a community we have a much better chance at surviving any catastrophe that occurs. I know we live in a small community that people are honest and willing to help each other. I am often looked at with the "are you kidding?" look when I say I leave a jar on the table and you pay by the honor system. Make your own change...I am not always able to be home when people stop for my roadside stand. I will say that I know of only one instance when someone took everything that was there. No big deal. So, obviously the majority of people here are not"takers" when there is no one to watch, but given a catastrophic storm or some such..who knows? But I will do my best to have the necessary skills to at least eat and drink and for those who are willing to work along side of us...we will share in the survival of the situation.

Jane, you are a good neighbor. I don't understand the not having any preparation at all, either.

Cheryl. get a map to Jane's house.

 

Carolyn... I think I need a map to all of your's houses!
After the evacuation debacle with Hurricane Rita.. I'll be staying right at home like I did with Hurricane Ike. I'd rather take my chances at home than on the highway with a bunch of panicky unprepared flip-flop wearing folks. :-D

 

A lot of 'first aid' has changed over the years, but a few things have not.

1.Make sure the patient is BREATHING, and has a pulse. A CPR course is a good way to begin, and they do require recerticification every so often. I need to update mine, it has been way too many years.

2. STOP the bleeding.

3.Prevent shock. Cover with a warm blanket, and elevate the feet to aid circulation to the head.

3. splint any obvious fractures.

4. If you must move someone for safety, try to keep the spine aligned.