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SURVIVAL SKILLS, what should you know?

4K views 25 replies 18 participants last post by  mwelch8404 
#1 ·
I was having a conversation the other day with a like minded friend and the talk drifted into discussion of the most useful survival skills to have for our AO.
We of the basics, trapping, fishing, hunting-tracking, fire making, shelter building, etc. then we moved on to skills less discussed and some specific to our AO, swamps of S.W. Florida, Glades and the 10,000 Islands.

Some of these were a little esoteric such as problem solving, basic geometry and meteorology, basic sailing and navigation on the water, teaching yourself to be ambidextrous. Then there was spear fishing, netting and fish trapping, medicinal and edible plant identification and preparation, tanning including gator hide, primitive tool making including using turtle shells, bones, and indigenous plant material for rope and basket making.

These are just a few from a long discussion but I thought it might be interesting to hear imput from others.
 
#2 ·
All useful skills, being ambidextrous is actually pretty handy on a daily basis.

Medical aid beyond first aid is often overlooked but will obviously be pretty important. I also like to make sure several people have decent nav skills (not GPS) as in a real serious disaster, the satellites may not be available or the GPS may not work.

I also think it's very important to teach people how to be prepared so that they don't have to make brush shelters, make fire with a bowdrill, etc. Those are fine skills to learn, but relying on them is problematic and totally avoidable 99.9% of the time simply by being prepared.

Az
 
#4 ·
Character analysis. Good idea to do some reading on that along with identification of traits that can tell you if a person has certain psychiatric issues. Also what to look for to tell if somebody is lieing. And....how to lie effectively yourself.
 
#5 ·
As to "Survival".........Only TWO things really matter.........

1.) The ability to jabber on and on for hours, days, weeks, months about Firearms.

2.) The ability to jabber on and on for hours, days, weeks, months about Survival knives.

A close third: The ability to jabber on and on for hours, days, weeks, months about bug out bags.
 
#6 ·
In my mind survival skills fall into two categories; short term and long term. Short term includes the skills necessary to return to modern civilization. Long term are those skills needed if you aren't returning for a substantial time (months to years) or never.

One thing that applies to both but is often overlooked is basic problem solving. How to make good risk/reward decisions. Often under pressure. This is where scenarios such as depicted on Dual Survivor and other shows can have value. It's not so much a single skill but being able to use a number of mastered skills along with decision making to achieve a successful result. Along with some creativity.
 
#8 ·
Crash Course in Tropical Survival

I'm hoping to see more here from those with outdoor experience in the tropics. All my outdoor experience has been in cold-to-temperate climates or southwestern deserts. So I know a lot more about hypothermia than leaches. When it comes to jungles and swamps, I'm a babe in the woods, so to speak.

In particular, I am wondering what a person should know about wading across slow-moving rivers and swamps in a pinch...finding a good place to cross, what major hazards to try to avoid, which hazards to be able to defend against, best protective clothing and footwear, what else to look out for, and any other protective gear or safety info others have found useful.

Of course I have bug suit, DEET, sun protection, small machete and hammock. I don't mean I would choose to travel cross-country this way. But if one ever needed to avoid patrols and checkpoints along roadways, being prepared for unscheduled river crossings seems like a must. And any other general advice for staying healthy when you're hot and wet.

What suggestions do you have? Any field manuals or other sources you would recommend?
 
#11 ·
Central America...



Although I spend more time on the west coast, where the forests and brush land are drier and more open, my concern is more for the more jungly inland border areas, and especially river crossings. The climate is considered similar to SW Florida.

It is said that the American crocodile is less aggressive than those in Oz or Africa, but I don't have the same faith in their good sense as I do with bears. There are about 22 species of poisonous snakes; I have not specifically come across a water snake, though I suppose most snakes must swim. I'm generally okay with snakes, bats and spiders, though I prefer to see them coming. I know very little about parasites, but some apparently do go through unbroken skin. I gather the most deadly things statistically are actually mosquitos, but I need to come up to speed on the unfamiliar.

Heading into muddy water would require pretty desperate circumstances, but having some knowledge and proper gear would be a small comfort.
 
#13 ·
along with as you mentioned edible and non edible plants, edible and non edible insects ( insects are a high source of protein, but for some reason always skipped) flint knapping, self bows, making string and rope from plant materials, making soap from plant materials, "distilling" alcohol and water, evasion techniques, navigation by the stars, (star mapping) control of parasites ( ticks, burrowing ticks, leeches , as well as poisonous spiders) and treatment of their bites, habits of the american alligator as well as the crocodiles ( a few around here, most hang out just further south, around the oulet pipes from the nuke plant in Savannah , knowing the habits and predispotions of the different turtles, ( food source) snakes (again food source ) fish and aquatic critters, care of your feet is always a priority, dry your boots at night, and change your socks as often as you can, as the used to call it, immersion foot, Jungle rot or bilge crud, , in a wet environment your clothes will literally rot off you in a month, your skin will as well, if you do not take precautions, salt sores aren't any fun either, from wearing sweaty clothes way to long without rinsing em out, or immersion in brackish or salt water and not rinsing off.
 
#14 · (Edited)
Goblin has it right Ambos Lados. Along with the dry-out need, every wound no matter how small has to be treated with antibiotics. As far as dark water, there really isn't much to fear. Have a walking stick stout enough to bear your weight and at least 60" long. Its your third leg. Use it like a blind man uses a cane. If you can tow your gear in a dry bag or above water it is better than having it drag you down if you fall. Critters generally don't want to eat you. An alligators prime food source are turtles. Don't know about crocs. Ours are pretty small where I live. There are lots of jungle tricks. Read an SAS manual. It will tell you lots. Best way to figure it all out is to spend time in the environment that you are worried about with somebody that knows and pay attention. Our Everglades swamps are unique. What works here may not work where you are. We are more like bayou swamp, but shallower water and hotter in general. Some of the same plants but lots of differences too.
 
#16 ·
Just some odd thoughts
I would go down the list of needs, then list ways to satisfy them.
While I list mainly things below, knowledge of how to use them is really the key.

Water sources- Hand pumped or solar well, Rain catchment, natural streams etc.

Power - couple tri fuel generators. (US CArb conversion for natural gas or propane)

Raising food - normal garden, fruit and nut trees, berry bushes, chickens, ducks, rabbits

Wild food - crabs, fish, clams, gators, pigs, turtles, etc (Nets, cages, trot lines, trapping, hunting)

preserving food - canning, salting, jerking, drying, pickling, rendering, sprouted bread from wheat berries, pemmican

Defense of position - alarms, motion sensors, cameras, thorn bushes, big rocks to block vehicles, concertina wire, defensive positions with cover and concealment.

Comms - HAM, VHF, GMRS, FRS, CB, CELL, TEXT.

Small tough, reliable computer loaded with files. Solar etc methods to recharge.

Weapons-

Sewing machine and kit.

Medical care and supplies- Dental stuff, antibiotics, vitamins and minerals, lugol's iodine, magnesium pills, baking soda as antacid, full trauma kit, good supply of everything SWAT Tourniquet

spares and repairs -

Amusement -

Planning, graphics, drawing equipment-

navigation - sextant, Nautical almanac, compass, GPS, maps, accurate time piece

Transportation options. Motor driven bike, 4WD truck or jeep, sailboat, canoe

Laundry, hygiene, soap making.

Tools, tools, tools.

electrical wire, aircraft wire, tape of all kinds, miles of cordage.

A nice pile of bolts, nuts, screws, nails, pop rivets, steel, fabric and leather material for straps, supports etc. lots of wood, shingles, cauling, roof sealant, hose clamps, O rings,

Plumbing stuff toilet parts, pipe replacements, solder, mapp torch etc.

Couple spare tires mounted and balanced, tire plug repair kit, tire valve stems, air compressors, oil and air filters, oil, antifreeze, trans fluid, brake fluid, hypoid gear grease, wheel bearing grease, grease gun, full mechanics tool kit, spare belts, hoses, gaskets, ECM module in a tin box taped with foil tape, spare battery, battery cables, head light, battery charger, jump pack,

Cheap Geiger counter.

PLB EPIRB

water filters,

You must battle the pests. Fire ant killers, sugar ant killers (amdro or terran liquid bait) wasp killer, door sweep, diatomaceous earth, stuff for controlling roaches, mosquitoes, mice, flies, fleas, ticks, etc. Get a good supply of what you need in your area.

Mosquito netting, head nets, repellents.
 
#18 ·
Poisonous Plants



Good point about knowing the poisonous plants indigenous to your region. Whether poisonous to the touch or poisonous to ingest, this is important survival information. When I think how I've known about dozens of common poisonous plants in North America since childhood, I realize recognizing them is second nature. There will be a steep learning curve in any new area. I think the advice to go on a field trip with a knowledgeable guide is probably what is called for.

Too bad there's no poison ivy in the jungle, though. I'm immune to it.
 
#19 ·
When it comes to medicinal plants it is a lifetime study. Identification is no where near enough. You need to learn precise processing methods, optimal harvesting times, associated plant carriers, when it is best to use a liniment, salve, tincture, or poultice. How to extract the correct constituents based on solubility. plus even more factors that are beyond my knowledge. On top of that, all this info changes with every single new plant. Herbalism is what I've done 40 hours a week for the last 4 years and I haven't even scratched the surface. Every day I feel like it's my first day working with herbs.

That being said Herbalism is the single best way to get your wife involved in prepping. She will get to grow the most beautiful flowers. Echinacea Purpurea, Calendula officinalis, and Passiflora incarnata being my favorite that I grow.
 
#20 ·
You are correctemundo. I life of study to feel knowledgable in any subject. It can be useful though to concentrate on a couple of dozen plants indigenous to your AO that can help to feed you, cloth you, shelter you and heal you. You're also right on the money about learning the preparation of each. Some plants are edible if prepared properly and poisonous if not.
 
#22 ·
I unfortunately live in a semismall town and don't have the ability to grow many of the things i'd like but you're in south Florida. If you own your own home you could make your own pharmacy right in your back yard. I'd love to live down there, you could grow almost anything. I have to baby my plants and use a lot of grow lights that aren't sustainable in the event of a disaster. You could just sling seeds into your backyard and have magic in 8-12 weeks.
 
#21 ·
Might not be the exact types of detail skills you're looking for, but I think these 11 skill sets will be critical in dealing with a disaster and on into the PAW.

1. Problem solving techniques and skills
2. JOAT - Jack of all trades & common sense
3. Communications skills, particularly information gathering and analysis, reading people
4. Situational awareness/scouting/resource evaluation/safe haven recognition
5. Stealth/gray man/role camouflage
6. Water acquisition/carry/storage/purification
7. Food procurement/carry/preservation/storage
8. Personal defense/E&E/un-armed defense/expedient weapons/firearms skills
9. Trade/Barter skills including the ability to evaluate livestock and other goods
10. Weather forecasting and tracking
11. Medical triage/first-aid/secondary aid/nursing



Another possible set in different format:

Skills important to get ready for an Apocalypse:
Historian (so you know what can happen)
Short range planning (so you can decide what to do first)
Long range planning (so you can follow through on the goals of short range planning)
Money management (so you have the money to make the preps)
Shopping expertise (including internet searches)(to get the best values)
The art of misdirection (so people don’t know what you are doing)


Skills important to get through an Apocalypse: (assuming a nuke attack with fallout)
Personal communications skills (to talk your way out of trouble and maintain peace in a shelter environment)
Driving skills (to get away if possible)
Physical skills (walking/running/biking to get away if vehicles aren’t available)
Combat skills (to fight your way through if necessary or defend your home/BOL)
Medical skills (to manage injuries if they occur during the timeframe of the Apocalypse)
Camouflage skills (to hide yourself or things when necessary)
Decision making skills (so you can choose the right thing to do)
Communications equipment skills (to have access to information and to communicate with others)


Skills important to survive in the aftermath of an Apocalypse:
Personal communications skills (to keep you out of trouble)
Combat skills (to hold onto what you survived with)
Cooking with stored foods skills (so you can use your food preps)
Gardening skills (to supplement and eventually replace stored foods)
Animal husbandry skills (to raise food animals to supplement and eventually replace stored foods)
Cotton picking/wool shearing skills (to get the raw materials for cloth)
Spinning and weaving skills (to make the cloth needed for clothing, etc.)
Sewing skills (to make the clothing from the home spun fabric)
Building trades skills (to maintain, repair, and improve structures of the home/BOL)
Bartering/trading skills (to obtain items you don’t have using items you do have)
Communications equipment skills (to stay in touch with others for mutual aid and protection)
Road maintenance and building skills (to keep travel routes open)

Here are the skill sets I think most likely to be needed in the PAW. (I only have a few of them myself)

Alternative energy specialist
Alternative HVAC specialist
Ammunition re-loader
Appliance repairman
Assayer
Baker
Banker
Barber
Basket maker
Bathhouse/shower room operator
Beekeeper
Bicycle Repairman
Biodiesel maker
Blackpowder maker
Blacksmith
Botanist
Brew master
Brick maker
Bullet caster
Butcher/meat processor
Candle maker
Carpenter
Cartridge maker
Cartwright
Chandler
Charcoal burner
Cheese maker
Chemist
Chimney sweep
Cobbler/shoe maker
Coffin maker
Cook
Cooper (barrel maker)
Coppersmith
Dentist
Distiller, drinking alcohol
Distiller, fuel alcohol
Doctor
Dog trainer
Electrician
Electronics tech
EMT/Paramedic
Experienced barterer/flea market operator
Farmer
Farm hand
Farrier
Firefighter
Firewood purveyor
Fisherman
Food canner/processor
Furniture maker
Gardener
Gatherer (wild plants, useful rocks and minerals)
Glass maker
Goatherd
Goldsmith/silversmith
Gravedigger
Gunpowder maker
Gunsmith/gun maker
Handyman
Harvester/picker
Heavy equipment operator
Herbalist/mineralist
Horse trainer/wrangler
Hunter/trapper
Ice purveyor/harvester/maker
Knife maker
Knife sharpener
Knitter/crocheter
Laundress/laundry room operator
Leather worker
Librarian
Logger/forester/sawyer
Lumber maker
Machinist
Mechanic
Metal worker
Metallurgist
Midwife
Milk maid
Milk processor
Miller
Millwright
Miner
Mulcher/composter/manure collector
Net maker
Nurse
Optician (eyeglass maker)
Orchardman/arborist
Paper maker
Peace Officer
Pedi-cab driver
Pest control specialist
Pharmacist
Plumber
Postman
Pottery maker
Primitive building specialist
Printer/newspaperman
Radio Operator
Rancher
Ranch hand
Repairman
Roofer
Rope/cordage maker
Sail maker
Sailor (Boatswain)
Salt maker
Salvage specialist
Security guard
Shake/shingle maker
Sheep sheerer
Shepherd
Shipwright/boat builder
Shoemaker
Skill At Arms instructor
Small engine mechanic
Smelter/foundryman
Soap maker
Soldier
Spice purveyor
Spinner/Weaver
Stonemason/brick layer
Sugar maker
Surveyor
Tailor/seamstress
Tanner
Teacher
Thatcher
Tinker
Tire repairman
Tool & die maker
Trade maker
Trader/Wagoner
Trapper
Truck driver
Undertaker
Veterinarian
Watch/clock repairman/maker
Weaver
Welder
Well driller
Wheelwright
Winemaker
Wood gas equipment maker
Woodworker


A few skills that won’t be in high demand, but would be a good secondary skill

Artist
Bookbinder
Candy maker
Comedian
Dye maker
Entertainer
Historian
Ink maker
Judge/arbitrator
Karaoke operator
Maid
Massage therapist
Musician
Physicist
Scribe
Secretary
Storyteller
Toy & game maker


Just my opinion. 
 
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#23 ·
As usual when Mr. Young participatea it is a wealth of info. Thank you Jerry. I am nearly always in complete agreement with you.

Urban, you're right about South Florida. When an area is neglected for any reason (grass not mowed, bushes not pruned, etc. After the crash in 2009 there were lots of abandoned houses. Within a year many were crumbling from plants growing into windows and doors, tearing eves off of roofs, upending and cracking cement slabs and just completely destroying pool cages.) or following a brush fire, the jungle comes back at a truly amazing rate. Particularly in the summer rainy season everything grows like its on steroids. The only problem is protecting what you grow from being overrun by indigenous botanicals. A smidge of fertilizer and its like Little Shop of Horrors.
 
#25 ·
1) Shelter building - Debris huts, below / in ground, inside large but dead trees - Make a shelter from fallen trees...and others. Shelters help protect you from the weather and give you overall protection and security.

2) Fire Building. Fires can be used to signal - cook with - heat with, and a good fire boosts morale in a survival situation.

3) Trapping ( snares and deadfalls ). One needs to eat.

4) Land navigation. Using a map ( and maybe a compass ) to get from one location to another. Knowing how to read a map and how to judge distance using a map.

Green Shadow <>
 
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