Define Survival

Lorien

Lorien

Nose to the Grindstone
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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Ok the title's a little inaccurate, but bear with me please.

I thought it might be fun for those 'survival-minded', (whatever that means;)!) BF forumites to describe the survival scenarios they are most prepared and equipped to handle.

I imagine that preparation has a lot to do with where and how one lives, and I thought it may be useful for those who prepare themselves in a specific way to learn from others who live in differing situations.

For example; I live in a relatively temperate climate, and in a medium rural setting with vast areas of completely undeveloped coastal rainforest. Most of my kit is comprised of things like tents, waterproof gear and a huge variety of blades that work well in forest environments. My 'survival' kit can essentially be called camping gear.

I know there are plenty of city dwellers who frequent this forum, and I imagine that 'survival gear' for that environment may include a completely different set of tools.

I've read lots of threads that sort of tie into this idea, but none that focus specifically on individual's definition of what survival means to them.

And for you smart alecks out there, yes I know what the opposite of survival is, and that anything you do to avoid that outcome defines survival, but lets have a little fun with this. Especially you Zombie survivalists:)
 
I live in the desert close to too many people LA, not enough water and a major thoroughfare. Realistically a bunker mentality wouldn't work here, neither would the "stay low, stay quiet" ideas. Nope. I have a dog, a wife and a 4x4 in the event of a earth level event we pack it up and live like nomads. Which doesn't necessarily work either as my 1st rule of survival is never take a woman. So in summation we'll be as sneaky as we can, kill if we have to and try to find like minded souls that want to rebuild.
 
Survival is not dying when most normal people would.Prepare the body,prepare the mind,prepare your kit.That's my mentality.
I live in the woods about 35 miles from the nearest town wich isn't very big so when the SHTF I can always run to the woods.Hunt,fish,grow crops stay out of "civilizations" way till it's done ripping it'self apart.
"I got a shotgun,a rife and a four wheel drive cause a country boy can survive":Hank Jr.
 
I live in a swamp.
Water filtration AND purification are top-tier priorities, especially in the extremely hot, humid summer. Bug repellant ia also a top priority. Shelter from rain is more of a concern than shelter from cold. I can make it very well with what is basiaclly a possibles bag made from an old buttpack.
In the winter I add a 30 degree sleeping bag, rolled under the buttpack that will handle the coldest nights I can ever expect here.
The difference between this and my camping gear, is the camping gear holds a more extensive mess kit, additional shelter items (like a tent to go with the tarp), and more food carried in a rucksack -- essentially extra gear to set up a basecamp to dayhike and hunt/fish out of. The possibles bag goes right in the top of the rucksack, so it can be used dayhiking after establishing a base camp.
 
Survival is staying alive.
Water is my main priority, so I have a katadyn pocket water filter and have learned to desalinate water.
 
I can handle all of it where I'm at. Winter, Summer, Spring, Fall. The soils rich and most any area around here will take a crop. plenty of critters to hunt. been plannin' on gettin and few layin hens and some breedin' pairs. got plenty room for a garden, probably gonna build a smokehouse before it's over. If worse comes to worst, then I'll bug into the hills as far back as I can, build a small cabin big enough for the family, but still small enough to remain hidden and heat easily with what's availible. I've got horses if I need 'em, guns if I need 'em. Though I doubt Kentucky is high on any list of priorities for potential targets. All we have is Fort Knox and the Ashland Oil Refinery. Like I say...if it ever comes to it all I have to do is pick a direction and run. Plenty of hills and valleys and old places to hide in until shit blows over (provided the morons who're sellin' their souls to the friggin coal companies don't sell the state out from under us all...bastards)
And if all else fails, VA is just across the line. Few days hiking and I'm there. Same mountain range, same wildlife, climates are just about identical (winters are little colder). Might be a little trickier to find water (as I'm more familiar with where it is around here). But basically the same place. I always like to have a contingency state!
The only sad part is, now I'm towing a 2 year old...once he turns 4 (when he can more easily understand stuff) I'm gonna start teachin' him what my papaw taught me. So that way ol' dad'll have some help if the need ever comes up (mommy dearest just looks at me sideways when I think out loud about this stuff...she hates it when her mountainy man goes paranoid)
 
I think most people ignore the obvious, if you're just regular folk with a regular job, you have probably noticed that you can't get the same amount of groceries with the same dollar you had just a short eight years ago. It's not going to get any better and all of the Tony Robbins Positivity B.S. will not make it any better because it is completely out of our hands - speaking of Americans and generally not anyone else.

Stay out of debt. If you live paycheck to paycheck or are basically one month away from disaster financially, get out of debt, stay out of debt, don't believe a damned word anyone says about "offers," they are ALL predatory offers and it is totally legal for them to change the contract at any time and in any way they do desire (read the fine print) yet you cannot change the contract because you are a slave...if you sign it.

Try to put a little money back every payday, try to put a little food back every time you go to the grocery store.

For anyone that does not live paycheck to paycheck, you can ignore.

I think this is the NUMBER ONE thing people have to realize and embrace - stay the HELL away from lenders, loaners, banks and other vermin. And, yes they are vermin. They write the rules and if they want to change the rules, they go to judges or to congressmen and senators and they have stuff changed, you cannot.

Live well. :)
 
We have two different requirements: Wilderness survival, and urban survival.

Our weekends are mostly spent outdoors, camping, hiking, and riding ATV's in the southwest deserts and mountains. Here, a classic wilderness survival scenario is what we prepare for. Water is paramount, but with a little experience you can find water almost anywhere. Even in the Mojave desert, I don't think there is anywhere you could dump me where I couldn't find natural water within a 10 mile radius.

Urban survival is another matter. One must be prepared to provide for their own life support and security! Earthquakes are a high probability here, and we have a history of civil unrest. Most of the day one is away from home, so it doesn't make any sense to try to turn you home into some kind of fortress. On the other hand, you will always be near your vehicle, so the vehicle becomes the center of our survival equipment. Everybody in the family (even the teens just starting out), drives a 4X4 "urban assault vehicle"!
 
the will to live by any means within the law or if there is a collapse of goverment or local police and city function than any means at all...I live in the county outside of my city limits but still consider part of the town and can get by for a short term, work in progress for a long term...
 
I really like the point Don made about financial preparation and making an effort to cut down on consumption and pay down debt.

Before major 'collapse', which a lot of you guys express as a major motivation to think of survival, I think it's true that financial hardship and loss will be the first thing to hit us when the shit hits the fan.

I'm saving as much as I can and paying down all our debts instead of acquiring new expensive stuff. All the while, I'm gradually 'investing' in equipment which I believe will be helpful should we have to live in the forest:). If everything goes hunky dory, I'm still set for some kick ass camping action!

But seriously, loss of home and shelter could be a major reality facing a growing number of people as the economic landscape gradually slides away.
Perhaps a good survival tactic given this perspective is to rent instead of holding a mortgage.

The other great comment I read is the edumacation of our munchkins. Learning ourselves the old skool ways of living, and then passing that knowledge on to our youngins. Things like fence and bridge building, masonry, carpentry, plumbing, finances etc.

While I think it's easy for us to not see past our own nose, I believe that it's important to see ourselves as a part of a continuum, where the 'survival' of future generations of humans is our focus. With this long view, it may be possible to prepare in a way which encourages slower change and less catastrophe.

Politics, I believe, is the number one threat to the sustainability of our species and will ultimately bring about the downfall of civilization. It is also the thing which can bring us from the brink, if we all realize that we have a part to play in it.

Good bye, ridiculous 2007! I wish you all the best, BF people, for 2008. May the year bring zombies and mayhem!;)
 
My most likely situation would be stranded in the middle of nowhere in a blizzard. Its a long ways between anything here in the Dakotas and white out snow storms on the plains are a regular occurance. When we travel we have to figure that any trip we take between Nov and April can end up that way. Extra food, Sleeping bags, extra cell phone batteries, scoop shovel, that sort of thing. In summer I am on big lakes here and in Canada so the gear is different then.

Plan and dress for the most extreme possible event.
 
Survival is doing what it takes to keep yourself alive, everything else is just camping. Mac
 
Don Rearic said:
I think most people ignore the obvious, if you're just regular folk with a regular job, you have probably noticed that you can't get the same amount of groceries with the same dollar you had just a short eight years ago. It's not going to get any better and all of the Tony Robbins Positivity B.S. will not make it any better because it is completely out of our hands - speaking of Americans and generally not anyone else.

Stay out of debt. If you live paycheck to paycheck or are basically one month away from disaster financially, get out of debt, stay out of debt, don't believe a damned word anyone says about "offers," they are ALL predatory offers and it is totally legal for them to change the contract at any time and in any way they do desire (read the fine print) yet you cannot change the contract because you are a slave...if you sign it.

Try to put a little money back every payday, try to put a little food back every time you go to the grocery store.

For anyone that does not live paycheck to paycheck, you can ignore.

I think this is the NUMBER ONE thing people have to realize and embrace - stay the HELL away from lenders, loaners, banks and other vermin. And, yes they are vermin. They write the rules and if they want to change the rules, they go to judges or to congressmen and senators and they have stuff changed, you cannot.

Live well. :)
Click to expand...

This is one, very large point I have to agree with Don about.
My wife and I save in 2 ways. $ and consumables. The only debt I have left (other than monthly bills) are medical and a student loan. Our provisions made towards survival are a surplus due to many things, but maintain consistency due to the fact that we also raise our children to see camping not only as recreation, but as a way to live.
 
IMHO, when I think of survival, it is getting though some sort of disaster or mishap alive-- preferably in good health. That includes natural disasters, accidents, getting lost, or being injured in the wilderness. When you say "survivalist," it tends to become more political and people think of those preparing for civil unrest or war.
 
reconranger said:
..snip
We have two different requirements: Water is paramount, but with a little experience you can find water almost anywhere. Even in the Mojave desert, I don't think there is anywhere you could dump me where I couldn't find natural water within a 10 mile radius.
..snip
Click to expand...

I have googled for just this topic and found very little info or encouragement;
and always the admonition: do not count on finding water.

The semi-arid + arid areas of USA are easily over 1/3.
Maybe a good topic for a new thread finding water.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=522179
 
Our survival kits should be equiped for the weather, terrain, location etc in which we are located.
My pretty minimalist kit is aimed at keeping me alive for around 24 hrs untill I am found or am able to make my way back to help. My worries are general stuff like falling and breaking an ankle or leg when hiking ,forcing me to spend an unplanned overnighter.
If I were to wander farther from civilisation then my planning and kit would change to reflect that !
 
reconranger said:
Here, a classic wilderness survival scenario is what we prepare for. Water is paramount, but with a little experience you can find water almost anywhere. Even in the Mojave desert, I don't think there is anywhere you could dump me where I couldn't find natural water within a 10 mile radius.
Click to expand...

I'm gonna assume your just talking about the US because in Australia I could dump you many many places where you'd be in serious trouble :P
 
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