So what are YOUR top 5 or so survival 'priorities/skills'?

The AGGIE method

Assess the situation
Gauge direction
Gather surroundings
Increase awareness
Exit the situation
 
capitalizedliving said:
1. Get paid on time.
2. Don't go over budget.
3. Don't have any film crew mutinies.
4. Get contract for new season(s).
5. Get consulting and design work after formal apology for lying about my credentials.
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:D

6. Partner with a company to produce a prybar/can opener/shitty saw, call it a "knife" and put your 'celebrity endorsement' on it.
 
druid189 said:
LOL...all kidding aside, sometimes a person just has to "do it" or spend the rest of their lives regretting not doing it. I don't want to be that guy.

I'm not one of those "extreme" guys who wait to pull their chute at the last possible moment [never jumped out of a perfectly good plane and have no plans on it either]...but when I eventually get grandkids on my lap, I'd like to be able to tell them "I did __this, that and a whole-lotta' the other thing__.
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Better off having someone check why you're gone on the 8 day rather than the 18th.
 
Woods Walker said:
Better off having someone check why you're gone on the 8 day rather than the 18th.
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Oh no dude, I don't disagree with you. I'm just saying that even under the best conditions, bad things can happen. I did leave instructions and my route/plan/itinerary with those who needed to know but again, no one ever expects crap to happen even though we plan for it.

In my own case, it was me just getting 'cocky' with my skill set and the fact that for so long [years, I mean] that nothing 'extraordinary' ever happened to me. I'm just glad all those processes rose to the surface when they were needed [admitting that finding my pack was an added bonus though].
 
Grease said:
^ That kind of event is why I like the idea of a waterproof essentials pack that stays stuck to you, like on your belt or something. Reserve water/water collection, maps, emergency phone, matches, small knife, etc. tucked into a rugged waterproof bag, stuffed into a fanny pack that you only take off to sleep.

A UV "filter" and a microfiber glass cleaner cloth are my favorite quick water treatments. The cloth filters out everything visible and the UV light kills everything not visible, and they weigh just a few ounces.
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Great now i gotta re-vamp my kit to include a essential kit that stays on my person. :)
Like the idea and like this thread
 
c.t.smith said:
Great now i gotta re-vamp my kit to include a essential kit that stays on my person. :)
Like the idea and like this thread
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One thing I'd like to add is when designing that kit, consider the size and weight of it in relation to the activity. Canoeing and kayaking means a smaller kit that wears close to the body. Hiking and backpacking can allow for a larger kit but when creating it, make sure that you put your pack on and see if there's any kind of interference with the pack design.......waist and sternum belts in particular.
 
All I ever wanted was basic knowledge and preparation cognizance to get through a day or two in a bad situation, according to my own parameters. The members here have taught me a lot, and I am appreciative. But I was never really deep into this stuff. Survival skills are just another facet of my outdoor interests. If I screw up because I'm too lazy or disinterested to go to higher levels, so be it. Tough mammary glands for me.
 
druid189 said:
One thing I'd like to add is when designing that kit, consider the size and weight of it in relation to the activity. Canoeing and kayaking means a smaller kit that wears close to the body. Hiking and backpacking can allow for a larger kit but when creating it, make sure that you put your pack on and see if there's any kind of interference with the pack design.......waist and sternum belts in particular.
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Yea i was thinking a small fire kit (A bic lighter and tinder) some water treatment tablets, collapsible water container, one of those small tube tents and a emergency blanket possibly a compass and a bare essentials first aid. All would fit in a small fanny sack. O and a little knife.
 
c.t.smith said:
Yea i was thinking a small fire kit (A bic lighter and tinder) some water treatment tablets, collapsible water container, one of those small tube tents and a emergency blanket possibly a compass and a bare essentials first aid. All would fit in a small fanny sack. O and a little knife.
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There's absolutely nothing wrong with that as a belt kit. I would offer this advice though - HAVE MORE THAN ONE FIRE STARTER. Get a nice magnifying glass in 3 or 5 power [cheap reading glasses from CVS will suffice]. Also, get a small single wall aluminum bottle [to boil water in]. I'd also let you know is that those "tube shelters" are the same thing as the Mylar/emergency blankets...just fused into a tube. If anything, get the heavier ones that are Mylar on one side of a tarp...like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Double-Therma...m_sg_or_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1CK8JDBN3XVB44N0KQCY

It would take up approximately the same space as [or marginally more than ] two of the other cheaper ones...and is better quality. It can be used as either a blanket or a shelter cover and let me say this....build a fire with a wall/reflector and that as a "fly?" Holy crap is it HOT under there....

mine was in my pack that floated down stream. I eventually recovered it with the pack but it was 2 days later. Having this in your belt/carry pack [that NEVER leaves your side] is a 99.99% guarantee that if you need warmth, you have it immediately.

Obviously this blanket like any other product has its limitations and if the situation is sever enough, you'll be in serious danger...but it's an awesome blanket and I don't know anyone who uses one that would tell you otherwise.

For small knives, I'll suggest a few. they are relatively inexpensive, some might be made that way also - but it's better than nothing:


Folding:
http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-Rive...8&qid=1426136810&sr=1-1&keywords=small+knives

http://www.amazon.com/Buck-284BK-Sm...&qid=1426136810&sr=1-14&keywords=small+knives

http://www.amazon.com/First-Folding...&qid=1426136810&sr=1-24&keywords=small+knives

http://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-Hone...&qid=1426136909&sr=1-25&keywords=small+knives

This one is one of my 2 my EDC blades. It goes EVERYWHERE with me:

http://www.amazon.com/Buck-Knives-0...&qid=1426136909&sr=1-35&keywords=small+knives


Fixed:
http://www.amazon.com/Supplies-Smal...8&qid=1426136810&sr=1-7&keywords=small+knives

http://www.amazon.com/SZCO-Supplies...&qid=1426136909&sr=1-38&keywords=small+knives

I'd also suggest a hank of either paracord or tarred bank line. 25 feet is sufficient but I prefer 50' myself....

http://www.amazon.com/SGT-KNOTS-Tar...7362&sr=1-2-catcorr&keywords=tarred+bank+line
 
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My dad said one of the best things he ever did as far as survival was quitting smoking. Not due to any fitness, but as a smoker in the 60s and 70s, he would habitually pick up matches from anywhere that gave them away. once he stopped smoking, he still accumulated matches and lighters in every pocket of every piece of clothing he owned. So he was never without fire. Of course now give-away matches are a rare thing, and its a habit long put behind him, but he's said that it pulled him through quite a few bad situations.
 
I find that my metal "Camel Snus" cans are edge-lined with latex and therefore, somewhat air and watertight. Makes for good tinder or match boxes [but not one to throw in a fire for making char cloth.]

camelsnuspap_zps06279e30.png
 
My number one survival skill is
Staying alive.
Other than that the rest doesn't matter. lol
Just thought i'd bring some levity to the thread.
 
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