So who here wishes they could be thrust into a real survival situation?

W

Wildewinds

Joined
Nov 20, 2006
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I know we've all imagined it... "what if" something happened and we had to survive using our wits, knowledge, and tools on hand.

But how many of you would really want to be thrust into a survival situation? Just to see if you've got the skill to survive.

Let's sweeten the deal by saying you'll get 15 minutes of fame from the news media.

Be honest.
 
Would I want to be thrust into a real survival situation? Are you crazy? no way........no how...........not, nix, nine. I always wonder if my prep and training would see me through, and I would like to think they would, but I sure as hell wouldn't like to be put into a life or death survival situation if I didn't have to be. Now, a "might be uncomfortable for awhile" situation might be kinda interesting (like survivor man maybe).

I guess there might be some kind of monetary reward incentive that might just make it possible if I were single and figured my chances were better than even, but I seriously doubt it. As things are now (I am married and have to think about the family) no way.
 
I concur. A true survival situation? Nope, no way.

But a situation that would be a survival situation for anyone lesser prepared than me... but because I've got my act together the situation is instead merely an unplanned camping trip? Sure! But then, I think this is because I'm in desperate need of some quality wilderness time. :D
 
I might consider it if you promise I DON'T get the 15 minutes of media BS.

Depends on the situation, I guess. Do I get to bring the gear of my choice that I can carry? Is there a back-up plan? OK, sure. Well, maybe. With nothing but a SAK in the middle of a blizzard or hurricane? Hay-ull no!
 
short answer: no.

long answer: The question reminds me of the quote by Colonel Blatchford Snell "Adventure is the result of poor planning."

One point to keep in mind is that a "life-or-death survival situation" for one person might well be an "interesting & a bit uncomfortable, but not particularly dangerous situation" for another. We need to remember also how distasteful to the vast majority of people is the fear arising from the idea that a SHTF event can happen to *them* and the resulting head-in-the-sand attitude that keeps them unprepared. Think of your own family's or coworkers' reaction to your preparations. ;)

Most members of this forum are likely equipped with both mindset & resources to survive pretty readily situations that would present significant dangers to the vast majority of our fellow citizens, who count on always being within range of civilization's easy resources to sustain their lives.
 
I have already had my 15 minutes of fame, actually it was 48 hours, sorry that doesn't sweeten the deal for me.

I've often run through the what if's but when you factor in the wife and little ones I feel I owe it to them to avoid situations that would affect their future. That is why I'm into SURVIVAL. Mac
 
I cannot imagine wanting to be thrust into a survival situation.

I can understand the curiosity, about whether your preparation would be ok.

But, remember, things can go from ok to disaster in a very few short minutes or even seconds. You cannot be prepared for everything.
I have experience of this, and I do not care to think back and recall it very often.

I have seen how things can go from ok to a total nightmare, in a few seconds; this includes:

1. hiking alone, falling in an icy river and having to float down to find somewhere without sheer rock walls where I could get out. (I still get flashbacks)

2. having to carry someone with a broken ankle down a mountain until we could get a cellphone signal...it was only for a few hundred metres, but it took a long time

My brother was in a helicopter that went down in Africa, they had to wait for rescue for only 4 hours, but in that time, they had to watch lions and hyenas gathering around them and getting closer all the time. He says he had never been so frightened, despite being armed.
 
who here wants to get bubonic plague, who here wants to fall off a cliff, who here wants to be in the middle of a riot. we practice more to avoid a situation than to need to handle it. awareness of possibility and proper equipment and skills keep the situation from escalating into a life threatening ordeal.

alex
 
Media attention sweetens the deal??? EFF that.

I like Rokjoks answer.
We are here discussing and learning so that many of the situations don't ever become that grave.

Simply having a way to make a fire can be the difference between an uncomfortable istuation and a tragic situation. Therefor, the folks in this forum who are prepared, are actually preparing NOT to be thrust into those situations.
They are only situations when you have allowed them to be so.

A mistake is a single bad decision.
A tragedy is a series of bad decisions.

I hate to crack on the Kim's, but, their first bad decision was leaving without a properly stocked vehicle for winter driving situations.
 
SkunkWerX said:
Media attention sweetens the deal??? EFF that.

I like Rokjoks answer.
We are here discussing and learning so that many of the situations don't ever become that grave.

Simply having a way to make a fire can be the difference between an uncomfortable istuation and a tragic situation. Therefor, the folks in this forum who are prepared, are actually preparing NOT to be thrust into those situations.
They are only situations when you have allowed them to be so.

A mistake is a single bad decision.
A tragedy is a series of bad decisions.

I hate to crack on the Kim's, but, their first bad decision was leaving without a properly stocked vehicle for winter driving situations.
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Agreed. All points.

I'd want it no more than I'd want to be in a plane crash, a victim of a violent crime or a victim of terrorists with explosive underwear.

Aron Ralston got his 15 minutes of fame after being thrust into a survival situation. I'd bet he'd trade all the fame and the book deal to have his arm back. Same goes for Mrs. Kim and having James Kim back.

Even if you survive, there is too much of a risk for me to want to do it.

Chris
 
Agreed, agreed, agreed. It seems we all feel that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
 
When your laying your cold ass down on that not so soft bed of leaves and pine neddles u made and your cold because you couldnt get a fire going you would wish u were back in bed. Humans are made for comfort!
 
SubaruSTi said:
When your laying your cold ass down on that not so soft bed of leaves and pine neddles u made and your cold because you couldnt get a fire going you would wish u were back in bed. Humans are made for comfort!
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That's true, but humans have also survived, and even thrived in all sorts of wild environs. I THINK I could make it, if I was healthy and had one of my little kits on me. If I had a bum leg or something? I shudder to think of it.
 
Hi All-

I've been on mountainbike rides where my headlight failed and it was a "race with daylight" to get back to civilization, but my life was never in danger. It was warm enough that I could have simply bedded-down on leaves and evergreen branches for the night if I couldn't pedal fast enough. I had plenty of water, food, firestarters, etc., etc.

I have no desire to attempt to survive a building collapse, airplane crash, terrorist attack, tornado strike, or anything like that if I can avoid it. If I find myself at the wrong place at the wrong time, I'll do my best to survive and help others.

~ Blue Jays ~
 
Nope, this means I wasn't paying attention. If I have all the gear nessessary it wouldn't be a survival situ., it would be camping.
 
To wish to place oneself into a potientially painful potentientially fatal situation is not normal.
IMO with minimal foresight and a few simple precautions it is unlikely that this could happen. Humanity has survived because we have the intelligence and foresight to avoid the tarpits. (Although the reverse Darwinism that contributes to many modern disasters sometimes make me wonder. (Lets all move below sea level and hope a hurricane dosn't come... Again.) (Lets build our house out of bricks, another earthquake like the one that killed grandma won't happen... Again.)
Foresight is the first half, you have to be aware and intelegent enought to see the obvious pitfalls. Motivation is the second half you have to be willing to do what is necessary to avoid the worst.
Prepartaion is like an insurance policy; you hope that you never have to use it and most here will never alllow themselves to get so far gone that it becomes do or die.
Enjoy!
 
Absolute unconditional HECK NO!!

I don't want to test my survival skills in a real survival situation any more than I want to test my martial art skills in a real self-defense situation. I'm happy living a long, peaceful and utterly un-eventful life when it comes to life-threatening situations. I'll consider myself blessed if I never find out if I've "got what it takes".
 
mewolf1 said:
Nope, this means I wasn't paying attention. If I have all the gear nessessary it wouldn't be a survival situ., it would be camping.
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Wasn't paying attention, correct!
I like the part about camping vs. survival, how very, very true.

The difference is simply some knowledge, and perhaps a modest amount of gear & supplies.

It's actually amazing, when you think about it, 99%+ of the North American population goes an entire lifetime without finding themselves in a serious sitaution.
They make the right decisions, and they make the right turns and follow the road signs.
 
Absolutely no way. A survival situation is not a camping trip, a survival situation is about staying alive which is not a pleasant thing at all.
 
Nope, I'm too old for that crap. I like having the knowledge, but I want my outdoors experiences to be fun.
 
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