what people think? (knowing survivalskills)

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RSO66

Joined
Jan 17, 2005
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i was wonder what some of say when they know you are in survivalskills.some people ask me if i am afraid of getting lost and why i know some of this stuff. and i was wondering what you people tell them thanks.
 
I tell them what I learned in the BoyScouts "Be Prepared".

Also tell them it's more productive than sitting in the recliner watching (insert your least favorite professional-sport).
 
The most common thing that occurs when someone finds out that I am into survival skills is the rolling of the eyes. The instantly assume you have a rambo complex or something of that sort.
 
Wow, that's interesting.

Here's why: it says so much about the person asking. Specifically, they're saying "I've never personally been in a survival situation."

Anyone who has been in a survival situation doesn't ask the question; instead, they want to compare what you know to what they've learned so they can improve.

I don't think I've ever been asked that question; but then, I don't know that I've ever said I'm into survival skills. Rather, I'll make a comment along the lines of "We try to be ready for when the tornado sirens go off," or "That's exactly why I keep that stuff in the trunk of the car," or "I make it a point to have a compass when I go there."

In other words, I introduce it in context. Then it seems to make a lot of sense to them.
 
I don't let people know. This way if, if there is ever a shtf scenario(not that I am expecting one), people won't be knocking down my door.
 
We find it very easy to explain... we just mention a recent state of emergency somewhere due to mother nature. "Survival skills" can be explained as just being prepared and knowing how to go without tap water, electricity, or other conveniences if something unexpected like that happens.
The outdoors part is a hobby. It's fun.
We test products for our business.
We are scout leaders.

Like Watchful said, consider the source and respond with something they can understand. We try to avoid the word survival to make things easier as well.
 
Most of my friends have been out with me while walking my dog. I also use it as an opportunity to harvest a few fiddleheads and whatever berries are in season (salmonberries right now - yum). I find I don't have to use the stereotypical phrase "survival" because I'm showing them what it means. I never get a disparaging response, quite the opposite actually. I think doing that lends credibility to the entire community and helps give some distance from the Rambo image. It also shows them why I have an edc...
 
RSO66 said:
i was wonder what some of say when they know you are in survivalskills.some people ask me if i am afraid of getting lost and why i know some of this stuff. and i was wondering what you people tell them thanks.
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Heheh-- if you stop wearing the camo BDU's, booney hat and jump boots, with a 12" chopper in a leg sheath, they'll relax a little :)

Some people think nothing bad will ever happen. Some people don't think. I've given first aid a couple times in the woods and that influences a lot of my views. If someone hadn't been there, they really would have been up a creek. FYI, both were people who fell off their motorcyles-- one broken collarbone and one really messed up humerus-- upper arm bone broken like a splintered board.

Imagine what a major earthquake would do. I live in an urban area with a couple million people and there are a few hundred LEO and firefighters on duty at any given time. Y'all better be able to take care of yourself! If they shrink at the concept of "survivalism" they are going to thoroughly wet their pants when things fall apart.

I've done disaster preparation on the job and I came to the conclusion that I would get them as trained and equipped as management would allow and, although I never mentioned it, I planned to get out of there ASAP if TSHTF. The idea of 200+ yuppies in an office with no power or running water, compounded by 60 more floors above full of the same didn't make it seem like a nice place to stay. Boots and Urban PSK backpack were under my desk :)

I guess "disaster preparedness" might be more PC than "survival." It's all perception. Live to laugh at it later.
 
I justify it by saying it allows me to be completely at ease, on my own, without dependance on someone else for my well-being. I often hunt and fish alone (even a few mountaineering trips) despite everyone saying "never go alone" because the only trouble I've had is someone along for the trip needing my help. I figure that two people double the odds for trouble. Those who do not feel at ease alone in the wilderness are missing one of the true feelings of a "wilderness experience". Companionship is wonderful, especially when it's voluntary. I used to wait until someone wanted to go along on a trip somewhere, and waited, and waited, then decided I was missing too many opportunities. :) Regards, ss.
 
straitshot said:
I justify it by saying it allows me to be completely at ease, on my own, without dependance on someone else for my well-being. I often hunt and fish alone (even a few mountaineering trips) despite everyone saying "never go alone" because the only trouble I've had is someone along for the trip needing my help. I figure that two people double the odds for trouble. Those who do not feel at ease alone in the wilderness are missing one of the true feelings of a "wilderness experience". Companionship is wonderful, especially when it's voluntary. I used to wait until someone wanted to go along on a trip somewhere, and waited, and waited, then decided I was missing too many opportunities. :) Regards, ss.
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I completely agree. I do most of my trips solo including mountaineering. I've been in some pretty hairy situations and I've found that under pressure there are 2 types of people. Those who focus and those who fold. When your in a survival situation or in my case usually a "fall and you die" situation if you are not mentally prepared to handle it you can get seriously hurt or killed. Survival is always going to be 99% mental preparedness that gets you through. I guess you could tell them that it is about prioritizing and dealing with the situation in a calm manner.

Oh, yeah. And it is crucial that you know your limits and don't exceed them. Don't get into anything you can't get out of.
 
I say something like:

"Learning how to survive a wilderness emergency (my area of interest) teaches an approach that is applicable to any sudden, unexpected crisis. Say you suddenly lose you job. Stop/Think/Observe/Plan (or any other organized approach to calmly adressing needs/resources/priorities) works as well then as it does if your snowmobile breaks down 50 miles from "civilization." So teaching "wilderness survival" is teaching a life skill even if the learner never goes in the woods."

If that doesn't work, TDB. :D
 
I ordered 6 diferent compasses to put in various kits from a company refered to in a post here and they guy says gee you must get lost a lot, I gues even when some of them are in the busines they just don't really get it.
 
I never use the "S" word around people who I do not trust completely and know won't freak out.

Instead, if they ask me why I know something, or why I have a certain tool on me, I tell them I like to be prepared- things go wrong, I'd rather be ready rather than sitting on the curb trying to figure out what to do.
 
mkhop said:
I ordered 6 diferent compasses to put in various kits from a company refered to in a post here and they guy says gee you must get lost a lot, I gues even when some of them are in the busines they just don't really get it.
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LOL...and I would say "Gee you really like knowing where you're going.":D

For me, I find that even the most eloquent argument falls on deaf ears so I just stop explaining why I do things and just do them.
 
I just tell them that they will be first on my list to butcher and eat when the zombies attack !!!:D
 
I know exactly what you guys mean. I wear a compass on my watchband and people actually ask why I would do such a thing. Generally, it's the same people who are constantly borrowing my flashlight and depleting my first aid kits.
 
RSO66 said:
i was wonder what some of say when they know you are in survivalskills.some people ask me if i am afraid of getting lost and why i know some of this stuff. and i was wondering what you people tell them thanks.
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Remember they say, "The best defense is a good offense". When you run into people, say, "How come you don't do survival skills? Aren't you afraid of getting lost?" Do this to everybody you run into.

..........after a while, they won't ask anymore. Problem solved! (Although I find sometimes they look in my direction, and shake their head :confused: ).

:) Doc :)
 
I have read every book I could get my hands on concerning outdoor survival skills since I could read, and remember some of it too. But if anyone questions me about it I tell them "I live in the wilderness" In light of the Katrina disaster and last years ice storms in the midwest (my power was out for a few days too) anyone who does not develope any skills is nuts, not me. When the power goes out, one should know how to feed the family and warm the home at the least.
 
A bunch of good comments. It's so easy to turn the question around nowdays and ask them "what? you're not prepared?". It's always easier to start at the home in light of all the previous and pending crisis; grid power outages, having emergency preps to pull out due to flooding, wild fires, tornodoes, hurricanes. Heck, you could easily pull out the newpaper and point to several stories and ask, "why not be prepared?".

Now, as to outdoors preparation and skills, look at all the recent Boy Scout outings where the kids ended up getting lost. What about the stories of those snowed in on hikes, or injuries preventing them from hiking out? You could even mention the stories of hikers getting attacked by mountain lions.

Is it too much to get trained in first aid? Why not have a flashlight available during power outages? Have them look at the basics...it really is common sense if they start breaking it down. "Survival" should not conjur up the picture of the BDU clad militia member running around digging up hidden caches with a full armament loadout. We should instill the mindset that it's being prepared when hiking/camping and even during bad weather or other crisis at work, home or driving inbetween.

A "survival" situation can be anything from an injury on a hike, a lost child, power outage at work or home, vehicle break down on the side of the road, severe weather situation (flood, fire, tornado, hurricane, etc.), local chemcial spill, riots, terrorist attack...all have happened in the last few years, what more do you need to show in order to say "why not be prepared and have some basic skills to take care of myself and my family...aren't you"?

ROCK6
 
I dont justify it , or even bother to explain , unless its to someone who I have time for .

Then it might be something as simple and stonewall as "Its Traditional Business" , being Aboriginal , people just clam up and dont mentionit anymore , they might look at me funny for a bit after tho :)

If Im feeling like explaining and helping them to understand , I dont talk about survival , I am so sick of survial this , survival that , survival the other , its as bad as "tactical"

I just tell them , this is how the old people did it , ya never know , it might be handy to know one day ... and they are welcome to join in , or leave me alone .

Most of my friends know that when I talk about the "old people" I mean anyone from the tribal bush folk here in Aus to the Germanic tribes people of many centuries ago in europe :)

I got interested in doing stuff basic fashion when we lived where power was more often off than on , and from working way outback , the travel between home and work often being more than 1500kms each way over some scary desert country .

I just figured that while the others were aiming at just staying alive when things got rough , I wanted to do better and DO STUFF while the others are just hanging on ....

rationing the supplies and waiting for rescue is cool , but making your own spear and woomera and getting extra meat , tanning leather and having a cool coat to show off when rescue happens is that much more bonus

just my take on it ...
 
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