People are depending too much on gear and surivial supplies!

[CountryGuy]

Lets review history and the disasters that have happened over the last 15 years.

Katerina: Even though the government told people to leave a lot of them did not. Why because they did not understand the situation, lacked experience, or were moved to stay in a familiar area.

Twin Towers: Most workers in those two buildings pushed buttons on computers or placed papers from one basket to another, many ran away then returned to try to help their fellow victims. Again because it was familiar territory.

Terrorist attacks around the nation: Many have happened that caused death and damage. People reacted by moving either away from the area or towards it to help. Those that moved towards it either had training or experience in this type of situation. i.e. first aid training, search and rescue training, etc.

Storms: Well we have all seen what happened with winter. People who have experience knew to stay indoors and not drive in it. Experience in a familiar situation.

My main point is in any given situation/disaster you will do one of two things; move away from the area because you have no experience in handling the situation or you move towards it to help because of experience/training. No one will just stand by and do nothing except the news media....! It is just a normal human reaction to disasters.

Rich, Good points but one thing I'll add you also might find yourself in the middle of the event, not just as a passerby. For example with 9/11. I've heard the interviews with loved ones and some who escaped when they relay that people were being told "just stay here", "just wait", "help is on the way" and similar statements. I believe many people could have escaped had they only listened to themselves and not to those around and above them. Always remember, YOU and no one else is ultimately responsible for your own safety. Don't let fear of what, dirty looks? peer opinion? getting fired for walking out? stop you. I'll bet the hundreds that stayed in sheep mode instead of listening to their own head and gut that was screaming to get out long before things escalated to the point it became impossible to escape are looking down from the here after saying "...if I'd only listened to myself."

Same for Katrina, how many knew what a hurricane can bring, knew that they live in a city built below sea level yet they waited, thinking others had a better sense than their own, putting their trust, faith and safety into the hands of bureaucrats and others. Again, the sheeple led themselves to their own slaughter. Had they listened to that voice in themselves. I know in many sheeple that voice has been lulled to sleep and they barely hear it except for in the most dire of times. But then it is such a strange voice to them that they don't recognize it, much less heed it.

[RICHFL]

Lets review history and the disasters that have happened over the last 15 years.

Katerina: Even though the government told people to leave a lot of them did not. Why because they did not understand the situation, lacked experience, or were moved to stay in a familiar area.

Twin Towers: Most workers in those two buildings pushed buttons on computers or placed papers from one basket to another, many ran away then returned to try to help their fellow victims. Again because it was familiar territory.

Terrorist attacks around the nation: Many have happened that caused death and damage. People reacted by moving either away from the area or towards it to help. Those that moved towards it either had training or experience in this type of situation. i.e. first aid training, search and rescue training, etc.

Storms: Well we have all seen what happened with winter. People who have experience knew to stay indoors and not drive in it. Experience in a familiar situation.

My main point is in any given situation/disaster you will do one of two things; move away from the area because you have no experience in handling the situation or you move towards it to help because of experience/training. No one will just stand by and do nothing except the news media....! It is just a normal human reaction to disasters.

[shotgunpapa]

Bobbie I also had bad knees I could not walk a cross the room started vitamin D also fish oil now I'm walking 2 mile trap line every day. the Dr said I had to have knee replacement. but now I can wait. Don't know if it will work for you but give it a try, now I still have pain but not like I did and it is getting better all the time.

[zzak]

skeeters can't bite you thru an inch or so of dirt (or if you're underwater). If you're really being "bugged" and have no netting or repellant, and can't get submerged in water, dig a shallow trench, get into it and pull the excavated dirt over yourself. If you can arrange for some water over the dirt, that's even better. If you go underwater, some mud on your face and neck will make you relatively "unbitable" on your exposed parts. Get some sleep, then find a way to burn and smoke them away from you. Check out dave cantebury's youtube channel, about insecticidal plants. I believe it is the "tic-fern" that he recommends.

[kaz]

i studied a lot of primitive skills growing up {im now 50} im in good health. if i ever found myself out and about with only me, i guess id think hey i need shelter, i need fire, i need water, i need food. then id think i need a knife. and id set out to build one or something like one, from flint, a clam shell, old broken glass, ya know whatever i find. making and using a bow drill for drilling or for fire isnt all that hard to do., big rock makes a nice hammer, so does a small diam. log. stick can be a shovel of sorts, see where im getting at on this? gadgets are great and makes things easier. but when said gadget breaks you better have some way of replacing it, and if your going to use your hands and back for everything you better be in decent enough shape to handle that as well.i know my area. i know what grows that is medicine {not everything but enough to get by pretty good}, whats food {again not everything but everything i actually like and will and do eat.}.and other things like fish poison { its a good idea to know this as a fishing pole can leave you very hungry at times lol}. whats good for different kinds of cordage, whats good for tanning hides, how to tan hides, vegetable and brain tan, other poisons {stuff you want to avoid!}, stuff to keep bugs away, natural ways of keeping mosquitoes at bay.its all fun and happiness till night fall and those skeeters come out.they can drive a man nuts.stuff like that.thats what "i" believe you need to know. knowledge is one of the "tools" you can take with you if and when its "only" you ! but like was said you need decent health as well.

[HorseFeathers]

No one individual can gain the knowledge and be a master at each skill. That is why most preppers once they have established a plan of action and are well into gathering the items they need that they start looking into the areas they have short comings in like ER surgery or ham radio operations. They then expand their groups trying to find and fill those needs. My group is now at 8 full time members and a few extra part time preppers.

Great minds think alike :cool:

[HorseFeathers]

Great minds think alike lol :cool:

[SHTFnTX]

How bout a logo in the shape of a propeller with each having a letter of "S-H-T-F" maybe in a camo color array. I suck at art work. It was just a thought. I really prefer not advertise to much. But when something goes does down a majority of people wont even know what the letters mean.

[101airborne]

I agree 100% with you we should focus on our bodies also we need to get back to basics here all the gadgets and gizmos can't save you when they are broken, lost or you run out of it.

What happens when you break your knife? Can you flintknap to make a new one?

Besides having several knives I can make a workable one if need be.


How about your lighter runs out of fluid? Can you make fire by friction?
I have several methods/ skills to make fire including flint and steel.

your food supply runs out .. learn a few wild edible plants.
Yep know a few dozen real well and working knowledge of a couple hundred including medicinal ones.

Do you know how to hunt, trap and fish with what only material nature supplies you?

Yes including how to tan hides to make clothing and moccosins, make stick bows and arrows.


If you answered NO to some of these questions you need to find someone to teach you or scour the internet for the information and practice these skill sets .... Remember knowledge is power and nobody can take that away from you!

Agree 110% on people need to learn. Now I LOVE the gadets and gizmo's If you've got them it makes some things a lot easier while they work.

[Oscar Wilde]

I have tried for the past year to start a fire with a bow drill have not succeeded yet. ....

Well Johnie .... your doing it wrong. Vaseline saturated cotton balls would tide you over while you're mastering that bow and drill. Big Guy put a spark to one and *poof*, works as advertised.

O.W.

[myakka]

I have followed a lot of this thread, and the debate about learning to make do without stuff. I agree that the more you can do for yourself the better, but it occurs to me that in order to make the bow drill and some of the other primitive stuff you start with your knife, and cut the wood etc. I know that some areas have rock that can be knapped into a good cutting edge, but we dont here. So I can't go completely primitive, I still need to keep a blade to start with.

[johnnie l.]

I have tried for the past year to start a fire with a bow drill have not succeeded yet. I can make fire much more easily and with less effort with flint and steel. It is sometimes hard to find the right type of steel but here in Missouri flint is fairly plentiful and good tender is something that is easy to make. That said I keep butane lighters on me at all times plus waterproofed matches and sealed dry tender.

[ctdcb18b]

i agree with you topcat gear is cool but ultimately a luxury one needs to learn practice and hone are primitive skills reducing the dependence on are gear
or you better have a huge stockpile of it
knowledge is power and very light on weight

[milyow]

:mad:I have found out that most people preparing for TSHTF are depending too much on gear and supplies. What is going to happen to them if they find themselves with just themselves and nothing else.
You and I need to focus more on ourselves and less on gear and supples. Not that they are not important, but we are more important.
What is your state of health? How long do you think you can survive without food or water? You mind and body are your most important asset during bad times.Work on your mind and body. I am 70 years and in real good health, take no meds, exercise, not over weight, try to eat right, but do take vitamins and mineral supplements.

That is true we really need to examine us first. And people should ask themselves: What skills do I have that could benefit me and the people around me? Will/do I have the proper mind set if a disaster struck? Am I physically and mentally prepared for anything? Having gears and supplies are essential especially food and water. (You'll only survive one week without food and three days without water). But one still should rely on their own skills to survive. But if you're in a group chances would be better especially every single one of you are survivalist.

[Samexplores]

I completely agree! if ts really hit tf then odds are part of your emergency supplies could be destroyed anyways