Skill set

[Bearman202]

In an effort to make ME think about what I can bring to the table, I want to throw this out there. What skill set do you bring to the mix? There are considerations here. For example, you may be one heck of a programmer, but when the computers go away after an EMP hit, what good would that do? Do you see what I'm getting at here? I want to see what others have and try to make a decision about whether or not it's a skill that *I* should develop. I'm going to list both pros and cons to make myself think about my primary areas of weakness. (Anyone been in the military will recognize that phrase...) These are both SHTF and post-SHTF ideas. Okay, I'll go first.

Pros:
-I am a competent potter. I can take clay, shape it, and fire it into a usable utensil.
-I am a fairly good leather worker. I can make holsters, belts, and small items from a piece of blank leather. I have sent off for information about a bulk buy of plain buckles.
-Some woodworking ability. This is mostly with prepared wood, although I understand the concepts involved in taking a tree and turning it into something useful in the house.
-First Aid Guy. I was a nationally-certified EMT, but those skills have gotten really rusty. I do remember the basics. I also gave away my book a long time ago. Sigh. Need to get another one.
-Some knowledge of firearms operations and employment. I am not good at gun smithing, although I can figure out how to clear most jams. I need more information in this area, and some hands-on practice.
-I am teaching myself how to knit. I think the ability to create a blanket from available fibers could come in handy, and will be preferred to skinning and tanning looters. I am also going to learn how to sew.
-Will-do mindset. This is probably the most important of any of these. I was in a situation a couple of years ago that involved capturing a burglar. A lot of lessons learned on that one. The most important was that I did what I had to do.

Cons:
-While I have some food set aside, and some extra water, I am a LONG way from being where I need to be.
-I have a selection of guns in different calibers, with "some" ammo for each. None of them are really redundant, and I don't have enough ammo for any one caliber to make a real difference long-term.
-My location sucks rocks. I live in a low-income apartment area. I do have two separate bug-out locations picked out, with people that know that I might show up there.
-My level of physical fitness is poor. I'm in fairly good health, but in lousy condition. I smoke.
-Very shallow support group. Both couples who know I might show up there are fairly stable, but you can't know how dependable they will be until it comes down to it. Not a great situation.
-I am a fairly lousy cook. While I know how to skin a rabbit and roast it over a fire, or make a soup out of it, that's about the extent of my cooking ability. I need to figure out what spices are used for what meals, and how to put them together in a pleasing way.

Okay, that's a start. It sure sounds thin, don't it? That's the purpose of the exercise, though. Make me think, people!

[610Alpha]

Can you hunt, fish, trap, and do you know where to gather food from the forest? Can you tan hide/furs? I would look at it from a 19th century view, what skills did they need then? Can you find medicinal herbs? Do you know how to process them? Can you do blacksmithing? Steam engine?

Not that I am an expert at this stuff but this is what came to my mind. Thankfully my Grandfather is 1/2 Native American and grew up in the great depression so I have the benefit of his knowledge to glean from, granted he has forgotten some things....

Hope that helps. Good topic.

[crossbow]

I can hunt, fish trap,weld,operate and repair heavy equipment,carpenter work,plumbing, raise animals,milk cows,drive horses,do leather craft,pick a guitar, clean and repair oil burners,cook,can,bake all out doors or in dutch ovens, make fire in the rain outside.I just wish My kids would come around more often so i can teach and test them more. I know nothing about first aid except if i see a cut, spit tobacco juice on it, althought i don't use tobacco, but that's what the guy did who taught me everything yrs ago.

[Lowdown3]

"We can hunt, we can fish. We can stay up here a long, long time."

OK, what movie is that from? This should be bu koo easy ;)

[Hawkeye]

"We can hunt, we can fish. We can stay up here a long, long time."

OK, what movie is that from? This should be bu koo easy ;)

If someone doesnt know that, then they have lived a sheltered life. :D

[Longhunter]

Wolverines!!!!!!! Red Dawn

Now I'm going to have to watch it. It's my last day of leave, its raining and my future wife is at work, so its on.

[Lowdown3]

Sorry for the sidetrack :) I kept seeing "hunting and fishing" and it popped right into my mind.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

I can shoot, hunt, trap, fish by traditional methods as well as some non traditional (legal) methods. I garden, haven't farmed since I was a teen. Lots of military type skills. Fight with many forms. I know first aid and some lifesavers skills and have had the opportunity to use them. The advanced medical stuff is still a weakness. I have the ability to teach these skills too and do right now which I think will help me if I had to show up at someones door. I am in a decent location with some supplies and good resources such as water and wild edible plants. I have the ability to make things, they are not pretty but usable. I have learned to weld some now. I can mechanic some. I am in decent shape, need to cardio more but I work out 30 mins a day. I have access to a gym within walking distance from the job so thats where lunch is spent. I am learning more about fire starting, mainly that if it takes me rubbing 2 sticks in Oklahoma humidity we are gonna die! To counter this I have purchased a few different methods and dispersed them around. I am constantly trying to develop skills on food storage and preparation. I can make some primitive weapons and traps. I have good folks to support me now but i am unsure of them in post SHTF. I tried to get some friends together and it started good with talk then I couldn't get it off the ground. I know I will never be satisfied with the level of preparation I'm at and work weekly and make a record of what I have done so I won't slack.

[EX121]

Not to get to personal but by listing what you think of as your cons, gives you a list of what skills you need to develop. I think a basic question that anyone needs to ask is "Can I provide or take care of myself under these, -_________, conditions, and can I take care provide assistance to my immediate family". If you say yes great. If not then you ask what do I need to improve. Think basics, shelter, food, water, security, etc. (these priorities change depending upon cirimstances). My 2 1/2 cents worth allowing for inflation.

[Bearman202]

Not to get to personal but by listing what you think of as your cons, gives you a list of what skills you need to develop. I think a basic question that anyone needs to ask is "Can I provide or take care of myself under these, -_________, conditions, and can I take care provide assistance to my immediate family". If you say yes great. If not then you ask what do I need to improve. Think basics, shelter, food, water, security, etc. (these priorities change depending upon cirimstances). My 2 1/2 cents worth allowing for inflation.

That was the general plan when I started this thread. It wasn't so much a "look what I can do" as it was a "look at what I need to do better" thing. I help people with their writing at times, and one of the first things I tell them is that you don't get better by hearing about what you do well. It's way too easy to ignore our weaknesses, or pretend that they don't really matter. We've all become accustomed to doing things a certain way, so much so that that particular way has become the way we do things. What if that particular way was no longer available? Do you have the flexibility or other options in place to deal with the problem?

One of my fantasy circumstances is that I'm sitting in class when the lights go out. The cell phone is blank, which indicates an EMP hit. I live about six miles from where I take classes. Could I get from there to here on foot? It would be an extreme challenge for me right now, not to mention that I would have to go through an area of town that's a bit "iffy" at the best of times. I think the first few hours would be okay, so I would need to beat feet, but just the idea of a forced six mile hike is really intimidating. Once I got home, I have enough preps in place to last me maybe a month, although I seriously doubt the neighbors do. I would need to hike to one of two bugout locations, both of which are over five miles away. Also, there is no way I could make that trip carrying the stuff I would need. Not a good feeling, and I'm currently working on options, including pre-positioning.

That's the kind of thing I'm thinking about. The old management adage applies here: It's called the five "P's" of planning. "Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance." Second is the realization that it's not enough to plan. You have to implement!

[Lowdown3]

I need more work on wild edibles, more experience making cord, sharpening axes, tying knots.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Yep it hit me last winter during the blizzard that I live 35 miles away from work. It took me 1 1/2 hrs to make it. I had all my gear but it dawned on me about halfway that there was no way even this prepared used to be bad a.. was gonna make that if my truck went down with ever worsening conditions. Several folks died from bad decisions that day, some froze to death. I can do 35 miles in 2 days with my truck BOB gear. I would be sore and hurt and have blisters ,but it aint the first time and wont be the last, and I have a medium river crossing if the bridge is undoable but I think I have that worked out. The issue is I have 10yrs to go there. In 10yrs I'm not to sure I will still be able to make it, I'm 45 now. I think this is a good thread to make me/us think.

[monkeybird]

I have concluded that there are some survival needs I can handle, but there are also a lot of things I cannot do.

Things I can do well
When it comes to food storage I'm very good!
I am highly organized.
I am a Registered Nurse who worked the emergency department for 20 years. I am very good a first aide.
I can fish (thanks to my father)
I can sew - just about anything
I'm an excellent teacher
Grow food (very poorly)
Kill someone coming toward me with evil intent


What I know how to do (thanks to books and YouTube) - but have never done!
Build a fire
Use a compass
Pitch a tent
There are other thing, but you get the point

Things I have no idea how to do
I cannot hunt
Clean and dress game
Defend myself against a gang bent on evil intent

Things I know I cannot do
Run several miles
Carry a heavy load
Climb a mountain

The point is that every single person has their abilities and talent. I was raised as a southern girl in the 60's. We did not sweat. I've never been camping in my life. I did not own tennis shoes until 10 years ago - go ahead and laugh - life was different. If you were a capable woman you kept it a secret! No one liked a smart girl. Instead we become steel magnolias.

While I may not be considered "valuable" in a survival group, I'll tell you this - I raised one heck of a son, I've been married to the same man (through thick and thin) for 35 years, I am the ROCK of my family. If something terrible happens, I am the one everyone turns too, I am the one who keeps everyone together, I am the one who keeps everyone else focused.

[610Alpha]

@Monkeybird - Don't sell yourself short, you are very valuable in a survival group, you are an RN!!!! Spending 20 years in the ER gives you a lot of experience dealing with all kinds of trauma. Who else is going to patch someone up? Which would you rather have to patch you up an RN or someone who has only taken a few first aid classes?

[610Alpha]

Like lowdown3 said - wild edibles, cordage making, tying knots.

Sharpening an Axe is fairly simple, I use a fine file, run the file against the cutting edge so that as you move the file across the blade so that the file is going towards the blunt edge (back end) of the axe. Just like you sharpen a knife besides the obvious differences. I use roughly the same angle too.