Survival Weaknesses

I was reading a post this morning and one of the members said they couldn't swim. I know in some survival situations, you might have to swim in order make it. That got me thinking: while I can swim, what thing can I NOT do, that would be crucial for survival in certain circumstances? My answer is that I've never killed an animal larger than a cockroach, or the occasional bird/squirrel that loses a game of chicken with my car. I've shot firearms on a range, but have not had to hit a target that didn't have a silhouette or little topographic numbers on it :). I can't butcher a deer, or even a squirrel, although I could probably learn by trial and error. It would definitely set me back compared to many of you who hunt regularly or have had a lot of experience in that arena.

So, just wondering, what area of survival are you lacking?

It's a valid and good question. All of us are "experts" at something and newbies at something else. For me, it's fire making with sticks. Lousy at it. That's why I carry backups of backups for fire starting.

I'd have to say a wider knowledge of edible plants. I could probably sustain myself on what I do know, but there would be very little variety and I'd probably pass up a lot of things that were available.

I have no clue on edible plants. I always want to take a field tour with a knowledgeable person to learn first hand about them. I wouldn't feel confident about identifying plants with books or videos. The only thing I've eaten in the wild are scallions, lol.

I guess when I finally got a fire started without a lighter or matches it would be an eternal flame for sure. Fire starting is just plain tough for me for some reason.

Coot - I guess we're just too accustomed to the striker on the MC Tanks.

Coot - You just have to read this. I ran across it this morning and just shows how important us phone guys really are.

http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum....tary&tid=87785

I've never gutted an animal or fish, but I know the basics, and I think I could do it without puncturing the intestine of a squirrel.

Fire makeing is not one of my strong points, fairly weak at edible plants and I definetly need more medical training.

Swimming,cant do it,sink like a rock:eek: Lived in Florida when I was small,went to the coast every weekend,still never learned.
Always trying to learn more about wild edibles,shelter making and firestarting.

Ive spent years setting up my homestead preparing for the worst and could live without interference or help from the outside world for about three years. I admit I'd be at a disadvantage if I had to leave my property (especially with 5 family members in tote) but being in the Alberta foothills it would make bugging out easier because of resources found to be plentiful. To survive on my own would be easier, having my family with me, well thats another story.

I have knowledge of several "basic" wild plants in my area, but it would probably get pretty boring after a while always eating the same things. Also, the plants that I am familiar with grow in my area, I don't really have much idea about plants in other areas of the country.

Not so confident at primative fire making (that's why I have several kits with a minimum of 4 methods in each). Need work on edibles. Could survive, but would get bored.

Edible plants in the wild, but I'm always learning more

i hunt ?.?.?but i would like to know a little more about trapping(that would be my disadvantage)i can set up a figure 4 PERFECT but i havent E-V-E-R caught anything out of it

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BraggSurvivor

Ive spent years setting up my homestead preparing for the worst and could live without interference or help from the outside world for about three years. I admit I'd be at a disadvantage if I had to leave my property (especially with 5 family members in tote) but being in the Alberta foothills it would make bugging out easier because of resources found to be plentiful. To survive on my own would be easier, having my family with me, well thats another story.

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Hi Braggsurvivor, you are very lucky to live in the Kannannaskis country. I used to live in Calgary for a while way back in the 70's. I used to head out to Kannannaskis on the weekends...those were the days. Still got some friends in Canmore and Crowsnest Pass...
As for my survivor weakness, it is definately my inability to swim. Go figure I live in Ontario with hundreds of thousands of lakes and rivers. In a survival situation crossing a major river or lake would be serious business.
Also I have glasses for nearsightedness. I suppose if I lost them I'd be as blind as a bat(and about as ugly :D ).
Alex

Bragg - you bring up a really good point. All of us are thinking in personal terms but what if the entire family were involved. Then what would the weakness be? Perhaps some mental ability to tough it out by a family member? Some readiness to give up? Quality leadership would be a much needed skill. Probably as important as fire making or food gathering. Being able to direct each family member..orchestrating the group into a team so everyone felt they were contributing and some synergy was being developed would be imperative.

Good point on the glasses. I wear contacts and carry my reading glasses around. On planned outings I always have a pair of glasses with me. In an unplanned situation of any duration, the contacts would become a problem. Without them or glasses (near sighted with 20/400 vision) I wouldn't be able to tell a griz from a squirrel until it was too late.

Rick that's gotta be the funniest one I ever heard and the sad part of it is it could be true. That's the best one yet, and coffee does go thru the nose rather quickly.

I have a lousy sense of direction. The wife and kids aren't exactly survival types although I still have hope for the kids. And I tend to misplace a lot things. :o

My sense of direction is fantastic. What? Whats that? Yes dear, turning left now.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aurelius95

I was reading a post this morning and one of the members said they couldn't swim. I know in some survival situations, you might have to swim in order make it. That got me thinking: while I can swim, what thing can I NOT do, that would be crucial for survival in certain circumstances? My answer is that I've never killed an animal larger than a cockroach, or the occasional bird/squirrel that loses a game of chicken with my car. I've shot firearms on a range, but have not had to hit a target that didn't have a silhouette or little topographic numbers on it :). I can't butcher a deer, or even a squirrel, although I could probably learn by trial and error. It would definitely set me back compared to many of you who hunt regularly or have had a lot of experience in that arena.

So, just wondering, what area of survival are you lacking?

---

Me also, I've never done any type of hunting. If I shot and killed a large animal and gutted it and everything I would probably throw up. I've done some fishing but never actually killed one. Just caught them and let them go.

Wild foods makes it on my list of don't go theres.. but then, I am mechanically minded and do a lot better at other aspects of survival. To cover for the wild food inadequacy, I stock up and carry as much as I can.

Id have to say edible plants. I can do most anything except identify edible plants.

Fishing with a line and hook, I'd be better off eating the bait. And flies ... yeah I'd starve to death. I'd be better off making a net if I had enough line.

Identify edible plants would be my worst a close second would be trapping i know how but have never needed to do it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wanderer

Hi Braggsurvivor, you are very lucky to live in the Kannannaskis country. I used to live in Calgary for a while way back in the 70's. I used to head out to Kannannaskis on the weekends...those were the days. Still got some friends in Canmore and Crowsnest Pass...
As for my survivor weakness, it is definately my inability to swim. Go figure I live in Ontario with hundreds of thousands of lakes and rivers. In a survival situation crossing a major river or lake would be serious business.
Also I have glasses for nearsightedness. I suppose if I lost them I'd be as blind as a bat(and about as ugly :D ).
Alex

---

Wanderer, it certainly is a beautiful area out here. I'm just worried about the talk of the provincial government bringing water/sewer services to this area. It will end up being like Banff and Lake Louise out here if that were to happen. We are fighting tooth and nail. http://www.savekananaskis.ca/

I have investment property in Crowsnest Pass. http://www.albertaresort.com/cmr/index.php Some of the most scenic and best ATV riding in the country. Last summer the complete area was shut down due to fire bans.

Where abouts in Ontario are you?

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