should i tell people survival things?

[Bladen]

i have really mixed thoughts about telling my friends what ive learned and what ive done to prepare to survive.

i dont think theres much harm in telling a friend or two a few ways to make a fire or what have you.

but i dont know if i should say anything about the food i have stockpiled.

most people i know think its quite silly to prepare for an emergency for whatever reasons. now if the SHTF shouldnt i expect them to come knocking at my door? if you answer yes, then wont telling people put you in danger to a point?

if i do tell them what im doing would it be a good idea to thow in-dont come knocking?

i think the smart thing to do is to keep my mouth shut.
BUT!
but but but but, then how can i get people i care about to even think about preparing things for themselves?

any thoughts?

[Winnie]

In the main I've kept my preps to myself. At the moment over here I think I'd be called Mrs Burt Gummer, if you see what I mean. It's just not in the English psyche anymore. However whenever I can afford to, I add more than I need to my stores, to in some way provide for family members other than just me and Winnie jnr in an emergency. I keep these preps quiet, for 2 reasons 1) the Mrs Gummer thing and 2) there's no way I can protect my stores the way you all can. So on that basis, I'd be inclined to share information/knowledge, but I wouldn't advertise your storage.You know it's there if needs be and your family and friends can still benefit.

Edit to add, you could simply drop a hint or relate an experience that many have had where a certain amount of stores has come in handy

[crashdive123]

i have really mixed thoughts about telling my friends what ive learned and what ive done to prepare to survive.

i dont think theres much harm in telling a friend or two a few ways to make a fire or what have you.

but i dont know if i should say anything about the food i have stockpiled.

most people i know think its quite silly to prepare for an emergency for whatever reasons. now if the SHTF shouldnt i expect them to come knocking at my door? if you answer yes, then wont telling people put you in danger to a point?

if i do tell them what im doing would it be a good idea to thow in-dont come knocking?

i think the smart thing to do is to keep my mouth shut.
BUT!
but but but but, then how can i get people i care about to even think about preparing things for themselves?
any thoughts?

Your challenge then, is to find ways to get them interested. You become the catalyst for motivation and the teacher.

[Rick]

You can certainly talk about planning and nudge folks in that direction and not divulge the extent of planning you've done. One doesn't have to go hand in hand with the other. It's one thing to discuss the need to be prepared but when you tell folks about the food, water, generator, weapons, etc. where do you think they will land if something happens? And why should they prepare when you have? Hmmm?

[Old GI]

I spent six and a half years doing public speaking that encouraged residents to be prepared for any disaster. Most were very receptive and some were extremely grateful for learning things. I didn't get into primitive very much unless asked.

[Ole WV Coot]

You'll get more interest than action from most people and keep quiet about whatever you've got stockpiled, especially food & firearms if you own any. I don't have any family within 75mi so I just don't advertise.

[hunter63]

That's a very good and tough question.
Most people I do know, know where I stand, by my actions, for a long time.

Buying land, building cabin and other stuff, gardening/canning/drying, hunting, collecting/making gear of all kinds, so they already have a good idea where I stand on anything that might happen in the future.

I also has been asked my opinion on all of the above, from a lot of people about most everything I just mentioned and tend to help/encourage anyone to take care of them-SELVES as best they can.

Most people I don't know or meet, I tend to keep my mouth shut, at least till I can get a read on them, but will answer general questions when asked. Just not many details.

I think the trick is to let most people know that I am prepared, and keep them guessing......?

[dbldrew]

That’s a tough call, in one hand you want to make sure they are in a position to take care of themselves, so talking about it and getting them interested is the way to start them down the path towards self reliance.

But that could easily backfire on you when you talk about all you are doing and they don’t become interested and don’t do anything to prepare themselves, but now they have the knowledge that YOU have the supplies and means to take care of yourself. So yes they will come knocking on your door, if the SHTF.

So you have a couple of options to you. Are you the kind of person who has it in you to turn away friends and family? Or do you want to stockpile enough supplies to take care of those you tell that will come knocking if the SHTF?

If you don’t have the financial means to stockpile for others and you don’t have it in you to turn them away when they come knocking then guard your secret about how well you are prepared.

[SARKY]

There is no harm in showing or teaching them techniques, however THEY don't need to know what YOUR preperations are! You might broach the subject of preparing for a disaster by starting the converstion with a disaster event ie. New Orleans or some other event and then ask them what they have done if anything to prepare for such an event. If they ask you, be vague and non descript, like, "i have some water and whatever food is in the house".

[redwoodfox]

i pretty much gave up trying to educate people. I have had one to many people laugh and call me parinoied, gets kinda old after awhile. Ya who knows maybe it won't be civilization toppling,but theres always floods earthquakes and such. I don't think that its crazy to make sure if something happens i can see to the welfare of my wife and son.

[Rick]

RWF - The forum is about half those that prepare for natural disaster, half that prepare for the end of the world and half that prepare for both. So, yeah. You're right on the mark.

[crashdive123]

The world's ending???????

Carp! Gotta make a new list.

[Rick]

Great. Now I have to change my statistics. Oh, well. I made them up anyway.

[Batch]

The world's ending???????

Carp! Gotta make a new list.

Holy Carp!!!

I talk to folks. I tell them my opinion. I do tell people how I prepare. But, I don't prepare for end of world or long term disaster. I keep a couple of weeks worth of supplies and after that I'll be looking at other options.

[oly]

A lot of people talk of preparedness in my state but few really do.

I prepare for natural disasters but Admin and the Mods here has been the biggest challenge.

[oldsoldier]

Balden try something like this ( I have had some luck using recent LOCAL event)
Me... Hey Rick I was just thinking it's getting winter again, where did the summer go?

Rick.... Yeah I know what you mean, I sure hope it's better than last year.

Me.... Hey that's right you were without power for 2 weeks weren't you?

Rick... Yes and man it was rough.

Me... I know what your saying, have you done anything in case it happens again, a generator would be fairly cheap to get now, it isn't the time of year most people think of needing one?

Rick... Yeah I've thought about it, But i still don't know if.......

Me.... Yeah But what happens IF? I'm glad I bought one without it i don't know what the wife and I would have done... And we don't have any kids, you have two to think about, If you want me to I'd be happy to go with you and help you pick one out. That way if something does happen you'll have it. If not it won't go bad you can use it if summer storms knock out the power like it did 3-4 years ago. Remember?

Rick.... Oh yeah I remember now. Thanks maybe I had better look at one!

Me... Good Idea, maybe even think about a few supplies also, Ya know bottled water,maybe some extra canned stuff..... If you only spend $5-10 extra each time you go to the grocery.. It'll add up really quickly, and you won't have as much to worry about.

i used this with a friend up the street not to long ago. He bought a generator and asked me to suggest a few supplies to keep just in case.....

[Boker]

i have really mixed thoughts about telling my friends what ive learned and what ive done to prepare to survive.

i dont think theres much harm in telling a friend or two a few ways to make a fire or what have you.

but i dont know if i should say anything about the food i have stockpiled.

most people i know think its quite silly to prepare for an emergency for whatever reasons. now if the SHTF shouldnt i expect them to come knocking at my door? if you answer yes, then wont telling people put you in danger to a point?

if i do tell them what im doing would it be a good idea to thow in-dont come knocking?

i think the smart thing to do is to keep my mouth shut.
BUT!
but but but but, then how can i get people i care about to even think about preparing things for themselves?

any thoughts?

Be nice to people, help with what you can. They may become your emergency rations.



j/k

[RangerXanatos]

After his post, I think oldsoldier should become our official spokesman for Wilderness-Survival.net

[redwoodfox]

Be nice to people, help with what you can. They may become your emergency rations.



j/k

eating people uh?..well if it comes down to it i'm gonna eat my mother in law first,.:munchies

[Sarge47]

I don't tell 'em anything! All the folks I talk to think they know everything already anyway. However, if trouble comes then I might be around to help. It would depend on the situation & the people!