LONG Term 30 years 80 years "SHTF", you ready?

**Rick** · 03-18-2010, 04:52 PM

Passing survival skills on to our kids should be standard fare. At least for me it is. It's one of the reasons I got back into the "game". Having the knowledge to find edible plants or to know how to change a tire or how to fix a meal are import skill sets even outside of survival.

**Sourdough** · 03-18-2010, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by BENESSE

And I'll go even further to stipulate that people like Sourdough or ycc would rather live shorter lives and stay where they are than move to NYC and add 10 years--if that was their only option.

Lady you got that CORRECT. I visited NYC in 1958 and it was clearly no place for a young cow milker.

**doug1980** · 03-18-2010, 05:00 PM

I thought TSHTF already. You mean it may get worse? Nope not ready for that, but then again I don't fear death so, whatever.

**BENESSE** · 03-18-2010, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

Passing survival skills on to our kids should be standard fare. At least for me it is. It's one of the reasons I got back into the "game". Having the knowledge to find edible plants or to know how to change a tire or how to fix a meal are import skill sets even outside of survival.

Couldn't agree more.
That's just common sense. Just like being fiscally responsible and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Equally important skills to pass on to our kids.

**trax** · 03-19-2010, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by BENESSE

.......Somehow in all these doomsday preparations, the word happiness doesn't often come up.

Good point BENESSE, I for one wouldn't want to live in any major urban area, I would ifI had to, but....yech.

**BENESSE** · 03-19-2010, 01:06 PM

We all make calculated compromises in everything we do--some big, some small, but compromises nonetheless.
The lucky ones realize early on what makes them happy and hopefully down the road they can look back and have fewer regrets.
But they will have regrets whether they want to admit it or not. Don't think there's an honest person out there who hasn't wished for a do-over in something or other.

**Durtyoleman** · 03-22-2010, 06:37 AM

self sufficiency/ sustainability. These are the watch-words in my survival preps. I want to be able to manufacture as much as I can.

DOM

**Mountaintrekker** · 03-23-2010, 02:09 AM

This is what I'm prepping for, we'll save the how and why I came to this conclusion for another time. I'm looking at stocking a few things like getting a nice crosscut timber saw and the correct tools to set the teeth and keep them sharp. I'm also aquiring some basic hand tools to help with expediting construction of a cabin, shelter etc. Antique braces and bit I've refurbed, hand and jackplanes, curved carving knives etc. I'm trying not to go overboard, but the importance of metal cannot go unheard in a situation like this.
My wife and I have been studying up on Algebra and Geometry and stocking up a few books on mathmatics as this is a difficult subject for many, but very essential to correctly make and do so many things. I need to practice more primitive skills and use them in my everyday life. The mind is the greatest tool as most of us know!

**Mountaintrekker** · 03-23-2010, 05:27 AM

Thanks sjj! I was able to get a Wetterlings hunting ax for a good price a couple of years ago and have yet to really use it like it is meant to be used, hopefully soon! An ax like you mentioned would be a fine tool indeed.
I also purchased a very nice new German straight razor and all the sharpening gear, now if I only had the guts to try it!

I should also mention that most of these tools fit in my go bag. I also have a Two Cherries draw knife which I used to peel logs for our old cabin in Colorado and it's in fine shape and finally showing some character. Really takes an edge!
So, I'm gearing up for who knows what, I've been flat broke without much several times in my life and I have learned from all of them. I now have a lovely wife who shares my passion for the outdoors (almost as much as me) and I have her I have to provide for as well. I vowed long ago I would never be dependant on some one else for my basic necessities if I can help it. If we lost all sources of income tomorrow, we would be in pretty decent shape to live in the wilds almost anywhere for quite some time.

**TucsonMax** · 03-28-2010, 10:59 PM

Originally Posted by Sourdough

I guess my inquire had more to do with children, for those who have children.

Sourdough, let me give you a different point-of-view, from someone w/ 2 grade-school kids who doesn't live "all alone in a cabin, on a lonely mountain, next to a very HAPPY Creek." There are literally 1,000+ homes within 1 hr walking distance from my house. Hundreds of them have kids at all ages. Now, I hate to think this, let-alone write it, but if it's really TEOTWAWKI, most of those people, my neighbors, won't survive Year 1. So, my kids (who will survive) will wear their shoes, clothes etc.

As far as survival education, they are learning to farm (we planted 12 varieties of vegetables just this AM) and make due with less when necessary. They know we store supplies "in case of emergency" (like no power.) And my daughter suggested we play a game - try to go one entire weekend w/o electricity. My wife and I working on that. They know where every fruit tree in the neighborhood is located and we play "spot the water source", etc.

**your_comforting_company** · 03-29-2010, 05:54 AM

I have to agree with Max. My whole family, grandma included, play "spot the resource" games. Not many people look around them and see potential in something as simple as a fallen limb. Which I think is a really good example of peoples wastefulness. When we pick up limbs out of the yard to cut the grass or what have you, I have them piled out next to our fire ring. NOT in a "burn pile" that will all go up in one quick fire. I don't buy charcoal for cooking.
A fallen limb offers kindling all the way up to medium fire-wood. A magnolia tree sheds leaves that will hold rainwater. I like to ask whoever is with me, "What could you use that for" and just see what they say. sometimes they say things I hadn't even though of. Kids can be creative like that and my daughter at one time or another, has even seen simple things like toys in the most mundane of debris.
theres a little happiness to go in the thread. toys and games

**Alaskan Survivalist** · 03-29-2010, 12:34 PM

The quality of survival in my life has been about having options. I think it a mistake to limit your options. Primitive survival to me is like being prepared to be unprepared. It is lowest level of survival and there are many levels between here and there that should be prepared for also. Note the use of the word also. It is ALL important to me. I think it important to get ahead of disaster and have a fall back position before loosing everything. I'm preparing to let things go systematically maintaining the best life possible. When people loose there home it is more likely they will move into thier car than live in a debris hut out in the woods. Last summer I set my car up for camping and is incredibly comfortable. Should I loose my car I would be down to my kayak that can still carry more than I ever ever could. Then a backpack that has gear seperated into a progresssion of kits that will eventually get down to a 6 pound kit. I prepare to stabilize my life at the highest level possible. I could retire but now I have a very secure job, but should I loose it then I would have unemployment and only after that would I draw retirement and I have options of making money out of my home and then growing and catching my own food. There is no greater security than having options. Don't back yourself into an all or nothing situation.

**BENESSE** · 03-29-2010, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by Alaskan Survivalist

The quality of survival in my life has been about having options. I think it a mistake to limit your options. Primitive survival to me is like being prepared to be unprepared. It is lowest level of survival and there are many levels between here and there that should be prepared for also. Note the use of the word also. It is ALL important to me. I think it important to get ahead of disaster and have a fall back position before loosing everything. I'm preparing to let things go systematically maintaining the best life possible. When people loose there home it is more likely they will move into thier car than live in a debris hut out in the woods. Last summer I set my car up for camping and is incredibly comfortable. Should I loose my car I would be down to my kayak that can still carry more than I ever ever could. Then a backpack that has gear seperated into a progresssion of kits that will eventually get down to a 6 pound kit. I prepare to stabilize my life at the highest level possible. I could retire but now I have a very secure job, but should I loose it then I would have unemployment and only after that would I draw retirement and I have options of making money out of my home and then growing and catching my own food. There is no greater security than having options. Don't back yourself into an all or nothing situation.

Words to live by, AS!

**hunter63** · 03-29-2010, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by BENESSE

Words to live by, AS!

Agreed, +1, AS, it's nice to know HOW, even if you don't NEED to.

**Batch** · 03-29-2010, 06:31 PM

I don't think we will lose all of the technology we have now.

I mean how do we lose the knowledge we have to do these things? Don't you think folks will band together again? Its what they have always done unless they wanted to be alone.

Even self reliant folks went to town or rendezvous. Natives traveled to trade.

Do you really think that we would be back in the stone age?

So how far back will we go?

By fuel being gone I assume we refer to gasoline. Most gasoline motors can be made to run alternative fuels.

What about the fuels from before diesel and gasoline. Could a steam engine run your generator? Wind? Water?

You might have to bug from tyranny or disease. But, from a historical perspective neither lasts much more than two to five years.

What are we running from?

I agree with being able to make do with what you have in your natural environment. But, we are not going back to hunter gatherer by any stretch. We have too much knowledge.

**Rick** · 03-29-2010, 08:20 PM

I completely concur, Batch. I suppose if Old Faithful became a super volcano and 6 people were left on the planet. But short of that, folks want to get back to where they were and will migrate toward that at their earliest convenience.