Are you....

[Sarge47]

....an "Arm-Chair Survivalist?" Do you see yourself drinking urine & eating animal poo just to survive, trying to emulate Bear Grylls? Does your wife get tired of saving all of her dryer lint just for you? Do you run out and buy the biggest knife you can find, only hoping you don't alert Homeland Security to your purchase? Do you view "SURVIVAL" as the latest EXTREME SPORT? Are you looking forward to TEOTWAWKI? Then stay the crap away from me! Homey don't play 'dat. I think a lot of people we get on here have the wrong idea about Survival. What do you all think?

[doug1980]

Well survival to me is a concept that really isn't anything new. It's the way our ancestors lived every day. I'm not sure what the politically correct answer is but I love the outdoors and want to enjoy it instead of talking about it. And if that puts me in a situation where I'm lost or injured and have to survive than that's the risk I take. Unlike some I don't intentually go out with the sole purpose of trying to survive, but I hope to gain the knowledge and experience to be able to do just that if need be.

[DOGMAN]

Survival to me is just the most basic thing there is in life...its natural. I figure to increase your odds for surviving its important to know and practice alot of stuff that will keep you going- when the going gets tough.
I think practicing and mastering survival skills, will make you be able to thrive in tough situations, which is one step above just "surviving"

Sometimes you can survive by just dumb luck...but to thrive you gotta have skills!

[Sarge47]

Well survival to me is a concept that really isn't anything new. It's the way our ancestors lived every day. I'm not sure what the politically correct answer is but I love the outdoors and want to enjoy it instead of talking about it. And if that puts me in a situation where I'm lost or injured and have to survive than that's the risk I take. Unlike some I don't intentually go out with the sole purpose of trying to survive, but I hope to gain the knowledge and experience to be able to do just that if need be.

That's right, Doug; Survival is taking what you know along with the "Survival mentality" & making it through a bad time. That's it! As a matter of fact, if you read a post from Rick SAR, a bona-fide Search & Rescue guy, he wrote that out of all the people they go looking for, when they find them, none had a pack with them! That means they either didn't know what they were doing in the 1st place or they panicked & dumped their pack; which happens often during panic!

[SARKY]

Why do people buy insurance? Why do people put money away for a rainy day? Why do people learn......anything?
Just in case, just in case, and because it might be useful one day. nuff said

[klkak]

Are you an "Arm-Chair Survivalist?" NO!

Do you see yourself drinking urine & eating animal poo just to survive, trying to emulate Bear Grylls? NO!

Does your wife get tired of saving all of her dryer lint just for you? NO!

Do you run out and buy the biggest knife you can find, only hoping you don't alert Homeland Security to your purchase? NO!

Do you view "SURVIVAL" as the latest EXTREME SPORT? NO!

Are you looking forward to TEOTWAWKI? NO!

Then stay the crap away from me! Homey don't play 'dat.

I think a lot of people we get on here have the wrong idea about Survival. What do you all think?

I think you are right Sarge. I wish all the folks you just described would get lost (pun intended). Let this forum focus on Wilderness Survival as the title says. With a little Bush Craft thrown in for good measure. I like the Homestead Gardening and Food Storage stuff to.

[chiangmaimav]

I myself like camping and hiking. I like to have good equipment and good food and I don't like to have to forage for plants or eat bugs. In America I used to try to avoid being in a survival situation. Here in jungle sometimes it is unavoidable due to nature of work I do. I
I have eaten bugs when there was no alternative but I would much prefer steak. Sometimes I drank water and ate plants which made me sick. I have had various tropical diseases and parasites. I did not enjoy any of it, but I am alive because I wanted to learn things which would help me survive. I am not so young anymore and do not really want to get into extreme sports, but I learn what I can so if the situation arises, which I am sure it will, where I need this knowledge to survive, I can get a little older. The jungle people here who know as much about survival as anyone cannot understand why someone would put themselves in a survival situation if they did not have to.

[Runs With Beer]

No pee drinking or poo eating for me, I try things I see on TV with a grain of salt, Some I can Dig some not. Have learned alot on this forum and hope to learn more, Practice makes Perfect.

[Riverrat]

Arm chair survivalist, no, pretty sure that would not describe me. I came on this site to, hopefully, pick up some tips and tricks too help if and when I get turned around in the woods, and so far, the longest I have been turned around is three days. I live in the woods, behind my back door is 4-7 hundred hectares of woods (depends on which way I turn). I believe in being ready, if at all possible, for whatever may come. I have some food put away, I grow as much food as I can, pick what I can from nature, and I hunt and fish. This is my life, not a hobby. I like to try and make what I can, just because I love working with my hands.

As to your questions:
Do you see yourself drinking urine & eating animal poo just to survive, trying to emulate Bear Grylls? No!

Does your wife get tired of saving all of her dryer lint just for you? No, we do not have a dryer, clothes lines are what we use.

Do you run out and buy the biggest knife you can find, only hoping you don't alert Homeland Security to your purchase? Most of my knives are skinning knives, or handed down from my dad, his dad, and so on.

Do you view "SURVIVAL" as the latest EXTREME SPORT? Survival is a day to day issue, so answer would be no.

Are you looking forward to TEOTWAWKI? No!!!

So to answer your first question...Are you an "Arm-Chair Survivalist?" No, I don't think so.

[backtobasics]

I don't think i would call what i like to do survival. I like to camp with just what i need. And i like to learn and practice some primitive living skill, but that does not mean I'll go out with no modern equiptment such as bic lighters etc... I also believe that learning these skills can only be helpful should the TSHTF or I'm stranded in the wilderness. For now its just a hobby that i find very interesting.

[MCBushbaby]

I don't know Sarge, I've always been tempted to find the biggest load of bear **** and squeeze the water right outta it. Mmmmm, tasty -- that'll put hair on yer chest!

[pgvoutdoors]

I'm an outdoorsman, always have been, always will be... I started with fishing, then camping, backpacking, and canoeing.

Wilderness survival skills have always intrigued me. The idea of being able to pull yourself out of a tough situation, utilizing what ever you had on hand, seemed like a real challenge to me as a boy. Boy Scouts nurtured that "Be Prepared" philosophy.

When I enlisted into the Marine Corps and started my advanced training, I adapted to the survival training like it was second nature. I took in everything they offered and then built on that. If any of you are going into the military and are offered survival training, Take It! I traveled the world and participated in all types of training and found it all exciting.

After ten years of service I left the Corps and opened a outfitters business. As a part of this business I offered a guiding service and wilderness skills instruction. This led me to expanding my personal wilderness skills to include primitive living skills. Some of these skills I had already learned in the Marines as well as Boy Scouts, but I wanted a deeper knowledge of them. So I took lessons where I could and read many books on the subject. The trick to my success in mastering these skills was going out and doing them. I didn't need to starve myself to give me incentive to learn primitive hunting and fishing skills. (though I have been in that situation) I would read about a fish trap, make one, and then continue working with it until I was confident on the best methods to use it.

Over the past 18 years sense I left the Marines, I have worked as a outfitter, guide, and wilderness skills instructor. I'm ever expanding my skills to serve my own interests as well as being able to better instruct my clients. I've learned to execute my skills by going out and practicing. This is not a new concept I know, but it takes effort on my part. Its easy to tell yourself that after reading a book on primitive archery, or something like that, that you know enough to do what you have to do in a pinch. I love a good book, but conceptual skills are not the same as experience. I read about a skill, then prepare the tool, and finalize by practicing.

Here's the thing about practicing, you not only learn about the fundamentals of a given skill or tool, but how to adapt it to different situations, clements, and available materials. Every time I teach a class new questions come up. Learning to adapt comes from being out there and adjusting to the variables. You can't get that through theory.

So am I an arm chair survivalist? At times yes... Did I learn my skills at the level of a professional by sitting in a chair? Absolutely not! I love the outdoors and as long as God gives me the power to get out, I will do so to the best of my ability and be thankful I can.

[reluctantpawn]

Survival is being able to adapt to your environment, and come out on top. Whether it is in the Alaskan bush where some of you live, or Wall Street. It means fitting in and working with not against what is thrown at you. It can be in the country or the city. In the U.S. or some podunk little shack in Laos. It is overcoming and thriving with what you have and being able to use your mind to overcome all obstacles. It is being comfortable with who you are and where you are.

reluctantpawn

[tsitenha]

I used to be an armchair survivalist but with getting old and every thing I can't bring the armchair with me in the bush as well as I us to. More of a stool survivalist now...not that kind of a stool...

[Pal334]

Survival is being able to adapt to your environment, and come out on top. Whether it is in the Alaskan bush where some of you live, or Wall Street. It means fitting in and working with not against what is thrown at you. It can be in the country or the city. In the U.S. or some podunk little shack in Laos. It is overcoming and thriving with what you have and being able to use your mind to overcome all obstacles. It is being comfortable with who you are and where you are.

reluctantpawn

I appreciate your question Sarge, makes one think a bit ( not a bad thing). I think the response that "reluctant" gave is closest to the way I think. In particular "It means fitting in and working with not against what is thrown at you" One certainly must practice and master some basic skills and have ability to use basics tools to be prepared , that instills confidence. And of course to the maximum extent possible be situationaly aware. That being said, I am certainly not one who has, ever nor will never "turn the other cheek" and this is because of confidence in myself,my level of prepardness. Perhaps I do at least partially fit the definition of "Arm chair survivalist". A forum like this is just the ticket for me, allows to "pick the brains" of more experienced folks and contribute whatever I can.

[klkak]

I appreciate your question Sarge, makes one think a bit ( not a bad thing). I think the response that "reluctant" gave is closest to the way I think. In particular "It means fitting in and working with not against what is thrown at you" One certainly must practice and master some basic skills and have ability to use basics tools to be prepared , that instills confidence. And of course to the maximum extent possible be situationaly aware. That being said, I am certainly not one who has, ever nor will never "turn the other cheek" and this is because of confidence in myself,my level of prepardness. Perhaps I do at least partially fit the definition of "Arm chair survivalist". A forum like this is just the ticket for me, allows to "pick the brains" of more experienced folks and contribute whatever I can.

I appreciate your honesty

[Pal334]

Klkak: Like my old grand father said. If you listen, the worst thing that can hapen is you learn something

[doug1980]

Survival is being able to adapt to your environment, and come out on top. Whether it is in the Alaskan bush where some of you live, or Wall Street. It means fitting in and working with not against what is thrown at you. It can be in the country or the city. In the U.S. or some podunk little shack in Laos. It is overcoming and thriving with what you have and being able to use your mind to overcome all obstacles. It is being comfortable with who you are and where you are.

reluctantpawn

I agree hence my Signature.....

[FVR]

Do you see yourself drinking urine & eating animal poo just to survive,

NO, that's just for show.

[/QUOTE] trying to emulate Bear Grylls?[/QUOTE] He is a boot, wannabe.

[/QUOTE] Does your wife get tired of saving all of her dryer lint just for you? [/QUOTE]Lint, I don't go that way.

[/QUOTE] Do you run out and buy the biggest knife you can find, only hoping you don't alert Homeland Security to your purchase? [/QUOTE] I have big knives, like big knives, but don't buy big knives. They have their place.

[/QUOTE] Do you view "SURVIVAL" as the latest EXTREME SPORT? [/QUOTE] NO.

[/QUOTE] Are you looking forward to TEOTWAWKI?[/QUOTE] NO.

[pgvoutdoors]

I've seen quite of few of Bear Grylls shows in the last few months (I had never watch him before that) and without fail he works in something totally stupid every show. In my opinion ( ) anyone that sets out to train themselves in the manner he does, is looking to get hurt.

To start with, if you really don't need to climb up or down something, DON'T! Don't drink urine!!! Just don't do it! If your allergic to bees, DON'T stick your head in a be hive! ( ) And by all means stay out of the 30 degree water!!!!!!!!

If someone tries to emulate his style of training, by going out on their own and attempting to do as he has shown in his shows, it would be foolish. I've stayed clear of this discussion for a while but lately I've had many clients and Boy Scout tell me how they idolize this guy. Please, don't idolize this guy, he's putting on a show.

There are some great instructors out there. Many, many good books written by experienced people. Take a smart approach to your training, and if you wish to test your skills under a real-life scenario, do it under trained supervision.

PS. Just a reminder, "DON'T DRINK YOUR URINE! We have enough crazies on the forum already.