Checklist - Page 2

Greatoutdoors · 06-03-2011, 05:29 AM

Being a survivor doesn't have anything to do with being prepared with "things", being a survivor is a mindset that "I will get out of this situation and be better for it , I am not just going to lay down and die". Tools and things to help you survive are great and I encourage people to get them and learn how to use them but your biggest tool for survival is your mind and all the knowledge you can stuff in there about HOW to do things that will help you survive. Don't just read it in a book though get out there and do it when conditions are good and you are not fighting for your life practice your skills so that when the chips are down and it's for real you'll be ready.

oldsarge · 06-03-2011, 06:00 AM

I agree Greatoutdoors. You can be packed to the gills with equipment and high speed survival gear, but if you don't have any knowledge of what to do with it, what good is it? I see this in all sorts of differnt areas. Guys who own guns loaded with every attachment and gimmick and don't know the basics of marksmanship, 4X4's decked out to the max with custom equipment and stuck up to their frames because folks just don't realize there's more to things than just looking the part.

franklin · 09-03-2011, 10:15 AM

I'd add compass and emergency cell phone to the list. Old cell phones that are no longer used can still be used to call 911. Keep it charged so if your usual cell isn't you'll be ok. Doesn't guarantee you'll have service but the phone will work if you do.

savvyninja · 11-08-2011, 01:35 AM

Not necessarily an essential item to pack but what about a decent pair of binos?

wvbreamfisherman · 11-08-2011, 09:10 AM

Although I certainly haven't had to survive like some of the others here, I'll venture to say that survival is as much a matter of mindset as it is preparation.

Determination to keep going no matter how tough things get, to eat anything even marginally edible, flexibility to improvise from what is available, and unflagging optimism that you will get thru it will carry even an unprepared person a long way!

How many times have we read about someone totally unprepared, perhaps even someone with no outdoor experience, that was dumped into a survival situation, that perservered and survived.

Pathfinder1 · 11-23-2011, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savvyninja

Not necessarily an essential item to pack but what about a decent pair of binos?

Hi...

One of my "toys" is a gadget which is supposed to be a replica of a piece of Military survival gear.

It has a magnifying glass, compass, signal mirror, and parts that will snap out to become a binoculer. Interesting gadget.

kreso93 · 03-21-2012, 01:48 PM

Wow that's a great list. But I believe you should put there some energy bars and food like that. It's good to have a snack of it when you don't have anything better to eat.

IndianaHiker · 03-21-2012, 03:24 PM

To be honest I don't have a plan for whatever may come. If by survival you mean I am out on a backpacking trip and things fall about yes I could and would be fine. There is no special skills or knowledge needed. The thing that is needed most is not to panic, and keep a clear head. The places that I go between the gear that I have and paying attention to the surrounds would allow me to find water, some food, and be pretty comfortable for several days awaiting SAR to get me out.

Now if you say survival where everything in society has gone to hell and people are killing each other for food and the end is now where in site. Well that I day have a plan for. I am simply going to take my backpack and go to one of my favorite spots. I will carry what every food I have on hand,find me a pretty spot and make myself comfortable. There I will stay and enjoy in peace however many days I have left before I finally do expire after my food runs out. Might take some time as I will be able to get some food from the land but sooner or later I am sure that it will not be sufficient to sustain me. At that point I will pass in peace being in a place I love and knowing that I elected not to take part in the madness happening around me. In my little and what some would call twisted world my inner peace and happiness mean more to me than life itself. That being said my views of death are very different than most but that would be a whole other long winded discussion.

Dinosaur thanks for the kind words would be honored to take a backpacking trip with you some time.

Pathfinder1 · 03-21-2012, 03:46 PM

[QUOTE=IndianaHiker;59084]I will carry what every food I have on hand,find me a pretty spot and make myself comfortable. There I will stay and enjoy in peace however many days I have left before I finally do expire after my food runs out. Might take some time as I will be able to get some food from the land but sooner or later I am sure that it will not be sufficient to sustain me. At that point I will pass in peace being in a place I love and knowing that I elected not to take part in the madness happening around me. In my little and what some would call twisted world my inner peace and happiness mean more to me than life itself.

Indy, I have a feeling that you would "last" much longer than what you have expressed...!!

Pathfinder1 · 03-21-2012, 03:54 PM

Hi...

FOOD. Yes, of course you would need food. I would expect you (meaning anyone) to carry whatever food you could, AND have some good preparations to procure additional food.

I preach this as normal caution whenever you are afield...not meaning, of course...that you should become a hunchback from the weight of all of the food you are carrying...!!

NOTE: No hunchbacks were harmed in the making of this post...!!