Survival Skills
There was a time when human beings were naturally selected to live or die based on their survival skills. The weakest of a given group would perish and not allow their genes to be passed on to future generations. The strong survived to the benefit of all their progeny, who would not inherit the weaker traits. In this modern age, however, it seems as if we are living by the motto: “Survival of the Un-fittest!” The attributes that allowed our ancestors to overcome their environment and become warriors, conquerors, and kings are seldom found amongst a modern population.
We have become soft, sensitive, and politically correct. In our defense, however, we are not the first civilization in history to have faced this problem. The ancient Romans, after having invaded, stolen, and acquired the culture of ancient Greece, provide us with a precedence that should encourage us to change our behavior and re-learn those skills that provide strength not only to ourselves, but also to future generations.
The 5th century AD was a lousy time to be a Roman. The excesses of Roman society, reduction of the military, and the general apathy of the ruling class led to invasion by the Visigoths in 410 AD and the sack of Rome. It is not difficult to draw parallels between 5th century Rome and the United States in the 21st century. If you asked a Roman patrician of that period how to survive in the wild, you would undoubtedly get a puzzled look and maybe the question, “without slaves and servants?”
The purpose of this article is not only to emphasize why we, as a modern culture, need to learn basic survival skills, but also emphasize why we need to teach our children how to provide for, care for, and defend themselves. After all, it is extremely difficult to start a fire with an Xbox controller, which leads us to Rule #1.
Rule #1: Learn how to start and maintain a Fire
Being able to start a fire is perhaps the most basic of all survival skills. Humans, without warmth, will die. The heat from a fire will also kill bacteria in meat that can make you ill. It is important to learn the best type of fuel for your fire. The best firewood is seasoned hardwood between 2-3 years old. It has a grey color that lets you know it’s ready. Don’t cover your firewood with a tarp, which will prevent evaporation and hold in moisture. If you cut firewood every year you can save some for next year. In a pinch you can burn green wood but it stinks, produces a great deal of smoke, and it doesn’t make great coals. Having a disposable lighter is really handy, but you should learn how to start a fire by friction in case the apocalypse comes and you are fresh out of lighter fluid.
Rule #2: Learn how to manage your own food supply
In an ideal situation, acquiring food would be as simple as looting an abandoned Kroger. However, looting is NOT a survival skill. Gaining a basic understanding of agriculture, as well as learning the basics of hunting and cooking will serve your much better. Planting basic staple crops such as corn, potatoes, wheat, peppers, yams, and legumes will provide a number of people with a long term food supply. However, plants need time to grow and you could starve to death in the meantime, so you had better learn how to hunt, clean, and prepare game. This thought may be repulsive to a civilized urban vegetarian but realize that vegetarians only exist because farmers and grocery stores prevent them from being hungry. A hungry vegetarian will probably take down that boar before you do and will be gleefully gutting, cleaning, and cooking while you are puking your guts out. In order to prevent meals from becoming boring and tasteless, cooking skills are a must. Grow a few basic herbs in your garden to flavor your catch. Here are the basics: basil, dill, mint, chives, oregano, parsley, sage, thyme, rosemary, and tarragon. Along with table salt, your game, vegetables, and herbs can create an almost unlimited variety of flavor.
Rule #3: Learn how to make your own shelter
The simplest shelter is a lean-to which is built with heavier timbers leaning against a stationary member, with a cross timber providing the support. After the basic structure is in place you can apply interwoven branches with fresh green foliage to prevent rain from getting in. Shelter is perhaps one of the most intuitive survival skills because it protects from the elements and provides comfort. Creating shelters in a semi-circle with the main fire in the middle can provide a great deal of psychological comfort.
Rule #4: Learn how to apply first aid, and basic medicine
In any survival situation, someone is bound to get hurt. Learn the basics of emergency medicine and some foundational primary care. After all, most people die AFTER the emergency is over. This is the one situation where looting will come in handy. Having an adequate supply of antibiotics, pain medication, antiseptics, bandages, splits, and other necessary gear will save lives, period. I would advise learning CPR, but in a survival situation it would probably mean more food for you anyway. He should have been looking where he was going. Survival of the fittest, remember?
Rule #5: Learn how to defend your property and family.
This is probably the most neglected survival skill but the most important. Once you have done all the work to cut your firewood for 2 years, build your fire, plant your herbs and crops, feed your people, build your shelter, and aquire your medicine then you have the responsibility of defending what is yours. Building, or obtaining weapons and learning how to use them should be a priority. Another survival group that have not learned to provide for themselves will want what you have without doing the work. Crops belong to those who harvest. If you love your family, learn these survival skills. Become active and fit, teaching others what you know.
Hopefully you never need to use these skills but it’s always better to be prepared. Stay safe and be well.