What can you do?

This thread, like all I post is doomed to fail because it doesnt deal with large firearms, or 4 wheel drive trucks, but thought I would toss it out there to see what happens.

I was inspired by the soapmaking thread that I.R. recently had. I asked myself, should the SHTF today, what can I do. No computers, not you tube videos, no books, no advice. What type of things do I personally know how to make from the world around me with only my bob and my head that I would need in a true survival situation.

So, I pose the same question to the survivalist community. What information do you possess that you can share with the rest of us that could either save our lives or make them easier should it ever actually fall apart.

As usual, please do not post outside links saying "read this idea" or state read this book or you should know this.......

I've grown tired of reading things in this forum such as you can find yeast anywhere in the world. Really? Tell me where? Or things like you can find all of the nutrients you need to live from the world around you. May be the case, but can you be a little more specific?

If this thread actually survives a day or so, Ill start putting my ideas and home made luxeries and items on here. If not, then its just another dead thread that tries to get people to do instead of talk.

im not trying to kill it, or repeat anything like what youre saying, but the library? no power means no net, or phones. but ill bet your local library will be there after the shtf. it may not be unlocked, but you can figure out the rest. how old are you, and whats the level of experience in the woods, camping, etc? are you completely lost without someone to walk you thru it? im by no means trying to belittle you. but i kind of need to know what the minimums are to tell you where to begin. and you have to be honest with us and yourself here. dont lie and say youve been camping or roughed it numerous times and never have, because the level of help we offer may not truly help you.

Originally posted by guinnessford
how old are you, and whats the level of experience in the woods, camping, etc? are you completely lost without someone to walk you thru it? im by no means trying to belittle you. but i kind of need to know what the minimums are to tell you where to begin.

lol. Guess I should have given a little more info for those that dont know me on here. My bad.

Im in my 30s. Hunter, trapper, fisherman my entire life. I have lived in the woods away from the grid for over two years. I live in the far north. I have experience in all forms of bushcraft, survival prepardness, etc.. I am a gun collector, avid gardener, believe completely in being as self sufficient as possible. I have large food, water, and ammo stocks built up. Also a predestined "bug out location" far off of the grid with other like minded survivalists that is well stocked and could be up and operational at a moments notice.

I am in no way "lost" without the help of others.

The idea of this thread is to get others to think past simply clicking a link to say, here, this is how you do it!!

Rather to actually share what they know so others can learn. I had never thought about leaching lye from ash until I read the soap thread. Im sure others never had as well. Im looking for a thread that actually discusses plans, ideas, and innovations that other survivalists have. Not to hold my hand when TSHTF, but so we can all garner more information from one another to better prepare the "prepared" community.

looks like you need no help at all! more likely trying to assemble a notebook for the rest of us. unless we can agree on a small file in pdf or something for everyone to print and keep around, were gonna end up with a bunch of links copie dand pasted like usual. if thats what youre trying to accomplish, ill try to help the besty i can. maybe with the mods and admins help, we can make a seperate thread or something. or (hate to say it) a link to another site where it can be viewed or downloaded? youd be amazed at how un-prepared most people are. or maybe you wouldnt!

Originally posted by salchanra
This thread, like all I post is doomed to fail because it doesnt deal with large firearms, or 4 wheel drive trucks, but thought I would toss it out there to see what happens.

I was inspired by the soapmaking thread that I.R. recently had. I asked myself, should the SHTF today, what can I do. No computers, not you tube videos, no books, no advice. What type of things do I personally know how to make from the world around me with only my bob and my head that I would need in a true survival situation.

So, I pose the same question to the survivalist community. What information do you possess that you can share with the rest of us that could either save our lives or make them easier should it ever actually fall apart.

As usual, please do not post outside links saying "read this idea" or state read this book or you should know this.......

I've grown tired of reading things in this forum such as you can find yeast anywhere in the world. Really? Tell me where? Or things like you can find all of the nutrients you need to live from the world around you. May be the case, but can you be a little more specific?

If this thread actually survives a day or so, Ill start putting my ideas and home made luxeries and items on here. If not, then its just another dead thread that tries to get people to do instead of talk.

What can I do as in skills useful for after the Sit X, mmm and yes I am also sick of gun nuts and truck articles. skills wise I have qualifications in stock control, soldiering, teaching, medium first aid, vehicle mechanics and wind farm development, I have also done vocational study in youth and community work, civil defence and green living skills, My best skill ??? during the sit x probably the skills I learned as a sergeant in the British army, after sit x probably my planning and researching skills will come in most useful.

Yeast ??? Unless I want to brew beer or bake raised bread I see no real need to seek it out, flat bread like Nan bread is just as nice.

Good thread by the way.
NR

[edit on 4-3-2009 by Northern Raider]

we are going to need beer. and lots of it. so, thats a nedded skill, in my mind!

Originally posted by guinnessford
we are going to need beer. and lots of it. so, thats a nedded skill, in my mind!

I'm more likely to gety freaky is I can not get a decent cup of tea, a quality cupper is already totally non existant in the US of H and Canada the world is in decline I fear.

For the last couple of years i have been getting away to a 30+ acre woodland for weekends. But at 57 I'm a little late in trying this survival stuff. On the plus side though, i am a practical person and can turn my hand at almost anything, it's gaining the knowledge in the first place thats the problem for me as i have a severe short term memory problem after a stroke a while back.
What i can do though is make bows and shoot them well plus picking locks is a little hobby of mine, ( Its easier than the rubic cube anyday ).
I am going up there tomorrow for a long weekend and as it's still frosty here in the mornings it looks like learning to stay comfy in the cold is on the menu for this trip.
I tried using a hammock a few times and i must admit, they are very comfy once you spend ten minutes trying to get into the damn things. No, it's the forest floor for me now. Slugs and all.
As things are now i would struggle to cope with the food problem but i bought a new air rifle last week and it will be going with me on this trip.
As i am in the UK thats about the only gun we are allowed, pathetic i know, but thats how it is over here i'm afraid.
So, i have a lot to learn yet and perhaps this thread will go a long way to giving me more knowledge on the subject of surviving in the wilds here in wales.

Cheers
John.

Originally posted by guinnessford
we are going to need beer. and lots of it. so, thats a nedded skill, in my mind!

We don't need beer as long as we have an ample supply of sour mash

Something that will come in handy is making twine from tree bark. When you are making a shelter and need to tie off branches when making lean-to's and such. Most tree's have a fibrous layer under the bark that can be torn off in strips. Tear off several strips and braid them together when wet and tie off whatever you needed.

I'll try to add something that I have put in my BOB which have many uses. I have added heavy duty plastic zip ties which are rated at 400lbs. They are 30 inches long. You can get a bag for about $20. Instead of sacrificing rope these can help where four hands may be needed but there are only two. I won't post a link on where to buy them (home depot) because that's a no no. Better than tape and size customizable with one hand quickly.

zip ties and duct tape will hold the world together. my biggest issue with being on the run is getting cold. the little toe heaters, or glove heaters are a must have. got em everywhere. tool box, glove boxes of all the vehicles. major pet peeve of mine. and once you get sold it seems to take sooo long to get warm again. oh, the sour mash will help with that also! drink it, or use it to help start fires!

[edit on 4-3-2009 by guinnessford]

I like gathering and prepping firewood. My specialty is fat wood. It's fast lighting and water resistant.

I find it all over in stumps of old dead pinon trees. A pale yellow color streaks the tops of the stumps when they're full of resin. I cut the wood into small pieces for normal starter. Larger pieces will burn so hot and for so long that it's possible to burn large pieces of wet wood or wood that's a little green. Before you know it you've got a good coal bed going. Use fat wood sparingly too much of it in a wood stove can get dangerous.

Good wood makes all the difference. In an emergency situation burning whatever is at hand might be made easier with a little fat wood. I think it can be found in most coniferous trees check out the stumps. The pine cones and cedar bark also make great starter.

I find clumps of resin stuck to the sides of living pinon trees it will burn in a small dish for light. This liquid resin can be used as an adhesive or for making things water tight or repellent. We harvest nuts off the live pinons. The cedars make berries when ripe they're covered with a form of natural yeast. I have read there are other medicinal uses.

We have yucca plants everywhere pounding the roots into a pulp makes a good soap no lye or fat needed.

Yesterday I had off work and am in the midst of a reloading project for my 30.06. I loaded 80 rounds yesterday, in groups of 5 to find the one which will be the most accurate.

This week I'm taking my rifle apart and will work out some wood in the barrel channel, as there is a place where it rubs (causes 'flyers' when the barrel heats up)

After that is finished, then I'm finished with this rifle.

My next project will be to redo my first aid supplies for the BOB and the home...and then re-work my BOB.

It never stops.

I am not afraid to ask the stupid questions. I am on the learning curve but still very close to the bottom. I have no qualms in sharing my lessons (nearly always learned the hard way) and suggesting ways I can progress.

That's a really half-arsed way of saying I have very little. As a friend would say, "Always make sure you have more than one bottle to take to the party." Unfortunately I have only one bottle, and it's pretty cheap stuff too.

I'm making the effort when I can, does that count?

Originally posted by guinnessford
we are going to need beer. and lots of it. so, thats a nedded skill, in my mind!

Agreed. It is a skill, and sit-x will be a valuable skill. Now to keep in the spirit of this thread, could you enlighten us as to how you would go about doing just that? Brewing beer?

Originally posted by Morningglory
I like gathering and prepping firewood. My specialty is fat wood. It's fast lighting and water resistant.

Thank you for this post. This is the type of thing I was looking for when I started this. Not just saying, hey, we need wood. But actually go through and offer advice about finding and prepping your heat supply.

To know what we need is one thing, to know how to go about creating it is a different matter all together, thats the type of information/advice I am seeking in this thread.

Im only online for a few minutes today, but will post my receipe for wine made with sourdough starter either this evening or tomorrow. Then some instructions on trapping birds, building sleeping areas and such.

Please feel free to add to this discussion with your knowledge and ideas, or even toss something out that you are looking for more information on. i.e. soapmaking.

Thanks for the discussion thus far.