Using your kit

[jameswhite]

Interesting day yesterday running one of our preppers courses for a group and had a chap there that was obviously very well off and literally had every bit of kit you could imagine, if there was an aircraft hanger full of kit , equipment, first aid, food etc he has bought it. Fantastic i thought however it transpired he had never been on a first aid course, couldnt read a map, didnt cook, couldnt shoot (please no debate on that), barely knew how to put petrol in the car etc. Made me think about how good we really are if anything happened, do we really know how to use our fancy first aid kit, deliver a baby, sew up a wound, can our meat, skin our food, repair equipment using that 1000's of tools we collect, properly (i mean properly) sharpen tools, filter and purify water etc etc. I suspect that in our heart of hearts some of us know we love or have the kit "just in case" but if "just in case" happens wouldnt have a clue! So my confession first i can create fire by friction in under a minute, make a bow from scratch, deliver a baby BUT if my 4x4 breaks down it may as well be a book end cause i am one that barely knows how to put petrol in! There ive said it now i can rectify it. Just made me think thats all. Now off to prepare for another 5 days in the woods with a course, 5th time this year, novelty wearing off perhaps?

[ForgeCorvus]

Gear is sexy in a way that repeatedly practicing stuff isn't (hard to brag about changing the oil in the Skoda )

Once you know where you are weakest you should then deal with those weaknesses


Buy yourself a Haynes manual...... And then read it before something breaks, its a good idea (don't ask me how I know)

[23pioneer]

Interesting, im in the middle, no money, can shoot, can kill a large animal, skin it well and badly butcher it, very good knowlage of bushcraft, very bad at mechanics, can start a fire with just wood and string (but preferes to use matches), can fly fish and enjoys it cant sea fish but wants to learn, yup just as i thought in the middle...

[jansman]

There is a phrase in fishing circles-"All the gear, no idea".

[madmedic]

There is a phrase in fishing circles-"All the gear, no idea".

i think it is in most circles..

[jameswhite]

hi jansman i used that quote at my wedding unfortunately i had to admit i got it from jerry springer!

[Chrysallis]

Very good post.

I only have basic first aid knowledge dating from 1 year back, some camping knowledge although not bush craft level, so don't feel well prepared as far as skills go.

Serious point here that skills are as important, if not more so, than setting up stores, etc.

I can see I have a long way to go before I feel self-reliant.

C

[pseudonym]

Very good post.

I only have basic first aid knowledge dating from 1 year back, some camping knowledge although not bush craft level, so don't feel well prepared as far as skills go.

You are probably way ahead of most of the population

[Rusty337]

I'm really glad someone posted this. im good at bush craft terrible at mechanics, good at skinning and butchering, could be better at hunting. Can make cheese on toast and sew up a wound.(not at the same time) would like to harness every skill to perfection.

[PreppingPingu]

Good post - food for thought. It's inspired me to ask to have a bushcraft day as birthday present this year. Hoping to persaude my teenage daughter to come too, so far she has pulled faces at the idea but as she will be doing her DoE this year, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that she will join me. Basic skills are vital. I have plenty of camping stuff from going camping with our family but the actually down to earth survival knowledge is sadly lacking. Having said that, I've done alot of den building at our local forest with various groups and one or two other bits and bobs so I'm hoping I won't be a total fish out of water.