32 SURVIVAL SKILLS

Knowledge is something that takes time to develop, so we need to start teaching the next generation now.  In case, God forbid, our children are left to fend for themselves or we are injured or even just to make your family more apt to survive, every child must learn these survival skills so they can pull their own weight and contribute as much as they can.

It’s not just physical survival we need to teach them but mental, emotional, and spiritual survival as well. If your family learns now to be a well-oiled machine, you will be more likely to survive any type of collapse.

Pick four or five areas and focus on them first. Then take another five, and so on. If you use the search function on your computer, you will find ample information to learn from.

1. Find water and identify if it’s safe to drink
2. Filter and boil water to drink
3. Have a natural curiosity and good problem solving skills
4. Basic first aid
5. How to stay warm, cool and dry in the elements
6. Make a fire and know fire safety
7. Cook on an open fire
8. How to safely use a knife
9. Basic hygiene practices
10. Grow vegetables from seeds
11. Have local edible and medicinal plant foraging skills
12. Knowledge of dietary needs and how to meet them using wild plants and game
13. How to shoot a sling shot
14. How to hunt small game with snares, traps and sling shot
15. How to fish and hunt-bow
16. How to clean fish and wild game
17. How, Why and When to stay hidden
18. How to make a basic weapon and how to use it
19. How to climb a tree- to get away from predators, get directional bearings, and hunt.
20. Be hard working and a self-starter and a family helper not a complainer!
21. Have a strong faith in God (morals, memorize Bible verses, prayers, songs, and have a                                       hope for heaven)
22. How to use a gun when old enough
23. Self defense
24. How to bargain and trade (Kids naturally do this with their toys so teach them at garage sales.)
25. Find or build a shelter in the woods
26. How to read a map and use a compass
27. Be able to run and walk a good distance and be in generally good shape
28. How to read the sky for directions, time and approaching bad weather
29. How to sew so they can mend clothing or any fabric and even make things such as bags or scrap quilts
30. Know where family and friends live if they need to find them
31. How to be responsible for themselves and to be aware of their surroundings at all times
32. Open a can of food with and without can opener (rub can lid ridge on cement and then pry open with knife)
33. Be able to tell if food is too spoiled to eat

72 Hour Emergency Kit

NOTES:

• 72 Hour Kits are designed to give you enough time to get things figured out or to help you as you get to a different destination. Camping skills are very useful. Get a Boy Scout Handbook to learn some of these.

• Update your kit every six months (put a note in your calendar/planner) to make sure that: all food, water, and medication are fresh (not expired), clothing fits, personal documents and credit cards are up to date, and batteries are charged.

• Small toys/games are important too as they will provide some comfort and entertainment during a stressful time.

• Older children can be responsible for their own pack of items/clothes too.

• You can include any other items you feel are necessary for your family’s survival.

• Some items and/or flavors might leak, melt, “flavor” other items, or break open. Dividing groups of items into individual Ziploc bags might help prevent this.

FOOD AND WATER

(3 day supply of food & water per person when no refrigeration/cooking is available)

o Protein/Granola Bars
o Trail Mix/Dried Fruit
o Crackers/Cereals (for munching)
o Canned Tuna, Beans, Meat, Vienna Sausages, etc (“pop-top cans might leak/ explode & Jerky can “flavor” other items)
o Canned Juice
o Candy/Gum (Jolly Ranchers can melt & mint gum might “flavor” other items)
o Water (1 Gallon/4 Liters per person)
o Canteen

BEDDING AND CLOTHING

Change of Clothing (short and long sleeve shirts, pants, socks, jackets, etc.)

o Undergarments
o Rain Coat/ Poncho
o Blankets and Emergency Heat Blankets
o Cloth Sheet
o Plastic Sheet
o Knit Hat

FUEL AND LIGHT

o Battery Lighting (Flashlights, Lamps)
o Extra Batteries
o Flares
o Candles
o Lighter
o Water-Proof Matches
o Glow Sticks
o Fire Starter

EQUIPMENT

o Can Opener
o Dishes/Utensils
o Shovel
o Hand Cranked Radio
o Pen & Paper
o Pocket Knife
o Axe
o Rope
o Duct Tape
o Compass
o Fishing Lures & Line

PERSONAL SUPPLIES AND MEDICATION

o First Aid Supplies
o Toiletries (roll of toilet paper- remove center tube to easily flatten into a zip-lock bag, feminine hygiene, folding brush, etc)
o Cleaning Supplies (mini hand sanitizer, soap, shampoo, dish soap, etc. Warning: Scented soap might “flavor” food items.)
o Medication (Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, children’s medication, etc.)
o Prescription Medication (for 3 days)

PERSONAL DOCUMENTS & MONEY 

(Place in a waterproof container)

o Bible (Pocket versions are lighter)
o Legal Documents( Birth/Marriage Certificates, Wills, Passports, Contracts)
o Insurance Policies
o Cash
o Credit Card
o Pre-Paid Phone Cards

MISCELLANEOUS

 Bag or Bags to put 72 hour kit items in (such as duffel bags or hiking back packs, which work great)

So What About Survival?

The need for survival knowledge can relate to a number of factors. The following list is not comprehensive, but it gives you an idea of what we can be subjected to.

• Earthquakes
• Hurricanes
• Tornado damage
• Flooding
• Power outage
• EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse)
• Wildfires
• Storms
• Industrial Accidents
• Transport Accidents 

Although each of the above are significantly different, there are a number of common areas that we should know more about.

• Food
• Water
• Shelter
• Fire
• Mental Preparation
• Outdoor skills (Check Scouting Books) 

Much has been written about this topic and a trip to your library or bookstore will give you numerous options.

An example is power. When the power is off for several days, how do you keep things refrigerated? Electric Generators are easily obtainable, but they also make noise and are subject to being stolen. Solar energy is a great choice and is becoming more affordable.

Another example is communication. Do you have a reliable portable radio? Small solar cells are available that will keep them running after batteries have depleted. Contact your local Amateur Radio Club (Hams) for additional information and how to send a message when phones no longer work.

The LDS Church also has lots of information on Survival Skills. They are more than willing to share this information.

Google “Survival Skills” and you will find more information than you can shake a stick at.

There is much more that will be covered in this blog at later dates so make sure to keep checking back or sign up for emails straight to your inbox.

Survival Run

I have shown this video hundreds of times to groups. The YouTube link gives you the first three minutes of a 12 minute video, but that is enough to give you the idea of the situation.

This masterfully executed film features blind marathon runner, Harry Cordellos, who runs the difficult Dipsea course through the majestic country near San Francisco guided only by the voice and arm of his sighted partner. Beautifully photographed, Survival Run is an inspiring study of courage, trust and determination. It is an unforgettable study of a highly motivated team that overcomes seemingly insurmountable limitations and risks to achieve their goal.

It is a great exercise to spend a little time thinking of yourself as each of these people and the challenges we get into throughout our lives.

1. In what ways are we like the sighted man? Who are we assisting? In what way do we give directions? Do we seek feedback? Do we take things for granted?

2. In what ways are we like the blind man? What assumptions about our sighted guide are we making? Are those assumptions true? Have we asked the necessary questions? Have we talked about trust? Is there danger ahead? In what ways do we communicate?

The video is also a great tool for teams. How do teams depend on each other?

Also for married couples. In what ways are we each of the two characters?

I have a good friend who is a school teacher and each year for many years she has borrowed the video to show her class and have a very rich discussion about some of the questions above.

I challenge you to find someone to watch the video with you and talk about your communication with others.

There are also many spiritual connections you can make.

BTW: You cannot get this from Netflix. It is a commercial training video and will cost you $250, but you can get it at a significant discount for educational purposes or home use. For more information, click HERE.

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