It seems to me that a lot of folks around here are more interested in the latest gadgets and trinkets than they are about "survival", at least as I understand it.
For example, it seems to me there are people on many forums who will happily spend $500 for a knife that they don't need, but will balk at spending half that sum on a First Aid course. (I don't think they're the majority, or even a sizable minority; but we continue to encounter posts from supposedly experienced outdoorsmen/survivalist who talk about using duct tape and super-glue to close a superficial wound, for example.)What if you have to deal with a severe laceration,shock, do you have the skills.
What about accident prevention? Or, failing that, accident avoidance? (i.e. Making sure you're not around when the accident happens.) I've just finished watching "Into The Wild", an account of Depicting the Life of Christopher McCandless. Based on a true story and the bestselling book by Jon Krakauer. After graduating from Emory University in 1992, top student and athlete Christopher McCandless abandons his possessions, gave his entire $24,000 savings account to charity and hitchhiked to Alaska to live in the wilderness. Along the way, Christopher encounters a series of characters that shape his life.
McCandless is romantic and idealistic, and sincerely believes in his search. His wanderings around the country, whether coasting down the Colorado river, taking refuge in a missionary in Los Angeles or working as grain shoveler in South Dakota are experiences that give viewers and readers profound insights into the diversity of man, nature and humanity.
In the end, however, McCandless’ adventure leads him to the wilderness of Alaska. Geographically isolated,tackling the extreme wilderness of Alaska ill equipped with the few meager possession he brought with him to this ultimate destination. Without any real outdoor survival skills and failing to equip himself with the few basic things that could have saved his life (such as a map), McCandless is exposed to the realities of a harsh and unforgiving nature, one where survival skills are essential and there no room for learning from your mistakes, especially when your life depends on it. I believe that breaking away from the norm and exploring a different path is admirable. More people should try it. I also believe wandering alone and unprepared into the wilderness shows more arrogance than courage. An “it will never happen to me” attitude that cost him his life and devastated his family.
But wouldn't
But really the ultimate survival technique have been? Recognising a dangerous situation and bailing out before it's too late?
Seem folk may want to to spend more t might ways to recognise a potentially dangerous situation and opt to take safer alternatives. Every year, alot of lives could be saved if more thought truly went into there action oneless drink or have simply put a seat belt on as given examples.Why? Is it because they don't perceive this as a "survival" situation? Has nobody here ever considered the principle of making a go/no-go decision in a situation where you lack the training necessary?
I must confess,to me, "survival" is much more than debating the merits of this knife over that one, or how much stuff we can cram inside an Altoids tin. All the survival skills in the world won't save you if you're killed simple biting off more than one should face.
"Sometimes one must use superior judgement to avoid getting into situations where he needs to employ his superior skills to save his superior ass." That, to me, is the ultimate survival mechanism - simply not being there when "it" happens.
May your blades stay sharp, your guns shoot straight,your fires burn warm, and your wits stay about you......Scout Out!
Original: http://scoutinlife.blogspot.com/2009/01/survival-thoughts-movie-into-wild.html
For example, it seems to me there are people on many forums who will happily spend $500 for a knife that they don't need, but will balk at spending half that sum on a First Aid course. (I don't think they're the majority, or even a sizable minority; but we continue to encounter posts from supposedly experienced outdoorsmen/survivalist who talk about using duct tape and super-glue to close a superficial wound, for example.)What if you have to deal with a severe laceration,shock, do you have the skills.
What about accident prevention? Or, failing that, accident avoidance? (i.e. Making sure you're not around when the accident happens.) I've just finished watching "Into The Wild", an account of Depicting the Life of Christopher McCandless. Based on a true story and the bestselling book by Jon Krakauer. After graduating from Emory University in 1992, top student and athlete Christopher McCandless abandons his possessions, gave his entire $24,000 savings account to charity and hitchhiked to Alaska to live in the wilderness. Along the way, Christopher encounters a series of characters that shape his life.
McCandless is romantic and idealistic, and sincerely believes in his search. His wanderings around the country, whether coasting down the Colorado river, taking refuge in a missionary in Los Angeles or working as grain shoveler in South Dakota are experiences that give viewers and readers profound insights into the diversity of man, nature and humanity.
In the end, however, McCandless’ adventure leads him to the wilderness of Alaska. Geographically isolated,tackling the extreme wilderness of Alaska ill equipped with the few meager possession he brought with him to this ultimate destination. Without any real outdoor survival skills and failing to equip himself with the few basic things that could have saved his life (such as a map), McCandless is exposed to the realities of a harsh and unforgiving nature, one where survival skills are essential and there no room for learning from your mistakes, especially when your life depends on it. I believe that breaking away from the norm and exploring a different path is admirable. More people should try it. I also believe wandering alone and unprepared into the wilderness shows more arrogance than courage. An “it will never happen to me” attitude that cost him his life and devastated his family.
But wouldn't
But really the ultimate survival technique have been? Recognising a dangerous situation and bailing out before it's too late?
Seem folk may want to to spend more t might ways to recognise a potentially dangerous situation and opt to take safer alternatives. Every year, alot of lives could be saved if more thought truly went into there action oneless drink or have simply put a seat belt on as given examples.Why? Is it because they don't perceive this as a "survival" situation? Has nobody here ever considered the principle of making a go/no-go decision in a situation where you lack the training necessary?
I must confess,to me, "survival" is much more than debating the merits of this knife over that one, or how much stuff we can cram inside an Altoids tin. All the survival skills in the world won't save you if you're killed simple biting off more than one should face.
"Sometimes one must use superior judgement to avoid getting into situations where he needs to employ his superior skills to save his superior ass." That, to me, is the ultimate survival mechanism - simply not being there when "it" happens.
May your blades stay sharp, your guns shoot straight,your fires burn warm, and your wits stay about you......Scout Out!
Original: http://scoutinlife.blogspot.com/2009/01/survival-thoughts-movie-into-wild.html
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