Preparedness vs Reaction

Being prepared and reacting are two separate things. Preparedness is what resources, training and the mindset you have. Reaction is how you respond to a situation. You may be saying to yourself those are directly related and not necessarily something that can be compared. Just as an example everyone has either met or heard of that guy who has every tool known to man without a clue when it comes to using them or at least using them correctly. Point is that when comes to being prepared and reacting you can’t have one in its fullest capacity without the other.

Imagine yourself  having wrecked while driving down the road with friends or loved ones in the vehicle. What is your initial reaction? You see two people injured, who do you help first? If that’s not enough of a stressful situation, if you haven’t had first aid training in a while or not at all you are probably not going to do anyone any good and you may hinder the situation.

If you haven’t trained or practiced in a while, well you know that statement like riding a bicycle? It is never that easy not even with a bicycle. There can’t be enough emphasis on training and practice. With training and practice in place it will be much easier to make those critical quick mental notes and assessments while remaining calm which is the key to dealing with any situation.

In conclusion, you can’t just buy preparedness. Be prepared, be trained and be practiced.

 

 

Consider this to be a living document and will be updated and revised when necessary.

Urban Survival Part 1

What is Urban Survival? Part 1

So when most people think about disasters they most likely associate Fema and the Red Cross. Others may stumble across wiki articles on survivalsurvival websitessurvival blogs, simple search results, etc. Don’t misunderstand, these may be good resources or starting places and you should consider reviewing them. Just remember that you can know anything but if you don’t practice that knowledge could be useless.

Boiled down to the basics for Urban Survival

  • Be aware
  • Know your surroundings
    • Threats and/or Dangers (Environmental, Structural, People)
  • Know what resources you have and note the unlikely resources (Environmental, Structural, People)
    • One man’s trash is another man’s treasure
  • Do what’s neccessary
  • Inventory
  • Make a plan
  • Shelter options
  • Water
  • Food
  • Energy
    • Normally fire and still could be but can also include power, lights, etc
  • Don’t take unnecessary risks

Good resources for those starting out

In The Rabbit Hole Urban Survival Podcast What’s easier than listening while carrying out other tasks like driving?

Ready.gov Disaster types and response plans

Consider this to be a living document and will be updated and revised when necessary.

Wilderness Survival Part 1

What is Wilderness Survival?

Wiki entry for Survival Skills states that “Survival skills are techniques a person may use in a dangerous situation”. Dared to Survive says that Wilderness Survival is the ability to survive in the wilderness throughout various seasons and weather conditions.

People are most likely to use these skills when they have found themselves to be lost or injured in the wilderness.

Rules of Three

If you know a little about the outdoors then you have probably heard of the rules of three. These are very basic rules to follow when establishing priorities of survival.

  • 3 minutes without air
  • 3 hours without shelter
  • 3 days without water
  • 3 weeks without food

In addition to these people often look at psychology and the human need for companionship as a key component of any type of survival.

Situational Awareness

  • Make Lists
  • Threats
    • Injury
    • Weather
    • Terrain
    • Wildlife (to include plants, insects)
  • Resources
    • Know what resources you may have based upon geographic
    • Establishing a safe place to for your shelter.
    • Explore (wagon wheel method) area for resources.
  • Not taking unnecessary risks.

Resources

FM 21-76 Army Survival Manual

Survival Actions at survivaliq.com

 

 

Consider this to be a living document and will be updated and revised when necessary.

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