I have talked with people before about preperations that they have made for anytype of SHTF senerio and have recieved a response like " im not a survivalist those guys are quacks" or " whats a survivalist and i dont think i am"... So what defines us as survivalists?
For me its all the prep work that i do, which includes gathering supplies and provisions(samething?), the gathering of information from the net and radio and t.v. and then learning new things and buying books to further my education on topics that can and will be of use.
For those that i know anytime they buy extra food or extra ammo persay, to me that is preparing...
So whats everyones thoughts on this...
__________________ 12-21-2012: Party like theres no tomorrow!!!
As one member put it "I want to keep breathing!" No matter what happens.. no matter when... I want to be ready!
Unlike many I don't have 6 months worth of food or anything, but I do have a plan in place that would allow me to provide for my family in the event that trucks are no longer bringing goods to local stores.
I suppose there are many levels of survivalism, and I probably fall somewhere in the middle.
But like Larmus, I think if you store anything in case of emergencies that that too is a form of survivalism. We shouldn't be embarrassed about it but Iat the same time I don't generally go around telling my friends that they should be prepping.. Now if they bring it up and ask questions, of course I help as much as possible..
The specific preparations made by survivalists depend on the nature of the anticipated disruption(s), some of the most common scenarios being:
Widespread chaos, or some other unexplained apocalyptic event.
I would say that I most resemble #4, which quickly leads to #3.. Since I deal with currency trading and see what's going on, that's my biggest concern..
i think survivalism is using your instict to live like Rimjob said. but its also the ability to use your frontal lobe to think about what you need to do and how you can do it with the tools you have and the environment you in.
To me, survivalism is simply not believing everything will always be alright. I had a discussion with my stepdad about it, and I said there are lots of people who might have several months of food and water or money saved up, not necessarily for the end of the world, but for more "common" bad things like being layed off, or a storm knocking out power for several days. Naturally, it would be a lot less stressful to try to find a new job if you don't have to worry about feeding your family or paying the bills for a few months), and the same goes for keeping your spirits up during a bad storm.
Funny thing is that these type of people are hardly ever labeled as "survivalists," nor do they call themselves that, but they sometimes even have more stocked up for "just in case" than people who DO give themselves that title!
But yeah, in a nutshell, if you don't believe everything will always be fine and dandy, and allot any form of resources accordingly you are a survivalist.
Location: Virginia, just outside of Washington D.C.
Posts: 3,788
A survivalist is someone with a positive mental attitide who is willing to do what needs to be done to stay alive and healthy. This individual may not have every survival gizmo or skill known to man but he or she does have a solid knowledge of living and thriving in both an urban as well as rural environment. The more skills and experiences the person has the better chance to survive.
This person should also have the ability to work as part of a team. Groups have a better chance to survive than individuals. Those that can't hunt or track, repair engines or electronics can at least gather wood or forage for materials needed by the group or at least stand guard or cook.
Bottom line the successful survivalist will have a positive attitude (the glass is half full, not half empty) and be able to adapt to changing situations. And be a team player.
__________________
Those who forget History are condemed to repeat it.
"Survivalism is a commonly used term for the preparednessself-sufficiency, and/or building structures that will help them to survive or "disappear" (e.g., a survival retreat or underground shelter). strategy and subculture of individuals or groups anticipating and making preparations for future possible disruptions in local, regional or worldwide social or political order. Survivalists often prepare for this anticipated disruption by learning skills (e.g., emergency medical training), stockpiling food and water, preparing for self-defense and The specific preparations made by survivalists depend on the nature of the anticipated disruption(s), some of the most common scenarios being:
A disaster brought about by the activities of mankind: chemical spills, release of radioactive materials, nuclear or conventional war, or an oppressive government.
General collapse of society, resulting from the unavailability of electricity, fuel, food, and water.
Widespread chaos, or some other unexplained apocalyptic event.
Within pop-culture, especially in the United States, the term is also used to refer to isolationist groups, often with anti-government agendas. Pop-culture survivalism is often associated with paramilitary activity, though real world survivalism rarely includes such activities."
Rimjob, good catagories buddy, i was just thinking generalization but you took it a step further thanks... and i agree with your thinking a 4 then moving into a 3...
Swedesteve, on a higher plain of existence i whole heartedly agree...
LiveToShoot, most people would precieve you as a survivalist because of the good advice that you give on gathering supplys and storing food... Your general knowledge means you have a better understanding of survival practices then most people who do catagorize themselves as survivalists.
__________________ 12-21-2012: Party like theres no tomorrow!!!
What defines a survivalist...Hmmmm let's see. There's several things.
1. Must be a complete nut
2. Must be able to come up with a conspiracy theory out of your arse.
3. Must have stocked up on more ammo and guns than you can use at one time in an emergency situation.
4. Must like using the term SHTF willy nilly
5. Must live in the boonies away from big cities and natural disasters.
6. Must have an extremely viable .22lr
1. actual quite sane have a degree in drafting, am a foster parent and plan on getting my bachelor in theology plus a teaching cert for subing...
2. nope just shiet comes out my arse, its an exit only...
3.have two hand guns one for the wife one fo me, have to semi-auto rifles one for the wife and one for me and have two shotguns for when i need a shot gun...
4. ok i admit it i do like to use the term SHTF willy nilly...
5. live in a small town 30 miles from a major us army intel. base and 40 miles from a major us airforce base and i live right next to a major freeway for the south...
6. sorry thats JM's department... lol
but good points anyways TexasT
__________________ 12-21-2012: Party like theres no tomorrow!!!
Texas T can talk chit if she wants.. When it comes down to it, if someone breaks in to her place or tries to rob/rape her then I bet her survivalism will kick in real fast..
Which brings me to a point that I missed previously... A true survivalist is willing to kill to stay alive, if only to be able to protect their family.
BTW Texas, Many survivalist only plan to survive the natural disasters that are common to their area.. Not exactly planning for WW3, ya know.. Different levels, as I mentioned before, but still want to survive. Do you not want to survive? Seems like you had a little ordeal that you didn't plan that well for not long ago. Were any of your neighbors, that may have prepared better, nuts? Just wondering...
1. actual quite sane have a degree in drafting, am a foster parent and plan on getting my bachelor in theology plus a teaching cert for subing...
2. nope just shiet comes out my arse, its an exit only...
3.have two hand guns one for the wife one fo me, have to semi-auto rifles one for the wife and one for me and have two shotguns for when i need a shot gun...
4. ok i admit it i do like to use the term SHTF willy nilly...
5. live in a small town 30 miles from a major us army intel. base and 40 miles from a major us airforce base and i live right next to a major freeway for the south...
6. sorry thats JM's department... lol
but good points anyways TexasT
You got the humor lol.
Rimjob, I agree, people should be prepared. On this forum it seems to be more extremists voicing their opinions than anything.
The ability to climb out of whatever happens, survive the aftermath, and that may take a piece of rope, water, and an energy bar. and bandages. Material preparations, the first task is easy, but physical and mental preparation is the hardest. A lot of think tanks while you are getting fit. Give up vices, get in shape, think what if, with loved ones if possible, and get a plan Stan. But stay happy and find wonder and beauty in whatever you can. Take day hikes with your gear. Get too know other like minded people. Practice rolling around in the back yard with your pack on and your form of protection. You might want to pull the mag out for that one.
Rimjob, I agree, people should be prepared. On this forum it seems to be more extremists voicing their opinions than anything.
Oh this is nothing! I tried some other sites and boy oh boy!! You would have thought the Nukes had already landed! lol
Most people don't realize how bad things are for this country right now though.. It would not take too many more bad moves to send our USDs spiraling again.. All it would take would be for China to stop buying treasurys for 3 months and we would crumble.. Since we buy Chinese products more than anyone else they probably won't do this but when/if Oil (all commodities) lose(s) its dollar peg, then China could stop investing here. We can not make it as a country (with our current system) without loans from other countries financing us. If they don't need dollar denominated assets to purchase the resources that they need, then they will not be as inclined to loan us money. That simple.
I apologize. I thought you were calling LARMUS a nutjob! And since he keeps the bullys around here from taking my lunch money I couldn't let that happen!! LMAO
Deersniper, those are some excellent points, we should all get used to using our gear or our preparations so that in the event w need them we are familiar with there uses... and i like this sentence "But stay happy and find wonder and beauty in whatever you can" like dallas said a positive mental attitude and we can over come anything...
Rimjob, i agree i quit the one site i was on cause they were gettin' pretty extreme and went to another site and dont talk much on the forum anymore just like there links to preperations and identifing plants and such...
TT, i figured you was joshin with the "viable" remark, but some people do think im nuts, but oh well...
like i said i plan for something but it is not my only concern... we still except foster kids and the wife and i are still planning to keep going to school... life goes on in one way shape or form...
__________________ 12-21-2012: Party like theres no tomorrow!!!
I bought 600rd of .22LR ammo for no reason.
Also, 1800 pellets for my air rifle to hunt with.
Got over 1000rds for .22 and over 2250 pellets for my air rifle. I shouldnt starve.
