What's your opinion on survivalism (the movement/subculture)?

[Brawndo]

I was talking to some of my friends about putting together a "bug out bag" with enough supplies for 72 hours in case I had to escape in an emergency, and they looked at me like I was some kind of paranoid right-wing conspiracy guy.

Personally, I think there are a lot of useful skills and information to learn involving survivalism, but too many sites I've read on the subject are tied to politics or mania involving some kind of religious apocalypse.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

Never heard of that sort of thing ever, and I kinda think you're a bit crazy too.

 

[Mittens The Kitten]

im all for surviving.

 

[Drummie666]

Bear Grylls? Is that you? But really though, sure, shit happens. Through some stuff that your going to need to survive for a while. You could get snowed in for a few days with no outside access. There's also a few other times that could be useful.

 

[TheDeadSquirrel]

That is a good idea, society has been too dependent on technology and knowing how to survive with minimal or no use of modern technology will give you the edge during a collapse of society, a zombie apocalypse, or just camping.

 

[Defective_Detective]

I think studying survivalism is generally a good idea. I find it to be quite an interesting subject, personally, as even the briefest foray into the ins and outs of emergency contingencies and survival skills starkly reveals our modern weaknesses.

If the modern world where to vanish tomorrow, the present-day man and woman would be completely unable to survive. There are a great many skills and practices you can learn by studying survivalist techniques, that are still applicable in lieu of an actual apocalypse.

Unfortunately, as mentioned, the problem is that survivalism does have the attached stigma of certain communities that take it far too seriously.

 

[Ensiferum]

I don't think it's completely crazy; yeah digging a bunker in your backyard might be going a bit overboard, but there's nothing wrong with being prepared. Learning basic survival skills along with CPR and first aid is a great thing to do because you never know when those skills might come in handy.

 

[Brawndo]

Psh, just call it an 'Emergency Preparedness Kit' instead of a 'Bug-out Bag' and you'll go from nutball to savvy citizen just like that!

It has other names, I just think that bug-out-bag sounds the best.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bug-out_bag

 

[Ciran]

Eh, I'm neither here nor there about it. I have some supplies stashed out in the basement if I need to stay down there for a day or two, and I have enough knowledge about the wilderness that I'm sure I could get along for a reasonable amount of time before I run into something I can't handle.

 

[spartan231490]

I was talking to some of my friends about putting together a "bug out bag" with enough supplies for 72 hours in case I had to escape in an emergency, and they looked at me like I was some kind of paranoid right-wing conspiracy guy.

Personally, I think there are a lot of useful skills and information to learn involving survivalism, but too many sites I've read on the subject are tied to politics or mania involving some kind of religious apocalypse.

Let me put it to you this way, I am currently in the extensive planning stages of my bug out plan that is intended to allow indefinite survival. I do it not because I think I will need it, but because it is an entertaining intellectual exersize which might possibly be helpful at a later date, however unlikely that is.

 

[loc978]

No affiliation with or interest in the politics or subculture, but I'm definitely a heavily armed, well-supplied survivalist type.

 

[chainer1216]

then you're friends need to realize that they're not immune to disasters, like katrina, or an earthquake or something. i've always been taught to have an "emergency kit" in the house and car.

a first aid kit, some MREs and sealed bottled water, some basic tools, a flash light, and, well, my home kit contains a "means of self defense" as my father put it, though my car one doesn't, because i don't want that on my conscience if my car gets stolen.


just because you have/want a emergency kit, doesn't mean you actually think you'll need it, its just something thats there IF you ever need it, because its better to have something and not need it, than to not have something when you do.


also: if you're friends give you shit about it, do what i do (and i suspect many do) and say its you're "zombie survival kit" and that you just keep it as a joke.

 

[Yarkaz]

I was once snowed into ym house for 4 days, so, horrid survivalist I am, approve this lifestyle.

 

[KingFall]

Neat. You can laugh at them when you have food and supplies after whatever inevitable crises occurs. Myself, I've got a nice little set up with all the goodies you'll need. Food for a prolonged stay, tools for making shelters and using pretty damn much everything I can come across that has value to a survivor, and two firearms, a handgun and a hunting rifle.
All safely stowed in my closet.

Thankfully, my friends saw this as a good idea. We all have one now, and a predetermined primary and secondary meeting place.

And yes.. it's quite fun to put one together. Part of the reason I wish they would make a game that incorporates survival as an actual game play mechanic. Having to juggle that, along with all of the things you'll need to accomplish in the game itself ( Think of a prolonged dungeon dive, you'll need torches, food, and the like, as well as the equipment to properly maintain your gear. And going alone would be incredibly stupid. What if you break your leg, or lose most of your supplies to a trap or monster? It's much easier to sneak up on an adventurer when he sleeps alone, with no one on watch.. but I'm rambling.. Heh..)
Yea.. that's pretty much my thought/s. Two-cents and what not.

 

[Brawndo]

And yes.. it's quite fun to put one together. Part of the reason I wish they would make a game that incorporates survival as an actual game play mechanic. Having to juggle that, along with all of the things you'll need to accomplish in the game itself ( Think of a prolonged dungeon dive, you'll need torches, food, and the like, as well as the equipment to properly maintain your gear. And going alone would be incredibly stupid. What if you break your leg, or lose most of your supplies to a trap or monster? It's much easier to sneak up on an adventurer when he sleeps alone, with no one on watch.. but I'm rambling.. Heh..)
Yea.. that's pretty much my thought/s. Two-cents and what not.

Oregon Trail 2005: Katrina?

 

[KingFall]

And yes.. it's quite fun to put one together. Part of the reason I wish they would make a game that incorporates survival as an actual game play mechanic. Having to juggle that, along with all of the things you'll need to accomplish in the game itself ( Think of a prolonged dungeon dive, you'll need torches, food, and the like, as well as the equipment to properly maintain your gear. And going alone would be incredibly stupid. What if you break your leg, or lose most of your supplies to a trap or monster? It's much easier to sneak up on an adventurer when he sleeps alone, with no one on watch.. but I'm rambling.. Heh..)
Yea.. that's pretty much my thought/s. Two-cents and what not.

Oregon Trail 2005: Katrina?

Do you have any electrolytes?

 

[Jfswift]

Nothing wrong with that really. I always keep a little bit of water, some warm clothes, trail food and a small medkit in my trunk of my car. You never know when you might need it.

 

[Stand Alone Complex]

Everyone should have a plan for survival in case of an emergency break out of Zombies.