How NOT to teach people survival skills

AlephZero · **on:** October 26, 2016, 08:12:22 PM

Ok, so I stumbled upon this Youtube video claiming "Top 10 Survival Skills You Need to Know"

alright...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ncC1R2klvE

Some advice is viable yes, but you know there will be some people who will think that this is all you need, right?

AlephZero · **Reply #1 on:** October 26, 2016, 08:15:58 PM

While we're at it, why don't we get it right, and post some good info on the subject?

Smashie · **Reply #2 on:** October 26, 2016, 08:17:50 PM

OK I gave up at make sure you pile sticks on the fire (signal fire)

Smashie · **Reply #3 on:** October 26, 2016, 08:30:36 PM

How build a signal fire

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG9vg2ENo9k

styx · **Reply #4 on:** October 26, 2016, 09:00:53 PM

I say drop 'em in the middle of no where, pick 'em up in a few weeks. If they live, pat 'em on the back and give 'em a beginner survival course certificate, if they don't - no money back guarantee

Grathr · **Reply #5 on:** October 26, 2016, 09:01:13 PM

Quote from: Aleph78 on October 26, 2016, 08:12:22 PM

Ok, so I stumbled upon this Youtube video claiming "Top 10 Survival Skills You Need to Know"

alright...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ncC1R2klvE

Some advice is viable yes, but you know there will be some people who will think that this is all you need, right?

Grathr · **Reply #6 on:** October 26, 2016, 09:02:45 PM

https://youtu.be/B1KnQp7D8sw

Aloha · **Reply #7 on:** October 26, 2016, 09:48:43 PM

For many they wont go out into the actual wild so the video is a non issue in all reality. For those who do venture out tell someone were you are going, check that, tell several people where you are going and when you plan on coming back.

Gareth · **Reply #8 on:** October 26, 2016, 10:10:06 PM

I can't quite make myself watch the video right now. Is it really that bad?

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #9 on:** October 26, 2016, 10:46:52 PM

Quote from: Gareth on October 26, 2016, 10:10:06 PM

I can't quite make myself watch the video right now. Is it really that bad?

I forced myself to watch it, and wished I hadn't

It's little snippets of movies and online clips relating to general themes as someone who has no clue gives a rolling commentary. One of them is learning to tie a bowline - no other knots, nothing about application, but they claim it's incredibly strong..... does that tell you enough to not bother? If not.... "you can start a fire by rubbing sticks together" followed by zero additional information on how or what with.

Gareth · **Reply #10 on:** October 26, 2016, 11:21:56 PM

OK, I might have to watch it now.

On second thoughts, maybe not.

Sea Monster · **Reply #11 on:** October 27, 2016, 07:48:41 AM

"Gather firewood"

For when I'm surviving in...a small inhabited village with firewood stocked up?

"Since you're watching internet videos you've probably never tied a knot other than your shoelaces"

It's true, You can have Rope or Computers. Never both. God Wills it.

(Also, whilst I always teach the Bowline, I never really use it. It's just not that good.)

I guess the top tip for first aid is "Don't get mauled by a bear"

I do like "Trial and error" for testing wild food

I didn't get all the way through....

Anyway, this is obviously just crap internet filler. It turns out "The Cloud" is mostly "evaporated smurf"

Gareth · **Reply #12 on:** October 27, 2016, 09:46:40 AM

Quote from: Sea Monster on October 27, 2016, 07:48:41 AM

"Gather firewood"

For when I'm surviving in...a small inhabited village with firewood stocked up?

"Since you're watching internet videos you've probably never tied a knot other than your shoelaces"

It's true, You can have Rope or Computers. Never both. God Wills it.

(Also, whilst I always teach the Bowline, I never really use it. It's just not that good.)

I guess the top tip for first aid is "Don't get mauled by a bear"

I do like "Trial and error" for testing wild food

I didn't get all the way through....

Anyway, this is obviously just crap internet filler. It turns out "The Cloud" is mostly "evaporated smurf"

styx · **Reply #13 on:** October 27, 2016, 05:25:08 PM

Well most of their videos are uneducated ramblings so at least they are consistent

Chako · **Reply #14 on:** October 28, 2016, 12:48:56 AM

Here is a good rule...while in bear country...just be sure you can outrun your buddy.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #15 on:** October 28, 2016, 03:54:08 PM

Quote from: Chako on October 28, 2016, 12:48:56 AM

Here is a good rule...while in bear country...just be sure you can outrun your buddy.

That's why Megan always takes me hiking. With more metal in my ankles than in the average economy car someone would be very hard pressed to not run faster than me!

Def

Mechanickal · **Reply #16 on:** October 29, 2016, 10:17:46 AM

Quote from: Chako on October 28, 2016, 12:48:56 AM

Here is a good rule...while in bear country...just be sure you can outrun your buddy.

AlephZero · **Reply #17 on:** October 30, 2016, 06:53:51 PM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on October 28, 2016, 03:54:08 PM

Quote from: Chako on October 28, 2016, 12:48:56 AM
Here is a good rule...while in bear country...just be sure you can outrun your buddy.

That's why Megan always takes me hiking. With more metal in my ankles than in the average economy car someone would be very hard pressed to not run faster than me!

Def

Boss, I'm pretty sure she didn't have that in mind... pretty sure...

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #18 on:** October 31, 2016, 11:55:07 AM

It may not have been first on the list, but I bet that it is there.... and comforting to her!

Def

pfrsantos · **Reply #19 on:** October 31, 2016, 11:59:29 AM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on October 31, 2016, 11:55:07 AM

It may not have been first on the list, but I bet that it is there.... and comforting to her!

Def

Yup, I bet it is...

Show content

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUKqcFD7hPE

dks · **Reply #20 on:** October 31, 2016, 11:59:55 AM

.all that metal - imagine the damage it will do to the teeth of the poor animals....

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #21 on:** October 31, 2016, 12:05:31 PM

Quote from: dks on October 31, 2016, 11:59:55 AM

.all that metal - imagine the damage it will do to the teeth of the poor animals....

Fortunately there is all too much non-metal parts to keep them happy long before they have to resort to that.

Def

Noa Isumi · **Reply #22 on:** November 01, 2016, 08:15:54 AM

Here's a real bear country tip:

Brown bear smurf has nuts, acorns, and berries in it;
Grizzly bear smurf has "bear bells" from the idiot yuppies that followed these videos;
and a real outdoors-man's smurf has bear steak with an extra side of manliness in it

Seriously though that joke is about at the same level that most of the "survival' industry is putting out. Many of the videos and "guides" out there today are either dangerous, selling worthless stuff, or both. Survival is simply putting your life skills to your advantage in an emergency situation. If you don't live, learn and actually get out there and use your skills through piratical, normal experiences all the gadgets and blogs in the world wont save your smurf.

Yes there are practical training courses available for skills that may be out of your norm such as First-aid, rappelling, scuba, fire response etc. But an 8hr or weekend course is only a supplement to your other skills. You may be ok a month later but what about a year? If it isn't regularly practiced or have some relevance to your life how long will you retain it as more than anecdotal knowledge? And I chose those sample courses for a reason; I took all of them 10+yr ago. I remember the basic ideas of many of them but they are not reliable skills in any way. On the flip side you can go overboard spending every week and tons of money going from class to class but never really gaining practical experiences, or becoming "expert" at skills that you will never use..