Survival & Preparedness ~ What It Really Means

Often people mock me for some of the things I take with me in my bug out bag. Some mock me for even being prepared at all. Here are my thoughts on survival and preparedness.

In one video I have people are giving me a lot of flak for using a fishing pole on a survival trip. Well, I figure that in a survival situation I will have the things with me that I carry every day. This includes a fishing pole.

I am not teaching primitive survival skills or primitive living. Although these are good skills to have and to practice as a backup plan when all else fails.

I teach survival and preparedness. I also believe in comfort items to boost morale. Morale plays a large role in survival. Take two people in a group. One person has a positive attitude and outlook. The other is pessimistic and negative. In many cases the negative person will die.

Having comfort items in a survival situation will boost your morale and possibly your chances of survival. I read a lot of survival stories and the attitude of the person counts for a lot.

I have a fishing pole with me literally everywhere I go. I have a mini pocket pouch with fishing gear that stays on my belt. I have my EDC (Every Day Carry) bag which holds a pocket fishing pole complete with fishing gear. In my truck I always have two more fishing poles and fishing gear with me.

My Bug out Bag has a telescopic fishing pole and a reel with fishing line. Plus it has a fishing kit full of extra lures, hooks and extras. Melanie’s bag has the same things. In this way we will never be without an easy and comfortable way to fish.

Many mock me for taking a fishing pole on a survival trip, as I said. Well, let them mock. I prefer to have ready made fishing gear at my side day and night rather than thinking I am going to kill a deer with my knife and then make hooks with its bones and fishing line with its sinews. This is not easy and takes time to learn. Now, unless you practice these skills ahead of time, you are going to die a slow and miserable death.

Although I can fish with a hook, line and a stick (I will do a video on that one day), I take my fishing gear with me.

I practice starting fire with primitive fire starting methods but I prefer to have a lighter on me at all times, literally everywhere I go. I have multiple forms of fire starters on me at all times.

My pouch EDC bag and my main EDC bag both have cigarette lighters, ferro and magnesium rods and magnifying glasses. These go where I go so I always have my fire starters with me. My bug out bag and supplementary food bag both have multiple fire starters as well.

I often get flak for being prepared at all. I often hear “what are you preparing for? The end of the World?” Well, no.

I have been through two hurricanes which devastated the area I was in. I have seen two forest fires within 5 miles of my tiny house in the woods. I have seen many disasters and survival situations in my years. I am a strong believer in being prepared for anything.

Even after hurricane Katrina, people are still laughing and mocking. They say there is no reason to be prepared. I bet those down south do not agree anymore.

There are places in New York City area that are still not repaired or rebuilt after the last bad hurricane that went through. They may never be. I bet those people wish they had been prepared.

My friend was jealous of the fact that Melanie and I needed about 5 to 10 minutes to load the truck and go. This included loading our boat. He needed over an hour to get his gear together. He is not listening to us talk about preparedness. He was really looking at our bug out bags and how we have everything we need with us.

I even take a coffee mug with me. I like to have comforts. I was in the US Army and learned the value of comfort items. They give you a packing list for a road trip or training mission. If you only pack what is on the list, you will most likely suffer. But I learned with time to take some comfort items. Extra shirt, socks, sweatshirt in colder weather. A book to read on long trips or some candy bars in the side pants pocket for those delays that always seem to come up. I always had an inflatable pool raft which I used as a sleeping mattress because the military foam mats are super thin and not comfortable at all on top of an M1 Abrams tank. Not at all.

So I believe in having a Bug Out Bag. I believe in using it. Taking it out. Becoming familiar with your gear. It could save your life.

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Troy
TR Tech Tactical & Survival