Are you a prepper, a survivalist, neither or both? Think back on math classes that discussed different sets. In one set we had these factors, call them the X set, in that set we had those factors, call it the Y set and then in this set we had the Z factors. The factors can be anything... but all sets are different and sometimes 2 of the 3 sets will intersect for a subset of factors and sometimes all 3 sets will intersect for a smaller subset of factors. Thats what we have here with your question of what is the difference between survivalists and preppers. I see survivalists as more of the hardy, self-sufficient types that you can drop into a wilderness situation and they would know how to survive with very few tools and mainly the knowledge and skils they have developed. Give them a simple tool set; a good knife, a water bottle, a fire making device (although a true survivalist wont need it), some paracord and the clothes on his/her back, which WILL already be survival worthy ... and they will do well for weeks or even months or years on end with NO supplies in all weather conditions. They know how to find food in the wilderness and secure it via traps, spears, fishing, slings, etc. and can MAKE WHAT THEY NEED from what is provided in nature. To me, that is a true survivalist and there are good ones and then their are great ones who have lived for decades totally off of the grid. A prepper is more of a homebody, Aunt Jane and Uncle Joe, who isnt planning on running into the woods at the first sign of danger and is putting back cans of this and that, has all of the tools from survivalists wildest dreams but may or may not know how to use them very well. They are more likely to raise food then hunt it... although Im sure that is one of the subset cross over points. They are canners, gardeners vs. scavanging the woods for edible plants and things to hunt and eat. They stock up on extra blankets, fuel, etc. and are more THINGS oriented than SKILLS oriented. A survivalist HAS all that he/she needs to survive right between his two ears, whereas a typical prepper would be a hurting puppy within a few hours if placed into a true survival situation WITHOUT the comforts and security of their preps. I am both and constantly work on improving my survival skills by practicing them... but I need the tools in my EDC (every day carry) or, better yet, my backpack with essentials that I know will help me through so I dont have to dig through frozen ground with a sharp rock to get at roots I can use as twine to bind the various shelters and traps needed. Nah, Id rather reach into my backpack and pull out the tools needed to shelter in anywhere in a matter of a few hours at the most. As for FEAR, it is a natural and useful emotion but only to a point. That point is getting MOTIVATED to do something about it. Pure fear, unless we have adapted our instinct to channel it, gives us the FIGHT or FLIGHT response and the power we need to evade or confront a life-threatening situtation... like a cougar. Unfortunately, PURE FEAR can cause you a 3 to 10 second loss of cognitive (higher brain function) perception as your primal/instinctive/reflexive brain takes over and that can get you killed! If you go into TERROR MODE when confronted by a mugger then you werent mentally preparred to deal with that situation and your response may be to just shut down, in effect to play dead and that isnt going to help you. That may be the correct reflex when a Momma Bear attacks you but a mugger will just stab you and take your wallet. So preparedness must be more than stuff... it takes training both physical and mental. Heres a quick test to see if someone is a survivalist or just a prepper. What is the rule of threes? (The answer to this question lets you prioritize the things you need to do in the propper order so you maximize your chances of surviving.) . tick . tick . tick . (In order of priority.) 3 minutes without air... 3 hours without shelter... 3 days without water 3 weeks without food. Heres another question that will differentiate between the two groups and help you to survive in a survivalist mode. What are the five methods of heat loss? (You need to know this so you can confront each of them when building your shelter and survive out in the cold. NOTE: You can die in temperatures that many people wouldnt even fear... 40s to 50s! . tick . tick . tick Conduction: Heat passes from warmer body to colder body. For example; sitting on a cold wet log, laying on the cold ground, etc. Convection: For example; wind chill, whether from the wind or your own movement through the cold air. Radiation: Heat rising from your body UP into the colder sky. We lose between 60-80% of our heat production through our head and neck. So a good shelter will have a way to trap heat from getting away. Respiration: Breath in cool air and breath out warm air. Be careful not to cool off by breathing too heavily while working.. Perspiration (and/or wetness): Water conducts heat hundreds of times faster than dry air. SO STAY DRY! This is where your clothing becomes incredibly important. Wet cotton clothing will sap heat away from you VERY quickly whereas wool will keep you warm even when wet. So look into high tech gear that will preserve heat and not depend on fashion. The names are not important. What is important is that you know how to remove or reduce each of these heat loss conditions.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 12:14:27 +0000
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