for me

 

it would have to be things to survive on land

 

ive never hunted or skinned what was shot or set it up for preservation

 

land navigation i know

 

basically how to live off the land

 

build shelters on land

 

fire making at its most primative

 

how to track prey

 

my home was the sea

 

so about anything that has to do with surviving on land

 

Honestly, what I would want to learn for survival would be how to take care of farm animals - something not quite thought of as survival skills but something that I would want if I didn't have the local Walmart to run to...  I know nothing about raising animals like goats, or sheep, or cows, or pigs or even chickens.   
Also, don't know a thing about mechanics - like how to fix a mower, a car, a tractor, etc.  That would come in handy.

 

 I know how to shoot, hunt, fish, start a fire, do some doctoring, sew, build things, grow a garden and preserve what I grow, purify water, use wild edibles,  use plants and home remedies, stock up on emergency supplies, etc. 

 

But I'm quite sure I could always learn how to do a lot of things I just never have thought of!

 

How to survive a dirty bomb attack????

How to create/produce solar or wind or hydro energy?

How to locate and dig a well for water?

How to secure your property for your family's safety?

How to use a bow...

I don't know a thing about survival at sea or in the frigid cold....

 

Ya'll keep this idea going!  I think it's fantastic.

 

Moonflower

 

 

Melody

 

its funny (sorta kinda)

 

some of the things you know how to do i would love to know how to do

 

half the things you dont know how to do i have either experienced or taught before

lol Chief - you sound like Rainman - wanna trade secrets?   Really though, that's what I think "community" and survival is all about.  Sharing knowledge with each other that comes from experience.  I don't claim to be an expert by any stretch of the imagination but I know what has worked, what has failed, and what I have been taught by others more experienced than myself.   And I'm always open to learn! 

 

My mother was a disfunctional handful for sure but she was brilliant and she always taught me that there is nothing that you can't learn from someone wiser than yourself ("so keep your ears open" she would say) or that you can't teach yourself with the proper books.  I guess I believed her.....  I've tried to teach my son the same. 

 

Moonflower 

The most dangerous thing about books is that you read them and think you have the "skill"

 

You have the Knowledge but you don't have the skill.

 

I was raised on a farm with no indoor plumbing so I have several dormant skills like butchering and crap like that.

 

I use to take my kids on neolithic camping trips.

 

The things I found to be true was

 

1. A lean to is never shown steep enough!!!!!

 

2. A debrie shelter is never thick enough. Never! you have to add to the damn thing all the time to keep it tight.

 

3. You can start a fire with a fire bow but you need to find the right wood. Be patient and practice.

 

4. When it is snowing it is to late to try building a shelter and a fire. You should have spent a few nights in one and built a few before you got yourself in a position to "Survive" in one.

 

All these skills can be practiced from a book. But you have to practice them or realise you have knowledge but in reality you will have to "learn" the skill.