Guest post: Survival techniques from the homeless

I’ve been injured this week so I haven’t been able to do all I need to do. Fortunately, I have back-up. Check out this guest post from a friend AKA Mark Leland:

Survival is an attitude. It requires applying that attitude to daily situations. Survival depends on preparation, experience and determination.

Depending on your occupation and circumstances, you can learn from others and take what works for you. There are limited rehearsals or do-overs in survival. Survival can be accomplished individually as well as collectively.

Daily survival means being serious and not relying on the government to provide for your success. Consider Zeke, the resourceful homeless person who lives between a coffee shop and a truck stop.

Zeke is a survivor.

Zeke has shelter, food, water and a purpose. He wears the same clothes for a year or more and  manages to survive the elements. He exists by relying on charity, recycling discarded items and scavenging.

Zeke survives in spite of a government who deserted him in an effort to cut costs. “DE-institutionalizing”  Zeke from medical and psychological support, meals, and comfort have forced Zeke to adapt to a society that scorns and often attempts to make him a criminal to survive. To assist your planning, apply Zeke’s example of survival to your situation, dependent on your resources and situation. 

Shelter, Food, Protection.

Zeke uses of a plastic tube-liner as underwear. As a barrier to the elements, it’s practical and efficient. Your go-bag (in your car, work or home) should contain plastic tube-liners. A cap, gloves and dry socks and a change of clothes are good ideas. A tarp and tent stakes and rope make a more permanent shelter. Plan to be exposed to the elements and prepare accordingly.

Rations, water and the ability to make your camp or shelter comfortable makes survival worthwhile. Protecting yourself in a crisis, being fit and training to defend yourself are also relevant. When law and order break down, survival is more important than manners or societal norms. Practice those at your peril.

The Red Cross as well as government and NGO websites have suggestions on how to be prepared for 72 hours. Consider how realistic that is where you live, work or travel.

Earthquakes, floods or national emergencies require you to be self-sufficient until you reach safety or assistance. The government is composed of people who are all facing the same challenge. They will not be immediately ready to aid you as they are concerned with their own situation. There is an unwritten rule amongst first responders that their safety comes first in order to assure public safety.

Action Steps

1. Make a plan.

2. Rehearse. Hike or camp with the go-bag you carry and a weekend with it will tell you what you need and what to leave out.

No plan survives first contact. Having a plan lets you react to circumstances more efficiently. A practical, well-rehearsed plan (whether it be simply being able to change a tire to knowing how to react to an earthquake; whether at home work or between the two) will assure you a better chance to survive in similar circumstances.

~ Mark Leland

Mark Leland is a pseudonym. Mark is an immigrant, first responder and has a degree in history and a degree in management. He is an avid firearms enthusiast and instructs other first responders in use of force. Mark is an advocate for his employee association and represents employees in matters such as harassment and discipline.

 Related articles

• Winter Outdoor Survival Lessons Learned, by Jim N. (survivalblog.com)
• 15. Survive this: Make a Garbage Bag Shelter Part of Your Survival Kit (Great Video) (12160.info)
• Prepper’s Playbook Now Available as Survival Life’s Latest Special Report (prweb.com)
• FEMA says, Get a Survival Kit (secretsofthefed.com)
• Zombie survival class cancelled, children left untrained for apocalypse (vancouverobserver.com)