Tuesday, January 17, 2012

No Guarantee of Survival - The Limitations of Survival Gear


Survival gear does not guarantee you will make it long enough to be rescued or keep you alive until you are found. In fact, most survival gear is a poor substitute for proper training and survival skills that don’t necessarily rely on equipment. Many people strive to become self reliant but end up building a very strong dependency on gear for their survival. Ultimately, it is your own thoughts and actions that will make you a survivor.

Survival gear has some serious limitations that need to be considered if you really plan on surviving. When you consider some of the limitations of survival gear, you might want to give your survival a little more thought. Sometimes doing the simplest of things ahead of time will be more valuable and productive than a reliance on gear that doesn’t come with a guarantee. Gear is no guarantee that you will survive. Here are a few things to consider when you rely too strongly on your survival gear.

The Limitations of Survival Gear

1. Gear gets left behind.

2. Gear gets lost or misplaced.

3. Gear breaks.

4. Gear may fail to function properly.

5. Gear may be inadequate for the task.

Any one or all of these limitations can cause serious problems if you plan to survive with gear alone. Common sense, skills and training are things that don’t get left behind, lost or broken. These things are always with you when needed and are always available to help you survive. Survival gear is a great thing to have with you but its limitations could affect your ability to survive if you become too dependent upon it. It is possible to survive without it.  It may be harder or a lot more difficult but it is till possible for you to survive without it.

Got limitations?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker


8 comments:

Ken said...

...yer right RW,the best "gear" we have is between our ears...

...whether you think you can,or think you can't,yer probably right...

Anonymous said...

My problem is old age is slowly creeping up on me, now that I've got the gear, I'm too 'stove up' to carry it, lol. Have to learn to keep it simple.

Karl said...

Hey RW..
A good post mate, another limitation to add to the list:

The Operator

If the owner doesn't have the ability to use the gear then it is pointless having it, same goes when your cold wet a nd tired, all the kit in the world won't help you if you don't have the functioning mind to use it when you need it most...

Karl.

http://ranger-pathfinder-notes.blogspot.com/

riverwalker said...

To: Ken

It's one of the reasons that I've tried to learn more...lees I need to carry.

Thanks Ken.

RW

riverwalker said...

To: anonymous 7:31

Unfortunately, my days of carrying a huge pack are also gone. A minimalist approach towards gear that needs to be carried is fast becoming my normal mode of operation...easier on the knees at my age. lol

Thanks anon.

RW

riverwalker said...

To: Karl

Good point Karl.

If you don't know how to properly use your gear, you might as well leave it at home.

Thanks Karl.

RW

Anonymous said...

I'm an old guy and I know how, can carry it long distances and can use it:
M1 Garand; 4 bandoleers, 192 rounds; pistol belt; 2 canteens with covers and cups; 4 pockets always full of the good stuff.
That's what I call goin' light with a sound brain.
Let 'er rip.
Mountain Rifleman

riverwalker said...

To: Mountain Rifleman

Sounds like a good combination.

While I could still pack a pretty heavy load if necessary, I usually try to avoid as much excess weight as possible.

Thanks.

RW

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