Skill set, what can you do?

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Permalink Reply by ubduomk on February 20, 2011 at 9:40pm

I'm constantly expanding my skill sets, newest is construction experience (before it was just all theoretical knowledge). I've been volunteering full-time with Habitat for Humanity for about a month now (4 weeks), pretty much done just a bit of everything and none of it was really new, I know how to do it but previously never had the chance to try any of it. With what i know i can renovate, remodel or build a house from nothing. I'm strong in engineering and building things.

I have moderate computer skills, know hardware and software, networks, and basically just a bit of everything. but I'm no hacker/geek.

I can repair or troubleshoot electronics, electrical wiring, as well as fix or put in new electrical wiring for residential purposes. electronics was one of my areas of study in college. I got stuck in digital circuitry, so i'm not so good with digital circuits.

Another area of study was drafting, I can do 2D and 3D drafting very well, as well as design. I can read or write blueprints. Currently I'm studying 3D design and rapid Prototyping, so I design 3D objects and learn how to make them with a 3D printer or by hand. this can come in handy.

I'm a very experienced driver, driven in all conditions (including 2 earthquakes) and situations, consider myself able to handle any situation, only limited to the abilities of my vehicle. Fastest speed I've done is about 130 mph, in traffic (moderate traffic) its about 75 mph, generally I'm the aggressive lead foot type of driver, but that doesn't mean I don't know how to hypermile. hypermile is the extreme style of driving to save gas. I once averaged 32 mpg in my minivan, 600 miles on 18.6 gallons. the EPA claims only 18 mpg for my minivan. so that's very good MPG. the top I've ever done is 48 mpg, which would mean that if I managed to maintain that I can get nearly 900 miles on 18.6 gallons! what that means in survival is that if under normal conditions a Honda Fit can get 400 miles to the tank, I can possible hypermile 1066 miles on one tank of gas! Likewise driving fast & furious like they do in the movies, I'd be lucky to get 200 miles to the tank, but can make record time thru a city of stalled cars and zombies.
I'm a very capable driver, don't think I can encounter a situation where I will not be able to make it thru.

I'm also an ok cook, I mostly go for exotic or foreign dishes not known to family. I like European dishes. currently I'm working thru the Scandinavian dishes (inspired by IKEA).

an ok gardener, my mom has a small garden and i frequently tend to it when she's not around. its not hard, all you do is weed & water.

I'm very much into firearms, gunsmithing and thinking about making my own gun (total build from scratch). I own 9 guns, they're inexpensive, simple, practical and reliable guns, nothing really fancy or cool. I focus on combat accuracy, which means the ability to hit human being from 50 meters' range. handguns, shotguns, and rifles. mostly about drawing from holster, movement with gun aimed, trigger control, rapid fire, reloading times and ability to quickly clear jams. I'm not that much into shooting little groups on paper 100 yards away. who the hell cares if you can do 2" groups at 100 yards if that can't be replicated in an uncontrolled, life-on-the-line combat situation? I also learned how to skip bullets (intentional ricocheting) and accurately shoot thru materials to hit stuff on the other side.
along with firearms proficiency, I also know how to make improvised weapons and explosives, as well as salvage munitions for useful materials. the explosives knowledge is all theoretical, as I've never had access to real explosive materials like rdx, petn c4, blasting caps, grenades or artillery shells. I have made little bombs from fireworks, blackpowder and flashpowder, and made pyrotechnic devices or flash-bangs from gunpowder, blackpowder. a flash bang is different from the others because my flashbangs specifically do not throw shrapnel. they just make a massive house-rocking boom. sometimes a spectacular light show. but most of the time just a huge boom.
i can also make melee weapons and able to do some blacksmithing. I built a tiny kiln once, allowed me to work with small amounts of mild steel and iron.

I can shoot my .22lr rifle over 300 meters accurately. doesn't sound like much until you find the bullet drop is about 20 feet! its not such as shooting that far, its more like compensating for the arc so to drop bullets on target (like a mortar or artillery gun). and because i know other weapons-related stuff, I can put together a suppressor device that allows me to shoot in near silence and my target has no clue where the bullet came from. I also occasionally practice shooting my Mosin Nagant at 300 meters. its alot different as my Mosin is ironsights only while my .22lr has a 4-16X scope. but the mosin sights automatically compensates for bullet drop while with the .22 i just have to aim really high.

I can also hunt small game, clean a rabbit for eating. i plan on doing some real hunting and gain some real hunting experience in the near future.

I do demo really well. whether its demo with regular or power tools, with fire or explosives. I can build things just as easy can I can make things, and I can build things to take a beating too. I regularly over-engineer stuff. sorta form of pride, I want what I built to last a 1000 years. either that or whoever that's doing the demo of my work forced to resort to explosives to demo it. When i build my own house that's what I plan to do, overbuild it so much if anyone ever wants to demo it they're SOL. its not everyday you need like 50 tons of C4 to demo a guy's house.

I'd say I'm also pretty low on the survival list, I'm trying to be come one of those people who's a Jack-of-all-trades kind of person, while i do know alot and pretty much a bit of everything its not nearly enough. I lack medical knowledge and serious mechanical knowledge (I and do basic maintenance and trouble shoot issues on my car but not much more)

however where i lack in skills I make up for it in intelligence. I read every day and able to digest/analyze huge amounts of data. I'm a good planner and able to consider hundreds of scenarios or situations in a reasonable amount of time. I'm great at salvaging, which means to take from the old and make it into the new. I improvise very well. these two are due to the fact I'm really low budget, I often buy junk cheap and salvage them for the goodies I need but can't otherwise afford.
I also have just a bunch of random information that comes in handy from time to time. I'm known to just read random articles or wikipedia pages all day. I've probably read more than a million pages in the last 5 years.

 

this is kinda long, didn't realize it at hte time.

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Permalink Reply by Milo Foxie on February 21, 2011 at 9:22pm

thats fine on the length mate, it's a briliant responce, and i like it, it's hihgly detailed, and it shows what you can do because you explain how

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Permalink Reply by Thomas "Fenrir" Platts on February 21, 2011 at 2:58pm

I know a few things, I don’t know how well they would work in a survival situation though to be honest.

 

Qualified Veterinary Nurse, well this may seem not to great, the principals of various treatments can be used on humans without any draw backs at all, things like wound disinfecting, stitches and staples, administering injections etc.

 

Extensive woodland knowledge, learned a lot from some really knowledgeable people, so I know what to eat at what times of year and what things to stay away from.

 

Basic mechanic knowledge, learning more all the time, re-built an old motorbike with a friend and in the processes of re-building a 1977 VW beetle. So my knowledge there is ever growing.

 

I have an allotment I run with my dad, so I know about growing my own food, when to plant things, how well certain things will so in the conditions etc.

 

I’ve done historical re-enacting for about 17 years so I’ve picked up a few things that may be helpful.

 

I make hand made long-bows and arrows for them for about 6 years now, can make them on site with limited tools/materials in a more Neolithic style, very straight forward and simple or can take away and fashion a full medieval war bow. Go out every day I can and shoot them so without boasting I’m a damn good shot, but only because of years of practise. The bow is also useful as guns are illegal in the UK

 

Very good at leather work, can treat skins to make hides and turn the leather into most things, I make my own quivers for example but have made bags and even shoes. Which is always useful because sooner or later footwear will wear out and if I can make my own, it’s better than nothing.

 

And I’m currently learning to flint-nap also. This could be useful that when I get good enough I will be able to make blades for cutting almost anything, it always surprises me how sharp a flint blade can be and can make arrow heads, which will be better that wood alone.

 

 

I rate my survival skills as pretty low down, I think what I know would be served better in a group where we can combine the knowledge of several people together

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Permalink Reply by Connor "kingkorps" Stuart on February 21, 2011 at 4:27pm

hell most of my skills don't expand beyond the basics but.....

I can cook a small steak which is pretty useless unless my group can skin animals

Second, I can fix almost anything wrong with a car with the right tools and alot of time I guess that would be useful  if we can set up a perimeter around the vechile

Third, I can't right English good thank god for iPod auto correct 

fourth, I can fix, assemble, disassemble , and clean gunsthat would be useful I guess

Fifth, I can use, reuse, and recycle most disposable objects that is one kickass skill

I still think I could survive awhile by myself but I would do better in a group

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Permalink Reply by Tori Luve on February 21, 2011 at 6:26pm

Cook, hunt & clean my catch, sew, drive a stick & a motorcycle, shoot a gun, farm (livestock and garden), break & ride a horse , 2nd Level First Aid - have a field hospital kit, can butcher an animal, I know how to can; basic carpentry & electrical, stamina, intelligent, currently live 100% off grid so I have an amazing grasp on what it takes to live with limited water, electricity, recycling, creating a true infrastructure, and managing resources.

 

If you wanted true details, I'd have to write a book.

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Permalink Reply by James Cameron Clamp on February 21, 2011 at 6:59pm

Just like you I am a brutal fighter, my uncle was a former marine and he told me everything he knew so I have used it to my advantage in fights. But of course I'd be changing up a few things when fighting the undead.

 

I know how to build lean-tos and other outdoor shelters.I know which random ass plants to eat and what they do, ex:boil pine needles (green) and drink the broth and it's a headache killer.I am CPR/First Aid/ and AED certified. set minor broken bones aka fingers and ankles.I am a decent cook, I know how to skin deer,rabbits, and pluck chickens and small birds. I can make and know the proper way to use a snare and box trap. I can sew wounds together, well small ones. sewed back a friends hand with just a fish hook and fishing line.

 

I know plenty more on survival tech but for some reason that's all I can think of. my survival chances are in my opinion are pretty high, even by myself I can manage a few months if not a year. as long as nothing serious happens to my body.

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Permalink Reply by Zombie Gabby on February 21, 2011 at 10:21pm

Wow idk what my skill would be :/
all I can probably do is draw and sketch(always carry with me a pocket size sketch book and pen), highly doubt tht would work on a zombie apocalypse, well
maybe I could draw a map or landmarks, keep track of notes, well hmm I can aim a gun but not a crack shot, I know some basics about cars, probably be good for learning some kinda skill from a fellow survivor, also very aware of my sorroundings and always listening

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Permalink Reply by Shadow Man on February 22, 2011 at 9:07am

I'm probably luckier than most folks out there. Having lived beyond a half century already, I’ve had a pretty varied and widespread experience base from which to draw from in a crisis. I actually have: changed a diaper (6 kids-his/hers/ours), planned an invasion, butchered a hog, conned (and sailed) a ship, designed (and built) a building, written sonnets, balanced accounts, built a wall, set a bone, comforted the dying, taken orders, given orders, cooperated, acted alone, solved equations, analyzed new problems, pitched manure, programmed a computer, cooked a tasty meal, fought efficiently, managed gallantly not to die. (see “Specialization is for Insects” by Robert Heinlein)

 

In addition: I’ve flipped burgers, worked in a plant nursery, moved furniture, driven a truck, sold hardware, was a herdsman on a hog farm (pitched lots of manure there). Survived “Outward Bound” as an Explorer Scout search and rescue member. Rock climber, backpacker, camper, fisherman and woodsman. Earned a black belt in Judo and Shotokan karate, studied Kendo and Aikido, was a SCA fighter and period armorer. Have built a trebuchet, am a crossbow maker. Had a very short stint as a lifeguard, was a scuba diver, surfer, sailor, Marine Corpsman, combat veteran. Filled lots of sandbags have survived in the desert, mountains, jungles, and tundra. I’ve been a husband, a father and a son. I’m a fair blacksmith and an experienced leather worker. I can sew by hand or machine, or suture a laceration. A long-term organic gardener and also a JOAT and shade tree mechanic; have rebuilt engines, restored cars: American, Japanese and British (I know all about Lucas the “Lord of Darkness”). Budding herbalist, a primary care provider (military), ambulance driver, EMT, ACLS & ATLS certified, Chief Petty Officer, Opfor specialist, mountain man reenactor. A rudimentary gunsmith, woodworker, brewer and distiller, raised rabbits and chickens for food, butchered them as well. Am a addicted bibliophile (1,000+ books), garage and yard sailor, quasi-electrician, a pretty good plumber and mediocre inventor. I roast my own coffee in a hot air popcorn popper; and make my own herbal tinctures, salves, unguents and others. I’ve been a teacher and an assistant director. I qualified in the service with both rifle and pistol as an expert marksman. Basically if I can see it – I can hit it. No brag, just fact.

 

As well as being an outside the box thinker and a dreamer of what is, was and could be; I’m basically a pessimistic optimist. I expect things to screw up and people to let me down and plan accordingly. When they don’t I’m pleasantly surprised and slightly amused. I realize that Murphy is a living breathing pain-in-the-ass and shit does and will happen. If something can break, it will, and usually does at the most inopportune time and in the worst situation….so plan accordingly. All plans and preparations go out the window when the first round goes off. Friendly fire isn’t and experts aren’t. I believe in “Adapt, Improvise and Overcome”, there is always a way through, over, under or around a problem. Don’t back me into a corner unless you seriously want your ass kicked. I believe in live and let live, but age and deceit will always prevail over youth and enthusiasm. My word is my bond and my contract. I read all the fine print and I never quit. 

 

Wow…I’ve never written this all down at one time! It’s kind of impressive even if I do say so myself. I never realized how much stuff I’ve crammed into my life so far, yet I’ve never parachuted out of a plane…so far. I need to learn how to weld, mold and machine metal. I’m sure there’s something I’ve forgotten, however, if my luck doesn’t run out when the Shiite hits the fan, I’m pretty sure I can survive just about anything given half the chance. I would not say I’m an expert, but rather that I’m well versed in the skills necessary to have earned my gray beard and to live long enough to pass on that knowledge and experience if the opportunity arises.

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Mike D. on February 22, 2011 at 12:34pm

I'm afraid of how long or vain this will sound so I'll try to keep it simple.

 

Combat:

Training in ten martial art/close-quarters-combat styles

Six years of street fighting (unarmed, knifes, handguns)

Four years of firearms training (rifle, handgun and assault rifle)

Placed 57th in a province wide rifle competition

Defeated the Canadian Tae-Kwon-Do champion in unarmed, no rules combat

Studied many forms of armed and unarmed combat and military tactics

Competence in speedball and paintball at a national level

 

Survival:

Five years in Scouting and three years in Cadets (basics)

Lots of winter camping

Experience with ropes, lean-tos, lures, bait, fishing, traps, fires, boats, anything camping/solo wilderness survival related.

First-aid, experience re-setting major bones, dealing with hypothermia, exhaustion, large cuts, extreme blood loss, multiple fractures, Canadian Military Field training, Standard Red Cross training, studied with nurses about virus specific concerns and combat

Extensive cooking experience

Small amount of construction experience (building and repairing houses/small buildings)

Small amount of mechanical experience (repairing cars and vans)

Experience hunting small game/birds

Small amount of experience farming both vegetables and animals (pigs, chickens, cows and horses)

 

Group/leadership:

Own a company

Constantly create and produce new works

A spiritual and emotional stronghold and leader

Experience leading small groups from children to adults in various activities and situations

Small experience leading trained soldiers

Experience leading hundreds of campers for days at a time

Very personal and easy to work with

Large social network (can call in favors or skilled co-survivors)

Training in verbal defense and mental health first aid

Strength in setting and accomplishing useful goals either personally or for a group

 

Miscellaneous:

Basics of driving a large truck

Basics of flying a helicopter

Lots of experience with personal and small group boats

Competent swimmer

Extreme self-discipline

Large amount of experience rappelling from helicopter and rooftop

Moderate experience free-running up buildings

Large amount of experience scaling buildings and walls

Moderate skill at rock climbing

Can run at an average pace for 80 minutes

Can run at a very fast pace for 14 minutes

Small amount of experience with welding

Small amount of experience with farm vehicles (driving and repairing)

Moderate experience horse riding (bareback or saddle)

Small amount of experience with bypassing locks/obtaining vehicles

Large amount of experience entering buildings and areas unnoticed

Small amount of experience repairing and programing computers and video game consoles

Large amounts of experience as a writer studying a varied range of topics

 

I believe I would have a moderate to high chance of survival given my wide range of skills. I believe places I have to improve still are experiencing other cultures and survival in climates other then the Canadian winter (-60 C with snow and winds) and summer (+20 C.) I can always learn more about hand-to-hand combat and can always use more practise with different types of firearms. I believe my large amount of actual hands-on experience in dangerous situations and my calm nature and natural leadership skills will give me an edge when the inevitable occurs.

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Permalink Reply by Thomas "Fenrir" Platts on February 22, 2011 at 2:38pm

i like your style man :)

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Permalink Reply by TheStopper on February 22, 2011 at 7:48pm

I agree, my plan has always been survive until some kind of equilibrium is reached, then go into thriving mode. I say survive first because you have to take time to take in the new "rules" that fall in. After you have adjusted to them you can settle down in a safe a place as you can make use of, then begin to rebuild and thrive. Can I expect to see "Papatoad City" in any region in the US? I know I'll be roaming the Northeast somewhere.

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Permalink Reply by TheStopper on February 23, 2011 at 9:58am

I see, I've always been one to settle down, just who I am.

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