Your best survival creedos

[Zoub]

In honor of Veterans, my Dad and other warriors who taught me survival at a young age I will share here in this thread, a conversation that truly influenced me. I was 10 years old and already a solid 2 years in to learning basic outdoor survival skills. It was 1973.

"Guys who carry 2 .45's on them have already decided how they want to die. When behind the lines, facing a group of motivated enemy all carrying AK's who want to get you, you are not going to win that gun fight."

My Dad had done combat both on the ground behind enemy lines and then in the air. He had a lot of credibility when it came to recon and E&E. When he said the above to me we were discussing particular people he served with that had died in Vietnam. I knew them all.

Then he said this: "Actually, they all just went missing and never turned up on any KIA or POW list, knowing what they knew, if captured they probably ended up in Russia." (Back in the 90's parts of one guys uniform even turned up in Russian archives. My Dad passed away before that revelation so I never got to discuss it with him)

The other gem from that same conversation:

"Of the ones who went down there were only two types, those who walked out to be found and those who vanished without any trace."

This conversation is why I value binoculars and the powers of observation so much. Yes I usually have 2 handguns in my gear or with me. 1 is none and it is easier to use binos and a compass when unencumbered by long guns. I am just trying to get home.

The reinforcement for me of all of this came yeas later when he went to visit the Vietnam Memorial and some of them were not on the Wall. It crushed him but reminded me of what he had told me.

I almost didn't post this but WTF, there it is. Share yours too.

 

[repeter1977]

You are never out of the fight until you are dead. There is always another way. Never quit, never give up. What you are looking for could be just around the corner, then after you give up and die, think about that. You could have saved yourself if you had just tried that bit harder. You are always more capable then you think you are. Cannot should NOT be in your dictionary.

 

[jeremy]

I had to memorize this years ago, it has helped me many times since....

SURVIVAL

Size up your situation.
Undue haste, makes waste.
Remember where you are.
Value living.
Improve your situation.
Vanquish fear and panic.
Act like the natives.
Learn basic skills.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

You don't rise to the occasion, you fall back on your training.

Coupled with one every vet has heard a bajillion times, probably while soaked and shivering in the dark:

We don't train to time, we train to standard.

 

[WETSU]

You only truely own what you can carry on your back at a dead run.

 

[spearheadersarge]

All god posts and great advice! Now if we could only get the rest of the country and the peole in washington on board, maybe we could save this country!

 

[rockhopper46038]

Not nearly as inspirational, but...

"Do unto others before they have a chance to do unto you".

 

[Zoub]

Not nearly as inspirational, but...

"Do unto others before they have a chance to do unto you".

It is all good so far. We had a similar set of rules.

Rule#1 Never put a hand on someone else.
Rule#2 If someone else puts a hand on you and you don't want it there, break it off.
Rule#3 Always follow those rules in that order and I will have your back.

Johnny Depp: Are you an AmeriCAN or AmeriCAN'T.

 

[repeter1977]

You only truely own what you can carry on your back at a dead run.

I have heard, you only own what you are willing to kill for, and survive for. Everything else belongs to anyone else.

 

[Dragon]

"It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it."

This was probably the only real creedo my dad expressed to me throughout growing up. He's a Viet Nam Vet who was a public servant until his retirement and understood the value of preparation.

Now in hindsight I can't apply this philosophy to everything, because sometimes less is more but much of the time we're missing either the tools or skills necessary to do a job. This is why I prep, this is why I've practiced martial arts for so many years, this is why I train, you name it. It came from him.

 

[PwrCruz]

I have forgotten where and when I heard this but I have always liked it especially when it comes to prepping.
You never want to run out of cigarettes , luck or ammo at the same time but you never ever want to run out of ammo, because if you have ammo you can always get more cigarettes and make your own luck.

 

[TheRude1]

I have forgotten where and when I heard this but I have always liked it especially when it comes to prepping.
You never want to run out of cigarettes , luck or ammo at the same time but you never ever want to run out of ammo, because if you have ammo you can always get more cigarettes and make your own luck.

Noted

 

[TheRude1]

The true man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYjnWXFTQkM

The one most know
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlzIPoRbF_A

 

[sadclownwp]

If it is ewwy, gooy, sticky, or smushy, and it is not yours... Don't touch it.

 

[Icarry2]

Two is one and one is none..

 

[CombatRex]

I heard this as a young Lieutenant in the Army...my company commander would always say.."Stay flexible, but not completely rubberized." Not sure of it's value, but it has actually served me well.

 

[CathyInBlue]

I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.

 

[HavokCycle]

extra socks and extra ammo.

 

[IndyDave1776]

I heard this as a young Lieutenant in the Army...my company commander would always say.."Stay flexible, but not completely rubberized." Not sure of it's value, but it has actually served me well.

It makes perfect sense to me. You cannot be so rigid in one direction that you cannot adapt to conditions, but you cannot be directionless either. Is your interpretation similar?

 

[Survivalcookie]

Someone sent this to me one time....
Survivalist Creedo

I do not choose to be a victim
Of the circumstances around me.
I seek self reliance, not dependence.
I do not wish to be looked after,
But rather to be a resource for others.
I am able to provide basic needs
With knowledge and natural tools.
Sometimes I fail, but more often succeed.
Regardless of the outcome, I never give up.
My mind is my most valuable resource.
I understand that Mother Nature is not my Mother,
But will still provide me with my basic needs;
Water, Food, Fire & Shelter.
I prefer a landscape view
Over the view across my desk.
I yearn to be outdoors – learning, exploring and connecting.
I sleep more peacefully under the stars,
Than under a roof.
I am self sufficient.
I see value in primitive survival skills.
Fire is one of my prized accomplishments,
And my knife is my loyal companion.
I practice my skills and train my body,
For the day when I might be tested.
With everything to lose,
And everything to gain,
Luck has no place in my destiny.
With God’s help,
I have made the preparations necessary to get me through.
I am a Survivalist.
-by Creek Stewart