Lists:
Check lists have been compiled by all preparedness minded individuals and organizations. Do and don't list, Equipment lists, Supplies, Radio Frequencies, Emergency Contact Etc. You can imagine the lists you rely on in case of an emergency.
One of the most interesting lists I have ever seen was from the pages of Popular Mechanics Magazine. It was the top 100 things every man should know how to do.
From Popular Mechanics:
Automotive
1. Handle a blowout2. Drive in snow3. Check trouble codes4. Replace fan belt5. Wax a car6. Conquer an off-road obstacle7. Use a stick welder8. Hitch up a trailer9. Jump start a car
Handling Emergencies
10. Perform the Heimlich11. Reverse hypothermia12. Perform hands-only CPR13. Escape a sinking car
Home
14. Carve a turkey15. Use a sewing machine16. Put out a fire17. Home brew beer18. Remove bloodstains from fabric19. Move heavy stuff20. Grow food21. Read an electric meter22. Shovel the right way23. Solder wire24. Tape drywall25. Split firewood26. Replace a faucet washer27. Mix concrete28. Paint a straight line29. Use a French knife30. Prune bushes and small trees31. Iron a shirt32. Fix a toilet tank flapper33. Change a single-pole switch34. Fell a tree35. Replace a broken windowpane36. Set up a ladder, safely37. Fix a faucet cartridge38. Sweat copper tubing39. Change a diaper40. Grill with charcoal41. Sew a button on a shirt42. Fold a flag
Medical Myths
43. Treat frostbite44. Treat a burn45. Help a seizure victim46. Treat a snakebite47. Remove a tick
Military Know-How
48. Shine shoes49. Make a drum-tight bed50. Drop and give the perfect push up
Outdoors
51. Run rapids in a canoe52. Hang food in the wild53. Skipper a boat54. Shoot straight55. Tackle steep drops on a mountain bike56. Escape a rip current
Primitive Skills
57. Build a fire in the wilderness58. Build a shelter59. Find potable water
Surviving Extremes
60. Floods61. Tornadoes62. Cold63. Heat64. Lightning
Teach Your Kids
65. Cast a line66. Lend a hand67. Change a tire68. Throw a spiral69. Fly a stunt kite70. Drive a stick shift71. Parallel park72. Tie a bowline73. Tie a necktie74. Whittle75. Ride a bike
Technology
76. Install a graphics card77. Take the perfect portrait78. Calibrate HDTV settings79. Shoot a home movie80. Ditch your hard drive
Master Key Workshop Tools81. Drill driver82. Grease gun83. Coolant hydrometer84. Socket wrench85. Test light86. Brick trowel87. Framing hammer88. Wood chisel89. Spade bit90. Circular saw91. Sledge hammer92. Hacksaw93. Torque wrench94. Air wrench95. Infrared thermometer96. Sand blaster97. Crosscut saw98. Hand plane99. Multimeter100. Feeler gauges
Although I agree with many of the skills on this list, I thought of a short list of my own that I feel is just as critical. Agree or not, it is here for your critique. Add to it, take away as you see fit. I made it my business to learn at least the basic principles of these skills if not mastering them.
Automotive:
Road side expedient repair of Hoses. Counter steer out of a skid. Perform a PIT (Procession Immobilization Technique) Maneuver. Drive in reverse at speed. Make a Bootlegger's turn, Ram safely. Back park a trailer, Engage 4x4 manual Hubs, Use different types of Jacks and Ramps safely.
HANDLING EMERGENCIES:
Emergency Tracheotomy. Use a Defibrillator. Take Blood Pressure. Give injections both IM and IV. Knowledge of Pressure Points to stop bleeding, Suture a wound.
First Aid Treatment of - Burns - Exposure to chemical weapons (OC-CN/CS/CR).
HOME:
Dig a proper latrine. Use a cast iron Dutch Oven. Replace shingle. Relight Pilots on stoves and water heaters. Shut off Water/Gas/Electrical supply to home. Fold and store Tarp and Rope.
OUTDOORS:
Rappel both with and without descending device. Climb a rope with Prussic knot. Forage. Use Snares. Read a TOPO map and use Compass/GPS. Determine direction without Compass. Produce a Discoidal Knife. Make Cordage. Safe Handling of Edged tools. Produce a Solar still. Set Up/Take down a Tent. Pack and carry a multi day backpack. Cross water course. Predict Weather. Sharpen edged tools and weapons.
WEAPONS CRAFT:
Identify Types of Arms and Ammunition and how to safely operate them. Mount, Set up and Zero a Telescopic Site. Bore Site a Laser Site. Estimate distance/Wind speed. Perform an Administrative reload. Perform a slash and Thrust with a knife. Handle an ASP, PR24 and Kubaton . Throw a knife-Tomahawk.
Tactical Skills:
Apply Handcuffs, Frisk and Search people. Perform a Choke Hold-Arm Bar-Wrist Lock-Leg sweep. Perform an Immediate action take cover drill. Learn basic hand signals.Pick a Lock.
HUMAN SKILLS:
Respect Others, Be Color Blind, Calm and redirect excited people, Actively Listen, Sympathize. Detect deception, Read Body Language, Provide comfort and Compassion, Talk to Children in a non threatening manner. Take Charge of a Situation. Be a good Follower, Be a Fair Leader, Be Analytical. Use your Spidy Senses.....Situation Awareness!
I hope some of these skills are thought provoking. Use em, Change em to suit your life style as you see fit. Good Luck.
Watch Your Six
RJ
