1 SURVIVAL SELF SURVEY or HOW TO BE SELF RELIANT By Rich Raspy Shawver TSHTF The fecal material has impacted

the rotary air pump. Whether its a short term situation as in a weather related emergency or something that causes TEOTWAWKI. (The End Of The World As We Know It) Preparedness acquired previously by each individual will play a central role in ensuring basic survival and well being. This is true particular when the crisis interval is of extended duration. A brief review of topics listed in the survey will emphasize an important realization: Long-term survival under emergency conditions requires an array of capabilities that few single individuals can hope to master. This demonstrates the advisability of preparedness plans based on development of interrelated, complementary skills by members of families and/or mutual support groups. Even consummate backwoodsman, that were masters of wilderness survival skills such as Jim Bridger, Daniel Boone, and Davy Crockett needed to return to civilization from time to time. While being a solo survivalist may seem romantic on the surface it is most definitely not. Many books and movies tend to show it this way.[ala Mad Max] Even a minor injury that causes a temporary disability could prove fatal. Such as a sprained ankle while traveling could prevent your reaching a water source or escaping a situation. With the assistance of others the sprain is an inconvenience. Solo could be so much more. Being a self-survey it would be easy to rate yourself a master of every thing but this would defeat the purpose of the survey. Be brutally honest in yourself evaluation. Having more skills than indicated can be an advantage when they are needed. Over rating ones ability could be disastrous when the skills are called upon. For every topic listed, casual inquiry will reveal numerous sources of instruction: Community colleges, public libraries, the Internet, American Red Cross, civil defense agencies, vocational schools, community organizations, service clubs, volunteer fire and rescue units, police and sheriffs reserve units, and service clubs provide opportunities to obtain a low-cost training and company of instruction. Which may lead to official a certification or academic credit. Some volunteer organizations will even proved training for service. INSTRUCTIONSFor filling out the survey 1) For each skill circle the response indicating whether you have No Interest (N) Some Interest (S) or High Interest (H).

2) In the Present Skills Level column circle your present proficiency on a scale of Zero (0) through (3). Note: This is a self rating Be Honest at least with yourself. Zero (0) indicates No Present Skill in the topic. One (1) equals Apprentice Level Skills, Two (2) equals Journeyman Level Skills, and Three (3) equals Master Level Skills 3) For each skill you have indicated an interest circle the appropriate response in the Desired Skills Level using the scale (A) through (C). (A) indicates you desire to achieve Apprentice Skills, (B) indicates a desire to achieve Journeyman Skills, and (C) indicates you desire to achieve Master Skills level. 4) Lastly for any topic you have rated your skills level in the Master category indicate (Y) YES or (N) No your willingness to provide instruction and/or training to develop higher skill level in others.

2 It is best to have personal sheets for each individual. If that is not possible, it is preferable that each participant to use a different color pen or pencil to avoid confusion. Additionally that with a few modifications this survey as a questionnaire to rate others. What is the meaning of the various skill levels. This is based on the medieval training system or schooling. This was the system set up by the trade and services Guilds. It is still in use today in many of the building trades and unions. Apprentice: This was a usually a young lad placed with a master by his family for a consideration. This was sometimes fee simple or other agreed upon means of payment or trade. The arrangement was normally for a set number of years. The apprentice was rarely paid and preformed work for keep and training. The work was typically assisting the master or journeymen and the drudge work of the trade. At the point where it was determined that the apprentice had learned all that was available he was advanced to the status of journeyman. Where he was considered worthy of earning wages Journeyman: The title was quite literal. The new journeyman was sent on a journey to travel from master to master earning wages and improving his craft. While now a wage earner it was considered that some supervision was still necessary. During this period he would create his masterwork or masterpiece. This item was then presented to the guild board and if judged acceptable he was awarded the title of master. Master: This was a person considered a master of his craft. An expert capable of totally unsupervised work. Now a teacher/instructor he would hire journeymen and take on apprentices. In this manner he would pass his knowledge to future generations. The employment of the male designation is not intended as an insult to our lady self-reliant people. Just that when the system of ranking was developed guilds where totally male dominated. Also I dont believe in the current P.C. trend to rewrite history. While most categories are self-evident System Integration may not be. System integration is the ability to take several seemingly unrelated functions or operations and combining them into a complete interrelated system. An example of this is: On your farmstead you build an anaerobic digester to convert organic waste into high quality fertilizer for your crops. An added benefit is methane gas. This can be used for heating, cooking, and power generation. Also it could be used to power a boiler that uses a portion of the crops to make alcohol. This is then used as motor fuel to work the crops among other things. The left over from the distilling is protein and minerals. When dried can be feed to livestock [up to 50%] as a protein supplement. The animals are a food source and provide waste for the digester. This is what system integration is where different processes are linked to minimize wastage. This increases your efficiency by being cyclic in nature. Recycling and reusing are key features in a survival community prospering. By integrating and linking systems you eliminate waste. While this has been an attempt to show the scope needed. I have attempted to set the listings in a logical order . You may not find a subject where you think it should be. Look farther many subjects can fall under several main headings. The alignments selected are just convenience. It can not cover everything that is the why of the other columns and the last everything else section. I am including a blank template so that you can add any categories necessary for your situation, better clarification, or more detail. In addition it will allow you to arrange it to match your tastes. A final note: This is a self-assessment of your skills. Please dont let ego over ride good sense. Sure we would like to be thought of as masters of our skills but be honest with your self and those that may need to depend upon your skills. Its better to rate yourself lower rather than higher than you actually are. I hope this will be beneficial to you in your quest to be more self-reliant. Good Wishes and Best of Luck. And now the Survey

TOPIC

Interest Level

Present Skill Level

Desired Skill Level

Willing to Provide Training

N O N E

S O M E

H I G H

N O N E

N A. HOME MANAGEMENT 1 Water Purification/ Storage 2 Food Processing a. Canning b. Dehydrating c. Storage 3 Hand Powered Appliances 4 Nutrition/Cooking 5 Soap/Candle Making 6 Home Chemistry 7 Spinning/Weaving 8 Sewing/Knitting/Crocheting 9 Resources Conservation 10 Other B. HOME SYSTEMS and BACK UPS 1 Heating 2 Lighting 3 Cooking 4 Water Heating/Pressurizing 5 Refrigeration/Freezing 6 Electrical 7 Waste Disposal a. Recycling b. Composting c. Contamination Handling 8 Communication a. Visual b. Audio c. Radio d. Laser 9 Other C MEDICAL/DENTAL 1 First Aid 2 Non Prescription Medication 3 Herbal Usage 4 Folk Remedies 5 Paramedical Skills 6 Nursing/Midwifery TOPIC N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N

S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S

H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

A P P R E N T I C E 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

J O U R N E Y M A N 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

M A S T E R

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

A P P R E N T I C E A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A

J O U R N E Y M A N B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B

M A S T E R

YES

NO

C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Willing to Provide Training

N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N

Interest Level

Present Skill Level

Desired Skill Level

N O N E

S O M E

H I G H

N O N E

7 Medicine/Surgery 8 Pharmacology 9 Lab Technology 10 Paradental Skills 11 Dentistry/Oral Surgery 12 Public/Group Health 13 Other D FOOD PRODUCTION 1 Gardening a. Organic b. Hydroponics c. Intensive 1 Raised Bed 2 Square Foot 3 Other d. Gorilla Gardening e. Other 2 Greenhouse Systems and Use 3 Orchards 4 Crop Farming 5 Bee Keeping 6 Animal Husbandry a. Large 1 Cattle 2 Swine 3 Horse 4 Other b. Small 1 Fowl 2 Rabbit 3 Goat/Sheep 4 Other 7 Aquaculture a. Fish Selection b. Feeding c. Pond and Dam Construction 8 Butchering and Processing 9 Farmstead Operation 10 Other TOPIC

N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N

S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S

H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

A P P R E N T I C E 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

J O U R N E Y M A N 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

M A S T E R

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

A P P R E N T I C E A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A

J O U R N E Y M A N B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B

M A S T E R

YES

NO

C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N

N N N N N N N N N N N N N N

S S S S S S S S S S S S S S

H H H H H H H H H H H H H H

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

A A A A A A A A A A A A A A

B B B B B B B B B B B B B B

C C C C C C C C C C C C C C

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Willing to Provide Training

N N N N N N N N N N N N N N

Interest Level

Present Skill Level

Desired Skill Level

N O N E

S O M E

H I G H

N O N E

N E MECHANICS/BUILDING/ FABRICATION/PROCESSING /REPAIR 1 Hand Tools 2 Wood Cutting a. Tree Felling and Transport b. For Fuel c. For Construction 3 Bicycles 4 Small Engine 5 Auto/Truck 6 Home Appliances 7Electrical Systems 8 Plumbing 9 Carpentry/Woodworking 10 Masonry/Concrete 11 Metal Working a. Blacksmithing b. Welding c. Soldering d. Fabrication 12 Stove design/Fabrication a. Coal b. Wood c. Other 13 Rigging Rope/Cable 14 Well Drilling/Pumping 15 Trailer/RV/Mobile Home Design/Fabrication 16 Construction a. Cabin b. Shed/Barn c. Domes d. Underground e. Field Expedient Structures f. Other 17 Tanning/Leatherwork 18 Shoemaking/Repair 19 Other TOPIC

A P P R E N T I C E 1

J O U R N E Y M A N 2

M A S T E R

A P P R E N T I C E A

J O U R N E Y M A N B

M A S T E R

YES

NO

N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N

S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S

H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A

B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B

C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Willing to Provide Training

N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N

Interest Level

Present Skill Level

Desired Skill Level

N O N E

S O M E

H I G H

N O N E

N F. ENERGY SYSTEMS 1 Wood/Coal 2 Solar a. Active b. Passive c. Photovoltaics 3 Wind a. Pumping b. Electrical c. Mechanical Grinding/Shop 4 Alcohol a. Fuel Production b. Drinking/Trade Stock 5 Methane Production 6 Liquid Propane Systems 7 Steam Power 8 Water Power a. Mechanical b. Electrical 9 Hydraulics 10 Air 11 Pedal Power 12 Biodiesel 13 Hydrogen 14 Wood Gas 15 Fuel Cell 16 Inverters 17 Other G. OUTDOOR LIVING/ PIONEERING 1 Backpacking/Camping 2 Wilderness Survival Skills 3 Foraging 4 Hunting 5 Trapping 6 Fishing 7 Skiing 8 Mountaineering 9 Swimming/Lifesaving TOPIC N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N

S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S

H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

A P P R E N T I C E 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

J O U R N E Y M A N 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

M A S T E R

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

A P P R E N T I C E A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A

J O U R N E Y M A N B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B

M A S T E R

YES

NO

C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Willing to Provide Training

N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N

Interest Level

Present Skill Level

Desired Skill Level

N O N E

S O M E

H I G H

N O N E

N 10 Boating a. Canoe b. Row Boat c. Raft d. Power e. Sail 1 Expedient 2 Catamaran 3 Inland 4 Deep Water 11 Water Survival Skills 12 Navigation a. Land b. Water c. Air 13 Search and Rescue Procedures 14 Field Expedient Equipment 15 Field Expedient Weapons 16 Other H. SECURITY/SELF/HOME DEFENCE 1 Security/Alerting Systems 2 Secure Storage 3 Fortifications a. Designed In Construction b. Field Expedient 4 Individual/Small Group Tactics 5 Personal Protection Skills 6 Lethal Weapons Responsibility 7 Scouting/Patrolling 8 Weapons Firearms a. Rifle b. Pistol/Revolver c. Shotgun d. Black Powder e. Gunsmithing 9 Ammunition/Handloading 10 Air Gun TOPIC N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N

S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S

H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

A P P R E N T I C E 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

J O U R N E Y M A N 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

M A S T E R

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

A P P R E N T I C E A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A

J O U R N E Y M A N B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B

M A S T E R

YES

NO

C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Willing to Provide Training

N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N

N S H N S H N S H N S H N S H N S H N S H Interest Level

0 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 2 Present Skill Level

A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Desired Skill Level

N O N E

S O M E

H I G H

N O N E

N 11 Weapons Distance a. Bow 1 Use 2 Manufacture b. Crossbow 1 Use 2 Manufacture c. Atlatl 1 Use 2 Design d. Spear e. Other 12 Weapons Hand a. Knife b. Tomahawk/Ax/Hatchet c. Club d. Staff e. Other 13 Weapon Exotic a. Bolo b. Blowgun c. Other 14 Weapons Field Expedient 15 Other I EVACUATION/MOBILE SYSTEM 1 Back pack 2 Cart 3 Bicycle 4 Motorcycle 5 Boating a. Canoe/Rowboat/Raft b. Sail c. Power 6 Recreational Vehicle 7 Trailer 8 Aircraft a. Power b. Glider 9 Rail TOPIC

A P P R E N T I C E 1

J O U R N E Y M A N 2

M A S T E R

A P P R E N T I C E A

J O U R N E Y M A N B

M A S T E R

YES

NO

N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N

S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S

H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A

B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B

C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N

N S H N S H N S H Interest Level

0 1 2 3 0 1 2 3 0 1 2 3 Present Skill Level

A B C A B C A B C Desired Skill Level

Y N Y N Y N Willing to Provide

10

N O N E

S O M E

H I G H

N O N E

N 10 Winter a. Ski 1 Downhill 2 Cross Country b. Sled/Toboggan c. Snowmobile d. Air Sled 11 Airboat 12 Other J RETREATING 1 Bugging Out 2 Bugging In 3 Cashes 4 Individual 5 Group K. LEADERSHIP/GOVERNMENT 1 Group Dynamics 2 Psychology 3 Economy 4 Logistics 5 Area Control 6 Alliances 7 Membership Assessment L. MASTER JOURNEYMAN JACK-OF-ALL-TRADES M. SYSTEM INEGRATION N. ANYTHING ELSE

A P P R E N T I C E 1

J O U R N E Y M A N 2

M A S T E R

A P P R E N T I C E A

J O U R N E Y M A N B

M A S T E R

Training YES NO

N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N

S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S

H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A

B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B

C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N

TOPIC

Interest Level

Present Skill Level

Desired Skill Level

Willing to Provide

11

N O N E

S O M E

H I G H

N O N E

A P P R E N T I C E 1

J O U R N E Y M A N 2

M A S T E R

A P P R E N T I C E A

J O U R N E Y M A N B

M A S T E R

Training YES NO