Originally Posted By: Eugene
I think we have different knowledge than we did back then. Back then every man knew how to shoot a gun, sharper a knife, identify trees, etc. Now we know who won what game or what stock has been doing well.


I agree with this, for the most part. Many rely on others to do the tasks the almost everyone used to do for themselves. One of the things I try to be in order to be more prepared for things I may encoutner is to improve or learn skills. Limited success with knitting so far. Better in other areas.

As far as biological attacks, the Soviets also used them during WWII. They used rats to infect German forces with tularemia, which helped them win at Stalingrad. The tularemia also came back to Soviet forces. See: http://english.pravda.ru/main/18/90/363/14923_tularemia.html

As far as the general topic, I cannot see living out of a pack for ten years. I doubt a pack would survive intact for five years of constant use. I could see having a pack as something with which one might start out using, and then using skills, knowledge, tools, etc. to build more.