I was recently out in the back yard, clearing some wood. This also happened to be the first time this season that I had done any especially hard work with my hands. So I ended up with a handful of blisters and cramped hands. Definitly not something I would want to have to contend with in an actual survival situation. So I have incorporated keeping my hands in shape into my preparedness planning. This wouldn't have been a problem for me two years ago, when I was working construction, but now that most of my time is spent in front of a computer, it has become an issue. Figured I'd pass this realization along to the rest of you.

Try wearing quality leather gloves EVERY TIME you do anything from sweeping the porch to assembling a barbeque grill. I bought myself a nice pair of work gloves, make sure I wear them, and haven't gotten a blister or sore hands since.

I also wear them during walks in the woods. I found them invaluable when "crab walking" on all fours in a spot where the steeply inclined trail had washed out during a downpour. Also, if you need to grab a tree limb for stability, you have added grip strength and you won't mangle your palms.