I realized the other day that one thing I have not seen much about on this forum is discussion of physical conditioning. I had the opportunity to play in a full basketball game with my high school students. By the end of 3-4 minutes I felt like I was going to pass out. If this had been a situation where I needed to move quickly i.e. bugout, I don't know if I could go very far carrying my gear on my back. I am dependent on my P/U to move everything

The law of the jungle baby!

only the fittest survive!

live by it or lose by it - your choice.

Good point. I think that some of us (including me <img src="images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> ) get bogged down in gadgets and reading and don't pay atention to our waist lines and lung capacity. I started running last summer/fall but that has gone by the wayside with the frigid weather. I would buy some snowshoes or XC skies but we're really trying to save $ for a house. I suppose there is always mall walking but that ins't too appealing to me. I guess I'll have to wait unti lthe warm wx arrives.

Chris

There's always enough room for a jump-rope and some situps and pushups. Even if you live in a closet. Works for inmates double bunking in a closet at the state house why wouldn't it work for you?

But - hey, it's your choice and your waist, lungs, heart and loved ones depending upon your choices.

To stand up for the relatively unfit amongst us:

"Works for inmates double bunking in a closet at the state house "

I doubt thier loved ones will benefit from thier workout! May be the queenie two cells down...
But - Hey, you can always train your wife to carry your BoB! <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The number one survival tool you have is your mind, which will direct your body to do what you need to do to survive IF your body is up to the challenge.

That team - mind & body - only works if you excercise BOTH.

If you're too fat to run, to weak to climb, or too medicated to think clearly, then there's a good chance you'll die in a serious emergency situation. On 9/11 there were people who DIED for no other reason than they got too tired to make it down the stairs before the buildings collapsed. They sat, sweaty and puffing on the stairs and the buildings came down on them. Imagine that.

I have learned from the fire service that you can't say "adrenaline will get me through a real emergency" because it won't. I've been in enough real emergency situations with the fire department, and I've been in realistic live fire training exercises, and in both situations, I learned that you need sustained, aerobic fitness to be of any real use in an emergency situation.

When the time comes and you ARE carrying a backpack full of 80 lbs. of crap you think you "need" to survive make sure your mind isn't preocupied with your body asking for the next place to sit.

And that's what I think.

Being able to walk from here to there is essential, and I’m amazed that so many folks talk about disaster preparation, etc. and totally ignore personal physical fitness. <img src="images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I’d recommend being able to pass the APFT in the “male 18-21” group. Road marching would be good too, say 12 miles in 3 hours with a 45lb ruck. Beyond that, I’d say work on being able to run a 10k at an even pace, tread water for 15 min, and bench press 300lbs.

With a little work, these are all attainable goals for men in the 20 to 50 age group. For women, I’d move the bench total down to 125% of their weight, and keep the other stuff. If you can achieve these goals, you will be reasonably fit, and live a lot longer too... <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Gary

You are totally correct. I am annoyed at myself for letting inactivity sneak up on me. This post has actually been a boost for me to get out of hibernation and start moving around again.

Chris

I've been taking Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido for the past few months, and would highly recommend it for fitness, mind-body discipline, self defense, and overall physical preparedness. I love it!

Very well put, Martin. Not only does a strong, fit body materially help one's survival effort, it has a strong effect on our mental confidence as well.

IIRC, Vince Lombardi said something to the effect that "...fatigue makes cowards of us all".