Yeah, what JET and Trusbux said...<br><br>We all have our personal circumstances (and interests) to consider. I think your EMT course is a great idea, especially because you have a family. And I think there's been no harm done "playing" in your driveway.<br><br>I guess I like the phrase "emergency preparedness" better than "survival". (I refer to the gear I make our Scouts carry as "Be prepared" gear, not "survival" gear...) I hugely enjoy practicing "wilderness survival" skills and have had occasions when some or many of those skills were gladly called into service. Discounting professional experiences, our recreational pursuits have given us opportunities (?) to exercise our skills to varying degrees - but we were prepared for those events.<br><br>And other, non-wilderness emergencies ranging from environmental effects to the scary things active and imaginative kids do to themselves (uh, and us "adults", too). Yeah, I think you're on a good track. Leave yourself time to play, too <grin>.<br><br>Last comment - "bug out" is a last-resort plan option for us. Planned for, but not prefered. "Bugging in" is number one with us, as JET mentioned. Part pragmatic, part philosophical (we're part of a community and feel some obligations in that regard).<br><br>Regards,<br><br>Scouter Tom<br><br>