I have been a “lurker” for many years. I know why I am here but really want to know why you are here. Ok maybe not and that is why I am asking. What makes us different? In your opinion? What makes us seek out the best of the best in gear? Why do we “carry”? Why do we want to be prepared for the probably unlikely? Is it just a pastime? Is it inborn?

Really why am I or for that matter you compelled to share your latest compass find with me? Don’t get me wrong. I have been saved from numerous days meandering in the woods from your advice. However why?

I think you know what I am asking. It isn’t about the general answer of be equipped to survive. It is more of what is the basis of our want and need to be prepared.

Please why in your opinion…….Thanks

Cameron

Three reasons I do what I do:
1. I'm an Eagle Scout and was always taught to be prepared.
2. I like being able to fend for myself, because I know when it comes down to it no one else will do it for me.
3. Because it seems like very few people are prepared, so I like being able to help.

a couple of answeres:

1. Some people do and some people dont.
2. You are born to do what we or you do.

The passion spreads to other things as well. When i sell gear i have a passion to do it.

enough said

for me:

1) It is fun. ie, it is a hobby.
2) I feel a sense of security knowing that i have prepared and am aware of my surroundings.

Why do I find it fun and why do i get a sense of security from "being prepared"? I have no clue. I don't know why some people are more intelligent than others, or amazing sportsmen, or pessimistic. that is just a little too deep into the phillosophical realm for my in-educated mind <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> . I am interested to see how this thread develops...

I find my life goes better when I try to hold myself ready to be of service. Service to the highest thing I can conceive, or service to my fellows, or service to anything.

I don't try to figure out HOW to be of service. My job is to be READY to be of service in whatever form presents itself.

Making myself ready makes my life go better. I think it makes me a better person, but that's beside the point.

For me, this site and the fellowship of this site is about how to make myself a better, more prepared servant. Some of it is knowledge, some of it is equipment.

That's as close as I can come to saying why.

I also know there's some strange thing in me that makes me a "gear-head". To that end, I think survival kits are the ultimate gear-head hobby.

First, you get to embark on an endless search for the best gear possible. Money is no object, since it is, after all, gear that can save your life or the life of your loved ones. How could you settle for less than the best?

Also, if our luck and preparations are good, most of the gear will never have to be used. So we have the excuse to collect the best gear available, and keep it in perfect condition.

What more could a gear-head want?

Bear

Because not doing it is stupider than doing it.

Sue

Since I was a kid I have enjoyed the outdoors and particularly off the beaten path! I like to be able to cope with whatever arises I guess. As for equipment I like to test it myself and see if it really adds any capability or works better than another item. Always been that way with gear, survival or otherwise. I actually carry minimum gear, I do want it to be something I can count on.
I love this forum because it gives us an opportunity to share opinions and experiences. While I certainly don't agree with everything everyone says. I am sure others don't agree with a few things I say either. It is just good to be able to share our thoughts.
Cheers!

Preparedness I do a few reasons. I had noticed that you get used to each state of being such that it seems like it has gone on forever and will continue for ever; but no state does. I got more serious about this notion back in 1999, when I took the prospective millenium bug seriously and tried to be at least a little bit prepared for the collapse of society.

The second reason is that it's fun. It's an excuse to play with knifes, fire, lights and other cool things. As a hobby it is relatively cheap. Sites like this one add a social dimension. It is often interesting and educational, something to think about. For me it is much more about the fun then otherwise. I don't lie awake at night having anxiety attacks about the collapse of society.

Another reason is that much of this stuff is useful in my day to day life. I wouldn't want to be without a (small) knife or torch, even if I knew I wouldn't need them for survival. I have found the bigger stuff is useful too. For example, I make my own bread, and this was useful when a fuel strike meant the local shops ran out.

"Seeking out the best in gear" is probably a whole other thing. Lots of people do that even if they are not into preparedness. It's partly taking a long-term view of the value, partly being rich enough to afford the best, partly just preferring to handle high quality things than low quality things. Some of it is a natural consequence of minimalism. If you only carry a little, it needs to be the best.

I don't think the preparedness attitude is inborn. It is more like a hobby. People can come to it late in life.

My grandfather had a Colt New Service in .44 russian in the glovebox of his old Stubabaker truck. I was told it went in there when John Dillinger was terrorising the midwest. He was building chicken coops for Clark Gable in Encino when a drunk hit a horse. The story is Gable punched out the drunk and grandpa Jack shot the horribly maimed horse. He, and my parents were from the generations that lived through the great depression. You didn't throw things away, waste food or ignore ( I think it's called 'discrespecting' in our ever changing english tongue) somebody physically shabby. They often as not were very well mannered and educated people down on their luck. Later I enlisted in the Coast Guard, to the tearing of hair and gnashing of teeth ( mine) by my grandmother. I come from a Navy family <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />. The survival schools and my adventures just polished and refined my mindset. I don't let it consume me though. Life is supposed to be fun. On a recent hike I horrified my companions by producing bread, sausage, brie cheese a nice Merlot and CD player with Ravel from my supposedly survival gear packed rucksack. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hey, there's surviving, and then there's living.