Sorry if I sounded bent out of shape. I agree they should go to a more in-depth place to read and learn the techniques. I never wanted to try to teach them just remind them from time to time that basic techniques might suit a situation better than another piece of equipment, and possibly point them in the right direction.

Yep, fair enough.

Now about them Zulu hide tanning techniques... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Do you mean techniques for tanning a Zulu's hide - or techniques that Zulus use for tanning other hides?

Kidding aside - I've always counseled those that I train to buy tools that are basic, proven and cheap. Then learn how to use them correctly for the task you are approaching. When you've mastered that, then, and only then, look for better tools. That has been the Master/Apprentice approach for centuries. Why? Because anything else is probably a waste of someone's time and money. But, then again, wasting time and money became the hallmark of the last half of the 20th century - and continues. There are always those who think tools can substitute for skills - and they do manage to make a living - but in the wilds (or some civilized place that has gone wild) believing that can get you dead! I don't think most people on this Forum believe any of that. But our friend who started this thread has a valid point. I would say it this way - any experienced person can make the critical mistake of discussing the advanced/fine points of tools, etc. with/in the presence of an inexperienced person and inadvertently communicate the impression that the tools are the thing. I think we should always take time to remind that fundamental skills come first and can be achieved, at a credible level, with very modest tools. Once those skills are obtained - better tools can be a real joy. Without the skills they're just more expensive tools.

Someone mentioned a subway tunnel and a flashlight. Fundamental skills: remember to rotate batteries, carry spares and a spare bulb. Test flashlight periodically. When those skills are ignored - possible result: flashlight ain't worth sh*t in the subway! (no matter how much it cost!) So, there are skills to be learned with the simplest of tools and dumbest of situations. <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Okay, now that I am mostly done with my work for the SHOT Show Review I can take a few moments to clarify my earlier post and make a few additional points.

First, you can never have enough knowledge. I consider myself pretty well versed in survival skills, field craft and equipping myself to survive so to speak, I have spent a few unintended nights in the outdoors and thousands of intended nights. I still learn new ideas, techniques and skills on a regular basis. Heck, I was a dyed-in-the-wool Doan Magnesium Fire-starter user until last winter when Doug demonstrated the Spark-Lite for me… now that is all I carry (besides matches and lighter). Survival skills are like everything, learning should never stops. The learning should happen BEFORE the emergency not during. Now, Equipped.org is an exceptional resource as far as internet resources go. The problem is it is an INTERNET resource, you can’t learn survival skills from reading you learn them from doing! I would even go as far as suggesting that you really need a teacher for many skills not just instructions.
What Equipped to Survive is, what I have heard Doug refer to it as, is a type of Consumer Reports for survival equipment. The forum here is an extension to that, real people of various skill levels asking and answering questions, mostly on equipment, but anything pertinent is fair game.

I don’t think I would be wrong to also believe that most (not all) people who are purchasing equipment for survival are much more mentally prepared to survive then those who aren’t. Those who have found this site are more than likely even better prepared!

One final thought and this was my point of my first post (although not clear) Equipping yourself to survive involves much more than equipment… The paraphrased Louis Pasteur quote at the top of Equipped.org’s main page says it all!