Useful Skills

[Spook]

Hey everyone,

New to the forum, and I love it.

I was wondering what everyone thinks would be some useful skills in the event of a Class 4 outbreak, beyond the obvious first aid, gun care and marksmanship, and general survival skills.

I'm trying to make a list and learn as many different skills as possible. Here's what I have so far:

Lockpicking: For clandestine entry into locked buildings without breaking the structures needed to barricade yourself inside.

Car maintenance/Hotwiring: For vehicular transportation.

Knifesmithing: So that you can keep your swords/knives in good working condition after use, or make a new one if needed.

Ammunition reloading: Self-explanatory.

What else can y'all think of? Preferably things that are somewhat easy/cheap to learn. So that I can start picking off all the different skills one by one.[/b]

[Red Panda]

Spook,

You're going through the same list I was thinking of, too.

Lockpicking: Good if you can get a lockpick gun, otherwise, a waste of precious time.

Car maintenance: You'll have access to plenty of late model cars if you know how to start them. I'd just carry some fuel & a power pack to jump the battery. Basic know-how can't hurt, though. Just buy a shitbox, you'll be amazed what a learning experience that can be.

Knifesmithing: Well, I know a couple of people here know way more about this than I do, but it seems as though no one will be carrying a sword. A good knife will probably last longer than you will, unless you mistreat it.

One thing that I'm starting to think is important is Ham radio knowledge. It'll probably be our only way of communication over distance when every else goes in the crapper.

I would definitely also get practice operating motorcycles, atvs, power boats & snowmobiles(if it applies). Not only are they tons of fun, but that knowledge could save your life.

Map-reading & orienteering would be very important in the bush.

Martial arts, preferably something that concentrates on throwing would be excellent.

Basic electrical & plumbing knowledge would be invaluable in your eventual stronghold.

I'm also thinking that being proficient with a bow couldn't hurt. It might be useful for diversions using flaming arrows.

[kyle]

Hey spook. Welcome to the ZS forums.

Lockpicking: Good if you can get a lockpick gun, otherwise, a waste of precious time.

Lock picks are good for people trying to be quiet or if you don't want to damage the door. If time is a factor for getting a door open I'd just break it in.

The amature radio is a hobby I'm getting into. Mostly I've just been reading a lot on it because I don't have the money this month for new toys. I seem to have a lot of geeky friends so I happen to have two (one with an license, one who used to have one) who are interested in studying for an emergency radio license so I'm going to work with them on that. The first step would be to go find a local ham radio club and get in on the basics. I found a few local clubs in St. Louis here: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/club/clubsearch.phtml
Not sure about clubs in Canada.

We touched on the subject a bit here:
http://zombiesquad.theedge.net/phpbb2/v ... .php?t=229

[*Mike*]

Martial Arts are a good idea, but which type do you recommend, I would say ones that use a lot of throwing moves.

Specialty Veichles: Knowing how to fly planes and copters, or large veichles can get you out of a tight spot.

Computers: Being able to use computers and such to help proect you, so its a good idea to have basic computer skills.

Oritenteering and knots are high on my list too.

[kyle]

Computers: Being able to use computers and such to help proect you, so its a good idea to have basic computer skills.

huh? You must be talking about Typing of the Dead cuz flinging my skillz in Perl or C++ isn't going to protect me from much.

[Joe Ghoul]

In no particular order.

Gunsmith.
Agriculture and Animal Husbandry.
Basic Mechanics.
Basic Electronics.
Blacksmith, as opposed to just knife making.
Hunting.
Communications Gear.
Aviation.
Hydrolic/Solar Power Generation.

Luckily, most of this could be learned by visiting a decent sized library, with the exception of aviation. If you could live long enough to get through the trial and error phase, you'd be ok.

[michelle]

Luckily, most of this could be learned by visiting a decent sized library, with the exception of aviation. If you could live long enough to get through the trial and error phase, you'd be ok.

As much as I love my library (both for its books and for my paycheck), all you're going to get is theoretical knowledge. Unfortunately, this means close to nothing in the field. I highly recommend having a decent library of books at your disposal for your stronghold, but get as much practical knowledge as you can before SHTF. You'll find yourself much better off.

That said, I'm a master of theory and nothing practical. Guess I should take my own advice.

[Joe Ghoul]

Good point. That's why I added the part about surviving the trial and error phase. You wouldn't walk out with a mastery of any field. Hopefully, you'd learn enough that you could begin to experiment and gain that practical experience. As long as you don't starve to death first.

You could probably get a pretty decent foundation for electronics, and maybe mechanics. The rest would hopefully point you in the right direction. You may not get there overnight, but it would be a base to build from.

[*Mike*]

Computers: Being able to use computers and such to help proect you, so its a good idea to have basic computer skills.

huh? You must be talking about Typing of the Dead cuz flinging my skillz in Perl or C++ isn't going to protect me from much.

No, I mean being able to navigate a computer easily, and be able to repair it. Some computers, can control functions say in a military base, liking opening and shutting gates.

[Sam]

Speaking of trial and error, me and Jeff possibly are going out camping this summer with a tent, some fishing poles, and maybe a gun with a little ammo. Were going to see about making two weeks surviving ok.

[Ivan]

I'd take MRE's and water/water purification tablets just as a backup. You just have to resist the urge to use them.

and not to sound stupid, but make sure you have fishing/hunting licenses,permits, whathaveyou

[ShadowSpawn]

Engineering
Agriculture
Homsteader
Leadership
Bait (Someone has to die, and I don't want it to be me )

If I had to choose one person with one of these traits, it would be the homesteader. They have a good knowledge in most survival related fields. They learned to live self-sufficiantly. So make good buddies with a group of them now before it's too late. Then all you do is sit back and let them work.

[Sam]

I'll get licenses, of course.

Skills.. a musician would be nice, anything entertaining to keep up moral. Teamwork is a must, and quite frankly anyone incapable of working as a team is to me more dangerous than any zombie and will be dealt with as if they were.

[noncyr]

Learn how to use a divining rod.

[michelle]

Speaking of trial and error, me and Jeff possibly are going out camping this summer with a tent, some fishing poles, and maybe a gun with a little ammo. Were going to see about making two weeks surviving ok.

Me'n'Kyle and Evening'n'William are going next weekend with our BOBs. Prolly bring extra food, cuz we know what we need of that so we can eat real food instead. And there will be a cabin nearby in case of crapouts. w00t!!1

[Jeff]

Learn how to use a divining rod.

A definate yes.


But yeah, "Survival Week" as we have come to call it should prove interesting. Sam's dad has a wealth of information to learn unto us wee chilluns.

As for me? By damn I want to own a bagpipe by the time the invasion comes. If we can get far enough away that noise isn't a big factor I'd love to have the spare time to learn it and get good. It's a beauty of an instrument, however, as with most instruments, carrying bulk and weight is a factor. I play trumpet myself, none to good I might add, and that case is not something I'd want to lug on a cross-country journey for anything further than from here to my room. Something like a harmonica or a pocket trump, that'd do well, however most instruments require things to last them over time. Cleaning, greasing, and oiling are a constant companion to the trumpet player.

[Joe Ghoul]

You could play 'Blackthorn' as we blast away at the undead.

'At the Rising of the Moon' is always a good ullean pipes song as well. Irish, but was put to bagpipes.

A rousing, kill em all song.

[darkwood1313]

I'd put fire-building and knot-tying on the list as skills most people think they know, but are rudely awakened in a life-or death situation. I understand how easy it is to burn garbage in an oil drum, but unless you intend to go south for the winter, knowing the right and wrong way to build a campfire in the great outdoors is a life-saver. Makes me wish I didn't quit the Boy Scouts.