Everybody's Outdoor Survival Guide

[dangerousdon]

So I have this book called Everybody's Outdoor Survival Guide by Don Paul. He has a ton of other books on certain survival books. I also have his book Everybody's Knife Bible. It is funny because I have had these books for a while but other than looking at how to sharpen my knife or other things that I should know how to do or I have forgotten how to do, I haven't really read much of it. Well a few months ago I decided that I want to relearn or just flat out learn skills that might deem useful in survival or just everyday life. Basically I want to get back to what it is to be a man at the heart of it.

So in Everybody's Outdoor Survival Guide there is a chapter called How to Create Survival Assets. While there was really nothing in it that was earth shaking or such, there were things that made me think about the sort of economics of survival. Not necessarily talking about actual money, although that was part of it. But how to acquire things, what to acquire, what is needed and what is not and skills. Here is a list of the sections within this chapter:

Financial Philosophy
Be Strong, Fight Temptation
Survival in Grubby Times
Acquiring things you Need
The Budget Process
Banking Education and Skills
Exchange Mediums Other than Money
Planning for Others
Factors in Considering what to Acquire

I don't think this book is an end all, but it started a sort of process in what to start thinking about. Anyway, I just wanted to know if anyone has heard of or read this book and what they thought about it and specifically this chapter.

Have Fun

 

[dangerousdon]

Maybe this shouldn't have been posted under the survival section...

 

[herohog]

Cool! As low as $2.54 on Amazon.

 

[dangerousdon]

Okay so I guess since I started this thread I will go ahead and give a chapter by chapter review as I read it. I read a lot of books at a time (have to because of school) so if there is a long gap between postings it's just because of that. I don't know if anyone really cares or not but here I go:

The book is divided into four sections with each section having chapters:

The Survival Team Concept (Choosing Team Members, Building Team Harmony, Skills and Functions for Team Members, Training the Team)

Individual Survival Skills (Budgeting, Water, Hand-to-Hand Combat, Teaming with Animals, Food Procurement, Trapping, The Ax, Construction and Use)

Survival Guns (Introduction, Shotgun Super Shooter, Handgun Use and Training, The Ultimate Rifleman)

Survival Body Heat Transfer Basics (Heat Transfer in Outdoor Life, The "Why" of Fire, Beating the Heat, Matching Needs and Ability to Shelter)

Just a couple of personal notes...some of the stuff that Don Paul discusses in his book is a little elementary, so I am not trying to insult your intelligence. Also, he talks about a lot of specific "how to do this" sort of things, however, much of his information are related in terms of ideas or what I like to call "something to think about." Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy. Let me know what you think (whether the info is bunk, good, or any other classification or quality you would like to label).

Have Fun

 

[dangerousdon]

Section I Chapter 1 - How to Choose Team Members

Section I Chapter 1 - How to Choose Team Members

Mr. Paul uses an example from his personal experience of training some National Guard members. Mr. Paul at the time was a member of a Special Forces team and had to train these National Guard members on rubber boats using the Colorado River. He goes on to compare his team with the NG guys, stating that his SF team was basically closer knit and all were striving for the same type goals and ideals, while the NG guys were a bit more individualistic in nature (to put it nicely). I have to remind myself of my own experiences. I spent six years on active duty in the Marine Corps as an infantryman. I am currently a member of the LA National Guard working in Military Intelligence (as a note, my enlistment will be up very shortly). My first reaction was to be offended. When I was deployed to Afghanistan the group of guys I worked with never skipped a beat working with the active Army and very often either out preformed or were willing to do things that the active guys didn't want to do. Then I reminded myself that these guys performed a different function than my Infantry days in the Marine Corps. So I cast aside my attitude of offense and took into account what Mr. Paul was trying to say.

The whole point is that while in survival situations if at all possible try to choose those who will be of the most benefit as possible. This is to say that one should choose a member who will work towards the benefit of the team in general. He says those who make the best team members are those who are faithful in some respect.

Things to look out for are those who are pompous or considered a "me-first" person; those who have addictions; and those who have a welfare state of mind.

He goes on to explain that choosing team members who are like minded in ways may be a good idea. He uses religion as an example. Those who are of the same religion or denomination to an extent may not begin arguments that could result in tearing apart the team. Using Christians as an example, if there are issues, the team members may resort to using the Bible as a means to resolve conflict.

He also states that team members don't have to be young or younger. As long as someone is healthy he states that those who are older in age have experiences behind them and some of these people may have actually been through a similar situation.

He sums up the chapter with the statement, "Don't look for quantity on a survival team; look for quality. If you can find only a few good members, you are off to a great start. It only takes a small nucleus of quality people to form an invincible unit. On the other hand, one bad apple..."

Personal Note: This chapter was not something I expected in a survival book, but it makes sense. I don't think anything in this chapter is earth shattering, but it makes me think of possible issues that might arise in survival, and really in everyday life. Some of Don Paul's writing I don't think can be taken for absolute and also brings up gray area issues, but in life what doesn't. So take it for what it is worth...

 

[deafdave3]

Please continue; I'm following this.

 

[dangerousdon]

Section I Chapter 2 – Building Team Harmony

Section I Chapter 2 – Building Team Harmony

This chapter, while short (all of these chapters are relatively short), is a difficult one to explain. As long as people have differences in opinion there will always be conflict. Personally, I believe some conflict is good. It provides for exchange of information that others might not know or realize (I could be off my rocker on this one). But as Mr. Paul informs us, “if team members don’t adjust to one another, your team will function like a human body with a rejected heart transplant.” I understand what he means. From my experiences as a squad leader in the Marine Corps or Team leader in a Tactical HUMINT Team, if there is someone who differs in your judgment so much, it could affect the whole unit.

Mr. Paul tells us that early detection of discord in a group is paramount. I have to agree. If one or more people can detect the uneasiness between people early on ability to diffuse a bad situation is that much better. Consequences could result, such as a wedge being driven between members of the group and resources of skills or tangible items could be lost. In survival I would presume if one person has an essential skill that no one else possesses it could mean that matter of life or death in some situations. If there is only one person who knows who to perform a specific medical procedure that might save my life, it may be important to keep that guy around. Or if a person has a water filtration system, that item may be very important. These are just some of my examples and I am aware they may be flawed, but you get the picture.

Don Paul provides a simple solution; place the needs of the team before your own. You must adjust in situations often because the other person may not be able to (physically, emotionally, or spiritually). So when I read this I really thought, “hey, this guy wants me to give in to every situation?” I don’t think that was his intentions and he further explains later on.

Don Paul says that sooner or later two people will come into conflict and there are five solutions: withdraw, lose, compromise, win, or resolve.

Withdraw – If a person constantly withdraws from a situation, the problem is avoided but the problem doesn’t go away. Eventually the person who withdraws will have to over assert himself when the problem is unavoidable, which could cause serious issues for the team.

Lose – While often similar to withdrawing this situation is often forced. Mr. Paul gives the example of a woman in prison as a self made widow, shooting her win-all-the-time husband. With losing there will almost be resentment in the picture.

Compromise – He says that this often doesn’t work because each team member sees his idea as bigger and better. Making each idea only half work isn’t a good idea. He says it is like casting a 15 foot life rope to a person drowning 30 feet away.

Winning – “Winning is a compulsion that compensates for a negative self-image.” Winning at all costs does just what it says…doing ANYTHING to win. Two of these people in the same group can rarely coexist in peace.

Resolution – “Now, finally, this works: Resolution. This process settles differences between team members easiest when both members place some higher good, authority or benefit before their own personal interest.”

One thing of interest he says is that he believes each team needs a “Chaplain.” First thing I thought of was a military type preacher. Well, not really. Mr. Paul believes there needs to be someone who can foster good moral. This person is also able to identify certain issues and handle them. I really thought that this was an interesting idea. In a survival situation I can definitely see the need for a team to be edified, whether morally, spiritually, emotionally, etc. There have to be ways to feel good about a certain situation. There have to be ways for those to feel good about certain accomplishments.

Okay so I know this was long winded and I probably wrote more than what the actual chapter entailed. Like I said, when actually thinking about team harmony, explaining isn’t the easiest thing to do.

The next chapter (and I have no idea when I will be able to get to it, hopefully in a day or two) will be on skills and functions of team members.

 

[dangerousdon]

Section I Chapter 2 Skills and Functions for Individual Team Members

Section I Chapter 2 Skills and Functions for Individual Team Members

In this chapter Mr. Paul relates a survival team to that of a specialized military team. I am assuming since his experience is mostly from Special Forces that he is in a way trying to model the survival team after this. I have some comments of my own, but I will wait until the end of the summary to add them.

Mr. Paul believes that a survival team should have a specialist in the following areas: Team Leader, Nutritionist, Medic, Communications, Weapons and Hunting Specialist, Engineer, Supply and Logistics, Technologist, and a Chaplain.

Team Leader – Mr. Paul stresses that the Team Leader must possess character of the finest quality. He functions as a planner and coordinator of the team. He evaluates data and intelligence as well as directs appropriate responses to related activities. He may also settle disputes to which he is an arbitrator. He may also act as a type of treasurer. In certain situations he may be responsible for talking to or negotiating with outside groups.

Nutritionist – This person will be trained in horticulture and should know how to grow things year round. He should be able to identify all sorts of wild plants for food sources and medicinal purposes. He should be able to trap animals, set up butcher operations, and cure meats, fruits, and vegetables. Food supply is this person’s responsibility. The nutritionist might also monitor the diet and weight of the team and report it to the Team Leader.

Medic – The Medic should be able to attend to injury and illness. In addition he might want to know a little something of dentistry. One of the most important issues to deal with, the Medic should look after sanitation and the water supply (drinking water, bathing water, and other types of water that may be used).

Communications – This person’s role is defined mainly by the situation of the team’s existence. He might be someone who organizes two way radios or might be someone who monitors police and emergency scanners. Or if things are not as dire, he might coordinate an elaborate communications system involving servers and satellite.

Weapons and Hunting – This person will maintain common weapons and acquire other firepower as needed. He recommends particular weapons for certain uses. He might gunsmith, reload, and teach marksmanship. This person should be able to make primitive type weapons also in the event that times are really tough.

Engineer – This person should be able to build and demolish just about anything (housing, storage, fencing, furniture, plumbing, clearing, concrete work, etc.)

Logisticians – He will handle transport and supply. This guy might index and track items such as tools as well as procure items as needed.
Technologist –Basically this person will adapt new technology to the team’s needs. He might deal with computers or keep reference books in a type of library.

Chaplain – As stated in a previous chapter this person would be in charge of maintain moral. He would have close relationships with all members and deal with concerns of the team. This will allow him to diffuse potential problems that might arise.

Mr. Paul does state that functions and skills don’t have to fall into these categories and often skills may overlap in one or more people. Therefore, certain people may have more than one job. As a team grows or more needs arise, other functions may be assigned (firefighter, animal control, etc.). Don Paul also states that team meetings are essential. Each specialist should report in the meeting and recommendations made. In the meeting the Team Leader will maintain order and move topics along so as that nothing gets bogged down.

Personal note: Sometimes when I read this book I get the distinct impression that Mr. Paul is teaching his audience to build an “end of times” type survival team before it happens, which in my opinion may border slightly on the kooky. If I need to survive outdoors as the title of the book indicates, I would like to believe that all situations are not always apocalyptic. That being said, building a team is very advantageous if possible. From my own experience in the military I do believe that while having someone who specializes in certain activities is needed, I also believe that people should train in all aspects. So if you have a Survival Team, each member should know the other members’ job so that if something happens someone is able to step right in. While the first section of the book deals with a survival team, I assure you that latter sections and chapters inform the reader on individual survival skills.

Next chapter: Training the Team

 

[steverM9]

I think i'm just gonna go ahead and buy this.

 

[dangerousdon]

I think i'm just gonna go ahead and buy this.

Yeah, sorry for the length. I am going to try to get this a bit more concise as I go. This is more of an exercise on my part than anything else. I wouldn't mind a bit of discussion if possible also. Anyway I will try to do better to cut down the size of the posts.

 

[dangerousdon]

Section I Chapter 4 Training the Team

Section I Chapter 4 Training the Team

So it looks like this is the last chapter in this section. The subsequent chapters will probably be more beneficial to the individual. With that being said…

The first thing Mr. Paul wants to comment on is personal growth. He believes that striving to better yourself in skills can only benefit you later, whether times get tough or maybe just keeping your mind sharp to ward off mental disease.

In a survival team, the team leader must take an inventory of his team’s skills. The next step is assessing what skills your team will need and then figuring out how to acquire them.

The specialty of each member needs to increased or honed. If your specialty is a medic and you have training as a paramedic, it might be necessary for you to find materials to learn more advanced medical training. This is just an example but you get the idea I’m sure.

Cross training is also important with the team. While “classroom” time is great, one of the best ways to learn new skills and to train in different areas is a group project. If few members know very little about food preservation, create a project that teaches the group how to can. This will teach valuable information and at the same time complete a task that is undoubtedly needed. This will also build team camaraderie. If building a barn, once complete the members may feel a sense of satisfaction. The project may bring the members closer and lift moral.

“TOUGH TRAINING breeds confidence, and confidence is the stuff that creates survival victory. If training problems are difficult and require physical strength, you will know you can make it anywhere in the toughest of circumstances.”

He also adds that doing things that are too tough often destroys the team cohesion and could injure a member. If someone is injured that means that someone else will have to pick up the slack.

The first chapter of the next section is How to Create Survival Assets…I have already spoke a little about this earlier so I will keep that one short when I get to it next.

 

[dangerousdon]

Sorry it's been awhile on this guys. Had National Guard stuff I had to do this weekend. Will get back on the book this week.