Gaining Useful Skills

[CardiffGuy]

Afternoon All.

A thought that came into my head recently whilst scouting for resources was that it was isolated and what if I needed help should something happen in this mountainous area.

Well after much thinking and careful consideration, I am taking a proactive step to learn new and useful skills by joining the Western Beacons Mountain Search And Rescue Team (http://www.westernbeacons.org.uk/ or WBMSART for short.

I can gain useful mountaineering, first aid and other skills that will not only be able to benefit those that are rescued but will benefit my self devolopment.

Whilst not all people will be able to jump into something like this, even something like joining St Johns Ambulance is a benefit.

CardiffGuy

[preppingsu]

That is a very good point Cardiffguy and well done for being proactive.

I have begun to look at undertaking some courses on sustainable living and traditional skills, an area where I lack skills and knowledge.

[ticklemonkey]

Excellent, that is a great way to learn and experience new skills. I used to be a Red Cross member and learnt alot and built on my skills to finally become a full time professional. Who knows where it may lead, hoho!

Funnily emough I am looking for opporunities now to increase my skill base but am not 100 percent sure where to lookin my area!

[janso]

A fantastic idea there mate.... this is one of my 'hobbies':

http://www.cornwallsar.org.uk/

I have learnt quite a few skills that actually apply to the job of lost person behaviour, search management, techniques, HF & VHF radio theory, etc whilst finding a group that comprises of people who share the same other hobbies as me!! (apart from prepping...... as far as I know). Very useful group to belong to in times of need and, as time and status go by, interesting to find out how we fit in the big picture of SAR, mountain and lowland rescue, 4x4 response, HM Coastguard (another hobby!) and disaster management.

At the very least, as a group, you will fit into part of a team that, in a SHTF situation, could be of mutual use in the local area. Hope it all goes well - enjoy it!!

[CardiffGuy]

Well the night is nearly over and my first night spent at WBMSART and I have to say it was a rather interesting insight into SAR.

After a few intro's and discussions, this is the start of a very good and interesting road for me.

Janso, its a rather good hobby to have and I can now say I am in the SAR family resulting in getting my callsign, pager etc in the next few weeks.

CardiffGuy

[janso]

Good stuff!!

Glad you enjoyed it and have found a useful, interesting and helpful hobby, hope you enjoy your winter callouts in the Brecons!! Just looked up their patch.... nice varied area to cover I see, a lot like Cornwall especially Pembrokeshire - beware of the 'healthy' competition with the Coastguard Rescue teams!!

Looking at your patch I'm guessing you'll be dealing with a lot of mispers (missing persons) as well.

Enjoy!

[CardiffGuy]

That is a very good point Cardiffguy and well done for being proactive.

I have begun to look at undertaking some courses on sustainable living and traditional skills, an area where I lack skills and knowledge.

Preppingsu I certainly lack alot of skills above common sense and knowledge that I have gained through life experience so far and the great times I spend with my father as a child.

When I used to live in Cardiff there is alot of other things not really accessible for people with my kind of interests, we preppers often get classed as nuts or weird.

Whilst I am a not a certified plumber, sparkie or other tradesmen, I am confident my skills and with common sense that if shtf and society broke down, I hope I could do the things that would need to be done.

Butchery, Blacksmithing and Bushcraft skills are something I wish to gain.

CardiffGuy

[cumbriasurvivalist]

Poaching is a must as it not only gets you food but you become at one with your surroundings.You learn how to blend in,not be seen,recognise the sounds and smells.It also made me a bit of a conservationist.I would NEVER dream of killing any animal i was not going to eat(vermin excluded) and i would never kill an animal to eat in the breeding season.Also you need to know how to grow and reproduce more food from your harvest.You can also grow things not only in your garden but out in the country side/woods,off course the latter means you have to share part of your crop with the animals lol and some times others.Learn to grow in places where not many people go .

[diamond lil]

Absolutely. We need to go back to the days when country folk looked after themselves and kept the heid doon - What "they" don't know won't bother them LOL

[CardiffGuy]

Poaching is a must as it not only gets you food but you become at one with your surroundings.You learn how to blend in,not be seen,recognise the sounds and smells.It also made me a bit of a conservationist.I would NEVER dream of killing any animal i was not going to eat(vermin excluded) and i would never kill an animal to eat in the breeding season.Also you need to know how to grow and reproduce more food from your harvest.You can also grow things not only in your garden but out in the country side/woods,off course the latter means you have to share part of your crop with the animals lol and some times others.Learn to grow in places where not many people go .

Poaching is not something that I have thought of whilst we still have an active society all be it one that I think is going down the pan slowly, however if S does ever consider HTF then my morals on this would have to drop.

Ive managed to locate a local shooting club just 4 miles down the road from me and an excellent way to possibly get my FAC, as my GF has grown up around this area all her life(Maesteg), she has friends who live on surrounding farms, so I may consider approaching them to see if I can gain permission to shoot the 'pests' on the their land if/or when I am granted a FAC.

Ive also considered volunteering in the local butcher at the end of my street say possibly 2 to 3hrs every other weekend, to assist them but also so I learn the butchery skills this way.

CardiffGuy