Our culture is steeped in depictions of people surviving disasters, disease outbreaks, fictional invasions of zombies and aliens, and all other manner of world-ending or altering events. We watch people hole themselves up in Wal-Marts, shopping malls, abandoned prisons and even the bitter cold of the wilderness, and in the movies, the televisions shows, the comics and books, some of them even manage to survive against the longest odds.
But in reality, if we were faced with a sudden scenario that forced us to flee our homes, neighborhoods, or maybe even our own countries, and were forced to live off the land to survive, what would we, as a society, do? How would we cope? Assuming, of course, that we can still call ourselves a society at that point.
The obvious answer is to adapt to the situation, and the other clear solution would be to gather around those handful of people that make it their business to know how to survive and thrive with nothing but the most basic supplies and a knowledge of wilderness living. Seems smart enough, but the likelihood of figuring out what you need to do in order to survive in the wild, or finding someone who can help you before your time runs out is slim to none.
Once food supplies run out though, I imagine most people would die of starvation, dehydration or hypothermia pretty quickly. What little we all know about camping isn't going to be much use when we can't get a fire going, find food that's safe to eat, or water that isn't full of deadly pathogens. Beyond that, I don't think most of us would be mentally prepared to handle such a sudden change to our comfortable lifestyles.
Personally, I find the idea of wilderness living exciting, and I'd like to think that I could take to it with quickness and grace. On the other side of that coin, of course, is the fact that I don't know much more about it than anyone else, and unless someone is around to teach me, I'd spend most of my time pretty freaked out. The technologically reliant would have an even more difficult time. Without text-messaging, internet, television, or video games, a large percentage of people would not only hungry and cold, but bored and frustrated.
If no beer and no TV make Homer go crazy, you can only imagine how quickly bands of survivors would devolve into roving packs of looters, cannibals, rapists and other types of violent criminals. The one shining point of hope in all this, however, is that humans are remarkably resilient and capable of adapting quickly. Except that means nothing if we don't have the knowledge and haven't made the preparations.
Am I suggesting we all go invest in survival gear and training? No; although it wouldn't be a bad idea. For most, I doubt it's economically or even geographically feasible. But it couldn't hurt to pick up a manual, learn how to build a proper fire, or how to purify water. Still too much? I suppose it couldn't hurt to at least try and make yourself a good looking corpse.
Would you be mentally prepared for a sudden shift to wilderness living?
Comments (13)
Mentally prepared? Heck no. Could I do it? Heck yes.
My boyfriend and I currently have sufficient gear to survive in the wild. We went backpacking up north last year and intend to do it again this year, so we already have a lot of know-how, as well. We would probably want a better weapon, though, if we were stuck doing it for long periods of time. I'd also want to get a large bag of oatmeal to bring with me. I am often tempted to go out and live in the wild for no other reasons than wanderlust and wanting to escape this strange modern world.
I bought and read a few legit survival manuals last year, too. I would bring at least 2 of them with me if I had to leave home permanently. One is dedicated solely to wild edibles, another to urban survival in case of having to survive a catastrophe in a city, and another by Les Stroud on surviving in the wilderness or just about anywhere.
Yeah, I've been to jungle several times. I can survive in the wild for months.
Ready and waiting for the world to explode.
This is why I love watching Survivor Man and Man vs. Wild on Discovery Channel.
No. lol. I could make it a night or two if i was on my own, but my mind has been polluted with too many horror stories/movies that I'd probably lose it. I mean, I've camped out and I watch survivor man on the discovery channel, but I think I'd be toast. It's kind of scary really.
i think it would be pretty fun. i love the internet and all it has to offer... but honestly, if it disappeared, it would kind of be a relief
camping for life. i like itAfter reading Into the Wild, i feel a little more prepared.
If my husband was with me, I'd probably survive for a while at least. Physically anyway. Mentally is another story. I'd end up at the least pretty crazy, and at the worst I'd just up and kill myself and everyone around me.
it is a good idea but i am not sure i can do it maybe at most 3 days
Taylormade 2009 Tour Preferred Iron Set
Mentally I could make it. My family lives in a pretty secluded location and I can keep myself occupied outdoors for hours. Though I would miss youtube and wikipedia (haha), if I had a companion, I don't think I would go crazy.
Could I physically survive? Probably not for too long haha. Maybe if I was in a warm location with access to water. Otherwise I'd probably be screwed.
Nope. Was never exposed to it.
Yeppers!