Modern Man is very ill-equipped to face the prospect of living in the wilderness for an extended period of time. The natural instincts that we once had have largely faded away into a dependence on technology and modern convenience. While this modern lifestyle has provided us with many advantages, it has also stripped us of the knowledge that we once had to survive and thrive in any conditions.

Today, the closest that most people will come to that way of life is the outdoorsman lifestyle. While that may provide the outdoorsman with a certain advantage over the ordinary American couch potato, it’s a far cry from being able to live off the land. In fact, our ancestors would probably die laughing if they saw what most people bring on a camping trip or even a simple day hike.

From GPS devices and cell phones to high tech, light weight stoves, shelters and survival gear even the toughest of outdoorsman has become increasingly dependent on their “gear.”

What’s the problem with having gear?

Don’t get me wrong, I love my gear, and it sure makes life a lot easier. The problem with buying a lot of gear, is it sometimes becomes a substitute for hard work. Some “couch potato survivalists” become a little bit to secure in the knowledge that they have all this gear. They end up feeling a false sense of security and fail to prepare for what will inevitably happen.

At some point your gear will fail. It will either break, stop working, become lost, or be left behind. To survive and thrive in the wilderness for an extended period of time, we must develop our skills, and hone our techniques to the point that we can literally survive with only the clothes on our back.

In a SHTF scenario, returning to a city to restock on batteries or repair a piece of broken gear may not be a viable option. In fact, it may be the last thing that you’ll be able to do. If you find yourself in that situation what will you do? Do you have the skills it takes to get by without your gear?

Having the right gear can help make your survival experience a lot easier, but having the right knowledge will ensure you survive long after your gear is gone.

Don’t let your gear become a substitute for learning what it takes to survive and thrive.

Source:offthegridnews.com