The Importance of skills

The Importance of Skills

We all talk about how we want to take classes, take a course here and there. Do any of us really get around to it? It's more important than you might think to learn some necissary skills that could save your life one day.

In my opinion, every prepper should have some basic survival skills under their belt. The ability to make shelter with only natural materials, being able to make fire unaided by flame, being able to find water and food in the wilderness. These could all come in handy one day. Sure we can stock pile as much food as we want, eventually that will be gone and we will be left living off the land.

I suggest each prepper looks into taking a wilderness survival course. Not only is it a fun activity, but will give you the essential tools you will need later on. Only issue here, I have yet to find a credible and suitable wilderness survival course in the Ottawa area. There are many in different provinces and if your up for a little bit of a road trip, than these courses may be perfect for you. Feel free to share if you are able to find an appropriate instructor in the Ottawa area.

Another important skill to have is self-defense. It may be necessary to protect yourself in a survival situation and having the basic tools at your disposal could save your life. One option is learning Krav Maga. Unlike other forms of self-defense, Krav Maga teaches you to avoid confrontation first, avoid others who may pose a danger to you, and then fight as a last resort. It is more modern and practical than others forms of self-defense and is designed for practical and realistic potential situations. Police, military, SWAT and security generally choose this discipline above others. There are a few places in Ottawa that specialize in Krav Maga, you can choose one that is in your area and suits your schedule. If you are unsure whether this is for you, Krav Maga Ottawa offers a free class, you can go in and try it out for free and see if it's something you would be interested in.

Another important skill to have would be how to safely and effectively handle  a firearm. Even if you never plan on owning firearms yourself, knowing how to use them safely could come in handy one day. If you do plan on owning firearms, it is also important to ensure you are 100% legal with all training and licensing up to date. the RA center in Ottawa offers courses for both the restricted and non-restricted firearms safety course, also known as the CFSC (Canadian firearms safety course) and the CRFSC (Canadian restricted firearms safety course). In order to get your license to buy or own firearms, you need to have taken these courses, depending on which type of firearm you plan on owning. For non-restricted, you only need take the CFSC. If you plan on owning restricted firearms as well, then you need to successfully complete both the CFSC and the CRFSC. Upon completion of the exams, you will be eligible to apply for a restricted and or/non-restricted firearms license. Remember, always take the required courses and ensure your documentation is legal and up to date.

Other important skills would be hunting and fishing. Again, ensure your documentation and licenses are up to date. In order to obtain hunting and fishing licenses, you will need an outdoors card first. This card is good for a number of years however each year your hunting and fishing licenses must be renewed (They simply affix a sticker to your outdoors card). A fishing license can be obtained by almost anyone without any course requirements. In order to get a hunting license you will have to take a hunting safety course which is also offered by the RA center in Ottawa. Once the course has been successfully completed you will be eligible to apply for a hunting license. If you plan on hunting with firearms, you will also need to obtain your firearms license. Quite the process but worth it! The skills will be essential. You will need to know how to catch your own food if needed. Eventually, your preps will run out and you will have to rely on your skills to feed yourself and your family.

First-aid and CPR training will also be essential. Many people take these courses through work but you can also sign up for them on your own time. These skills will enable you to save a life, perhaps even your own, should the need arise. Wilderness first-aid is likely the best bet for this specific purpose however any first-aid training is better than none. Chances are in an emergency situation it will be next to impossible to find a doctor, unless of course you have one in your survival group.

Any others skills are also great to have including manufacturing and fabrication, engineering, mechanics, carpentry etc. Even a skill you currently have now could prove useful down the line. If you have a preppers group, see if you can distinguish what skills others in the group have. Each of you will have a job and the more variety of skill sets you can include in your preppers group, the more ready you are going to be.

Overall, skills are an essential part of your preps. Invest some time in learning these skills and be ready for anything!

- Breezy River