Does anyone think of the other skills that would be of use???

[moneymike2009]

      The skills I'm referring to are thing like ;lock picking,first aid,water purification,mechanical skills,welding skills,farming
natural and hydroponically. The list is endless. but maybe you have thought of something I have not?

[Admin]

Those all sound like good skills, I think that a few others to consider might be things like reloading ammunition, Blacksmithing, Stand up comedy (you might laugh... hmmm... but really, things are gonna be so serious, some good fun might be needed)

Also the ability to make bio-diesel and alcohol (for fuel and consumption) would be handy.

I'm sure there are lots of others, let's hear some ideas? 

[OVERKILL]

 Lock picking is one of the major things I've been trying to learn, I have a book and a 2nd one borrowed from a friend but I think I just don't have the fell for it, although I hope it can be developed and refined. Once in highschool, the county dismissed school early due to freezing rain. Upon arrival there was no one home, Granny drove another bus route and wouldn't be home for at least another hour and I had no idea where Pap was so I did what any cold, wet testosterone driven teenager would do without a key and kicked the door down. My problem was solved, as I was now warm and could change into some dry clothes, but the lock was destroyed and the door frame had to be repaired. Pap picked up the needed supplies the next morning and I was more than happy to pay for them with my own money in return for not standing in the rain the previous day. We went less than 24 hours without a lock and replaced it with a stronger one and reinforced the doorframe ( the door was steel reinforced, but the lock and frame gave way, go figure?) and I am proud to say I don't think Mark Henry (The World's Strongest Man/Champion/Santa) could break it down now. But in a survival situation being able to pick a lock rather than shoot/kick/bash or otherwise break the lock would be more useful and leave a way to lock the zombies out. Hotwiring abandoned (not stolen) cars would be a handy thing to know. Bladesmithing and blacksmithing would also be very desirable. I've always looked at it as that the world would be thrown into a semi medieval state; blacksmiths and handloaders to keep the knights in armor and weapons and farmers with tools; knights to keep the farmers and blacksmiths safe; farmers to feed the warriors and blacksmiths; kinda like a weird version of paper rock scissors.

[Admin]

Haha, I think you're probably right... semi midieval sounds about right...

When I have some more time later, I'll post a link to an online store you can buy lock picking supplies from... I think one of the automatic lock-picks might be pretty handy in such a situation...

Back later with more...

[Admin]

Hey guys, here's the online store link I was promising.


Everything ships from China, and they don't worry too much about the um.. questionability of some of the stuff they sell unless they're getting flack for it (like lasers over 5mw etc.)

The link:

http://dealextreme.com/products.dx/category.829

[Tony]

Thanks for the link, I never realized they sold so much stuff on that site!

[OVERKILL]

 Yeah, I'd never heard of deal extreme until I found the NOZOMBIES site (although I've came to think of it as a support group), but it's becoming a favorite. I may need to check state laws, but as far as I know it's not illegal to own lockpicking equipment. One of the books I had on lockpicking denounced the automatic lockpicks, but I don't recall if they damaged the locks or it was just "improper and undignified". Don't want to ruin a lock, bot don't much care if I'm dignified and proper. P.S. I love how this site has spell check built in 

[Thumper]

lock picking could be handy, any skill is usefull. but in the situation we are taling about, a sledge hammer and a 12 guage would work when a key is not handy. Being skilled in how to fix things and haveing enough knowledge to know ahow to adapt things and ake them work would beextremly handy. i have been a mechanic now going on 15 years and I always try to "rig" whatever I am working on untill the right parts show up, assumeing they need to be ordered. When I have the right parts and tools I do the job right, always more reliable that way. But you learn alot trying to see what else will work and what won't. that knowledge comes in handy even for trouble shooting. I was a generator company tech rep for a while, and I highly recomend learning how to make electricity. Could come in handy!

[OVERKILL]

 When I was young and in Boy Scouts at summer camp I locked my keys in my footlocker. My Ole Pappy was an assistant Scoutmaster and asked if anyone had a hammer, he then used one hard sharp blow straight down on the body of the lock which immediately opened. After retrieving my keys from inside I was astonished to find the lock still worked. Pap told me as long as it's a well made lock and you hit it straight they'll still work. A shotgun will defiantly work in a pinch, and you could always barricade the door behind you though if you had no plans to run in and out on a daily basis.

[moneymike2009]

another good skill is knowing what plants are eatable example did u no that dandylions all parts of the it can be eatten and the root can be boiled and eaten as a vegetable, or roasted and ground as a coffee substitute.

[Tobias]

You guys are awesome. I'm making this my homepage. Too much cool stuff here

[Thumper]

knowledge is power my friend. a good rule of thumb is to play the vegitation in your mouth, between your bottom lip and you teeth and see if it burns. if it does, no good to eat.

[OVERKILL]

 I don't know how many people were boyscouts, but I still have my old Handbook 'til this day. If you can find one it is a great source of this type of information and a handy reference. Maybe even the "Emergency Preparedness" Merit badge pamphlet would be a wise purchase, wish I still had that one.

[Thumper]

Absolutly and since you brought it up. try and find an FM22-5 Army feild manual. full of good stuff.

[bruce]

BSA used to make a great supplement book to the boy scout handbook many years ago when I was a scout, it was called the boy scout field guide. it had real life pics instead of cartoony drawings and has everything from first-aid to edible plants and how to make lashings, knots and all the good stuff people need to know. I still have my boy scout manual and fieldguide. it also a lot easier to understand than the military manuals. I highly recommend it if its still available. back on topic, any good "handy-man" type skills would come in handy, plumbing to be able to get waste out of your fortified home when the water is no longer working or getting water to your fortification, carpentry is good for doing the actual fortifications, same with masonry. Knowing how to use and maintain guns and fixed weapons is always good knowledge to have!