I'm often surprised how many people have no clue how to change the tire on their own car. I think more people should take 1/2 hour out of thier weekend and just practice it once; change the tire with teh spare. You'll learn where all the spare parts are store in your vehicle and you'll know how to change the tire. And you wont have to learn/figure all of this out when it's pouring rain on the side of a busy highway.
What are some other skills you think everyone should learn?
1. How to milk a cow.
2. How to skin and dress a meat animal, or even a fish.
3. how to plant, tend and harvest some basic vegetables including potatoes.
4. How to shoot, for self defense if nothing else.
5. How to build a basic shelter from natural materials and build a fire.
These are basic survival skills that I think everyone should know. I have tried very hard to teach my daughter these things but she balked at the skinning. Most people think that these skills are unneccesary in a modern world. But it wasn't that long ago that a couple in their thirties died in north Colorado because they took a wrong turn in heavy snow and ended up on an abandoned logging road. So who knows what other circumstances might test your ability to feed and shelter yourself?
Dona, you are spot on! These skills may come in handy someday.
Quote from: Valiss on February 23, 2012, 10:57:40 AM
I'm often surprised how many people have no clue how to change the tire on their own car. I think more people should take 1/2 hour out of thier weekend and just practice it once; change the tire with teh spare. You'll learn where all the spare parts are store in your vehicle and you'll know how to change the tire. And you wont have to learn/figure all of this out when it's pouring rain on the side of a busy highway.
What are some other skills you think everyone should learn?
Daddy made me rotate the tires on my first car before he let me drive it. Taught me how to change a tire, and why I should never drive alone to any place where I might have to do it myself. Ever. Ever. Ever.
I would add sewing (at least enough to mend tears, replace buttons, and such) to the list of important survival skills.
Also, swimming.
How to:
Read instructions.
Use the internet to find the instructions.
Know when to call for someone else to help.
Know who to call.
CPR and First Aid.
great thread
I concur with everything listed so far.
Skills I think everyone should learn
1. how to test electrical wires to see if they are live- and actually do it
2. how to start a fire without matches
3.how to drive stick shift- my dad taught me how to drive when i was 14 with his stick shift truck- that way if something ever happened to him while we were on a road trip i wouldnt be stranded.
4. everyone should know how to use military/aviation alphabet - alpha, bravo, charlie, delta, echo, etc. its so much easier to understand when someone is spelling something out to you, especially when they have accents
These are good lists above.
Learn how to filter water when boiling is not possible.
Learn what you need for a basic medical go bag, including items to provide minor injury treatment.
Secure a few books on treatment of trauma; survival in extreme climates of cold and heat.
Learn map reading and how to use a compass and terrain/topical maps.
Determine if you want to know more about having a survival seed bank. Some do not know about genetically altered seeds. http://www.survivalseedbank.com/?gclid=CNPO4NTbtK4CFYFgTAodXk01Sw (http://www.survivalseedbank.com/?gclid=CNPO4NTbtK4CFYFgTAodXk01Sw). I feel comfortable vouching for this source for that type of item, from personal experience.
Boy Scout Motto is "Be prepared" so, simply "be prepared" is not a bad idea. If you don't need it in your lifetime, you have something to pass on to those you might care for, who may need/use, down the road.
Two books which I think should be in every home
How to Build a Fire: And Other Handy Things Your Grandfather Knew
How to Sew a Button: And Other Nifty Things Your Grandmother Knew
*How to check the oil, coolant, wiper fluid, and other generally accessible fluids in their car, and where to add to them if necessary
*How to check the pressure in the tires, AND how to add air if necessary (one would think this is fairly self-explanatory, but given that I know a 21 year old who DESTROYED the rim on the classic Jaguar he bought from his aunt because he had a flat, in the WalMart parking lot, the spare was on it because another tire had a leak in it, and he didn't know how to add air to the leaky one so he could put it back on to get the 4 miles home, so he drove on the flat)
*How to cook a basic meal, even if it's chicken nuggets and macaroni & cheese, using a stove and oven, instead of a microwave
*How to operate a washing machine (and preferably a dryer)
The skill that seems to elude the most people, in my opinion, is simple logic. But then, I'm a computer geek, and one of those rare idiots that reads the manual.
What Dona and Bear said for sure and the other things mentioned here. And Merlin reading the manuel is always a good place to start.
Quote from: DonaCatalina on February 23, 2012, 11:16:42 AM
1. How to milk a cow.
2. How to skin and dress a meat animal, or even a fish.
3. how to plant, tend and harvest some basic vegetables including potatoes.
4. How to shoot, for self defense if nothing else.
5. How to build a basic shelter from natural materials and build a fire.
These are basic survival skills that I think everyone should know. I have tried very hard to teach my daughter these things but she balked at the skinning. Most people think that these skills are unneccesary in a modern world. But it wasn't that long ago that a couple in their thirties died in north Colorado because they took a wrong turn in heavy snow and ended up on an abandoned logging road. So who knows what other circumstances might test your ability to feed and shelter yourself?
Spot on... good basics. All other survival skills stem from these general ones. My G.O.O.D bag and 30 seconds in my weapons locker and i could pull back into the boonies for a long time. ;D ;)
Always liked this from the notebooks of Lazarus Long
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects!
Good list. Can we add, how to make a rainbow ? (http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzu8std8dh1qdlh1io2_500.gif)
Hmph! I've got a hand load for my `06 that I can use on a milk jug, and get the same rainbow effect with a single shot. :)
Something else came up this weekend by way of a friend....
Everyone should know how to turn the water off to their house in case the bottom drops out of the hot water heater.
You should also know how to shut off the breaker for said water heater.
Agreed. At least, learn how to turn off the water behind the toilet so when it overflows one day, you can stop that asap.
Quote from: DonaCatalina on February 27, 2012, 02:42:35 PM
Something else came up this weekend by way of a friend....
Everyone should know how to turn the water off to their house in case the bottom drops out of the hot water heater.
You should also know how to shut off the breaker for said water heater.
Actually, every water heater
should have a shutoff valve at the heater itself, by code. Since you will generally be closer to the water heater when you determine it has ruptured, I'd go for that valve first, before going to the meter and turning it off there (and if you forget to take the proper wrench to the meter, you have to come back and find it...).
You will need to
immediately turn off the electricity (likely at the box) or the gas (should be a valve at the water heater...you
may need a wrench). Otherwise the empty, or near empty tank could get dangerously overheated. Some tanks have low-water shutoffs, but that is usually reserved for commercial-grade heaters.
Quote from: Valiss on February 27, 2012, 03:18:39 PM
Agreed. At least, learn how to turn off the water behind the toilet so when it overflows one day, you can stop that asap.
LOL! Can't count the number of times I've just yanked the lid off the tank and grabbed the float! Putting my face near the bowl as it prepares to come over the top just kinda doesn't suit me. :P
I was impressed when my 16 year old daughter had a flat and changed it herself. But when asked where the flat tire was, she had left it beside the road because she did not know it could be repaired. I guess the lesson given did not contain all the steps.
Everyone! Should know how to make a flamethrower!
I have had all of my children learn this!
Keep one can of aerosol anything (I use hair spray) in the bathroom cabinet, and (even if you do not smoke) a bic lighter.
Practice lighting the aerosol (outside), at times it can go foof! Or boom! Do not let this bother you, PRACTICE!
Run to the bathroom, they (home invaders, est.) will think you are scared!
If you have the chance spray your attacker (1-2 seconds should do)! Then light the spray.
A can of wasp spray, in your vehicle, or by your front door, a nine-foot stream spray to the eyes!
While they are running, you call 911; any hospital will be looking for them!
Most of the things I can think of have already been listed, except perhaps for the art (or skill) of negotiation. Knowing how to negotiate a favorable deal in a trade situation, or even a work scenario, can be an invaluable tool to posses when you have something someone needs, and vice versa. Particularly if the other party isn't much interested in being fair.
I think knowing how to spin fiber and weave, knit or crochet the result is a good skill to posses, as well, particularly when it starts getting cold...
We use JD's version of a flame thrower to light large quantities of bottle rockets, say 2-300, filling a large coffee can. Makes a nice, reasonably cheap display.
Quote from: Rani Zemirah on February 28, 2012, 05:15:17 AM
Most of the things I can think of have already been listed, except perhaps for the art (or skill) of negotiation. Knowing how to negotiate a favorable deal in a trade situation, or even a work scenario, can be an invaluable tool to posses when you have something someone needs, and vice versa. Particularly if the other party isn't much interested in being fair.
Along these lines, people should learn confilict resolution (besides shooting, stabbing or choking). Now a days so many people are getting shot because of stupid actions. Just the other day, in Houston, a guy was shot and killed because of the song he did at a kareoke club.
Shooting people should be reserved for important crimes, like horse thieves and stealing Teach's rum.
Also basic gun safety is a must to learn. Especially how to check a weapon and make it safe.
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ifdfjvH9gtg/SzlDWFXjmzI/AAAAAAAAABs/SSlebj7i1Is/s320/molotov-cocktail-design.jpg)
Gloves, optional but recommended. :P (http://blogs.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/Molotov_cocktail_flam.jpg)
Add jello to extend lighting time to withdraw. Don't look at it impact or burn if you wish to maintain night vision. :P
To balance that out with something ...well...at least on the wholesome and harmless side of crazy...I give you Martha Stewart and her "something":
http://www.marthastewart.com/268774/how-to-fold-a-t-shirt
For me it's proper table manners (amazing how many people chew with their mouth open or hold their utensils with their fist ) and really proper manners all around, suitable to the culture youl are in. Good manners will open doors.
The ability to say no.
No explanation, no regret, no weaseling or doing something you don't want to do.
Just the simple grace to say no.
Ferret
Good one. I know I'd rather hear a simple no than watch a friend turn him/ herself inside out over my request. Makes me feel more respected.
The lost arts: Kindness and Respect.
meditation
I have not read all the posts in this thread, but I will go with making change in a store without the computer register telling you how to do it.
Good luck with that, Blakduke. The computers went down at a local McDonald's, and they resorted to selling only items on the $1 list so that they could calculate the sales tax. It seems no one knows how to multiply without a calculator anymore. Really sad!
How to recognize whether or not fruits and berries are edible and ripe, and how to recognize poisonous plants and insects.
Basic skills for dealing with strange dogs, and a respect for all wildlife. That raccoon/skunk/squirrel does not want to petted, and the fact that you can get that close is not a good sign. Livestock would also fit into this category.
Basic scouting skills would save a lot of bellyaches, dangerous diseases and rashes, and help everyone be less afraid of nature.
Refill\make ice! This seems to elude my Hubby!
LOL! I had the same problem with my wife until we got an ice-maker!
ice maker! That would be ME! Hahaha
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on March 06, 2012, 08:22:50 PM
LOL! I had the same problem with my wife until we got an ice-maker!
I can just picture an Au Pair girl standing beside the fridge ready to make ice at a moment's notice.
Quote from: DonaCatalina on March 07, 2012, 04:59:01 AM
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on March 06, 2012, 08:22:50 PM
LOL! I had the same problem with my wife until we got an ice-maker!
I can just picture an Au Pair girl standing beside the fridge ready to make ice at a moment's notice.
Hmmm... clothed? ... Sorry. My mind is going in weird directions today.
How to tie basic knots. I'd start with the square knot, bowline, two half-hitches, taunt line, and sheet bend.
Quote from: Bob of the Lake on March 08, 2012, 12:23:37 PM
How to tie basic knots. I'd start with the square knot, bowline, two half-hitches, taunt line, and sheet bend.
I can do the square, a granny, and a hangmans noose. Don't know what the others are.
Just as important as know how to tie different knots is the knowledge of when you should choose one knot over another
I know a few that could use the hangman's noose... :P
Tact. There are far too many people in the world who don't even seem to know what tact is. Now don't get me wrong, I am not referring to being PC, but having some sensitivity and diplomacy.
I know how to tie a mast head knot, so that if all your rigging is swept overboard during a storm, but you still have a mast, you can re-rig enough sail to limp into port (or hang 3 people at a time, Merlin). ;D
Oh yeah... AND I can tie a square knot, bowline, two half-hitches, taut line, and sheet bend. (I try to keep my "taunt" lines for wayward wizards, however...) ;)
*Makes notes*
Hmmmmm....seems I have some learning to do... :-\
I think everyone should learn the basics of running a household. Anyone should be able to buy and prepare food, wash clothing, clean living areas and understand paying bills.
Gina
(http://content.artofmanliness.com/uploads//2011/08/dog.jpg)
How to heimlich man's best friend. 8)
How to cook on open flame and not burn your food.
How to shingle a roof. It is mostly physical labor, the mechanics are not that difficult.
How to avoid motion sickness. Simply looking out a window at the horizon will orient your brain/ear.
I have a cousin that will hurl within 15 minutes of getting into a car, unless she is driving. We've tried to get her to look out the window and watch the scenery, but she prefers to read or scroll on her phone.
Everyone should know how to confront and solve their own issues, rather than going and whining to someone else like a little child. If you don't like what I say, you don't have to listen. If you think I'm wrong, discuss it with me. I'm a very logical and reasonable person. Just do us all a favour and grow up.