survivy
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Post by survivy on Sept 12, 2019 21:11:49 GMT 10
I grew up without access to certain life skills (chopping wood, fishing, setting traps, wood working, fixing a car, etc) because either no one around me knew those things or it wasn't something they'd ever consider teaching a girl in the '70's. So here I am, middle aged. Managed to learn a few car maintenance skills before the computerised the hell out of everything. Know how to fish to save my life - just. But that's about it. How do you get those skills when you have no one to teach you?
Watching youtube vids can only take you so far. I'm more of a hands on kind of learner these days. I need to 'do' to really understand it. Has anyone thought of setting up a kind of course to teach these basic skills? Is there a way to get them, living in the city?
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Post by SA Hunter on Sept 12, 2019 21:53:48 GMT 10
I grew up without access to certain life skills (chopping wood, fishing, setting traps, wood working, fixing a car, etc) because either no one around me knew those things or it wasn't something they'd ever consider teaching a girl in the '70's. So here I am, middle aged. Managed to learn a few car maintenance skills before the computerised the hell out of everything. Know how to fish to save my life - just. But that's about it. How do you get those skills when you have no one to teach you? Watching youtube vids can only take you so far. I'm more of a hands on kind of learner these days. I need to 'do' to really understand it. Has anyone thought of setting up a kind of course to teach these basic skills? Is there a way to get them, living in the city?
You can add blokes to this as well - I know a lot who can't change a tyre, start a chainsaw, clean a fish etc, etc.
Honestly, practise, practise, practise......
Our family were more hunters than fishers, but I took a shine to both. I had to teach myself a lot, plus, taking a rod onto the jetty, I just asked people what rigs they used, how did they tie their hooks, what sinker, etc, etc. It worked. I have picked up a lot of tips.
So what skills exactly are you looking to learn - there are a whole lot of people with differing skills. We all learn from each other, and I'm sure there are people here who will gladly impart their knowledge to you.
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frostbite
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Post by frostbite on Sept 13, 2019 5:12:04 GMT 10
I once got a text message. It went something like this:
Hey Dad, we just practiced a section attack. It was hectic. We all went through about 3 mags each and the guns (the machine guns) about 200 rds. Then I saw that the enemy gunner had a stoppage, so I charged him and bayonetted him. It was Gold.
That message was from my daughter, all 43kg of her, doing her army training.
Being a girl is irrelevant to your skill set. Network with locals who have the skills you want and learn
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Post by milspec on Sept 13, 2019 6:39:15 GMT 10
You have an advantage and you're demonstrating it here. As a girl attending a course or when talking to someone trying to learn something you'll be unafraid to ask questions because you're not worried about your ego.
So that's all you need to do, do courses, talk to people who know what they are doing (as opposed to chats with online know it alls), watch and learn and ask questions, then try it and practise. The skills you pick up in one area tend to add abilities in other areas and eventually you get decent and become able figure stiff out for yourself.
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norseman
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Post by norseman on Sept 13, 2019 7:28:11 GMT 10
A quote from one of my daughters relating to her workplace training:-
"Dad taking them down is easy! Getting the flexi-cuffs on is the hard part!"
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Sept 13, 2019 7:43:59 GMT 10
Woodworking is a good skill to start on, as you can start with little projects at home. No one ever taught me any of it, and I have no one here who would be able to teach me now. I needed a new book case, so I watched a few videos online, got the stuff and gave it a try. They worked well. I’ve also made a few other little things, but just need the time and space to try other stuff.
I also needed to fix a hole in the wall, so again, I watched a few videos, went and got the stuff, and did it.
So mostly I’m just learning things as a need arises. I don’t think I’m about to start changing the oil in my car though!
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Sept 13, 2019 7:46:58 GMT 10
Watching youtube vids can only take you so far. I'm more of a hands on kind of learner these days. I need to 'do' to really understand it. Has anyone thought of setting up a kind of course to teach these basic skills? Is there a way to get them, living in the city? You’re right about YouTube videos not completely being able to teach you, but YouTube videos along with trial and error is a pretty good combo - find a need, watch a few videos of different ways to do the same thing, make a plan and just jump in and try it. |
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Post by spinifex on Sept 13, 2019 8:44:16 GMT 10
As others have said here: do a bit of basic research and then most important - have a go. And with some things you have to keep having a go until you get the result. Start with simple stuff, take your time and don't get discouraged when the task gets difficult or if things go wrong.
I learnt how to do really neat gyprock joinery, soldering and spearfishing for flathead with a combination of internet video and slow steady practice.
There are also many great books to be had from second hand bookshops dealing with food preserving, carpentry/building, welding etc. Being 'published' gives assurance that what is written in them is sound information.
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Post by Ausprep on Sept 13, 2019 10:26:25 GMT 10
Hey survivy
Your predicament is something we all see at some stage. So much to learn, with the worry of so little time to learn it.
Make a shopping list of everything you want to learn and cross them off one by one.
If you find something you cant do, move on to the next but make sure you come back to it and have another go.
If you have at least had a go at it and life suddenly goes south for us, at least you've had a go AND you will know what to expect if you need to complete that task at some stage later on.
If you are still struggling, ask around. Ask here if there is something you cant work out and we can all help out.
Remember, you wont master everything straight away.
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Post by Peter on Sept 13, 2019 21:53:36 GMT 10
Another thing - connect with others on this forum in your region.
Although those of us in WA normally end up meeting somewhere where food and [lots of] beer are the focus, I'm hoping to get some other stuff going.
Get to know people first, though, before you decide to spend a weekend with folks carrying firearms...
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survivy
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Post by survivy on Sept 14, 2019 21:30:35 GMT 10
Thanks everyone for the great advice  I was excited when I received my knife and really wanted to try out the firesteel to see if I could get sparks. Everyone on video makes it looks o effortless, I had no idea quite a bit of effort was needed to get it to work - well, effort for me anyway. lol Oh, I have no intention of being off in the woods with people who are armed that I don't know really well. I prefer being on my own personally. There's a shooting club not far from where I live, as in walking distance. I'm planning on going there and having a few lessons with different guns/rifles to at least get that skill started. And I know it's not just the women I knew guys whose father was a mechanic and they didn't have a clue about anything. At least I know how to check oil and change a tyre lol. Thanks again everyone. You make it less daunting |
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Post by Peter on Sept 14, 2019 21:58:06 GMT 10
Thanks everyone for the great advice I was excited when I received my knife and really wanted to try out the firesteel to see if I could get sparks. Everyone on video makes it looks o effortless, I had no idea quite a bit of effort was needed to get it to work - well, effort for me anyway. lol You're quite right - there's a real knack to using a firesteel. Add to that Murphy's Law: no doubt if ever (God forbid) your life will depend on lighting a fire, it'll be raining & windy. |
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fei
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Post by fei on Sept 15, 2019 22:50:13 GMT 10
Have a look at your local TAFE's offerings - they sometimes have short (weekend or so) courses for things like aquaculture, gardening and other stuff that is prep / self-reliance related.
Ditto for your local council. Not sure what yours is like, but a lot of them also do courses on things that are targeted at "eco-friendly" or elderly audiences, but in reality are skills that a lot of our grandparents would have had by default (everything from nutrition on the cheap, through to DIY skills).
Also take a look at what your local environmental groups are doing. I don't mean the stereotypical "latte-sipping inner city leftie greenie" whatever that preppers hate, but the ones that are doing stuff like suburban permaculture, guerilla gardening, off-grid living etc.
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survivy
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Post by survivy on Sept 16, 2019 14:48:55 GMT 10
Thanks fei. I did take a look at TafeQLD, there's one course 'near' me that I can get to but the really interesting stuff like intro to welding and blacksmithing, are up in far north qld! Wish I still lived in Melbourne, the CAE has all these courses and more.
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Post by Ausprep on Sept 16, 2019 14:55:12 GMT 10
Thanks fei. I did take a look at TafeQLD, there's one course 'near' me that I can get to but the really interesting stuff like intro to welding and blacksmithing, are up in far north qld! Wish I still lived in Melbourne, the CAE has all these courses and more. Are you in any position to call local businesses that fit what your chasing skill wise and offer to do some unpaid work experience? |
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fei
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Post by fei on Sept 16, 2019 23:02:09 GMT 10
Thanks fei. I did take a look at TafeQLD, there's one course 'near' me that I can get to but the really interesting stuff like intro to welding and blacksmithing, are up in far north qld! Wish I still lived in Melbourne, the CAE has all these courses and more. Have a look for your local Men's Shed. Most of them now apparently welcome ladies nowadays. Even if they don't have the course you are interested in, chances are they can point you to a local group or facility that can help. |
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Post by herbgarden on Nov 15, 2019 20:28:26 GMT 10
Local evening college courses are usually a good variety of short relatively cheap classes, some for just a weekend & some once or twice a week for about 6-8 weeks, have seen the odd course on basic car maintenance, carpentry, might even have one on chainsaw use/maintenance or tree tending. Do you have a local botanical garden you can ask if they teach volunteers/classes? Local foraging classes? Local forestry/agriculture department? There are primitive/survival courses you can do for a weekend or a week or so but probably pricey. Practise lighting camp fires in your backyard (out of fire season of course) if you have a yard. Could even trial the basics of some small traps in your yard following youtube videos (check out Corporals Corner channel), just don't leave them set up so local wildlife/pets/kids don't get injured and/or killed. Not sure as I have no experience but maybe talk to local SES and see what/if they teach volunteers? If you volunteer at some local permaculture garden 'blitzes' you might find some people of similar interests or skill sets you can learn from. What about the local Scouts/Brownies, etc? I know it's for kids but are there adult classes or mentors?
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feralemma
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Post by feralemma on Nov 16, 2019 13:48:27 GMT 10
What is it that you feel you are really lacking? And what do you think are the most vital skills you need to learn first?
Be specific as there may be people here who can help guide you through some of them!
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Post by milspec on Nov 16, 2019 17:25:04 GMT 10
What is it that you feel you are really lacking? And what do you think are the most vital skills you need to learn first? Be specific as there may be people here who can help guide you through some of them! Pretty sure Survivy isn't using the forum anymore. She considered herself left wing and some of the generic anti left commentary made her feel unwelcome (FWIW I don't believe that anything specific was directed towards Survivy) |
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feralemma
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Post by feralemma on Nov 16, 2019 17:49:03 GMT 10
Why are people so determined to pigeonhole themselves with such descriptions? 😣 it limits their ability to learn from anyone that is of even a slightly different opinion to their own as they are determined to be offended by everything.
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