NEW AMERICAN TRUTH: November 2007

Limit Your Technology Dependence
Frank Borelli

Okay, I like to do things the easy way as much as the next guy. Having electronic interactive navigation systems in cars can make it much easier to get where you’re going (although I think my wife tells me where to go enough; I’m not sure I need a computer adding to that job). I most assuredly enjoy my computer, my television, my DVD player, radio, cell phone, etc. I like my dive computer and I live wearing a flashlight. So I can’t condemn those who are technology – or perhaps I should more accurately say – electronics dependent. But here’s the problem: batteries die; electronics break; software gets a glitch. The bottom line is that when you’re planning for an emergency or just trying to be prepared “in case”, depending on electronics with no backup may be a bad thing. Let me give you a few examples…

I like to scuba dive. I have a dive computer as does my wife. They are wonderfully convenient and keep track of all the information you need while on a dive. A computer will track your bottom time, your remaining safe no-decompression time, your depth, the water temperature, and – depending on the model – how much air you have left in your tank. That’s all well and good, but here’s what you absolutely need to know: your maximum depth, your bottom time, and how much air you have left. I know many divers who go into a dive without consulting the dive tables, meaning that they have no idea what their maximum bottom time should be. Most divers I know don’t dive WITH the tables on them (me included) so they go into the water 100% dependent on their computer to tell them if they’ve been down too long and how much longer they can stay there. If anything happens to cause a failure of the computer, their dive is over. And what’s worse, they’ll exit the water unsure whether or not a decompression stop is required (hopefully they’ll do a safety stop just to be careful), how deep they were, how long they were under, etc.

Now all divers SHOULD have redundant systems. I have a computer but I also have a depth gauge, pressure gauge, watch (for time) and a thermometer (built into the pressure gauge). I make sure that, before I dive, I have an idea of what my planned maximum depth is and what my maximum bottom time is for that depth. If my computer dies then my dive isn’t over. I have a means of tracking my depth, time and remaining air.

Here’s another example: I know people who like to hike. They often travel unexplored trails to enjoy new scenery. I enjoy this past time but I’m a little old fashion. I like maps and compasses. I prefer topographical maps and a lensatic compass, but I’ll settle for any map I can get that shows any type of terrain features or landmarks and any compass that works. I think GPS systems are quite handy and I enjoyed one wrist top computer / watch that tracked my path and then could feed me directions back to my start point. How cool is that? Just cool enough to be worthless if the batteries died, the software failed or there was so much cloud cover I couldn’t get a satellite signal I suppose.

At the end of the day there are a few things that – if you want to be prepared in an emergency situation – you should know how to do without technology. I am far from being the expert I would like to be on some of these, but I’m trying to learn.

You should be able to build a fire. Without matches and some type of starter fuel this can prove quite troublesome, especially in a damp environment. If you’re not going to ALWAYS have an emergency kit with you that includes matches (or a decent lighter) and some starter material, then you need to learn what can be used or easily made into that starter fuel and how to generate enough heat to ignite it. I’ve done this TWICE on a bet. It wasn’t easy either time.

You should be able to find or build shelter. While tents are nice and my poncho can be a lifesaver, what if I don’t have either? I had a cousin who once taught me how to build a lean-to type of shelter that offered protection from the wind on three sides and some cover from rainfall. This is a time-consuming endeavor and the necessary materials aren’t always available. In some circumstances the rootball of a large fallen tree is often a great beginning. There might also be some water at the bottom of the cavity.

Speaking of water, you should be able to at least find it, catch it, or create it. Yeah, I know... “create it” is kind of hard. Seek out some information on how to build a solar still. It’s not real hard, requires few items and can provide you a cup or two of water each day dependent on the length of the day, the temperatures and the humidity.

That takes care of shelter, warmth and water… what about food? Unless you become an expert trapper or natural fisherman, you may just go a bit hungry. There are lots of edible plants if you know what they are and which ones you should avoid. Many nuts, berries, fruits and vegetables grow wild, but you have to know what’s what and when it’s good to eat. For my part, I plan to snare or hunt if I’m out more than two days without a food supply. In my younger days I ate squirrel, rabbit and snake. Fish and frog legs and I aren’t strangers. None of these things are meals I’d enjoy at the moment, but I’m not two or three days worth of hungry either.

Don’t get me wrong: I’m NOT saying that we should do away with electronics; nor am I saying that you should never depend on them. What I AM saying is that you should always have a backup plan. If you regularly depend on electronic devices, you should at least consider developing the skills necessary to function without them. Look around. There are some good survival trainers out there. You don’t have to want to learn how to live in a loincloth, armed with nothing more than a knife to attend a decent course. Many survival courses today offer good basic information on some simple emergencies any of us may face. If you find the right instructor some of the training can be down right fun.

So think about what you do – and what you don’t do. Ponder your own technology dependence. We usually learn what we’re not capable of long about the time a storm comes through and we’re without power for two or three days. For most of us that constitutes a true emergency. Even at home… can you cook? Can you stay warm? Do you have something as simple as candles around so you can function inside after dark? (or outside on a moonless night) Can you build a fire safely? Do you have wood on hand? Do you have foods that are easily prepared with nothing more than a pot and some boiling water? Again, don’t get me wrong: I like my microwave as much as the next guy, but you know what? Nothing smells quite like thick cut bacon cooked on a grill or open fire. Here’s a thought if you ever have reason to do that: get a few long pieces of wood about a half-inch to one-inch thick. Let the bacon grease that drips off the cooking meat drip onto the wood. It’ll soak into the wood and then the wood pieces become excellent starter fire fuel – shaved if necessary.

Anyway, measure your own technology dependence and make sure you’re not so electrically dependent that you can’t function without it. One day you might be forced to.

Limit Your Technology Dependence: Add-On From A Wilderness Survival Instructor
Mike Marcon

Frank makes excellent points here but let me add...

To me, after years of studying and teaching wilderness survival, I've come to realize that inadvertently, I become a general survivalist. Not, in the extremist sense, but, in the everyday, practical "what if?" sense.

As a teacher and practitioner of survival techniques, I believe that everything 'survival' begins with those two words: "What if?" It would be silly for me to sit here and list the ongoing and lengthy litany of "what ifs?" It would stupefy you. What is more productive, I think, is for you to start a list of "what ifs?" as a starting point for you and your families well being in the case of many possible events. What you will assuredly find if you do this are your survival weaknesses and lack of knowledge. I'm an expert and yet stupid if that makes you feel any better. There is much I know about survival, but do I know it all? No. It's an ongoing, daily study, and the fact that I know more about it than most people makes me the subject matter expert; but, that same daily study also illustrates my lack of knowledge.

To overcome that, I continue to use the "what if?" test. I begin by applying it to broad general categories. Then, I start singling out individual knowledge and preparatory elements.

Here’s a recent example. A simple one.

This summer, I had an uneasy feeling that we would see a large East Coast hurricane. I live on the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia and we’ve been hit before, spending 14 days without power. That’s the first “what if?” right there. Not just what if the power goes off for a few days, but for 14 days? Or more? How am I prepared to deal with that? Here’s how that thought process begins to work for me…

M-m-m-m-m…

What are my daily, rock bottom power requirements? What if this is a snow storm instead of a hurricane that takes out the power lines and crews will be weeks restoring power? What will be the load requirements for a generator during periods of high heat versus periods of very cold temperatures? Will my fuel requirements be different during those differing periods of temperatures? How much fuel will I need to have on hand to survive at bare minimums for two weeks or longer? How will I protect that fuel from thieves. What about my generator? Can I repair it quickly if it breaks down? Do I have extra parts on hand such as a spare carburetor or spare brushes for the generator? Do I have the necessary mechanical knowledge and tools to repair it myself? Does my wife know how to, at least, service and start the generator as well as manage the power distribution panel if I should be injured or my presence be required elsewhere?

Now, all of these and many more “what ifs” set my preparation direction and check/to do lists. And, this is just the beginning for the topic of “Power Outage!” What about food and water? What about home security? What about medical needs? Everyone of these topic areas creates its own “to learn, to do” list.

In the end, everything about survival in any aspect of life, in the woods, in the desert, in the home, in the car, at work, and every other situation, is all about “what if?”

Are you asking the question?

About The Author: Mike Marcon
Mike’s initial survival training came years ago in the military. Since then, he has continually held a passionate interest in survival training. Recently, Mike's survival expertise came to the attention of producers at Fox Television's "America's Most Wanted" and he was asked to act as a consultant for the show's "Safety Center." His first segment about surviving being lost in the wilderness aired on August 25, 2007. Future AMW segments are planned on topics that have to do with both wilderness and urban survival.

He initially began Safe Return in order to help civilian pilots prepare to survive in the event of a wilderness crash landing. As a Commercial Pilot for many years, he knew that survival training is not part of the preparation to become a civilian pilot the same as it is for military pilots. Since then, he has expanded his training to include the “average, everyday person who enjoys outdoor activities.”

He is also a Virginia certified Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate and a Tactical Medic. (A “Tactical Medic” is specially trained to support Special Weapons & Tactics (SWAT) teams.)

He is also a certified Operations Level Instructor for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) incidents.

Mike has spent the better part of his life teaching various subjects ranging from sport parachuting to emergency medical services to survival. Thousands of students have benefited from his instruction.