Survival Thread

[W3H5]

It's funny then that the SAS have denied ever having him on their register. And Mears was an SAS survival instructor, which makes him even more capable.

 

[ExigeEvan]

It's funny then that the SAS have denied ever having him on their register. And Mears was an SAS survival instructor, which makes him even more capable.

There's never been any denial of Grylls being a part of the SAS, otherwise I believe for him to claim so (or at least to wear any medals) would be a criminal act. However, he has claimed to have seen action in certain areas where SAS members serving at the same time claim no knowledge to there being any action or even any requirement.

It's less his training and more his service history that's in question.

If anything i'd think that Mears would be slightly annoyed that Grylls is possibly risking the lives of others with the risks he takes - especially as his show is a "survival" show to those who don't know any better. Survival is about taking calculated risks, not jumping into moving glaciers like you are invincible.

Pretty much this. It's Mears who kicked it all off but for somewhat good reason.

 

[a6m5]

Sometime ago, I tried looking up Bear Gryll's service record after hearing that he was ex-special forces. I can't say for sure, but I thought the info I found said something about civilian or reserve special forces, and not in the U.K., but in India or something? I'm gonna have to look it up again.

Edit, Both from Wikipedia:

Grylls joined the British Army and served in the part-time United Kingdom Special Forces Reserve, with 21 Regiment Special Air Service, 21 SAS(R) for 3 years until 1996.

In 1996, he suffered a freefall parachuting accident in Zambia link

The Territorial Army Special Air Service (reserve) Regiments undergo a different selection process, as a part-time programme over a longer period, designed to select volunteers with the right qualities. It is emphasised to stand any chance of success volunteers must be physically fit at the start of the course. The qualities required are:

Physically and mentally robust
Self Confident
Self Disciplined
Able to work alone
Able to assimilate information and new skills.[82]

This is followed by Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) Training on Special Forces tactics, techniques and procedures. This is progressive with the emphasis on individuals assimilating new skills while under physical and mental pressure.[82]
On successful completion of this training, ranks are badged as SAS(R) and deemed operationally deployable[82]. They enter a probationary period during which they complete final training including a Basic Parachute Course and a Communications Course to be fit for mobilisation.[82] link

Sounds like a SAS-rookie, with string attached? Don't get me wrong, he may not be battle hardened veteran, but still no noob either.

 

[MarinaDiamandis]

Sounds like a SAS-rookie, with string attached? Don't get me wrong, he may not be battle hardened veteran, but still no noob either.

The SAS reserve are still double-hard bastards. The full-time regiment members won't work with anyone if they feel that they can't trust them to do the job, and this goes all the way down the ladder from the Pathfinders to the Royal Marines Commando and Parachute Regiment.

The reserves are guys who are trained to perform well, but their role is to supplement or free up other full-time units rather than take on missions on their own. They can take on the simpler tasks, such as perimeter control, which in turn will free up more full-time soldiers to complete the more specialised objectives.

At the end of the day, you don't really want to mess with a soldier who is almost as good as an SAS soldier!

 

[a6m5]

No, I agree. Like I said, greener SAS with string attached(being a reserve), but still he's an greener SAS with string attached.

Outside the Americans & Spetsnaz, I think they are the only special forces widely acknowledged around the world. And ninjas.

 

[niky]

The SAS eat Ninjas for breakfast.

I remember when Ninja used to mean something. Nowadays, Ninjas are like orcs. Cheap. Faceless. Expendable. One-hit* wonders in big-budget movie action scenes.

*Literally... pow... that's it. They're dead.

 

[a6m5]

They. Don't. Have. GUNS, niky! What do you want from me! They still throw shurikens!

 

[niky]

Number one rule of survival. Don't bring a gun to a knifefight. Oh... wait.

Ties neatly back to the Survival issue. You.Need.A.Gun. There are some scary suckers out there, and if you can take them out from as far away as possible, do so.

 

[a6m5]

Don't bring a gun to a knifefight. Oh... wait.

You've been playing Modern Warfare?

Ties neatly back to the Survival issue. You.Need.A.Gun. There are some scary suckers out there, and if you can take them out from as far away as possible, do so.

Where guns are easily obtained, that may be the case. But if you are good at sneaking around, like ninjas(swings it right back to ninjas), I think you could still have success in survival without guns. I do think guns will make it about a hundred times easier, but I don't think: no gun = dead

 

[VspecZR1GT2RS89]

Ninjas have special senses that no one can follow without being dead because they got caught in a stealth warrior's way.

But hey! You can be quiet even with guns and knives. You just got to know what to use for the given situation.

Nothing says tactical spy like a Beretta 9mm SD with 9X19 rounds and custom made tranqulizers bullets, Steyer AUG 300 rifle with a special scope that penertrates through walls and dual combat knives. Don't forget a cyborg ninja suit with a dual blunt high frequency blade(katana) and NVG/IR googles.

Do it like Syphon Filter, Metal Gear and G.I. Joe, whoo!!

 

[KillYouSD]

Ninjas have special senses that no one can follow without being dead because they got caught in a stealth warrior's way.

But hey! You can be quiet even with guns and knives. You just got to know what to use for the given situation.

Nothing says tactical spy like a Beretta 9mm SD with 9X19 rounds and custom made tranqulizers bullets, Steyer AUG 300 rifle with a special scope that penertrates through walls and dual combat knives. Don't forget a cyborg ninja suit with a dual blunt high frequency blade(katana) and NVG/IR googles.

Do it like Syphon Filter, Metal Gear and G.I. Joe, whoo!!

Sam Fisher in splinter cell is the ultimate badass

 

[MarinaDiamandis]

You've been playing Modern Warfare?


Where guns are easily obtained, that may be the case. But if you are good at sneaking around, like ninjas(swings it right back to ninjas), I think you could still have success in survival without guns. I do think guns will make it about a hundred times easier, but I don't think: no gun = dead

While I agree that you don't need a gun, range would certainly be useful. For me, that range would come from a bow. Silent, quick, and deadly.

Ninjas have grappling hooks, so if you're travelling light that could be a fun little addition. Look ma, i'm Spiderman!

 

[VspecZR1GT2RS89]

Sam Fisher in splinter cell is the ultimate badass

Well what if Sam ran into either Gabe Logan, Solid Snake or both? Hehehe.

 

[KillYouSD]

Well what if Sam ran into either Gabe Logan, Solid Snake or both? Hehehe.

I think he can handle Gabe. Now snake is another story.

 

[VspecZR1GT2RS89]

I think he can handle Gabe. Now snake is another story.

Solid Snake = Chuck Norris in MGS.

 

[Michael88]

Commander Shepard survived death, how are you gonna beat that?

But back to topic please.

 

[a6m5]

I recognized Solid Snake, but that was about it.

I just remembered about this awesome survival movie.

Time of the Wolf/Le temps du loup

Don't bother looking for trailer on this film. Couple of videos I've found, and also the plot described on the imdb page I linked, they couldn't be more misleading. Basically, SHTF in France. The story is about one family's survival. Very realistic, not like a typical Hollywood-type film. Come to think of it, it reminds me of this:

The Road(HD Youtube Trailer) - Trailer might be considered rated "R".

It's almost like the "Time of the Wolf" is when it hits the fan, and "The Road" is a decade or two later. Anyway, I recommend both if you think you can stomach it.

 

[VspecZR1GT2RS89]

Commander Shepard survived death, how are you gonna beat that?

But back to topic please.

Sorry to get off topic again, but who is Commdnder Shepard?

 

[KillYouSD]

Sorry to get off topic again, but who is Commdnder Shepard?

He's from mass effect. Back on topic, anybody recommend a good dive knife? Or something that will keep my knife from rusting in salt water? It would be a life saver to have a knife that didn't rust if you were stranded on an island.

 

[W3H5]

Back on topic, anybody recommend a good dive knife?

Check this out. Top notch.

 

[KillYouSD]

Check this out. Top notch.

Wow that's a good knife. Thanks for the link. I'm looking at all these other knives on Amazon but that one seems to fit my needs so I will most likely pick that up in the future.

 

[a6m5]

Wow that's a good knife. Thanks for the link. I'm looking at all these other knives on Amazon but that one seems to fit my needs so I will most likely pick that up in the future.

Check out this site, too: Knife Center

When I was looking for my new knife, this was the only other site I found with comparable pricing & selection as Amazon.

 

[Michael88]

I have a stainless steel machete as survival ''knife'', its almost as big as a short sword. Its a great multitool, you can cut down a small tree with it ( I can cut down a 2'' branch with one swing), it makes a great weapon, the backside can be used as a hammer, its much tougher than the blade of a knife.....
Stainless-Steel is too brittle and inflexible for a thin blade, but it works just fine for a big blade.
Only downside: Its huge and rather heavy, compared to a knife.

 

[a6m5]

I have a stainless steel machete as survival ''knife'', its almost as big as a short sword. Its a great multitool, you can cut down a small tree with it ( I can cut down a 2'' branch with one swing), it makes a great weapon, the backside can be used as a hammer, its much tougher than the blade of a knife.....
Stainless-Steel is too brittle and inflexible for a thin blade, but it works just fine for a big blade.
Only downside: Its huge and rather heavy, compared to a knife.

Sounds like a SOG? Maybe a pic, or link?

My machete's supposed to be fairly capable, but I've yet to try it. Here's the pic I've posted before + youtube vid:

Reasonably priced.

 

[Michael88]

Linder Convex:

I've been using it for years for hard garden work etc., its tough as nails and I only had to sharpen it once. Only 45 bucks...

By the way, one essential survival thing we haven't discussed yet: physical fitness. 💡

 

[a6m5]

Linder Convex:

I've been using it for years for hard garden work etc., its tough as nails and I only had to sharpen it once. Only 45 bucks...

By the way, one essential survival thing we haven't discussed yet: physical fitness. 💡

Nice machete. 👍

You are totally right about the physical fitness. While in evacuation, or "bug out" scenario, it should help tremendously to be in a good physical shape. Even if you have very complete top notch equipment, you will be struggling to move them if you are 100lbs overweight, or maybe even half that.

On the other hand, I've always wondered about the advantage in being fat. Not obese, but say just "chunky". If you were staying put in shelter(bugging in), and short of food, considering how your body starts cannibalizing itself in event of starvation, wouldn't extra fat serve as an advantage?

I don't know, just something I've always wondered about, after watching some kind of survival shows, or movies where people get stranded with no food.

 

[Michael88]

On the other hand, I've always wondered about the advantage in being fat. Not obese, but say just "chunky". If you were staying put in shelter(bugging in), and short of food, considering how your body starts cannibalizing itself in event of starvation, wouldn't extra fat serve as an advantage?

There must be a threshold somewhere, you need energy to move around your weight so the fatter you are the more calories you burn. But being *slightly* overweight doesn't hurt when you're sick ( or injured) and you can't eat or gather food, I had a food poisoning once and couldn't eat for two weeks, I lost 13 lbs without doing anything. I had an incredible ten-pack afterwards.

If you have no body fat at all your body is consuming muscle tissue, and that should be avoided. (Thats the reason why serious weight lifters don't have razor-sharp abs)

Personally, I'm a strength but med endurance person, I do LOTS of weight lifting, I can bench press 285 lbs 8 times, do 320lbs shrugs and biceps curl 77 lbs 8 times, but you don't want to see me climb steep hills with my bicycle. I can do it but in slow-mo mode.
Killing zombies with meele weapons and snapping their necks suits me better than running away from the danger zone for days.

 

[a6m5]

Big/small, fat/skinny, you probably just want to be in the best condition possible. In my case, I am 5' 10 1/2" tall, 150 pounds. Yes, I'm a skinny mother:censored:. As much as I wish I was bit bigger, had more strength in me, it doesn't make much sense for me to try to go from being a quick & agile build to big & strong at my age(37). I am not exactly weak, and I am pretty athletic for guy who doesn't play any sports anymore. I think it's best for me, or everybody to just try to improve our conditioning the best we can.

Recently, for more cosmetical reason(i.e. gut lol), my lunch break went from greasy burgers, then sitting on my butt for half an hour to now bringing sandwich to work, walking half an hour with my coworkers(about 1.5 miles). Not exactly going to the gym, but it's life changing event for me. I even did another 1.5 miles tonight to a 7-Eleven nearby for some lottery tickets!

 

[VspecZR1GT2RS89]

I'm between 5'11"-6'3" in height, weigh around 200lbs. I'm pretty fast runner, since my leg muscles are stronger than my arms (I gotta work out more) and I can walk, jog or run for a long time(around 3-7hours) even if I didn't eat anyting filling for either breakfast or lunch, as long I have water, Gatorade and/or gum I'm good.

But really I do need to build up my upper body muscles.

 

[Machate-man]

Sounds like a SOG? Maybe a pic, or link?

My machete's supposed to be fairly capable, but I've yet to try it. Here's the pic I've posted before + youtube vid:

Linder Convex:

I've been using it for years for hard garden work etc., its tough as nails and I only had to sharpen it once. Only 45 bucks...

By the way, one essential survival thing we haven't discussed yet: physical fitness. 💡

Nice machete. 👍

All this talk of big sharp knives called machetes makes me want to bring mine out:





An ancient (Ok, not SUPER old) Filipino machete made from old car springs. And the handle is made of some bovine horn, with a man carved out of the end!

For some reason, it isn't as tough as it seems, and the "sharp" end has dented in quite badly. Still, makes quite the intimidation piece for my friends not to steal anything from my room
It appears in the first pic that I am sinking the tip into my wrist. I AM NOT.