Advice from Survival Podcast

This was sent to me by a reader asking for commentary. This is the first time I have seen The Survival Podcast. I have not went through their site yet, but the first article on the landing page link I was sent lead me to what The Survival Podcast calls the 12 guiding principles of permaculture. My comments are in Italics underneath each guiding principle which I think are unique but not necessarily what I would use as my principles.

1.  Observe and Interact – or – Be a Part of Things

Observe to gathers the facts,....observe to recognize potential threats,....observe peoples reactions to decisions,....observe to see what motivates or de-motivates them, interaction is vital to build a cohesive team - everyone has to feel valued.  

2.  Catch and Store Energy – or – Be an Ant not a Grasshopper

3.  Obtain a Yield – or – Get an ROI on Your Efforts

4.  Apply Self Regulation and Accept Feedback – or – Don’t Kill the Golden Goose

People are best motivated when they know they have input into effort.  Making people, or your survival team, believe they are valued for their opinions and their skills is much preferable to distancing these individuals.    

5.  Use and Value Resources and Services – or -Be Efficient to Become Independent

Be Independent,.......I suppose you could draw a parallel to the preppers who stock food, guns and ammunition, but little else. 

6.  Produce No Waste – or – Make Use of Everything

7.  Design from Patterns to Details – or -Be an Artist and Step Back for a Longer View

This can apply to planning.  From the concept of the operation to planning the details including contingency plans.  Anticipate the problems and plan for immediate solutions to be immediately implemented.

8.  Integrate Rather than Segregate – or -Understand the Power of Teams

To me this means team building and using people's skills for the groups advantage.  This is not contrary to what you rugged individuals believe, this simply recognizing the fact the survival is best achieved in a team.   

9.  Use Small and Slow Solutions – or – Focus On What You Can Do First

10.  Use and Value Diversity – or – Practice Risk Reduction

11.  Use Edges and Value the Marginal – or – Seek Alliances Not Conflicts

12.  Use Creativity and Adapt to Change – or – Improvise, Adapt and Overcome

Really is should be "Improvise, Adapt, Overcome OR Perish."  But I get the point. 

Survival Podcast is asking for input with the request to "Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK (866-658-4465) and you might hear yourself on the air." This good survival planning and preparation asset also has what they call their "Expert Council" that readers can address callas to. If you do this you should email Jack right after your call at jack@thesurvivalpodcast.com with expert council call in the subject line. In the body of your email tell Jack that you just called in a question for the council and what number you called in from. Jack will then give the call priority when he screen calls. Survival Podcast Expert Council:

Kerry Davis – Dark Angel Medical – Emergency Medicine and Life Saving Care

Bryan Black – ITS Tactical – All Things Tactical, E&E, Lock Picking, etc.

Frank Sharp Jr. – Fortress Defense Consultants – Weapons, Tactics and Security

Darby Simpson – DarbySimpson.com – Livestock and Farm Management/ Homestead Consulting

Ben Falk – Whole Systems Design – Permaculture (Specializing in North Eastern Climates)

Paul Wheaton – Permies.com – Permaculture (Specializing in North Western Climates)

Tim Glance – Old Grouch’s Military Surplus – Bug Out Vehicles, Military Surplus and Communications

Stephen Harris – Solar1234 – All things Energy

Chef Keith Snow – Harvest Eating – Cooking