UrbanSurvivalSkills is a fan of Lisa Bedford, the author of Survival Mom: How to Prepare Your Family for Everyday Disasters and Worst Case Scenarios, and editor of the excellent survival and self-reliance blog, The Survival Mom.
One of her posts was printed on Peak Prosperity and titled The 4 Survival Skills Every Kid Should Know Some of outdoor adventurer Bear Grylls’ biggest fans are kids. Their eyes widen at his derring-do, and boys and girls alike admire his survival skills and savvy. But the survival skills that are more likely to keep our kids safe and sound are actually far more mundane! Here are four survival skills that every kid should know, along with a few tips for parents.
What to do if lost A lost child is a scared child, and usually their first instinct is to begin searching for their family. Train your children to stop and sit as soon as they realize they are lost. Assure them that, no matter how scared they might be, you are searching for them at that very moment; but also that, if they keep moving around, it will take longer to find them. Consider equipping your children with an inexpensive cell phone and when venturing outdoors, a few survival items tucked in a backpack or their pockets. Items such as a whistle, a bright bandana and a bottle of water are the makings of a kids’ survival kit that will go a long way to helping them be found more quickly.
How to answer the door when home alone Usually the best strategy is to not answer the door! Yes, the person knocking could be a burglar scoping out the neighborhood. But once the door is opened, it’s that much easier for an intruder to enter. And children are easily overpowered. Train your child to enforce home security: Keep doors and windows locked and blinds and curtains closed. Noise from a TV or radio is fine. Someone with questionable motives will think twice about entering a home if they hear noises inside, even if the house is closed up and no one answers the door.
What to do in a medical emergency From a young age, kids can learn how to dial 911 and report an emergency, but this takes practice. Spend some time rehearsing phone calls, teaching your children to relay detailed information to an operator, follow his or her instructions, and then stay on the line until help arrives. If possible, children should also get the home ready for the arrival of EMTs by putting pets in closed areas and, if it’s nighttime, turning on both indoor and outdoor lights. Summer is an ideal time for children to take first aid and CPR classes, that are typically suitable for kids age 9 and up.
How to maintain situational awareness When driving in the car, for instance, ask your kids to describe a building or vehicle you just passed. Teach them to pay attention to the route home by asking them to give you driving directions! This one skill can help your child avoid many dangerous situations. The concept is simply for children to be aware of the people and events around them. Parents can help their children become more observant and aware—not by scaring them, but by playing games to teach and practice this skill. When driving in the car, for instance, ask your kids to describe a building or vehicle you just passed. Teach them to pay attention to the route home by asking them to give you driving directions! Tell them to close their eyes and describe what someone in the room is wearing. Encourage them to check out the license plates of passing cars: Which states are they from? What is the sum of the numbers on the license plate? Being aware of their surroundings will help them avoid predatory people and other dangerous scenarios. Simple to teach. Fun to practice. And, quite possibly, a life saver.
UrbanMan's comments: Excellent tips for kids by an obviously clear thinking Mom. I would add some tips to this,...... Give your kids their own back pack/Bug Out Bag when they are at a responsible enough age to understand that when out of the house, shopping or to the zoo or wherever, that the bag stays within arms reach at all times. Have them carry their own water (even if it's one small bottle), some trail mix and/or granola bars, a spare set of socks, maybe a rain poncho and a host of other small items. Maybe include a routine check of the contents prior to going out so the child starts to get used to pre-execution checks and inspections.
Teach your kids how to tell cardinal directions and refer to traveling in these directions. Test them by asking which direction are we going in now? Teach them the clock method of pointing out things. See that blue house at your 1 o'clock? See that black truck at our 6?
I like Survival Mom's idea on home security, but add in a procedure on what to do if someone with ill intent enters your house. What are the escape routes and where to go once the child is out of the house. Refer to this as the Bug Out plan.
All of the above is to start socializing survival concepts and mindset, and, self reliance.
