Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with survivalist

Seeking stories of men and women who -- either by way of adventure or by circumstance -- succumbed to the elements after a protracted attempt at survival...

cadastral — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 09:57:30 -0800

I've read and loved the histories of Sir Robert Falcon Scott, James Kim, George Mallory, S. A. Andrée, et cetera, and now I would like to be pointed towards more stories of men and women who -- either by way of adventure or by circumstance -- succumbed to the elements after a protracted attempt at survival... preferably leaving a rich and well-written-about story.

Great God! This is an awful place and terrible enough for us to have laboured to it without the reward of priority... but for my own sake I do not regret this journey, which has shown that Englishmen can endure hardships, help one another, and meet death with as great a fortitude as ever in the past. We took risks, we knew we took them; things have come out against us, and therefore we have no cause for complaint, but bow to the will of providence, determined still to do our best to the last ... Had we lived, I should have had a tale to tell of the hardihood, endurance, and courage of my companions which would have stirred the heart of every Englishman. These rough notes and our dead bodies must tell the tale...-Robert Falcon Scott, 1912

This kind of stuff really tugs at me and gets me on some gut-level. I read Scott's journals a couple of years ago, and lately have been devouring everything I can get my hands on regarding James Kim. Which other stories have been documented (either first-hand, or by others) in similar ways. They need not be famous or well-known... just compellingly documented

Despite a past personal interest in dead alpinists and mountaineers, I feel like I've read everything printed on the subject, and it's not my chief interest at the moment... though I can't really see a reason to not include them, past my own personal preference.

Lastly, here are some wikipedia categories I've consulted that may give you an idea of what I've found, so far. Thanks for your help.

Category:Antarctic expedition deaths
Deaths from hypothermia
Mountaineering deaths
Mountaineering deaths on Mount Everest
Accidental human deaths in the United States

What would MacGyver pack in his survial kit?

jytsai — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 12:17:46 -0800

Aside from the everyday Emergency Kit contents, what are some useful items to have during a long term emergency? What would MacGyver pack in his long term emergency survival kit? Extra points for creativity, cheapness (in cost, not quality), and simplicity. In particular, I'm thinking multi-purpose utility stuff, like high strength fishing lines, parachute cords, superglue (which can be used to seal wounds in a pinch), or high value tools like Leathermans and magnesium firestarters.

SurvivalistFilter: Emergency supplies, and long term fuel/water storage

jytsai — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 06:03:34 -0800

So I'm preparing a paranoid "keep 24 people warm and happy for two weeks" kit in case of emergency. The kicker is that I'm lazy - so I want the kit to be usable anytime within the next 10 years. (None of that "rotating supplies in and out" for me, nosiree.) But I'm stuck on a few problems.

What's the best way to preserve water? - I've obtained multiple used food grade 55 gallon barrels for this task. Most of the websites seem to address the problem of "how do I clean that water so I can drink it in a few hours", rather than "how do I keep water for 10 years"? I'm assuming that some of these chemical methods to clean water will also serve to keep water clean. But which? Also, if I use a chemical method, is there a way to remove it (i.e. with activated charcoal filter)?

What's the best fuel for heating/cooking/lighting in an emergency? - The 10 year lifespan requirement eliminated a lot of options, but there still seem to be too many options left: Wood? Lump charcoal? Charcoal briquettes? Coal? Kerosine? Or a mixture of each for different purposes? And how much would I need?

Are there any hints that you have available for planning/buying/storing so many supplies? Places to buy emergency supplies on the cheap?

Who knew trying to be lazy would be so much work?!

just in case reading list

luriete — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 09:33:37 -0800

What are the best survivalist's reference books? That is, if the power went out tomorrow for an indefinite period of town, what are the books on first aid, shelter, hunting, farming, nature, tool use & making etc. that you'd want to have and be familiar with?

Surviving the Pandemic

five fresh fish — Fri, 04 Mar 2005 10:54:16 -0800

Assuming the Avian Flu pandemic become reality within the next year or two, what preparations should a rational first-world citizen undertake? Let's keep away from debate about whether or not a pandemic can ever occur again, and let's keep away from making fun of those who go all survivalist on us (fallout shelters, tons of ammo, three years' food -- all a little over-the-top for a couple weeks of highly contagious flu).

What precautions can one take when the pandemic is recognized for what it is, what actions can one take should it be identified in one's own city, and what should a person have on hand?