June 22, 2012 No Comments

We looked at your family preparedness in general in our last post. We wanted to make the focus of this post your kids. If you don’t have children, then consider those that you may be with that are young.

First off, and this is a bit obvious, kid are just small versions of adults. So kids NEEDS are exactly the same. Personal safety, shelter, water and food in that order are always the needs of any human, big or small. However, the first thing that comes up is personal safety and this is a big one for kids. Whether they are yours or simply under your care. There are two ways to go about doing this and that is training them when they are young, and training them later.

Training them while they are young

The first things to do in any given preparedness situation is to get children trained, and start that training early. Please don’t worry if your child is not young anymore it is never to late to start training. For wilderness survival training the key is getting them out young and making sure they have a good time. This will include plenty of drinks and snacks if you plan on staying out for a quite a while. Make sure they are comfortable as can be. Then slowly teach them what it is like to be uncomfortable. For example, stay out one time when you know it is about to rain. My experience with my kids and the hundreds of kids I have taught is that when done slowly, taking the “luxuries” away was fun. Again, kids do not know the dangers of particularly wilderness situations as well you might. Keep a close eye on them, because something such a s copperhead snake looks like a fun play toy to some!

Working with them later

Children obviously cannot understand the importance and or ramifications when it comes to an urban preparedness or other survival situation. So if you have not trained your children they will most definitely sense your urgency and or stress and their attitudes and actions will mirror yours.
A big key in these situations is to stay as calm as you can. You should also make sure that their needs are being met before your own, while at the same time not neglecting yours. One of the biggest mistakes that we have

discovered through years of research is that adults will make decisions to take care of those in need and neglect themselves. While this is noble and certainly worth applauding, you must understand that by neglecting your own needs you are further endangering those under your care. For example if you obtain clean water and give it all to your children, then you will dehydrate and will be unable to adequately clean more. Do not stop taking care of your needs while at the same time caring for others.

It is all simple and basic really. Start training them early, take care of their needs. Not unlike any other type of activity for children.

We wish you well with your adventures of training and hope to see you on, or off, the trail!