The Team

InvalidID · #1 05/29/12, 08:40 PM

I'm sure this has been done before but I'd like to see ideas. Let's build a SHTF team, not specific people mind you but job titles and skill sets. For example, I'd like a trauma/ER nurse on my survival team. I'd also like a naturopath or someone with similar skills in my team.

My SHTF bug in location is fairly rural, but not so far that I can't walk to town in a single day if I had to. This means (to me) I'll need to plan for added security, as if I can walk to town people can walk here. So, what kind of team would you build? How many people would you be willing to take responsibility for?

mqualls82 · #2 05/29/12, 09:41 PM

A nice addition to your ER nurse would be a physical therapist. Not dying is nice and all but you still need to get back to fully functional.

A true farmer, preferably one who is versed in pre oil farming.

A tinkerer, someone who can look at a problem and come up with answers.

Someone with veterinary skills. I don't know if a naturopath vet exists.

Someone with advanced combat skills. Its not like this stuff can be picked up in a book.

Sonshine · #3 05/29/12, 09:52 PM

Carpentry, blacksmithing, someone with military training, hunter (who can field dress) tanner. I know there are others, but that's all I can think of right now.

AngieM2 · #4 05/29/12, 11:26 PM

I'd like a person that has been homeless at some time and for enough time to have learned how to survive it.

Then a Macguyver type person.
Someone like my Aunt Peg who has been a trained nurse, and a nursing home administrator, and who helped take care of her hubby that had various aliments. She can know the meds and adapt to situations.

a person similar to my late Uncle that knows growing things well, and also how to cook and porch sit well. Also, remembers spending his youth helping his grandfather with the mule and walk behind plow and made what they had work out. (i.e. leather shoe tongue nailed to each side of a gate and post to make a hinge).

On of the big guys at work that's ex-infantry, nice but big enough to hide behind and probably would be leathal if necessary or angry.

Ozarks Tom · #5 05/29/12, 11:27 PM

Any trade/skill that doesn't depend on modern tecnology. So many facets to survival in a SHTF situation, nearly any field of expertise that adapts to making do with what you've got could be useful. Blacksmithing comes to mind.

The list is endless, under varying circumstances.

A few years ago, my list would have started with distiller. Now, not so much.

Coloneldad5 · #6 05/29/12, 11:55 PM

Let's see, on my team I'd like to have the following:

US Army Special Forces Medic (they are highly proficient in trauma as well as exotic diseases, basic pharmaceuticals and veterinary skills)
Mechanic
Carpenter
Forager (someone who has the knack of finding just what you need)
US Army Special Forces Communications specialist
skilled Farmer
Electrician
Armorer/Gunsmith
Seamstress
Blacksmith

This would be a basic set of individuals, combat skills, hunting skills, etc. would be additional skill sets that would be more generic to all individuals.

debbiekatiesmom · #7 05/30/12, 11:21 AM

need someone skilled in ways of preserving food, not just canning, but smoking, fermenting, pickling, root cellar knowledge, etc.

in ok there is a woman that is teaching foraging. been on one walk and this sat will be going on a medicinal foraging walk w her. we love it! she is great and of indian heritage. wants people to learn before the ways are forgotten.

pumpkin · #8 05/30/12, 11:33 AM

Someone with negotiating skills and experience because a society - no matter how displaced - will have to exist in harmony with others. Humans have always traded and trade builds.

ryanthomas · #9 05/30/12, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngieM2

I'd like a person that has been homeless at some time and for enough time to have learned how to survive it.

I never would have thought of that, but that's a good one.

My list is similar to others. My addition would be an energy expert. Someone who actually knows the physics/chemistry of energy production/capture/storage. Energy is life.

Pearl B · #10 05/30/12, 12:09 PM

Quote:

I'd like a person that has been homeless at some time and for enough time to have learned how to survive it.

I like the guy who did the Survivor Man series. He really was a homeless at times in his life. Seemed like he could make shelter anywhere, and get some real bare bones nutrition at times.

InvalidID · #11 05/30/12, 12:17 PM

I think it might be worth it to add a certain criminal element to a SHTF team. People with the skills to hide in plain site, trade/barter in secret, and have a keen sense of when someone else is a criminal and trying to scope you out.

Coloneldad5 · #12 05/30/12, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InvalidID

I think it might be worth it to add a certain criminal element to a SHTF team. People with the skills to hide in plain site, trade/barter in secret, and have a keen sense of when someone else is a criminal and trying to scope you out.

A good cop would have all of that and would be more trustworthy and helpful. A good cop is just a hairs breath away from a criminal but usually with some morals.

Sonshine · #13 05/30/12, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngieM2

I'd like a person that has been homeless at some time and for enough time to have learned how to survive it.

Then a Macguyver type person.
Someone like my Aunt Peg who has been a trained nurse, and a nursing home administrator, and who helped take care of her hubby that had various aliments. She can know the meds and adapt to situations.

a person similar to my late Uncle that knows growing things well, and also how to cook and porch sit well. Also, remembers spending his youth helping his grandfather with the mule and walk behind plow and made what they had work out. (i.e. leather shoe tongue nailed to each side of a gate and post to make a hinge).

On of the big guys at work that's ex-infantry, nice but big enough to hide behind and probably would be leathal if necessary or angry.

I would have never thought of a person who had been homeless, but thinking back to my own time as a homeless person I can see where it comes in handy. You become good at improvising.

**Ross** · #14 05/30/12, 01:21 PM

Three farmers an ER Dr and somebody with military experience preferably including training. Unless that guy or gal is also a farmer then I want somebody skilled at communication equip, I can't think of any of my farmer neighbors who can't do at least 5 skilled trades, and probably had a few off farm jobs too. Now amongst those farmers I want a gardener, I can do animal husbandry including dairy, and I do garden but not proficiently. I can weld, build, operate heavy equipment both ag and construction, run electrical safely enough and the same with plumbing from wells to septics, and I'm certified for HVAC. And I bake/cook. I'm not more skilled than average though. My back door neighbour farmer is a pilot (ex air force) can certainly do as much carpentry as me but is an ex cheese maker (professionally) and has dome the maple syrup thing profitably too. Look Eastward and that neighbour knows mroe about field crops than most in the area, he's the #1 seed salesman too. If anyone knows storing grain its him. Plus he can formulate feed rations and is no slouch with stockmanship and gardens. I know another farmer who spent his life working for Bell another who can rebuild any machine and has the machinist tools, lots of farmers still have heavy horses around me and the equipment if only as a hobby. Most farmers usually did something else too.

pumpkin · #15 05/30/12, 01:42 PM

A water expert. Someone who knows about testing and purifying as well as pumps and pipes and wells.

InvalidID · #16 05/30/12, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coloneldad5

A good cop would have all of that and would be more trustworthy and helpful. A good cop is just a hairs breath away from a criminal but usually with some morals.

Honestly, I'm likely to take both on a case by case basis. As you've said, a cop is just a hairs breath from a criminal; Telling the good ones from the bad isn't always easy. My other problem with many (what would be former in this case) cops is they are used to having authority over others which I'm not likely to tolerate well now, let alone post SHTF.

I should be more clear on my take on criminals as well. I'm not thinking about some spazzed out junky metal thief. I'm thinking more along the lines of a fence, or a professional thief. More organized criminals, people with connections to the underworld so I'll know who's the scummiest of the scum and who is ok to deal with. Also, a professional thief will be better able to point out flaws in the defenses.

It's my thinking that a headlong attack would be easier to fight off. It's the guys that sneak in and steal your provisions that I'm worried about. OR worse, the guys that sneak in get caught and start killing.

Space Cowboy · #17 05/30/12, 01:50 PM

ER Docs are over rated (As are most docs). I would take an ER Nurse over a doc any day of the week (I work at a hospital). A medic would be OK too.

Some great, thoughtful responses!

SC

Space Cowboy · #18 05/30/12, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InvalidID

It's my thinking that a headlong attack would be easier to fight off. It's the guys that sneak in and steal your provisions that I'm worried about. OR worse, the guys that sneak in get caught and start killing.

I think there was a blog from someone in Argentina a few years ago, and they talked about the conditions after the economy tanked. One of the things that was discussed was how ruthless the criminals were on getting to people in the country (even with defenses). If you can find that blog (I think it was discussed on this forum) it might be a good refresher on things to come.

SC

pumpkin · #19 05/30/12, 01:55 PM

Someone who not only knows how to sew but how to make patterns and measure for clothing. I have tried to do this and it really is a special skill! And this would not be just for clothes but for protection gear. It has to fit.

InvalidID · #20 05/30/12, 01:59 PM

Depending on how many single younger men ended up in the group, I might want to find a few girls... of ill repute.