Survival Skill Sets for After The Collapse

Survival skill sets will be crucial after society collapses into a heap of social chaos.

Whether or not it actually will is not the thrust of this article. Lets just say that it will descend or fragment into varying degrees of collapse.

SHTF Collapse Hypotheticals:

– Our modern conveniences and technologies break down
– Financial systems break down, collapse
– Many or most aren’t showing up for work
– Manufacturing has slowed to a crawl or even stopped
– Supply chains of distribution have been severely disrupted
– Shortages of everything
– Skirmishes, violent reactions
– Majority running low on food
– Period of Die-off as critical thresholds are crossed

As the collapse phase transitions from chaos to survival to rebuild, there will be unique sets of sought after skills.

These survival skill sets may fall under categories which include:

– Health
– Food
– Water
– Shelter
– Energy
– Security
– Infrastructure

There will be specific needs demanding specific skills. Some may be more in demand than others. A few years ago I had put out a poll which asked MSB readers for their opinion.

I recently looked at that resulting list again and have captured some of the more popular skill sets for your information:

Survival Skill Sets After The Collapse

Listed in order of popularity

1. Medical & Healthcare, Doctors
2. Agricultural, Farming
3. Water infrastructure, Wells, Pumps, Sanitation
4. Food Preservation
5. Dentistry
6. Carpentry, Handyman
7. Alternative Energy
8. Blacksmith
9. Gunsmith & Reloading
10. Livestock, Animal Husbandry
11. Security, Tactical
12. Foraging wild edibles, Horticulture
13. Hunting, Fishing, Trapping, Butcher
14. Mechanic, Welding
15. Sewing, Clothes Making, Cobbler

Additional survival skill sets may include:

– Day care for kids
– Teaching
– Basic electronics, cobbling together systems, communications, etc..
– Distilling
– McGyver
– Minister, Counselor
– Hygiene, soap making, toothpaste, laundry
– Herbalist
– Veterinary medicine
– Bushcraft

Do you agree with the list above? Would you add to it? Other skills that would be especially advantageous or in demand during such a time?

The following book provides insight into some of these areas:
The Encyclopedia of Country Living