Survivalist? Prepper? Primitive Living? Bushcraft? They all meet in the middle in different ways

Survivalist Defined

Survivalism is a lifestyle of self-sufficiency, self-reliance, and preparedness for emergencies and disasters. Survivalists focus on stockpiling supplies, learning skills and crafts, developing self-sufficiency, and preparing for hardships ranging from natural disasters to civil unrest. A survivalist mindset believes that an individual or family should be prepared to survive in any situation. Survivalists may purchase or build shelters and stockpiles of food, water, medicine, and other supplies, as well as weapons and ammunition. They may also learn wilderness survival, first aid, self-defense, and firearms handling. Some survivalists live off the grid in cabins, RVs, or underground bunkers. Other survivalists live in urban or suburban areas but maintain their self-sufficiency by having a home garden, learning canning and other food preservation techniques, and preparing for financial hardship.

Primitive living Defined

Primitive living is a lifestyle that adheres to ancient and pre-industrial societies' traditional practices and skills. It generally relies on subsistence farming and hunting, gathering, and fishing for food. Primitive living also includes using tools, clothing, and shelter made from natural materials such as wood, stone, and animal products. Primitive living generally does not involve using modern technologies, such as electricity, running water, and the Internet. Instead, it relies on traditional methods of communication, such as drumming, smoke signals, and oral storytelling. Primitive living often involves a spiritual or religious connection to the land and its inhabitants, such as ancestor worship, animism, and shamanism. Primitive living is seen as a way to reconnect with nature, reduce one's dependency on modern technologies, and preserve traditional cultural practices and knowledge.

Bushcraft Defined

Bushcraft is the art of using natural resources to survive in the wilderness. It is an ancient practice used for centuries by many cultures, including Native Americans, Inuit, and Maori. Bushcraft involves various activities, from building shelters and navigating the land to foraging for food and making tools. It also involves knowledge of plants, animals, and other natural resources. Bushcrafters must be resourceful and creative to use the environment to their advantage.

Bushcraft involves basic survival skills, such as shelter building, fire-making, cooking, foraging for edible plants, and navigation. It is important to learn how to identify and collect edible plants and identify and prepare animal food sources like fish and game. In addition to providing sustenance, these skills provide opportunities for recreation and exploration.

Bushcraft also requires knowledge of the natural environment and its resources. This includes learning which plants can be used for food or medicine and which plants can be used to make tools, such as cordage and shelter-building materials. It is also important to understand the basic principles of animal tracking, as well as the basics of orienteering and navigation.

Bushcraft can also involve making tools and equipment from natural resources. Examples include cordage, spears, traps, and bows and arrows. Understanding the principles behind making these tools and using them responsibly is important.

Bushcraft is an ancient art that can provide an opportunity to explore further and appreciate the natural environment. It is also a way to connect with nature and develop a greater understanding and appreciation of the environment. It can be a fun and rewarding way to spend time outdoors.

Prepper Defined

A prepper is an individual who engages in the practice of preparing for potential disasters, both natural and man-made, by stockpiling goods, equipment, and knowledge to survive better and cope with a disruption in the normal way of life. Preppers are typically focused on creating a self-sufficient lifestyle that includes food, water, shelter, and basic necessities that could be used in the event of an emergency. Common prepper items include freeze-dried and dehydrated foods, medical supplies, fuel, first-aid kits, tools, and other items necessary for survival. Preppers often have an emergency plan, including bug-out bags, alternate routes, alternate locations, and survival caches. In addition, preppers may practice skills such as gardening, foraging, fishing, hunting, and trapping, as well as basic medical, repair, and self-defense skills. Preppers are also known for their doomsday prepping, which involves stocking up on supplies in preparation for a catastrophic event, such as a nuclear war, pandemic, or natural disaster.