Be able to support yourself!
Take away all of the allowances for complacency made by society, or if you prefer, ponder a breakdown of the system as some predict starting in 2012. Forget the skills involved in hunting, fishing, fighting, etc. and answer the simple question. Are you fit enough to survive? If the answer to any one of the questions below is ‘no’ then consider yourself at a disadvantage to survival. NOTE: The male and female scenarios follow anthropologically relevant survival scenarios, and as such pertain to the most commonly recorded family organizations of the male being the hunter/protector and female being the caretaker/gatherer. If you feel that you do not follow traditional anthropological patterns, more power to you, hop over to the other criteria.
Males
Can you chase a wounded deer through the forest?
(Run a mile in terrain under 8 minutes)
If you had to climb a tree or pull yourself over a fence could you do it?
(Complete 5 good arms extended pullups)
If you killed a 150 pound buck, could you carry it home?
(Squat 185 pounds, power-clean 135 pounds, and overhead press 105 pounds, or if you prefer, snatch 105 pounds)
If you were attacked, could you fight ferociously for 3 minutes?
(Spar/wrestle/grapple for 3 minutes, or complete 3 minutes of high intensity exercise)
If you had to jump across a narrow ravine, could you do it?
(Standing Broad Jump 8 Feet)
If a log fell on you, could you push it off?
(Bench press your weight)
Females
Could you walk with baby in tow for 4 hours?
(Complete a four hour hike with 20lb pack)
Could you fiercely defend yourself for 5 minutes?
(5 minute high intensity cardio circuit)
Could you climb a fence, or climb a tree?
(complete one pullup, or climb up a rope using your legs)
Could you carry 5 gallons of water from a well?
(10 front squats with 25 pound dumbells)
Could you run to safety in an emergency?
(Complete a two mile run in 20 minutes)


