Survival shows, specialized shows, courses, survivalism is everywhere. Preparing for the worst for some, returning to basics for others, we decipher this new outdoor trend for you.

The different schools of survivalism

When they think of survivalism, the first image that comes to mind for the uninitiated is that of American-style survivalists: the doomers. These survivalists, rarely present in France, are simply preparing for the apocalypse with a capital A. Nuclear accident, terrorism, pandemic, etc., the theories are numerous. You must therefore be ready to face the day after: underground bunker, food and drinking water reserve, firearms, etc., they bring together everything you need to survive in a Walking Dead-style world. .

The survivalist movement which is flourishing in France wants to be more measured. Many survivalists are indeed preparing for a serious event that would completely call into question our current way of life based on industry and consumption. Collapse of industrial society, economic catastrophe would deprive us of our comfort and we would then be left to our own devices. But who is capable of surviving today in a world without supermarkets, without electricity and without drinking water? No more dependence on the consumer society, make way for autonomy!

Return to the wild

Some have already made the choice to cut themselves off from civilization and return to nature, whether on a daily basis or more occasionally, independently or during courses carried out by survival experts. Before being completely autonomous in the event of a disaster, it is essential to develop certain reflexes and techniques that will guarantee us meeting our primary needs: hunger, thirst, warmth, security, etc.

The mental

Being a survivalist is above all a state of mind. Like the scout, the survivalist is always ready and knows how to adapt to any situation. So start by mentally preparing yourself to face the unknown. In our culture, everything is easily accessible and many give up in the face of difficulty or failure. A good survivalist is tenacious, if he fails, he starts again. And of course, he knows how to stay calm in all circumstances because remaining calm allows him to make the right decisions.

The look

Good physical condition is essential to survive in the wild. Survival requires traveling long distances to find what you need: water, food, safe ground to build a shelter, etc. It also requires physical strength to transport heavy items, build shelter, etc. To prepare well, regular physical activity is therefore essential. Self-sufficient hiking is an excellent test to discover if you have the soul of a survivalist. It allows you to immerse yourself in nature while maintaining relative comfort: tent, stove, freeze-dried food, etc.

Equipment

The Every Day Carry

The EDC or Every Day Carry is the ultimate survival kit. Always ready and available, it must contain all the essential elements for survival:

• A knife.
• Paracord.
• Blanket.
• Lamp.
• A firesteel.
• Etc.

Even if a survivalist must be able to get by in all circumstances with what he finds in nature, minimal and light equipment can save precious minutes in an emergency situation and make your life much easier.

The technique

You can't improvise as a survival expert. Becoming familiar with the necessary techniques is therefore essential before getting started. Knowing how to make a fire or build a shelter are essential to survival in the natural environment. Just like knowing your way around, purifying water, hunting, etc.