What Will You Do When SHTF? Master These Trade Skills for Survival!
Surviving in a post-SHTF world means getting back to basics. Equip yourself with these vital trade skills that could prove invaluable for survival.
RELATED: 19 “Old World” Primitive Survival Skills You’ll WISH You Knew Before SHTF
Trade Skills for Optimum SHTF Survival
Carpentry
When the shelves are empty and stores are no longer an option, skilled craftsmen will become the backbone of survival. Carpenters will be among the most sought-after individuals, as our need for functional and reliable structures surges in a post-collapse society.
Our access to electricity will depend significantly on the circumstances of the SHTF event, so knowing how to practice carpentry with traditional tools is crucial.
Learning traditional methods and acquiring essential carpentry tools will enhance your skills' utility, no matter what happens. If you have the know-how and tools to craft survival gear, you’ll be a hot commodity.
Gunsmithing and Ammunition Production
Post-SHTF, many suspect that governmental control will increase, limiting access to guns and ammunition. Even in a non-restricted environment, the disruption of industrial processes will halt gun manufacturing.
This creates an overwhelming demand for gun repairs and homemade ammunition. Learning gunsmithing will keep your skills and arsenal relevant, no matter the scenario. Rest assured, people will always need—and want—firearms!
Household Product Manufacturing
Another vital skill involves creating everyday household items, such as soap, cleaners, and detergents. These necessities can no longer be taken for granted.
So few know how to produce these items! While making them isn't overly complex, possessing this knowledge makes all the difference. Mastering this straightforward skill will place you ahead of the curve after SHTF.
RELATED: 37 Urban Survival Skills To Master Before SHTF
Survival Supplies: Fruit, Vegetable, Seed Production
The importance of gardening cannot be overstated in a post-collapse world. Fresh food will be a premium, yet the demand for seeds may be even greater.
Learning to produce and store seeds is a vital skill that ensures a sustainable food supply. For those eager to take their gardening efforts further, expanding your plot for larger crop production will be a game-changer.
Electronics Repair
While we may or may not have consistent access to electricity when SHTF, people will continue to rely on electronic devices.
Mastering basic electronics knowledge can be beneficial across various scenarios, allowing you to repair televisions, radios, telephones, and kitchen gadgets.
Watch this video by Primitive Technology to learn how to build a patch and grow sweet potatoes and yam vines:
Equipping yourself with any or all of these four skills will position you well in a post-SHTF world. Making it through the collapse is just the beginning—success lies in preparation and adaptability.
Possessing these skills can enable you to support both yourself and fellow survivors when the need arises—and that’s what true survival is about!
What do you think about these SHTF survival skills? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!
Up Next:
- Emergency Lighting | Flashlight Power
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In a world where the unexpected can become the norm, mastering essential skills such as these not only prepares you for survival but also empowers you to thrive. Emphasizing adaptability and resourcefulness can make the difference between mere existence and a fulfilling life after the SHTF scenario. By honing trade skills like carpentry, gunsmithing, and household product manufacturing, you cultivate not just personal survival but also contribute to the community's resilience. Remember, knowledge is invaluable, and the more self-sufficient you become, the more capable you will be of navigating life's challenges, no matter how dire the circumstances may be.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on May 26, 2014, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
You forgot EMT, RN, MD.
While RN and/or MD may well be beyond the average person or be pushing the time envelope, EMT/Paramedic training is possible and will be invaluable.
I also recommend collecting and studying as much as possible in the area of natural and homeopathic medicines.
I see every “prepper” blog on the Internet recommend “EMT/Paramedic training” for TSHTF event(s)… As a Paramedic, unless you’re going to WORK IN THE FIELD it is not anymore useful than learning from books or the Internet. You will not likely have access to the ambulance/meds on it after the ball drops. Trauma is NOT that hard to treat in the prehospital setting (if it requires surgery to fix, paramedic or not, they’re screwed). Medical ailments are treated either with those ambulance meds, or with herbs (EMT/Paramedic will not go into much on those). Besides, the amount of classroom and clinical hours to devote to this as a (presumably) “volunteer” (even after TSHTF) is ridiculous. A Medical/First Responder class is more realistic, unless EMS *truly* appeals to you as it did me. Not being hateful or flaming, simply an opinion from a current practice street medic, y’all. Thanks.
As a former paramedic, I concur. BLS, First Responder, are all good. Anything more and you really need to work in the field.
Good post. EVERYONE should have basic first aid if not EMT level 1 training. I am already seeing medical care in this county reverting back to pre WWII levels. People are graduating High School with almost zero knowledge of basic hygiene and first aid. Knowing how to treat a simple cut or abrasion may save your life or someone else.
Let’s not forget welding and general blacksmith knowledge 🙂
It would seem that everyone forgets blacksmiths, and when shift does happen how are people gonna fix those broken tools.
I would add high-proof distilled spirits making. You will be the most popular person around and want for nothing. It also has medical use.
Yes indeed. My ancestors raised this skill to an art form. Growing medicinal herbs may be a good idea too.
I agree whole heatedly, as you said it has has medicinal value as well as recreational value. With it you’ll want for nothing, as everyone will be wanting to ‘knock the edge off’. Same with certain natural herbs, they will be worth they’re weight in gold. It also having a medicinal value, and recreational value. To me these two items will be sought after as much or more then the others mentioned. Also One who has the skill set and material to create certain other recreational medicines might fare way better then all.
Time will tell……..
I believe that sewing will be a good thing to know as well. For men and women. It seems today that it is a dying art and would be very useful in a post SHTF world.
Keep a pair of welders gloves in your vehicle. You’ll be able to handle broken glass, very hot items, and be insulated from electric shock during an emergency. A used pair work the best and there’s no need to break them in.
Welders gloves ARE NOT the same as high voltage gloves, an can conduct thru the leather with sweat, really bad idea to try that.
Welders gloves are inexpensive too as they are produced in such huge quantities. The cuffs protect your wrists and much of your forearms from cuts & abrasions.
Sewing, crocheting, knitting, food preparation, canning, etc. I’d put these “trades” in this group as well.
Do you wish to survive or prosper? Quit thinking of “survival” per se and focus on prospering and doing well. Along those lines I agree with the poster who mentioned making booze. Add tobacco growing, food preservation including smoking meats, basic construction skills, trapping, fish trapping, and gardening. Another thing to keep in mind for you seriously independent types: you do not and will not have all the skills needed to survive, much less prospering. You will need a community. Some hand skills like simple sewing are so fundamental they should go unmentioned, as is cooking, canning, pickling, etc. It all boils down to LEARN TO USE YOUR HANDS!
Tanners and cobblers. Most of the shoes people wear are plastic, they break, wear out and the glue fails. Zippered boots may be quick to put on but those zippers break leaving you bootless.
Knowing how to tan animal hides, and then turn that into shoes will be in the top ten of needed skills.
Add to list:
Fiber Arts: Spinning, weaving, knitting, quilting and sewing.
Automotive and smalll engine repair: along with understanding of retrofitting for biofeedback like vegetable oil.
EMERGENCY medicine and dentistry knowledge: Not a degree but knowledge of anatomy and basic wound care. Wilderness first aid classes come to mind. Possibly midwifery as well.
Foraging skills: I know I don’t know enough to confidently forage berries, mushrooms, roots and plants to eat.
Ammunition production went on the list but no medical profession did? Let me guess, you’re American?
Youcojuld make a hairbrush of sorts out of teazles, like they used in the ‘olden days’ to process fleeces for spinning into yarn. The teazles were set into a block of wood by drilling little holes and pushing the stem ends in. I saw this n a wool museum in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England.
This one is for the girls (guys too but girls are generally a little more vain! Another skill that will be valuable is the knowledge of hair cutting. It is a skill that is not only necessary but will make us all feel better if we look better.