Now none of this refers to SUK, or its members, but on some of the other forums I visit I'm seeing an ever increasing number of posts by people who clearly believe they know best and that they are in position to expertly tell the rest of us what we need to do!
And also other people just seem to accept what is said without question, offering thanks and agreement etc without ever considering if what has been said is actually accurate - what is the matter with these so called preppers!
Ebola prep lists seem to be a favourite at the moment, with most simply copying and pasting lists they have clearly found on US websites (reference to US products and measurements etc which are not used in the UK/EU).
Also there are the preppers who have bought an NBC suit on ebay and therefore think they are immune and invincible from ebola, but what they don't think about, is OK, I've now been out in my NBC suit and I'm back home safe and sound. But they don't think ahead or realise that it is potentially contaminated, or how to remove it, or what to do next time I need to go out.....
So why do so many people feel the need to proclaim themselves as experts, whilst just as many others seem to accept it and blindly follow them?
I'm pretty wary of anything so-called experts are saying...even saw a news report today that the US CDC's advice regarding ebola PPE is incorrect, as it doesn't show the hair being covered. If you can't trust the CDC, why trust some anonymous dude on the internet?
May I firstly say that I do not consider myself an expert - on anything. When I was growing up there was a very often used phrase that was quoted along the lines of being a 'jack of all trades and master of none'. The inference here was that it was better to be the master than the jack. A typical Victorian/Edwardian attitude, in my opinion, which has no real place in todays societal makeup.
The reason that I visit this forum is quite simple - the survival theme is UK biased, I live in the UK and have no intention of voluntarily going to any other place unless circumstances dictate. The general and specific topics discussed here give me food for thought and sometimes I act upon it if I feel a need.
It would seem that the circumstances that exist in the USA - where prepping appears to be more visible to the general population - are relevant to them, a large country with lots of space and overall not too many people per square measure. In this country the situation is different insofar a we are a lot smaller, population density is far greater and our 'society' is different and longer established than theirs.
My attitude to most of this is listen to the self proclaimed experts and if you think they are spouting rubbish - move on. If you think that some of what they are saying makes sense then apply the bit that works for you. It would seem to me that mostly it is the use of your common sense that will enable you to survive or not as the case may be. May the force be with you.
since none of us have ever experienced a TEOTWAWKI event I do not see how there can be any "experts"? we have people who have experience in the military and can extend some knowledge "in the field" as it were, but at the end of the day we are talking about opinions, maybe well thought out opinions but opinions none the less. some may be closer to the truth than some may want to accept and some may be wide of the mark, until the event happens we will not know but I know which ones I believe.
I don't believe there are any prepare experts, just some folks doing prepping and learning the ropes longer than other folks, 9/10 newby preppers have as much to contribute to a debate as oldies. I have been doing this for over 35 years now and I still learn new stuff most weeks, hell it took over 30 years and Light Speeds persistence to finally get me to understand and radio propagation. Most of the things I learn years ago are now long out of date so i have to relearn new procedures and systems all the time.
When one investigates many of these experts are self appointed titles like the dudes doing the points awarding on DDP, or the guy off Dual Survival exposed as being a fraud.
Where there is EXPERTISE is from good people with specialised knowledge who are willing to sure their experiences with us, such as Para Medics, Radio Amateur Instructors, Military Wilderness Survival instructors, and Archery instructors etc but most of them will still say they are still learning new stuff all the time.
To me the survival experts I respect and understand are the like of Maj Les Hiddins, John Lofty Wiseman, Eddie McGee etc but even those fabulous guys will probably say they are only expert in their military wilderness survival skills.
FYI my missus is a nurse and she was chatting with a colleague whose job title is Clinical Control Of Infection nurse, its part of her role to prevent the spread of infections around the hospital, She says she has had no information on how to deal with suspected Ebola admissions, really reassuring innit ?
Great responses guys and reassuring to know that at least on SUK we are all of a similar mind set.
My training as an Engineer always taught me to question everything and to never take things at face value as there may be a far simpler or more effective ways to achieve the same goal. This is something I tend to apply to everything - though some just accuse me of being not be very trusting of others!!
Also just seen another prime example of someone posting an Ebola checklist for others to follow, but when I PM'd him and asked why are you including plastic sheeting and duct tape, his response was I don't know!!
(17 October 2014, 12:10)NorthernRaider Wrote: [ -> ]Hazarding a guess? Wrapping bodies, sealing windows, isolating rooms , making sterile areas, wild sex fetish parties ? 
I think your last suggestion was probably most applicable!!
But yes the reason for it being on the list was most probably for creating sterile areas for changing in and out of PPE, where you can splash around the disinfectant etc, but those posting these lists just don't get it.
Whereas the best advice they could give is simply don't go out!
(17 October 2014, 13:41)Devonian Wrote: [ -> ]Whereas the best advice they could give is simply don't go out!
whats wrong with that? if you don't go out you don't catch it, that is my opinion and my plan.
(17 October 2014, 13:51)bigpaul Wrote: [ -> ] (17 October 2014, 13:41)Devonian Wrote: [ -> ]Whereas the best advice they could give is simply don't go out!
whats wrong with that? if you don't go out you don't catch it, that is my opinion and my plan.
Absolutely nothing wrong with that.
That's exactly what I'm saying, we are in agreement
PS, when I said titled this 'Prepping Experts' that was totally tongue in check - just my sarcasm coming through