5 Survival lessons we can learn from people who haven’t had power in their homes for hundreds of years

What if tomorrow the United States was hit by a massive EMP strike that destroys the power grid and forces the entire population to survive without electricity? In addition to the minor inconveniences, such as the inability to charge your cell phone or the lack of television dinners you’ll be heating up in the microwave, society as a whole would quickly unravel. Everything from the economy to America’s agriculture would be impacted if electricity was suddenly taken away, but this doesn’t mean that you as an individual wouldn’t be able to survive. AskAPrepper.com recently compiled a list of five survival lessons that we can learn from those who haven’t had power in their homes for generations.

1. Use of non-power tools

One thing we can learn from those who do not use electricity is the ability to use non-power tools, such as axes, awls, shovels, plows and hammers. If you have ever visited an Amish community, you’ll notice that all of the tools are maintained and kept in perfect condition. Obviously, tool maintenance would be extremely important in a situation where the use of electricity is not an option, because without effective, reliable tools, your chances of survival would be slim.

2. Homeschooling

Those who live without power can also teach us the importance and benefits of homeschooling children. Even though they do not have access to the Internet, the Amish have still been able to teach their children in a way that keeps them one grade level above modern children of the same age. In addition, the Amish have taught their children about farming techniques, religion, and other important things that they need to know in order to live a successful life. In the event that the power goes out and you still need to educate your young children without the Internet, cellphones or laptops to use as aids, perhaps you can learn a thing or two from the Amish.

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3. Hand Sewing

Next to clean food and water, one of the most important things that you will need to know in a survival situation is how to make your own clothes. Obviously, you’ll no longer be able to go to the local department store and purchase new pants and a couple of t-shirts, so you’re going to have to know how to sew. Very few people have perfected this skill quite as well as the Amish have. From a very young age, Amish children are taught to spool thread, weave cloth and design clothing. These are all examples of essential techniques that you need to know in case SHTF.

4. Primitive Farming

Without electricity, modern day farming equipment will quickly become a thing of the past. For generations, the Amish have been using horse-drawn equipment to grow crops such as corn, beans, wheat, hay, barley, tomatoes and more. If you are caught in a long-term survival situation without the ability to grow your own food using non-electrical equipment, your chances of survival are put in jeopardy.

5. Plant Identification

If you are out hunting for food one day in a post-apocalyptic world and you cut your foot open on a sharp rock, you are going to have to know how to treat it yourself. Obviously, you won’t be able to go see a doctor or pick up medication at a local pharmacy, but if you leave the wound untreated, there’s a good chance that it will become infected. This is why you need to know how to identify plants – which ones can heal you, which ones you can eat, and which ones will kill you. The Amish people are incredibly skilled at knowing which types of trees are best for starting fires, for building and for cooking, all of which are very important skills to have in a world without electricity.

Sources include:

AskAPrepper.com

Heritage.org