Selco's SHTF School?

[inthego]

Anybody paid for SHTF school, if so what did you think of it? 
Episode-932- Selco from SHTF School on Survival During the Balkan Wars

http://shtfschool.com/

[Roundabouts]

I haven't yet but plan on it soon.  I am thinking it should be pretty good.  Info from someone who had been through a major crap storm should have some good insight.  Will let you know.

[Nicodemus]

I think there would be some good information to be had there. I'd like to hear some feedback from folks who are subscribers as well.

[endurance]

Interesting, but I guess I'd prefer a weekend or week long course over on-line.  That said, I'll be interested to hear some reviews.  I guess I'm a little cynical since the culture of the Balkans was so different from the US, so I wonder how applicable the lessons are.  I feel the same way with Ferfal.  There's clearly some good information, but trusting the teacher and teasing out what is applicable has its own set of challenges.  I don't see the threats to the US as ethnic cleansing so much as economic hardship, so in some ways I think Ferfal's lessons would apply more.  With that said, Ferfal lived in a country with much higher corruption, a smaller economic base, and fewer city centers with independent economies. 

[jasperg357]

From what I read Selco spent his SHTF time in a urban environment, so I don't know how much of his information would apply to some one living in a rural environment?

[endurance]

From what I read Selco spent his SHTF time in a urban environment, so I don't know how much of his information would apply to some one living in a rural environment?

You bring up an interesting point.  From what I've read elsewhere, the Serbs essentially eliminated those living in the countryside that weren't Serbian (Christians vs. Muslims).  Those who wanted to survive flocked to the cities where they could at least band together in mutual defense.  There's a lot of vulnerability that comes with being alone in the countryside in a period of ethnic cleansing.  Even Ferfal talked about the crimes against farmers during their turmoil in the early aughts.

[Bob Spelled Backwards]

I kept going back to the site and reading more and more between breaks at work today ( still have a bit to go ) and I have to say what he wrote is very interesting.  I've never taken a survival course or been in such a desperate situation ( thank God ), but from what I've read I must say there are some very gut-check experiences that a lot of people may not even consider when imagining a Shtf scenario.   

The part about gangs and having to stick together to survive really made me think about my neighbors and friends and who would be trustworthy and who might be a problem.  I too am eager to hear about the "Class" and might consider checking it out if it gets good reviews.

[Outdoorfury]

I bought it. It is mainly audio files of him explaining what it was like prior, during, and post SHTF. There are a few lists ( like we need them) and some videos. The only one i watched was where he talks and diagrams his house during the event on some paper and how he moved in the city. Not sure if i would purchase it again... but since i have it i will finish it.

[inthego]

Payed for it.. I will put a review up when done.   

[markl32]

Half off right now if you're a subscriber to his mailing list. 

Interesting item right in Lesson 1 - "People were reinforcing each others opinion that all the cruel and nasty stuff could not happen here."  If I had a nickle for every time I have heard that.  I think we all want to believe, to a fault, that it will never happen "here".

Looking at a few of the videos and the guide its worth half price for sure.  Its better than the average survival book. 

Given that Cyprus just instituted a 6-10% tax on savings accounts its even more reliant now. 

[Bob Spelled Backwards]

I'm on the email list and have enjoyed reading his insights from his year in hell. 

I have family and relatives from that neck of the woods and have seen blown out houses and bullet riddled outer walls back in '07 when we were on our way to a National Park called Plitvice.  When I read his posts his  broken english it makes my think of how my relatives sound.

[markl32]

So I am about 20% through the material.  Very interesting stuff on pre SHTF; he gives some concrete examples of what turned out to be strong indicators that something bad was going to happen.  I am was astounded to learn how much the Media played a role in setting the stage for such unspeakable violence. 

[inthego]

very happy with the information. I really liked the MP3s you could download and lesson to.  Makes it very convenient to follow. I feel that it was well worth the money for the incite into a REAL break down.
 

Payed for it.. I will put a review up when done.   

[markl32]

very happy with the information. I really liked the MP3s you could download and lesson to.  Makes it very convenient to follow. I feel that it was well worth the money for the incite into a REAL break down.
 

Yep.  me too.  I am about half way through and its well worth the cost.  I have been in a war zone so I have to say there have been no big surprises so far; but its still excellent info and very interesting to hear it from a displaced civilian's point of view.  For those who have never been to war this is a must have resource.

I'd say the biggest lesson(s) for me so far is the volume of trade and barter than went on.  Every day he was out scavenging or trading.  And no one had clean water...  And apparently they had so little fuel that they did not boil water.  So everyone double their water purification efforts. 

[PlunjProtection]

I recommend purchasing the course.  What is it, about $20 if you sign up or first time offer or something like that?  The audio quality is not always great, they are difficult to understand at times, and it is not a "professional" presentation, but there is a lot of good material.  There are many hours of audio.  I thought it was a lot better than the TSP interview.  No criticism of Jack, just the fact that there is only so much time in a podcast.  The course is in part chronological and in part divided by subject matter.  That seems disjointed at times.  I would have liked more details on some of their activities (e.g., night in the life of a scavenging trip, people they ran into, etc.). 

I have listened to it twice and made notes and bullet points that I shared with some family and friends.  For example, he talks about the media and politicians and how they assured everyone that it would be okay and pushed propaganda, when the "underground" news was disconcerting.  During the breakdown he talked about how society fractured along ethnic and other lines but at the same time wanted to be part of a larger group.  There was no trust among people.  He talks about psychology and how people coped with the shock.  His experience confirms mob mentality and gangs.  He discusses how they made do with food, hygiene, sickness and so forth.  He explains what types of arms they had, how they got them, how they used them, and reinforces the need for training.  There is a good lesson and sad story on awareness and hesitation.  He dispels with the myth harbored by a minority that a breakdown would be freedom or somehow a vacation. 

In short, his experience and observations provide substantial insight into one type of urban type of breakdown situation, how they could have better prepared in terms of strategy, skills and supplies, how some of the events in the Balkans might be mirror or similar here, how we may react to life-threatening events and moral questions, and why we should appreciate who and what we have here.  We take so much for granted.

There are some who say it could not happen here.  A review of history and mankind tells me such a supposition is fundamentally flawed.  I hope and pray nothing like that happens, but Selco's course is a real asset to our community.             

[CoralRives]

This course is $147.00 now.  Anyone have recent reviews??