How to find the right survival, bushcraft and wilderness partner?
Surviving with like-minded people is fun. There are pros and cons when traveling with partners. You will learn how to find the right partner.
From Martin Gebhardt. Check out my “About me” page.
👉 The key facts from this guide
- Survival trips with partners can have both advantages and disadvantages. You share both the insecurity and the joy. However, in larger groups, safety can decrease and the risk of accidents and disputes can increase.
- To find the right partner, you should talk to potential partners and check their qualifications. Important factors are shared goals and interests, physical and mental fitness, peacefulness, and the ability to compromise.
- Before the trip, you should establish certain points, such as equality, the goal of the trip, who brings what, and what happens in emergencies.
- Trust and reliability are crucial in a survival partnership. You need to know that you can rely on your partner to make critical decisions and help you in an emergency.
- Communication is key to resolving conflicts and assessing your partner's skills and knowledge.
- Preparing for a survival trip with a partner involves planning equipment, creating emergency plans, and training together.
There are survival trips that you want to do alone.
But mostly you want to do your adventures with one or more reliable survival partners.
There are advantages and disadvantages when traveling with partners.
Now I will go into more detail on this and you will learn how to find the right partner.
Advantages and disadvantages of partner trips
Survival often means uncertainty. Out of civilization. You are on your own.
With a partner you share this uncertainty. Following the motto: shared sorrow is half sorrow.
And you share the great moments and the joy of the trip. Shared joy is double joy.
But if there are too many partners, safety is reduced.
The risk of accidents, diseases increases and conflicts arise more quickly.
How to find partners?
There used to be classified ads. But that's been out of fashion for a long time.
Blackboards in universities or shops will also have no effect.
Today there is the Internet and some ways to get in touch with like-minded people.
I can recommend the Survival Compass Companionship Search to you. You can quickly and easily create your own event with it. Interested parties can then respond to this event and get in touch with you.
Or you can look for an interesting event and get in touch with the creator.
How to find the RIGHT partner
It's best to talk to the like-minded person to get to know them better.
It is important that he/she is a good fit for you as a person. Shared goals and interests are a good starting point.
Then also check the qualifications.
If it's just a day trip, they don't play a big role. However, if you're on the road for several days, it's essential to know the skills.
Make sure to clarify beforehand what you expect from the trip and also what your partner expects.
Ask yourself some questions about your companion:
- can they afford the costs and materials
- have they learned foreign languages (if you're traveling abroad)
- are they diplomatic and willing to compromise
- are they physically and mentally fit
- are they peaceful
However, many things will only emerge during your excursion or journey. Therefore, be prepared for surprises.
You will especially get to know your partner's reliability over time.
What you should determine before the trip
Every person is individual and often has different perspectives. Especially when they come from different cultures and countries.
Therefore, be sure to determine beforehand:
- if everyone is equal / how you make decisions
- what the goal is (building a camp, reaching a location)
- who brings what (so there's no duplicate luggage)
- what happens in emergencies (e.g. who should be notified - if you're in civilization)
- what happens in case of a separation
Problems that can arise in larger groups
Especially when the number of group members is odd, factions can form.
In a group of three, you could be the one with two against you.
However, having an even number of group members doesn't necessarily mean it's better. There can be a stalemate in the decision-making process.
The importance of trust and reliability in a survival partnership
Trust and reliability are the cornerstone of any successful survival partnership.
When you're out in the wilderness with someone, you want to know that you can rely on your partner.
Like a strong rope that carries you through the toughest situations, trust is essential. After all, you rely on your partner to make critical decisions, help with navigation, and maybe even save your life.
How to resolve conflicts in a survival partnership
Conflicts are inevitable in any partnership, but in a survival partnership, it may be particularly important to resolve them quickly and effectively.
Imagine you were two trees in the forest fighting for the same sunlight - it's better to find a solution than weaken each other.
Communication is key: speak openly about problems, listen to your partner, and find a solution that works for both of you.
How to assess your partner's skills and knowledge
Before embarking on a wilderness adventure with your partner, it's important to know their skills and knowledge.
Like a pack of wolves working together to survive, each partner should know their strengths and weaknesses.
Sit down together and discuss your experiences and skills in survival, bushcraft, and nature craft. This way, you can combine your strengths and work more effectively together.
Tips for preparing for a survival trip with a partner
Good preparation is half the battle. You should carefully plan your equipment, create emergency plans, and complete training together.
By sharing knowledge and experiences, you can learn from each other and prepare optimally for your adventures.
The role of communication in a survival partnership
Communication is the glue that holds a survival partnership together. Like birds warning each other in the air, you should communicate openly, honestly, and effectively with each other.
Discuss your plans, share your fears and successes, and be ready to listen and address each other's concerns.
How to divide responsibilities and tasks between partners
An efficient distribution of tasks is crucial to the success of your survival partnership.
You should define your roles clearly and be able to rely on each other. Divide tasks based on skills and knowledge, and be ready to learn from each other to expand your skills.
Summary
Survival trips and bushcraft activities are also great for solo adventurers.
But with a partner or in a small group, everything is twice as fun.
Why not find like-minded individuals for your next adventure and experience it together?
You can learn a lot from each other and gain new experiences and impressions.
My question to you: Have you ever gone on a trip with partners you didn't know beforehand?
If so, how was the trip?
Author of the guide
Martin Gebhardt
Hey, I'm Martin. On my blog, you will learn the basics and numerous details about living in the wild. I think survival, bushcraft and the good life in nature are the keys to happiness. Find me here on Instagram or on YouTube. You can find more about my mission on the About Me page.
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