[Ripcat]

...according to Popular Mechanics.

You can find a full how-to rundown of each one in the October issue of Popular Mechanics.

The List: How to...

1. Patch a radiator hose
2. Protect your computer
3. Rescue a boater who has capsized
4. Frame a wall
5. Retouch digital photos
6. Back up a trailer
7. Build a campfire
8. Fix a dead outlet
9. Navigate with a map and compass
10. Use a torque wrench
11. Sharpen a knife
12. Perform CPR
13. Fillet a fish
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid
15. Get a car unstuck
16. Back up data
17. Paint a room
18. Mix concrete
19. Clean a bolt-action rifle
20. Change oil and filter
21. Hook up an HDTV
22. Bleed brakes
23. Paddle a canoe
24. Fix a bike flat
25. Extend your wireless network


I can personally do, and have done, everything on the list except clean a bolt-action rifle(that's easy anyway) and extend a wireless network(I just set up a wireless network(N router) for my stepson's new laptop and the signal is strong even at the very back of the yard so I don't think it will need to be extended...ever). I've never done CPR or a water rescue for real but have been trained to do both.

Anyways, what's the point of being able to fillet a fish if you don't know how to catch one....

Alot of the skills that have made their list are really non-essential skills that would never help you if you really needed to survive some type of catastrophe which is partly why they came up with the list in the first place.

Another reason why they came up with the list is because many people have been getting away from do-it-yourself skills and many younger men can't do the simple things their fathers' were able to do.

[camerontech]

done em all except for #1 and #4

[TattoodGirl]

I have done all of them except the hook-up of the HDTV.....

I agree Rip, some of them really wont help in the event of a survival situation....but cool list anyway

[-Mario-]

The List: How to...

1. Patch a radiator hose -> Check
2. Protect your computer -> Check
3. Rescue a boater who has capsized -> Check
4. Frame a wall -> Check
5. Retouch digital photos -> Not Yet My wife is a professional photographer, so I don't need to retouch anything
6. Back up a trailer -> Check
7. Build a campfire -> Check
8. Fix a dead outlet -> Check
9. Navigate with a map and compass -> Check
10. Use a torque wrench -> Check
11. Sharpen a knife -> Check
12. Perform CPR -> Check
13. Fillet a fish -> Check
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid -> Oh Yeah -> Check
15. Get a car unstuck -> Check
16. Back up data -> Check
17. Paint a room -> Check
18. Mix concrete -> Check
19. Clean a bolt-action rifle -> Check
20. Change oil and filter -> Check
21. Hook up an HDTV -> Check
22. Bleed brakes -> Check
23. Paddle a canoe -> Check
24. Fix a bike flat -> Check
25. Extend your wireless network -> Not Yet I would need a wireless first

[Brenda]

Hey, I can do all that... Does that mean I am a man

[Ripcat]

Keep in mind that doing them and doing them correctly are two completely different things.

My wife has paddled a canoe but I've told her that I'll never get in another canoe with her again unless she's willing to paddle exactly how I tell her too. Dragging the paddle along the side of the canoe and changing sides every few strokes is not how its done correctly!!!!

As for building a campfire, the PM description of the skill includes foraging for tinder, kindling and wood. No newspaper, cardboard, gasoline or seasoned wood off the pile is mentioned.

[SideShowCecil]

I can do/have done all but number 19. Well I probably could, I just never had the opportunity. I’ve done 4,5,6,8,10,11,12,17,18,20 for a living at one time or another.

[FireWire]

16. Back up data

Pffft, I'm a DBA, I don't need to do that!

[Brenda]

Ripcat Ripcat:

Keep in mind that doing them and doing them correctly are two completely different things.

That's not what you said in the first post

[TattoodGirl]

$1:

Keep in mind that doing them and doing them correctly are two completely different things.

Each one I have done, I have done correctly.....Single mom to three boys, someone has to teach them and I dont rely on others....

[novachick]

1. Patch a radiator hose
2. Protect your computer-have done
3. Rescue a boater who has capsized-can do
4. Frame a wall
5. Retouch digital photos-can do
6. Back up a trailer
7. Build a campfire-have done
8. Fix a dead outlet
9. Navigate with a map and compass-have done
10. Use a torque wrench
11. Sharpen a knife-have done
12. Perform CPR-can do
13. Fillet a fish-have done
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid-have done
15. Get a car unstuck-have done
16. Back up data-have done
17. Paint a room-have done
18. Mix concrete
19. Clean a bolt-action rifle
20. Change oil and filter
21. Hook up an HDTV
22. Bleed brakes
23. Paddle a canoe-have done
24. Fix a bike flat-have done
25. Extend your wireless network

[Ripcat]

Well, I've never had to manouver(unintentionally) out of a skid at a high rate of speed on dry pavement. A few times on snowy/icy roads(many times intentionally though ). I've never ever ditched a car. Knock on wood. I know people that do this several times each winter.

[DrCaleb]

FireWire FireWire:

16. Back up data

Pffft, I'm a DBA, I don't need to do that!

Pffft. I'm a Tivoli Admin. I do that for you.

I can do all those things too. Reminds me of Robert Heinliens' list:

"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."

[BartSimpson]

I've never done #3. Never had the opportunity. I suppose I could if it came up - what remains to be seen is if the victim is someone I'd actually want to rescue.

[novachick]

Ripcat Ripcat:

Well, I've never had to manouver(unintentionally) out of a skid at a high rate of speed on dry pavement. A few times on snowy/icy roads(many times intentionally though ). I've never ever ditched a car. Knock on wood. I know people that do this several times each winter.

On dry pavement, me either.