There were multiple much needed skills back in the “olden days” which modern society no longer considers necessary.  If ever we were to have a breakdown in society, the following skills which we never bothered to learn could become crucial.

Here are 10 skills our grandparents knew that most of us have long forgotten:

1.) Learning how to make gunpowder it is not that difficult, but getting the raw materials gathered up and stored can be a problem. The ingredients are common knowledge, sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate (saltpeter). The concept is simple you have two fuels (sulfur, charcoal) and an oxidizer (potassium nitrate). The rest will be left up to you however. Black powder is stable and it has a high flash point over 800° F, so it can be stored and transported safely if certain relatively simple precautions are taken.
If you know how to make it and can find the ingredients you have a marketable skill. Someone else may have a bench loader, spent brass, primers and so on so, but he or she cannot make black powder for their propellant, and so they may need your skill and materials and would be willing to barter.

2.) Learn how to distill grains and fruits to make alcohol. Alcohol will be in demand especially certain kinds of alcohol for first aid/medical applications. Again the process is not difficult to understand but it does require skill and materials. Copper tubing, yeasts, grains, fruits and so on but if you have the skill and certain materials you can come together with others that have a piece of this or a bushel of that. You cannot do it all on your own but collectively anything is possible during a crisis.

3.) Learn basic firearms repair (gunsmith) and start gathering parts for firearms that could be used. Parts for firearms will be a barter item, so do not discard anything, because someone may need the parts and would be willing to trade.

4.) Sewing skills will be in demand at some point and while it may not be a lucrative endeavor you may be able to use those skills to barter for small items. If you can make clothes then that is a more advanced skill that would be more marketable during a crisis.

5.) Knowing how to raise livestock and foods of course, will be needed if the crisis is an extended one. This takes knowledge and hands on experience. Simply gathering up the supplies is not enough. To be successful you would need practical experience behind you.

6) The Ability to Generate Electricity
Humans depend on electricity for almost everything in our lives, including cooking, heating and communication. Some people have the ability to create their own power by harnessing energy from the wind, water or sun. We don't know what resources will be available after doomsday, so it is a good idea to have several ways to generate electricity available to you. Being able to create your own electrical generator and repair the generators of others is a very useful skill that will likely be highly coveted after doomsday.

7) The Ability to Hunt, Fish and Gather Food
It is essential for all preparers to have a large supply of canned food available to survive on, but the ability to obtain fresh food is an important skill. Whether you have the ability to hunt with a crossbow, catch large fish from the river or gather berries in the forest, food-gathering skills are essential to long-term survival. It is also important to know how to prepare the game you are able to catch. The animal hides can be used for clothing, shoes and other household items. Animal bones can be used as tools or weapons if you know how to fashion them. It is smart to practice your hunting and fishing skills before doomsday so that you will be ready to put these skills to the ultimate test.

It is also essential to be able to create meals out of whatever ingredients you have on hand. You may not always be able to eat the food you are in the mood for, but having the ability to improvise and properly season your food will mean that the food you eat will taste good and provide your body with adequate nutrition. It is very unlikely that restaurants and grocery stores will be available after doomsday, so eating will become a matter of survival instead of a matter of choice.

8) The Ability to Purify Water
The human body can only survive for a couple of days without water. Water filtration systems will be vitally important after doomsday because nobody will know whether the water is still safe to drink until they have the time and equipment to run extensive tests. A portable water filtration system made from charcoal is an easy and convenient way to treat water before you drink it. These systems are small and can be stored easily.

If you don't have access to a water filtration system, boiling your water is an effective way to make it safe for drinking. The water should be heated to boiling for at least 20 minutes to kill microorganisms and bacteria. It is equally important to make sure the water doesn't become contaminated after you have purified it. The best way to prevent contamination is to keep all drinking water in closed containers and make sure that the containers are stored at least 70 feet from any existing water source or dwelling.

9) The Ability to Create Shelter
Shelter protects your body from the elements and helps to keep your body warm. Being able to build a strong shelter is a skill that will be coveted by many after doomsday. It doesn't matter if the shelter is made of wood, bricks, fabric or any other material. The important thing is that the shelter is sturdy enough to keep you and your family safe and dry. It is best to build your main shelter before the apocalypse, but it is also a good idea to have a tent or other portable shelter available because you have no way of knowing whether the shelter you have built will survive the apocalypse or whether moving often will be necessary. You will probably be able to trade your shelter-making skills for clothing, food and other items that are necessary for survival.

As a survivalist you already know pretty much what it takes to survive if the grid ever goes down but others do not. It’s always a good idea to make notes and keep them handy if ever you, your family and friends find yourself in a precarious situation.

The list above was just scraping the surface. If you would like to learn more, see even more old fashioned skills from back in the day, go to Bio Prepper and study it closely. The life you save may be your own!