Think you’d survive?
Characteristics of successful survivors
By rANDy GErKE
SUCCESSFUL survivors are stubborn, a survival challenge can
determined, and even fanatical about be the most difficult part
staying alive. They are not passive of the experience. Those
about their situation but instead strug- who have endured a sur-
gle to gain control of themselves and vival situation detail their
their new environment. They continu- daily struggle to sustain
ally stay busy and productive by work- a positive attitude. They
ing to improve their circumstances. describe a few natural
They struggle aggressively against their high points, when rescue
situation but not against themselves or seemed inevitable, mixed
others. They are good to themselves with long, desperate
and have a sense of personal worth. battles with situational
No formula can predict who will depression, apathy, and
survive and who will not, but odds favor the desire to give up. Of
those with reasonable knowledge about course, the longer a survival situation ment and win. You may suffer situational .c
om
the environment and survival tech- continues, the more pronounced this depression, which can have an intensely
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niques, emotional stability, good health, battle becomes. The following strate- dark and powerful influence on your
a sound ego, and a history of active gies can help you maintain a positive attitude and productivity. You may have
t
ock
e-is
participation in normal life (see table attitude in a survival situation: desperate feelings of hopelessness and
G
1.1). People who are apathetic, passive, Stay busy. Begin putting your plan begin to blame yourself and others for
villa
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or fearful are less likely to survive; an into action. Set a series of obtainable the awful predicament in which you find
P
in
injury also lessens a person’s chance for and meaningful goals directly related to yourself. When these feeling begin to
: slee
survival. But one characteristic towers your immediate survival. This approach arise, you must recognize them for what
above all others when considering sur- is critical to a successful outcome. Being they are—feelings, not facts. You must t
o credit
vival qualities—the will to live. No matter productive accomplishes two important replace negativity with positive motion.
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what the circumstances, no matter what purposes. First, you are completing tasks Get up, get busy, and stay busy by do-
threatens their existence, and no matter that are important for physical survival, ing something that contributes to your
how long the ordeal lasts, those who such as building shelter, collecting survival. Improve your shelter, make a
survive possess a fierce determination water, and so forth. Second, you are needed tool, find food, collect water,
to stay alive. Apathy and negativity can channeling thoughts and feelings in a sing a song, help the people around you,
lead to death during survival experi- positive direction. Too much idle time and take long, slow, deep breaths. You
ences. can allow thoughts to drift to the dark have more reason to live than to give
Without a positive attitude a person side of a situation and lead to apathy up. Fill your mind with positive thoughts
stands little or no chance of survival, no and discouragement. until they crowd out the negative voices.
matter what equipment, food, water, Be determined. To get through, you You must believe you
shelter, or other resources may be avail- must draw on a belief or emotion as a will survive.
able. Maintaining optimism in the face of source of strength. It may be faith in a
higher power or a Outdoor Survival
Table 1.1 Characteristics of Survivors and Nonsurvivors
relationship with fam-
Guide – each year
ily, friends, or other
millions of people
Knowledgeable about the Apathetic
environment and survival techniques
significant people in
venture into the
your life. Some draw
world’s beautiful but
Emotionally stable Passive
unpredictable
their strength from
Physically healthy Fearful
wilderness, and
faith in themselves
thousands of them
Confident Injured
and their abilities. For
encounter
History of normal life Easily discouraged
a few, the smolder-
unexpected natural d=angers and
participation
ing desire for revenge disasters. Outdoor Survival guide provides
Strong will to live Isolated
has kept the fire of
the most practical information and
life burning. Survivors
everything readers need to create a
Willing to improvise Quick to anger
fight through the de-
sensible survival plan and be prepared for
Eager to work with others Impulsive
mons of discourage-
any hazardous situation. $17.95 Published
by www.HumanKinetics.com/.
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca OTTAWA magazine fall/winter 2009/2010 31
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