Surviving a Disaster: A Survival Mentality Making A Plan
No matter how much time and effort we put into our disaster preparedness, we may still find ourselves in desperate situations. Even with the most comprehensive and complete Family Preparedness Plan, we may still find ourselves in situations which we have not prepared for.
Panic – Our greatest enemy
Often times, the plan is the first casualty of a disaster. When we are thrust into a situation such as this, panic is the first reaction we all must encounter and defeat before it brings on more harm. How you handle the effects brought on by panic can determine your rate of success, failure, and/or survival in any disaster situation.
In these situations, it is important to remember that you have within you the ability to protect yourself. Survival is a common element in all human beings and that basic instinct is instilled into all of us. It is simply a matter of tapping into that mindset.
Let’s look at a simple method of handling panic.
Remember the acronym “S.T.O.P.” -- Sit -Think - Observe - Plan.
• Sit: When you begin to panic, take a moment to collect yourself. One of the leading causes of death in these situations is action without thought. You probably have more time than you realize to make a decision. But you can’t do so effectively without sizing up your surroundings.
• Think: Take some time to assess the situation and understand the situation. Conduct a mental inventory of what do you have at your disposal at the moment. What are the physical and mental assets that can help you in this situation? Take an inventory of your survival kit items and how you will use them. Most of all, remain positive! You will survive.
• Observe: Take some time to understand your surroundings and create some sense of situational awareness. Look around…. is there shelter, water, high ground, an open area so the searchers can see you? What threats are around you? What assets are around you?
• Plan: Now create your plan of action. Adapt, overcome, and most of all remain positive. You do have the ability to survive!
By following these steps, you have overcome one of the largest threats in a survival situation – that being panic. However, survival is not limited to simply overcoming panic. To help us better understand what actions need to be taken and which take precedence over others we will take a look at the Priorities of Survival.
Priorities of Survival and the Rule of Threes
The “RULE OF THREES” provides us a baseline in our survival planning and actions. It gives us a better understanding of what it takes to survive.
• “3 SECONDS”-- without hope or if you panic!
Most individuals freeze in an emergency. In the immediate confusion and chaos, the human brain tries to draw upon some familiar experience for a plan of action. Finding none, we become immobile. You have three seconds to decide that you have hope and move forward. Statistics show that in a plane crash, you have 90 seconds to exit the wreckage. Making a thoughtful decision in three seconds can make the difference between whether or not you have time to clear the area. Remember S.T.O.P. Survival depends upon your ability to shake yourself out of the stupor of disbelief and hopelessness.
• “3 MINUTES”-- without air!
Few people can hold their breath for 3 minutes. In circumstances where oxygen is limited, your next priority is to get to a place where you can breathe.
• “3 HOURS”-- without shelter!
Once you have breathable air, your next priority is to find (or construct) shelter. In extreme environmental conditions, you can live for a couple of days without water and weeks without food, but you cannot survive without shelter. Especially in extreme conditions! You can suffer from hypothermia at 50 degrees, especially if the wind is blowing and you are wet. In warm climates, you will need shelter from the sun. Protect yourself from the elements.
• “3 DAYS” -- without water!
The next challenge is to find clean water. This may mean collecting rainwater or finding a water source shared by plants and animals. Avoid activity that leads to lots of sweating and heavy breathing. This causes your body to lose water more quickly. Conserve what water your body has by working at a nice steady pace. Whatever your course of action, your body will need water soon.
• “3 WEEKS”-- without food!
Some of us will survive even longer without it, but food will become an urgent concern for survival after a couple of weeks. With plenty of water, some can even survive longer than three weeks. But you will want to locate a source of nourishment while you still have the strength to do so.
• “3 MONTHS”-- without companionship!
In order to continue in a prolonged survival state, most people need to have a sense of purpose and belonging. Knowing that someone is there for you and caring what happens to you can help you continue doing what is necessary for survival when the days and weeks seem to drag on. Strong faith will make all of the difference for these survivors.
We will talk about some of these items in greater detail over the next several articles.
Surviving over a long period of time requires us to internalize some specific traits that will aid us in our actions. But, by understanding these traits now, it will be easier to draw upon their valuable strength during a disaster.
Traits of the Survivor Include:
• Commitment to Survive
In a survival scenario, the most important survival skill is contained within your mind. You need to want to survive, no matter the situation and prospect of outcome. Survivors never give up!
• Curiosity and Inquisitiveness
The desire to learn and discover how things work will hone your skills in a wide variety of subjects. Play is nature’s way of having you learn and develop skills in preparation for the real thing when your playful experience suddenly becomes the deciding factor in whether you make it or not.
• Sense of Humor
In a survival scenario, this is often known as “Gallows humor”. Your sense of humor works as a pressure release mechanism. And if you can make light of your difficulties, you are placing yourself above them and in a good position from which to take the action you need to survive.
• Dealing with Uncertainty
Having the ability to continue on through adversity, even when there is conflicting information and uncertainty, is crucial. The survivor takes action when action is required, trusting that as events unfold, he can fine tune his approach and successfully achieve the desired outcome.
• Getting Over It
The survivor mentality does not waste any time over past mistakes or losses. No amount of preparedness is a guarantee. Looking backwards and ewelling in regrets and disappointments changes nothing and is counterproductive. The best way to survive is to do all you can for the situation you are in and plan future action toward your best advantage.
• Adaptive Capacity
Successful survivors have the ability to take charge and control the environment using their knowledge and materials at hand. They can also improvise on the spot, quickly finding new workable ways where none existed before. Whatever happens, the best survivors tackle problems and find solutions.
If you have some ideas of what makes a survivor, let me know and I will post them here. Have fun, stay alive, and survive!
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