PSYCHOLOGY OF WILDERNESS SURVIVAL
The survivor's psychological state greatly influences his ability to successfully return from a wilderness survival situation. It takes much more than the knowledge and survival skills to build shelters, get food, make fires, etc. to go successfully through a survival situation. Some people with little or no survival training have managed to survive life–threatening circumstances. On the other hand, some people with survival training have not used their skills and died in wilderness. Mental attitude is a key ingredient in any survival situation. Having survival skills is important but having the will to survive is absolutely essential. Without a will to survive, acquired skills are not put to use and invaluable knowledge goes to waste.
You have to be aware, that there is a psychology of survival. An individual in a survival environment faces many stresses that ultimately impact his mind. These stresses can produce thoughts and emotions that, if poorly understood, can transform a confident, person into an indecisive, ineffective individual with questionable ability to survive. Thus, you should be aware of and be able to recognise those stresses commonly associated with survival in wilderness. Additionally, it is imperative that you are aware of your reactions to the wide variety of stresses associated with survival.
Psychologically, survival situations may be divided into crisis and coping phases. The initial crisis period occurs at the onset of the survival situation. During this period, thinking, as well as emotional control, may be disorganised. Judgement is impaired and behaviour may be irrational (possibly to the point of panic). Once the initial crisis is under control, the coping phase begins, and the survivor is able to respond positively to the situation. Crisis periods may well recur, especially during extended situations. A survivor must strive to control the situation if is unable to avoid it. This section of the outdoor survival guide is designed to explain the nature of stress, the stresses of survival, and those internal reactions you will naturally experience when faced with the stresses of a real – world survival situation.
STRESS IN WILDERNESS SURVIVAL SITUATIONS
Before we can understand our psychological reactions in a survival setting, it is helpful to have a bit of general knowledge about stress. Stress is not a disease that you cure or eliminate. Instead, stress is a condition we all experience. Stress can be described as our reaction to pressure. It is the name given to the experience we have when we physically, mentally and emotionally respond to tensions we encounter in life.
Stress has many positive benfits and we need it. It provides us with challenges, gives us chances to learn about our strengths and values, shows us our ability to handle pressure without breaking, it tests our adaptability and flexibility, it can stimulate us to do our best in survival situations. Because we usually do not consider unimportant events stressful, stress can also be an excellent indicator of the significance we attach to an event – in other words, it highlights what is important to us.
Especially in a survival situation we need stress, but not an excess of it. Too much stress can take its toll on an individual. Too much stress leads to distress. Distress causes an uncomfortable tension that we try to escape from and, preferably, avoid. Below you can find few of the common signs of distress you may find in your fellow survivors or yourself when faced with too much stress:
- Low energy level
- Difficulty making decisions
- Angry outbursts
- Forgetfulness
- Constant worrying
- Propensity for mistakes
- Thoughts about death or suicide
- Trouble getting along with others
- Withdrawing from others
- Hiding from responsibilities
- Carelessness
There are many SURVIVAL STRESSORS and various ways to cope with them. Next pages of this outdoor survival guide will teach you how to cope with each of them.