Survival has been one of mankind’s greatest challenges throughout history. How do men and women survive under difficult conditions? Surviving a dangerous or difficult situation is always demanding. To survive, a person must overcome emotional and physical stress. Some people survive in difficult conditions where others perish because a survivor is able to mentally and physically cope.
Mankind has endured many atrocities over the years. War, concentration camps, earthquakes, child abuse and urban violence are but a few examples. These stressful events, referred to as “traumatic”, can overwhelm individuals. The people who do best in these situations are those who prepare themselves mentally. The survivor will have extraordinary clarity about the seriousness of his/her situation and decide on a plan of attack. “A true survivor’s perception and cognitive functions work at a heightened level in the face of danger.” (Gonzales). The mental attitude of the individual in danger is paramount in any survival situation. A person can have an array of survival skills and training, but without the mental desire, survival is impossible.
The stresses involved in a survival situation have a huge impact on a person’s mind. If not properly understood, these stresses can cause a person who is normally confident to question his/her ability to survive. The same survival mechanisms our forefathers used to stay alive will still work today, as long as we understand them and anticipate their presence. (Wilderness Survival).

Everyone responds to the threat of danger with fear. This fear is felt not only when a person faces a physical threat, but also the threat to emotional and mental well being. A survivor would recognize this fear and rather than have it immobilize him/her they manage it in a positive way. For a survivor, fear can motivate them and help them think sharply. S(he) would recognize the need to stay calm. It is inevitable that things will feel out of a person’s control in a survival situation, and a survivor knows they must maintain a level head, which is imperative. “Frustration and anger encourage impulsive reactions, irrational behavior, poorly thought-out decisions, and in some instances an “I quit” attitude (people sometimes avoid doing something they can’t master). (Wilderness Survival).
The most importance physical hardship to learn to deal with is stress, which is our reaction to pressure. The events that cause stress are called stressors; the factors or events that cause the stress to occur. There are many different reasons a person feels stressed. For example, death, injury, illness, environment, hunger, thirst, fatigue and isolation can all cause a person a certain level of stress, depending on the circumstances. There are two different types of stress: constructive and destructive, which are completely opposite. The constructive type has a more positive effect on a person; it stimulates us to do our best. We learn what is important to us by the amount of stress we feel in situations, because we usually do not consider unimportant events stressful. (U.S. Department of Defense). The other is destructive and can cause a person to panic, which is not what one wants in a difficult situation. Destructive stress would cause someone to be forgetful, worry constantly, be careless, and have low energy.

No one would suggest that there are any black and white answers for survival under difficult conditions. “The only guarantee in a survival situation is that nothing
is guaranteed.” (U.S. Department of Defense). A person should know, however, that they will stand a better chance by recognizing, acknowledging and addressing the stresses. This behavior will enhance the possibility of a positive outcome to a survival situation.





Works Cited


Giller. Ester “What is physiological Trauma?” Siden Institute.
1995-2003. the siden foundation. 01 Nov 2004


Gonzales, Laurence. “The 12 habits of highly successful survivors”. National Geographic Adventure Magazine. Nov 2003.


“Survival IQ” Wilderness survival handbook. 2003 1, Nov,2004


“Natural Reactions”. Wilderness survival. 2001-2002.
Training network: Fitness training 01 Nov, 2004

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