Dear friends,

We constantly are talking about equipment. How strong our knives/tools are, how bright flashlights should be or how should we pack our packs in order to have maximum amount of stuff in minimum amount of space. It’s all great. Since person with right tools will perform better than person with no tools. But what about the human factor in survival situation? How would you behave when faced with clear and present danger? How would you behave if you ditched in the middle of pacific with 6 people? Maybe you would have your marbles together but not them. What would you do? How would you behave? Would you take over as a leader or would you wait patiently until everyone dies and than do your own thing.

When preparing for survival we always think of physical/technical aspects but never about mental. We are so sure that if dropped with a knife and PSK anywhere in the world we would make it. But I read many stories where mental toughness was a higher priority skill than starting fire.

I decided to investigate this issue a bit. One of the things that prompted that was recent certification course I took for Critical Incident Stress Management and also my degree in forensic psychology. We will all agree that survival situation is a very stressful event. Most of the time it’s not the actual survival task at hand or location that causes feeling of impending doom but the feeling of uncertainty and unknown. Stress also in right doses can be a powerful motivator. In order to arrest “stress factor” at that stage you have to be positive. I found out that for me when situation may get out of hand I concentrate on priority things and do them by the numbers. I treat thinking about my family, home, good food or beverage as a reward. You should chart your survival as a goals list with different priorities. Your first priorities should be easy so when you complete them you have a feeling of accomplishment. But don’t do all the easy tasks at once. Swing forward to more difficult task. If you don’t succeed swing back to the easy task. Time yourself properly so you don’t overwork yourself. When you complete certain number of task than it’s time for the reward. Think about your family, good times you shared (that should be avoided if you know your family perished). But don’t dwell into details. My newest addition to my PSK is a picture of my friends and family. Now your goals should be reachable. Don’t try to repair a nuclear reactor no matter how many MacGyver shows you have watched. Your time frame for completion should be flexible yet firm. In urban situation your goals should be simple and kept to the minimum. Example would be getting reunited with your family and than taking off as a unit. Education, proper planning and understanding will ensure that even when panicked your training will take over. Your family has no use for you when you are not there and if you are being torn between your loved ones and task at hand you will not be dedicated 100%. It’s hard to suck it up and be tough especially if entire world is falling apart around you. But many people will look up to you as a leader or somebody high up on the totem pole. Nobody expects you to be fearless and mighty but being calm and in control will increase the chances of survival. We can go over countless scenarios in our heads and say that we would do this and that but there is nothing out there that would prepare us for the real deal. But more you think about it the chances are you will act more like it. My motto in life is “by the numbers”. I don’t worry about tomorrow until I’m done with today. I will follow or I will lead but I will do everything one step at the time. In the end it all comes down to hope. I will hope to survive, I will hope to do my best and what I was asked to do. I will accept my situation as it is and don’t do any blaming, grieving, crying or finger pointing. For that I will have enough time when I get out of the current mess and get home.

I just think that metal aspect of survival is being very often overlooked and I wanted to share with you guys in above rant little ideas I pulled. Don’t underestimate yourself and put all your trust into tools. It may turn out to be that you are your worst enemy. Not the elements, injuries or location but you.

Matt