When in the woods on a trip, and conditions keep you there longer than expected, how do you keep order amoung everyone, especially when there is panic?

Try this:

http://www.equipped.org/primer.htm#STOP

Anyone that panics gets gagged and tied to a tree? That could be a problem in the desert though... no trees. Okay, okay, all kidding aside, that is a really tough one. Even the military's well known S.T.O.P method is far from foolproof (panicproof?). One thing that is good for sure, atleast for me, when I'm in dangerous situations of any type where people around me begin to panic, this actually has an opposite effect on me. It makes me calmer, smarter, more logical, etc. Maybe it's some type of parentalistic instinct of something but whenI'm more concerned about others and the the situation at hand, it's almost like my mind is just too preoccupied to bother with panic/fear/etc. I'm no psychiatrist so I don't know why this is, but when people around me begin to panic is seems to have an opposite effect on me and I have spoken to other people who have had the same experiences.

People panic because they fear the unknown. By using the STOP method, you give them a way to overcome the fear of the unknown and give them something to do.

As they put their mind around a specific task, they don't have time to wonder about the potential problems. A calm leader will often quell the paniced crowd. Even if you are not the designated leader, coming forth with not just ideas but viable actions can often change things.

In some siutations, you want to approach the designated leader and feed them the ideas, actions, and plan and let them present it to the crowd. Other times you need to bypass the leader and take charge yourself. I find that good leaders will listen and use good suggestions. Sometimes they will delgate that task to the one who offers the solution and other times they will manage the actual process themselves.

I find that as others panic, I tend to withdraw and think through my options. I apply the STOP method without knowing the acroynm. I also find that as I broaden my knowledge, I less often feel the need to panic. I have already mentally addressed problems and have potential solutions to implement.

I've been with people in panic situations; my Coast Guard service, California earthquakes, brushfires, trainwrecks and last minute christmas shopping. People submit to authority figures. How many people wilt under the voice of a private security guard? Anyone know how much real legal authority a security guard actually has? This isn't bashing guards, but just an example. Giving people a physical comfort; teddy bear ( ME) flashlight, blanket, chocolate bar, Bible or a fire produces emotional comfort. People who are busy doing something won't panic. This can be something usefull like gathering firewood or just busy work. Finally there is no measure of who will panic. Molly Brown took command of her R.M.S. Titanic lifeboat at pistol point when the coxswain failed to.

Providing leadership and keeping people working on something productive should keep panic at bay in many situations. But there are other situations where the panic could be beyond control. An example of this kind of situation is in the 2 nighclub fires last winter that resulted in a stampede for the front door and scores of people being trapped inside to die.

In a situation where panic is beyond control, about the best you can do is keep calm and lead the few remaining rational people that you can while abandoning the rest. Sometimes you can't save everyone and you have to set a realistic goal so you don't suffer the same fate as the mob.

But this kind of panic is not likely in your specific question of being in the woods longer than expected. In that case, effective leadership should be sufficient. Hopefully the group will have a leader beforehand, either formally or informally and that person will be in the best position to continue leading. Simply work through that person to keep the group doing the right things. Or maybe that person will transfer authority to you or someone else as appropriate.

If there is no leader, you have to decide if you will try to emerge as a leader or support someone else's emergence as a leader. This might be informal or done by taking a vote. Be prepared to explain why you are qualified to lead or to provide guidance to the leader on survival decisions.

In my experience, where there is no formal leader and people don't know each other beforehand, the process of designating a single leader is very problematic because you often have more than one person who simply will not be a follower, or the person exhibiting the most obvious alpha behaviour is unqualified for the situation. And this brings it's own kind of chaos. A vote might resolve the problem, but you may have to decide whether it will be better for you to work within the group or split off to save yourself and any that will follow you.

You would be surprised what authority a private security guard has. there are differnet levels of authority depending on the position and state but generall they have exactly what cops have, powers to arrest detain and shoot you if need be.

Point taken on panic however. One never knows who will actually step up to the plate until it happens. Undoubtedly where the term "unlikely heros" came to be. We would all like to think we would being survival minded and ego oriented but this is more than often not the case.

Flip

Well where I live (and in other U.S states as well) they have the exactly same authority as a private citizen which is basically nothing. They can make a citizens arrest and/or have basic self defense and good samaritan rights. Licensed private investigators have more authority even. Sure some of them carry guns but so do half the law abiding citizens in this and 36 (at my last count) other states and we don't go around exerting some special type of authority as a result.

Here, private security guards have (as Brian pointed out) the same authority.. no more.. than private citizens. HOWEVER, it is very annoying to be shot or pepper-sprayed by someone with no authority to do so.

To the point of this thread: IMHO "authority" and thence control of the situation comes from the individual's bearing. His tone of voice, voice amplitude, body language, etc. Perhaps augmented by "symbols" of authority such as weapons, uniforms, possession of the survival kit, etc.

There are verbal/vocal techniques which are often thought to enhance this "authority" and get better compliance:
Don't shout unless absolutely necessary. Talk slower, and in a deeper tone if you can.

Don't instruct in a "generic" manner. Not "someone get a blanket" but rather "YOU sir/mam ... (eye contact, even a light touch on the arm/shoulder) get a blanket and bring it over here please, NOW please"

If time allows, start with the "foot in the door" technique. Compliance snowballs. Start with simple instructions with a high chance of cooperation - "Step back 3-4 paces please".. "Gather over here a moment please".. "Sir, hand me that chair please", etc. In the "panic" type situations, once simple compliance starts there is generally a reluctance (perhaps even a physiological impediment, we think) for the panic-stricken to SHIFT. If you can establish authority/leadership initially and on no-brainer tasks, folks are predisposed to remain with you rather than SHIFTING to other leadership (including shifting to that internal voice of panic).

While some guards depending on laws have reduced authority I can assure you in a court of law they are treated similarly to LEO's in their testimony and actions .

In other words if it came down between you and a paid security officer whos doing his job in a professional manner you will loose in court. So just because they are "only a security guard" the courts don't see it that way and neither do the police. The same goes for large event staff, bouncers, armoured car guards etc.. If they get paid to provide security the law DOES treat them differently than joe blow public.

Flip