It takes way more than the information and skills to make shelters, get food, make fires and travel without the help of normal navigational devices to live with success through a survival scenario. Some people with very little or no survival training have managed to survive life-threatening circumstances. Some folks with survival training haven’t used their skills and died. A key ingredient in any survival scenario is the knowledge of the individual(s) involved. Having survival skills is important; having the will to survive is crucial. Without a desire to survive, acquired skills serve little purpose and invaluable information goes to waste.
There is a psychology to survival. The person in a survival environment faces several stresses that ultimately impact his mind. These stresses can turn out thoughts and emotions that, if poorly understood, will transform a confident, well-trained adult into an indecisive, ineffective individual with questionable ability to survive. Thus, everybody must be aware of and be ready to recognize those stresses usually related to survival. additionally, it’s imperative that you remember of your reactions to the wide variety of stresses related to survival. This chapter will identify and explain the nature of stress, the stresses of survival and people internal reactions you will naturally experience when faced with the stresses of a real-world survival situation. The knowledge you gain from this chapter and alternative chapters in this manual will prepare you to come through the toughest times alive.
