Before we can understand our psychological reactions in a survival setting, it is helpful to first know a
little bit about stress.
Stress is not a disease that you cure and eliminate. Instead, it 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 as we physically,
mentally, emotionally, and spiritually respond to life's tensions.
Need for Stress
We need stress because it has many positive benefits. Stress provides us with challenges; it gives us
chances to learn about our values and strengths. Stress can show our ability to handle pressure without
breaking; it tests our adaptability and flexibility; it can stimulate us to do our best. 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.
We need to have some stress in our lives, but too much of anything can be bad. The goal is to have stress,
but not an excess of it. Too much stress can take its toll on people and organizations. Too much stress
leads to distress. Distress causes an uncomfortable tension that we try to escape and, preferably, avoid.
Listed below are a few of the common signs of distress you may find in your fellow soldiers or yourself
when faced with too much stress:
l Difficulty making decisions.
l Angry outbursts.
l Forgetfulness.
l Low energy level.
l Constant worrying.
l Propensity for mistakes.
l Thoughts about death or suicide.
l Trouble getting along with others.
l Withdrawing from others.
l Hiding from responsibilities.
l Carelessness.
As you can see, stress can be constructive or destructive. It can encourage or discourage, move us along
or stop us dead in our tracks, and make life meaningful or seemingly meaningless. Stress can inspire you
to operate successfully and perform at your maximum efficiency in a survival situation. It can also cause
you to panic and forget all your training. Key to your survival is your ability to manage the inevitable
stresses you will encounter. The survivor is the soldier who works with his stresses instead of letting his
stresses work on him.
Survival Stressors
Any event can lead to stress and, as everyone has experienced, events don't always come one at a time.
Often, stressful events occur simultaneously. These events are not stress, but they produce it and are
called "stressors." Stressors are the obvious cause while stress is the response. Once the body recognizes
the presence of a stressor, it then begins to act to protect itself.
In response to a stressor, the body prepares either to "fight or flee." This preparation involves an internal
SOS sent throughout the body. As the body responds to this SOS, several actions take place. The body
releases stored fuels (sugar and fats) to provide quick energy; breathing rate increases to supply more
oxygen to the blood; muscle tension increases to prepare for action; blood clotting mechanisms are
activated to reduce bleeding from cuts; senses become more acute (hearing becomes more sensitive, eyes
become big, smell becomes sharper) so that you are more aware of your surrounding and heart rate and
blood pressure rise to provide more blood to the muscles. This protective posture lets a person cope with
potential dangers; however, a person cannot maintain such a level of alertness indefinitely.
Stressors are not courteous; one stressor does not leave because another one arrives. Stressors add up.
The cumulative effect of minor stressors can be a major distress if they all happen too close together. As
the body's resistance to stress wears down and the sources of stress continue (or increase), eventually a
state of exhaustion arrives. At this point, the ability to resist stress or use it in a positive way gives out
and signs of distress appear. Anticipating stressors and developing strategies to cope with them are two
ingredients in the effective management of stress. It is therefore essential that the soldier in a survival
setting be aware of the types of stressors he will encounter. Let's take a look at a few of these.
Injury, Illness, or Death
Injury, illness, and death are real possibilities a survivor has to face. Perhaps nothing is more stressful
than being alone in an unfamiliar environment where you could die from hostile action, an accident, or
from eating something lethal. Illness and injury can also add to stress by limiting your ability to
maneuver, get food and drink, find shelter, and defend yourself. Even if illness and injury don't lead to
death, they add to stress through the pain and discomfort they generate. It is only by con-trolling the
stress associated with the vulnerability to injury, illness, and death that a soldier can have the courage to
take the risks associated with survival tasks.
Uncertainly and Lack of Control
Some people have trouble operating in settings where everything is not clear-cut. The only guarantee in a
survival situation is that nothing is guaranteed. It can be extremely stressful operating on limited
information in a setting where you have limited control of your surroundings. This uncertainty and lack
of control also add to the stress of being ill, injured, or killed.
Environment
Even under the most ideal circumstances, nature is quite formidable. In survival, a soldier will have to
contend with the stressors of weather, terrain, and the variety of creatures inhabiting an area. Heat, cold,
rain, winds, mountains, swamps, deserts, insects, dangerous reptiles, and other animals are just a few of
the challenges awaiting the soldier working to survive. Depending on how a soldier handles the stress of
his environment, his surroundings can be either a source of food and protection or can be a cause of
extreme discomfort leading to injury, illness, or death.
Hunger and Thirst
Without food and water a person will weaken and eventually die. Thus, getting and preserving food and
water takes on increasing importance as the length of time in a survival setting increases. For a soldier
used to having his provisions issued, foraging can be a big source of stress.
Fatigue
Forcing yourself to continue surviving is not easy as you grow more tired. It is possible to become so
fatigued that the act of just staying awake is stressful in itself.
Isolation
There are some advantages to facing adversity with others. As soldiers we learn individual skills, but we
train to function as part of a team. Although we, as soldiers, complain about higher headquarters, we
become used to the information and guidance it provides, especially during times of confusion. Being in
contact with others also provides a greater sense of security and a feeling someone is available to help if
problems occur. A significant stressor in survival situations is that often a person or team has to rely
solely on its own resources.
The survival stressors mentioned in this section are by no means the only ones you may face. Remember,
what is stressful to one person may not be stressful to another. Your experiences, training, personal
outlook on life, physical and mental conditioning, and level of self-confidence contribute to what you
will find stressful in a survival environment. The object is not to avoid stress, but rather to manage the
stressors of survival and make them work for you.
We now have a general knowledge of stress and the stressors common to survival; the next step is to
examine our reactions to the stressors we may face.
NATURAL REACTIONS
Man has been able to survive many shifts in his environment throughout the centuries. His ability to
adapt physically and mentally to a changing world kept him alive while other species around him
gradually died off. The same survival mechanisms that kept our forefathers alive can help keep us alive
as well! However, these survival mechanisms that can help us can also work against us if we don't
understand and anticipate their presence.
It is not surprising that the average person will have some psychological reactions in a survival situation.
We will now examine some of the major internal reactions you and anyone with you might experience
with the survival stressors addressed in the earlier paragraphs. Let's begin.
Fear
Fear is our emotional response to dangerous circumstances that we believe have the potential to cause
death, injury, or illness. This harm is not just limited to physical damage; the threat to one's emotional
and mental well-being can generate fear as well. For the soldier trying to survive, fear can have a positive
function if it encourages him to be cautious in situations where recklessness could result in injury.
Unfortunately, fear can also immobilize a person. It can cause him to become so frightened that he fails
to perform activities essential for survival. Most soldiers will have some degree of fear when placed in
unfamiliar surroundings under adverse conditions. There is no shame in this! Each soldier must train
himself not to be overcome by his fears. Ideally, through realistic training, we can acquire the knowledge
and skills needed to increase our confidence and thereby manage our fears.
Anxiety
Associated with fear is anxiety. Because it is natural for us to be afraid, it is also natural for us to
experience anxiety. Anxiety can be an uneasy, apprehensive feeling we get when faced with dangerous
situations (physical, mental, and emotional). When used in a healthy way, anxiety urges us to act to end,
or at least master, the dangers that threaten our existence. If we were never anxious, there would be little
motivation to make changes in our lives. The soldier in a survival setting reduces his anxiety by
performing those tasks that will ensure his coming through the ordeal alive. As he reduces his anxiety,
the soldier is also bringing under control the source of that anxiety--his fears. In this form, anxiety is
good; however, anxiety can also have a devastating impact. Anxiety can overwhelm a soldier to the point
where he becomes easily confused and has difficulty thinking. Once this happens, it becomes more and
more difficult for him to make good judgments and sound decisions. To survive, the soldier must learn
techniques to calm his anxieties and keep them in the range where they help, not hurt.
Anger and Frustration
Frustration arises when a person is continually thwarted in his attempts to reach a goal. The goal of
survival is to stay alive until you can reach help or until help can reach you. To achieve this goal, the
soldier must complete some tasks with minimal resources. It is inevitable, in trying to do these tasks, that
something will go wrong; that something will happen beyond the soldier's control; and that with one's
life at stake, every mistake is magnified in terms of its importance. Thus, sooner or later, soldiers will
have to cope with frustration when a few of their plans run into trouble. One outgrowth of this frustration
is anger. There are many events in a survival situation that can frustrate or anger a soldier. Getting lost,
damaged or forgotten equipment, the weather, inhospitable terrain, enemy patrols, and physical
limitations are just a few sources of frustration and anger. 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). If the soldier can harness and properly
channel the emotional intensity associated with anger and frustration, he can productively act as he
answers the challenges of survival. If the soldier does not properly focus his angry feelings, he can waste
much energy in activities that do little to further either his chances of survival or the chances of those
around him.
Depression
It would be a rare person indeed who would not get sad, at least momentarily, when faced with the
privations of survival. As this sadness deepens, we label the feeling "depression." Depression is closely
linked with frustration and anger. The frustrated person becomes more and more angry as he fails to
reach his goals. If the anger does not help the person to succeed, then the frustration level goes even
higher. A destructive cycle between anger and frustration continues until the person becomes worn
down-physically, emotionally, and mentally. When a person reaches this point, he starts to give up, and
his focus shifts from "What can I do" to "There is nothing I can do." Depression is an expression of this
hopeless, helpless feeling. There is nothing wrong with being sad as you temporarily think about your
loved ones and remember what life is like back in "civilization" or "the world." Such thoughts, in fact,
can give you the desire to try harder and live one more day. On the other hand, if you allow yourself to
sink into a depressed state, then it can sap all your energy and, more important, your will to survive. It is
imperative that each soldier resist succumbing to depression.
Loneliness and Boredom
Man is a social animal. This means we, as human beings, enjoy the company of others. Very few people
want to be alone all the time! As you are aware, there is a distinct chance of isolation in a survival
setting. This is not bad. Loneliness and boredom can bring to the surface qualities you thought only
others had. The extent of your imagination and creativity may surprise you. When required to do so, you
may discover some hidden talents and abilities. Most of all, you may tap into a reservoir of inner strength
and fortitude you never knew you had. Conversely, loneliness and boredom can be another source of
depression. As a soldier surviving alone, or with others, you must find ways to keep your mind
productively occupied. Additionally, you must develop a degree of self-sufficiency. You must have faith
in your capability to "go it alone."
Guilt
The circumstances leading to your being in a survival setting are sometimes dramatic and tragic. It may
be the result of an accident or military mission where there was a loss of life. Perhaps you were the only,
or one of a few, survivors. While naturally relieved to be alive, you simultaneously may be mourning the
deaths of others who were less fortunate. It is not uncommon for survivors to feel guilty about being
spared from death while others were not. This feeling, when used in a positive way, has encouraged
people to try harder to survive with the belief they were allowed to live for some greater purpose in life.
Sometimes, survivors tried to stay alive so that they could carry on the work of those killed. Whatever
reason you give yourself, do not let guilt feelings prevent you from living. The living who abandon their
chance to survive accomplish nothing. Such an act would be the greatest tragedy.
PREPARING YOURSELF
Your mission as a soldier in a survival situation is to stay alive. As you can see, you are going to
experience an assortment of thoughts and emotions. These can work for you, or they can work to your
downfall. Fear, anxiety, anger, frustration, guilt, depression, and loneliness are all possible reactions to
the many stresses common to survival. These reactions, when controlled in a healthy way, help to
increase a soldier's likelihood of surviving. They prompt the soldier to pay more attention in training, to
fight back when scared, to take actions that ensure sustenance and security, to keep faith with his fellow
soldiers, and to strive against large odds. When the survivor cannot control these reactions in a healthy
way, they can bring him to a standstill. Instead of rallying his internal resources, the soldier listens to his
internal fears. This soldier experiences psychological defeat long before he physically succumbs.
Remember, survival is natural to everyone; being unexpectedly thrust into the life and death struggle of
survival is not. Don't be afraid of your "natural reactions to this unnatural situation." Prepare yourself to
rule over these reactions so they serve your ultimate interest--staying alive with the honor and dignity
associated with being an American soldier.
It involves preparation to ensure that your reactions in a survival setting are productive, not destructive.
The challenge of survival has produced countless examples of heroism, courage, and self-sacrifice. These
are the qualities it can bring out in you if you have prepared yourself. Below are a few tips to help
prepare yourself psychologically for survival. Through studying this manual and attending survival
training you can develop the survival attitude.
Know Yourself
Through training, family, and friends take the time to discover who you are on the inside. Strengthen
your stronger qualities and develop the areas that you know are necessary to survive.
Anticipate Fears
Don't pretend that you will have no fears. Begin thinking about what would frighten you the most if
forced to survive alone. Train in those areas of concern to you. The goal is not to eliminate the fear, but
to build confidence in your ability to function despite your fears.
Be Realistic
Don't be afraid to make an honest appraisal of situations. See circumstances as they are, not as you want
them to be. Keep your hopes and expectations within the estimate of the situation. When you go into a
survival setting with unrealistic expectations, you may be laying the groundwork for bitter
disappointment. Follow the adage, "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst." It is much easier to adjust
to pleasant surprises about one's unexpected good fortunes than to be upset by one's unexpected harsh
circumstances.
Adopt a Positive Attitude
Learn to see the potential good in everything. Looking for the good not only boosts morale, it also is
excellent for exercising your imagination and creativity.
Remind Yourself What Is at Stake
Remember, failure to prepare yourself psychologically to cope with survival leads to reactions such as
depression, carelessness, inattention, loss of confidence, poor decision-making, and giving up before the
body gives in. At stake is your life and the lives of others who are depending on you to do your share.
Train
Through military training and life experiences, begin today to prepare yourself to cope with the rigors of
survival. Demonstrating your skills in training will give you the confidence to call upon them should the
need arise. Remember, the more realistic the training, the less overwhelming an actual survival setting
will be.
Learn Stress Management Techniques
People under stress have a potential to panic if they are not well-trained and not prepared psychologically
to face whatever the circumstances may be. While we often cannot control the survival circumstances in
which we find ourselves, it is within our ability to control our response to those circumstances. Learning
stress management techniques can enhance significantly your capability to remain calm and focused as
you work to keep yourself and others alive. A few good techniques to develop include relaxation skills,
time management skills, assertiveness skills, and cognitive restructuring skills (the ability to control how
you view a situation).
Remember, "the will to survive" can also be considered to be "the refusal to give up."