There are distinct qualities that can be developed in all of us to promote behavior that will lead to survivability in almost any contingency or crisis. From being able to think clearly and quickly to assessing risk and making fast decisions to being prepared both mentally and materially, anyone can put themselves at a distinct advantage that can lead to a positive outcome as they endure almost any situation. Attitude is everything, and if you believe that you can overcome anything, then chances are that you will find a way to succeed. While having a positive attitude is foundational to success, it must be followed up with action and preparation as well.
There are many schools of thought out there as to what the best type of preparation involves, and it really is up to the individual to determine what options will work best for them. Some go to intensive survival training camps while others connect with others in their area and share ideas, tips and tricks and maybe practice various “games” in their free time. Others are content with simply getting good information and learning from some of the vast resources that are out there today. Preparation is important, and this includes mental, physical and assembling the right tools and supplies that will be the most helpful if some disaster is ever imminent.
Survivors take time to think things through, and they are not afraid to think outside of the box either. There are always more than one solution to problems, and they are quick on their feet and often can switch gears and act instead of contemplate when the need arises. Making good judgment calls, acting on hunches and using preparation as a basis to free up time and energy to make good decisions are all traits that survivors share in common. We are not talking about refugees here, rather those who managed to escape disaster because they were prepared and equipped well ahead of when the problem emerged on the scene.
It doesn’t take much to beat any challenge, problem, disaster or unintended or unexpected emergency. A survivor is not always someone who lived in the mountains for six months to escape a volcano or natural disaster of galactic proportions. A survivor is someone who uses their head to escape from a burning building because they knew what to do because they rehearsed and practiced. A survivor is someone who had the necessary supplies and survival kits in their vehicle when it broke down in a snowstorm, and they knew what to do until help arrived. A survivor is someone who has control over their response to a particular situation, and they manage to keep their wits about them.
A survivor is not necessarily a trained expert or specialist either, in fact much that revolves around implementing good survival tactics has to do with good common sense. You don’t need to be extensively trained in techniques and methods in order to live through a crisis, you just need to know what to do. Of course, the more training and experience and familiarity that you have with particular things can not hurt either.
A survivor does not freeze during a crisis and they somehow manage to steer through the imminent danger and think clearly, even if they are scared out of their wits. They take time to think before reacting, and they are able to quickly analyze and interpret a lot of information in a short amount of time in order to make good decisions. You can be a survivor as well, and all it takes is a little practice, preparation and training of your mind to give you a solid foundation that can save your life. Use common sense, be prepared and think of more than one solution when it comes to addressing a particular problem or crisis.
These are just a few basic attributes of what a survivor is during a moment of sheer crisis, and you do not need to be anyone special, gifted, powerful or above average to actively think and prepare your way out of almost any problem. Whether knowing where to hide during an earthquake or what you need to take with you when you are fleeing a hurricane, taking time to assess, plan and prepare will only help you to make good choices when you are called upon to act during the throws of a crisis. Remember that you can survive anything if you know how, and the key to getting through the darkest of situations is to be prepared and never take anything for granted. Know your surroundings, your circumstances, your strengths and your weaknesses, and make realistic plans and assessments that will help you get out of harms way and on with your normal life.
