Survival in the wild, in the urban jungle, in a natural disaster, or at the end of the world takes more than the skills you have been practicing or the items or tools you have been preparing. When you are alone out there and the unthinkable just takes place, your survival and your life as a whole are at stake.
It will demand not just your physical strength but also the strength and ability of your mind. In other words, critical thinking is vital to your survival.
Critical Thinking for Survival
Just because you are in the wilderness does not mean you should just focus on the muscles and nerves needed to survive. Survival is a mind game, as there are so many things to consider to come out alive from a very bad situation. You will need to assess your condition carefully. Food, clothing, shelter, and all others that you need will challenge your decision-making abilities.
If you have a 72-hour kit, you have to decide how you can possibly live longer than those first three days. Save as much food as you can and find a good source of water. It is time to set up your tent or any shelter from the elements. Assess the whole situation making use of all your analytical abilities to come up with the most suitable survival plan.
Panicking in crisis situations is expected but it is not a welcome thought because you could end up losing in the end. You need to stay rational and avoid taking too many chances or risks. Bear in mind that your main goal is to survive so take the time for some critical thinking when you are faced with difficult situations. You must try out the solutions that come to mind and discern what the consequences of one decision could result from.
It may take time to make up your mind on which move you should make, but with critical thinking, you will be able to eliminate the actions that lead to too many problems. Instead, choose the path that will ensure minimal damage or consequence and most of all guarantee that you will be able to get through the crisis situation.
- Psychology of Survival: Fear and Despair
- Survival Skills | The Psychology of Staying Alive
- The Psychology of Survival – Why Your Mind Matters Most
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on May 12, 2015, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
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I read this entry and it made me think of something I had never considered before. What you are talking about, if I am correct, is having the right “attitude” about surviving. You titled your post as “Critical Thinking….” I agree that having a critical attitude is VERY important. Knowing all the interesting ways to stay alive in a bad situation will do you no good if your brain is panicked or blank. My brother is a critical person, always criticizing situations, and people. This is a good attitude to have as you are looking at your bad situation, and thinking of what to do. How to do it works out best if you have a bit of a “cussed, ornery, or hyper-vigilant” way of thinking.
I live in a national forest near two waterfalls, and this past weekend we heard rescue, fire trucks, ambulance and helicopters come perform rescue eight separate times in one day, I kid you not. People are smart, and also stupid. No matter where you are you have to be ready, prepared for disaster, and cussed about where you, your loved ones are, and what you all are doing. Keep track of each other, and don’t let anyone go where you don’t know where they are. Being hyper-vigilant is a good thing in any kind of questionable situation where you and yours could get hurt. Also, please don’t be stupid. Those of us who live in this national forest really do weep when we hear of a child of yours, or you, is hurt or dies because of non-critical thinking. P.S. Read and obey the signs put up in the wilderness. They are there because someone died to teach you a good lesson.
Rule of 3. When 3 things go wrong, it is time to stop, observe and rethink. Heavy rain, lighting, swollen river, drop in temp. or lost a vital piece of gear. Seek shelter, get out, come back another time.
Excellent advice on the rule of 3.