You can remain safe anywhere if you only maintain poise and absolute resolve. This is a key lesson in the art of survival. Your determining features are the desire to live and your aptitude. Your odds of survival are improved as you accrue practical knowledge, refine your ability to devise, and learn to employ those lessons in real world situations.
If one is suddenly thrust into isolation, in a desolate environment or in the control of an aggressor, one can diminish or forestall the distress. If you can memorize and recall the following acronym, you can and will lift yourself from the ills of circumstances in any situation. “S-U-R-V-I-V-A-L” it is a key term you will find posted at the U.S. Army Ranger School in Ft. Benning Georgia, and the JFK SWCS at Ft. Bragg, NC. This acronym is extended to operatives, pilots, aviators and other elite units of the U.S. military.
S– Size up the situation by considering yourself, the vicinity and your adversary.
- Hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. You will always revert back to what you have been trained; remember it and anticipate success. Immediately find a secure hide. Remain vigilant, consider options, and plot a course of action. Your confidence will increase. Think poised, be poised. Relax until you know where you are and what you will do.
- Much of your rational fear is rooted in your alien surrounding; make a conscious effort to know landmarks etc.
- Be ever observant of your adversary. Pay attention to any routines and/or habits, anything that stands out. Remember observational awareness. Always have an awareness of what is taking place around you.
U– Undue haste makes waste.
- Maintain a combat mindset, a mind that is prepared and calm. Don’t be in too much of a
hurry. In a rash decision you will become careless and impatient. Get it right before you do it fast. - Once again, your state of mind is the key. Do not let things get away from you. Deal with the facts, deal with the moment. Don’t excite yourself to anger; it can only further decrease your ability to rationalize. Control your breathing, relax and maintain absolute resolve.
R– Remember where you are.
- Note as you can all times, places, events, objects, and colors. Remember any and everything that can be of assistance to you immediately and in the near future.
V– Vanquish fear and pain.
- Conquer fear even though it is natural. At this moment it is a hindrance. Take the time to identify it and immediately control it. Having directly entered the moment by subduing your fears, you will respond readily, naturally and promptly.
- Pain can turn to panic, know this without thinking. If you have resolved to survive prior, you can repel any acts of irrationality.
- 7-P’s = Proper Prior Planning Precludes Piss Poor Performance. Think ahead, train ahead, plan ahead. Seek opportunities to escape and evade.
I– Improvise
- Continually seek a means to improve your situation, never ever quit. Take action, act rationally; perform a personal inventory (improvise- adapt- overcome). Do what you can, with what you have, and with what you have trained.
- Accept what you have been dealt. Learn to adapt and tolerate discomfort, new conditions, and adversity. There were others before you that have faced and overcome many of the situations which you will encounter. Persevere, endure, believe that you can and do it! Get your mind around S.E.R.E. (survival–escape-resistance-evasion).
V– Value living
- Eradicate your fear by maintaining hope, and through proper prior planning. Always seek
to improve your survivability. - Save your energy, preserve your strength. You want to have the ability to act in the moment of truth. Don’t waste what you cannot afford to expend.
- Keep your objective in mind. Remember that your goal is to live, to survive.
A– Act rationally, appropriately, with reason; without haste and/or panic.
L– Learn basic skills. Knowledge is your best insurance.
