Shards of Survival: November 15, 2005

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Leadership

It depends on how well the group members know each other whether a leader needs to be appointed. If everyone knows each other than the members usually know pretty well who is an authority on which subject.

consultation and deliberation are crucial for survival

When, however, a group consists of virtual strangers then things are quite different. Often the extrovert show-off will try to claim leadership. As a group people should oppose such forced on leadership. A real leader will make himself known by his (or her!) actions, ideas and initiatives. A leader will think of the needs of all the members of the group, respects other people's input, will ask advice from more knowledgeable people and will take well-considered decisions in the interest of the whole group.

It's important that a leader is actively chosen or appointed or publicly accepted by the whole group. That way there can be no doubt over the legitimacy of the leader. Consequently, the group members must accept that the leader is not infallible and should restrain from abandoning the leader at the first sign of adversity. They should remember that the burden of leadership is a great load to bear and that his decisions can have far-reaching consequences. A leader under stress from his group is more likely to try to keep the peace and give in to dissentient voices instead of implementing tough but necessary measures.

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Danger from two sides

An emergency evolves as a result of objective and subjective threats. Objective threats come from nature, like a bolt of lightning, floods, huricanes, avalanches or falling rocks. Subjective threats are caused by humans, their limitations or their "stupidity".

Tornadoes are a form of objective threats

You can learn to see objective threats by expanding your knowledge of natural phenomenon like the weather, erosion and the habits of animals. Here on Shards of Survival we'll provide you with much information covering many fields. We do stress, though, that you should also do your own research and deepen your knowledge further. The internet is a good source, of course, but so is your local library. Going (back) to school, taking college courses or doing field work are also useful, fun and practical ways of gathering information.

<br />Martial arts and sports build self-confidence, strength and stamina

Subjective threats are, for instance, insufficient stamina, training and self-control, a lack of skills, an inflated ego, wrong assesment of objective threats, poor observation and interpretation of signs and clues, lack of knowledge and the inability to others who know the environment better or who are better experts (the arrogance of the city slicker!).

Survival is mainly a matter of knowing where threats can occur, how to recognise them and how to take advantage of the resources available to you in your environment. People often say that nature is merciless. That's not true. Nature is, however, indifferent! In nature, different rules apply than in our western societies. Know the rules, or at least know how to recognise them, and a walk in the mountains is as safe as a walk in the park. In nature, a man is nothing but a little mouse. As long as the mouse remembers that, all will be well.

Here on Shards of Survival we keep nagging about this aspect of respect and mentality because over and over again it turns out to be so incredibily important. Flout it and you're a threat to yourself and your companions. The ones to worry about are the ones who play with fire, carelessly handle axes and knives, have no care for the consequences of their antics and behave rudely and irresponsibly. Odd thing is that these people often hardly face any problems. It's other people who suffer the consequences. A strong authority figure in the group should keep these people on a very short leash. Let the reins go free for once and you better prepare for a new disaster.

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Be prepared!

The old Boy Scout slogan "Be prepared!" is still very much alive. For many it means to be ready for action, for us here on Shards of Survival we'll interpret it more as to be informed and knowledgeable as possible so you'll be able to stand the tests of Fate. No quite as catchy but it is more accurate.

In survival terms, being prepared means that through knowledge and training you feel more confident to handle a situation. Self-confidence is extremely important, just as the will to live. If one of these factors is missing than survival is more like a poker game. You can bluff your way out but your luck might run out sooner.

All beginnings are difficult. After reading these pages here on Shards of Survival you might think survival is not so difficult but during the practical classes that we provide you'll reconsider that thought. Tougher men than you broke down and cried. :) The answers are perseverance and teamwork. And you'll also have to learn to finish a job, even it takes foever and everything goes wrong. Only by doing you'll find out whether you'll have to alter your plans and ideas. After some time you'll notice that certain jobs and tasks have become easier to fulfil and that you're done quicker. That is the routine and self-confidence (the auto pilot) that take over. And that is the level we're looking for. Survival must become second nature. It shouldn't be something we have to think about or dwell over at length.

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Introduction to survival

In your daily life there are several different meanings for the word survival. Often it means you're living through a difficult period, either physically or mentally. Another meaning is found in "survival of the fittest". Here it means that the best or the ablest ultimately wins or comes out of the fight alive. The meaning that we will use here on Shards of Survival is a little different. Survival is the art (and often craft) to cope with adverse, often emergency, situations on you own strength and wits.

So, survival is an art. The trouble with art is that everyone has his own opinions on it. An advantage is that everyone, in his own way, can create art. This interpretation of survival seems misty and vague but it will soon be clear that it has its advantages.

There are two major survival or emergency situations: the physical and the mental emergency. The former is used for situations where you must stay alive in the wild outdoors, for instance, or where you must solve a difficult task that poses major risks. The latter is, for example, when you try to cope with a depression or try to force yourself into a positive attitude. Mental emergencies are much harder to tackle than physical emergencies. They often require professional help from a psychiatrist, psycologist or sociologist. These professionals are trained to help you climb out of the darkness of your mind.

Here on Shards of Survival we'll mainly focus on the physical side of survival. This has the advantages that everyone in his own way can learn something and that we lay a foundation from where mental problems have less chance of developing. Mensa sana in corpore sano, or "a healthy mind in a healthy body". Shards of Survival will not just focus on real emergencies but mostly and more specifically with accidental setbacks during holidays, day trips, while out camping, hiking or cycling. That is, those little accidents that can ruin your perfect day.

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