Cliff wrote:
On a interesting note it would be interesting to see what is the survival rate for people who have taken a survival course or even read a book, however the number of those people are likely very low. Or who tends to have a stronger will and general ability to survive; women vs men, or young (17-25) vs experienced (25-45) vs older (45-65).
I would like to see some of those statistics myself. I believe that Gonzales spoke to that briefly in his book Deep Survival. IIRC he stated that statistics show that children between 3 and 6 years old have a higher survival rate in SAR situations than persons older. Also that children between 7 and 12 had the lowest survival rate. Again, IIRC, his reasons were that the 3 to 6 year olds are self centered and tend to do what it takes to see to their creature comforts. If they are cold they burrow into the leaves or crawl into a hollow log, if they are tired they sit down and rest, they don't push themselves beyond their limits like older people will. Also they don't really have a sence of needing to get somewhere or knowing there is somewhere to get to. Therefore they don't panic like older children or adults do when they realize they are lost. A young child always knows where they are. Right here! It is everything else that is lost. Kinda reminds me of Buckaroo Bonzai; " Whereever you go, there you are!"
I also remember reading years ago about sailors left adrift at sea during WWII from torpedoed ships. Seems the military did a study that indicated that all things being equal, middle and older aged married men with children faired best with a higher survival rate that more physically fit younger men. The reason given was that they had something to live for, wife and family where the younger men did not have that emotional bond and safety net to hang onto. Wonder if there are any other studies out there along these llines. Great thread!
Oldsalt