- Joined
- Nov 29, 1999
- Messages
- 632
I am a firm believer that survival is broken down as follows:
80% will
10% knowledge
10% equipment
When I entered into the USAF Survival Tech school which lasted 6 months (along with a second 6 months learning to teach to others = total 12 months of training before carrying a crew alone) I had no idea what to expect. We had a 70% attrition rate the first 6 months and lost another 5% during the final 6 months (these individual had the will to survive but couldn't teach). It was interesting to see the strongest students that could do the most pull ups, sit ups, push ups, and run the fastest were the first to ring the bell and leave training.
I learned early on that physically ability was not the key...your mental attitude was. This became extremely important when I went through the POW training (instrutors in training experience training as real as it could get...the students we ran through our POW camps had no idea how easy they had it). I was put through two near drowning, put unconcious, made hypothermic two times, and beaten on. My mental attitude and will to survive was the key to not divulging information.
This will was also very important on my first field trip which lasted 22 days...in freezing temperatures and waist high snow. I went 5 days and 4 nights with no food or sleep...during this time our tasks were tremendous. I lost 25 pounds during that trip. Our element had 11 and we finished with 3.
My point is, without these (and many others) experiences I may have never understood how far my will to survive would allow me to go. In addition, my training allows me to teach from the heart...I HAVE SURVIVED in every environment in the world...learning the hardships and victories of each.
The will to survive is so important. Why does one individual put a bullet in their head (after a crash landing on a frozen lake) when he was just 75 yards away from a temperate forest with all the resources to meet his needs...why does another person travel 1100 miles through some of the harshest environmenst in the world to attain freedom. Will, Will, Will to survive.
At ANEW:
-Our programs provide comprehensive level skills in the art of survival (knowledge)
-Our programs discuss and show you the different types of equipment you might use in a survival setting (manmade and natural)
-Finally, our programs SHOW YOU that YOU have the WILL to survive (this is something that can't be taught in a book...you must learn this through experience and increased self-confidence, self-relience, and self-esteem). BTW we don't do anything like I explained above (unless you want it :>))
To learn survival you must read it, watch it, and attend a reputable program to bring it all together. But most important...push your limits and develop your will. :>)
Any comments or questions on this post (the will to survive) are welcome.
------------------
Greg Davenport
http://www.ssurvival.com
Are You Ready For The Challenge?
Are You Ready To Learn The Art Of Wilderness Survival?
80% will
10% knowledge
10% equipment
When I entered into the USAF Survival Tech school which lasted 6 months (along with a second 6 months learning to teach to others = total 12 months of training before carrying a crew alone) I had no idea what to expect. We had a 70% attrition rate the first 6 months and lost another 5% during the final 6 months (these individual had the will to survive but couldn't teach). It was interesting to see the strongest students that could do the most pull ups, sit ups, push ups, and run the fastest were the first to ring the bell and leave training.
I learned early on that physically ability was not the key...your mental attitude was. This became extremely important when I went through the POW training (instrutors in training experience training as real as it could get...the students we ran through our POW camps had no idea how easy they had it). I was put through two near drowning, put unconcious, made hypothermic two times, and beaten on. My mental attitude and will to survive was the key to not divulging information.
This will was also very important on my first field trip which lasted 22 days...in freezing temperatures and waist high snow. I went 5 days and 4 nights with no food or sleep...during this time our tasks were tremendous. I lost 25 pounds during that trip. Our element had 11 and we finished with 3.
My point is, without these (and many others) experiences I may have never understood how far my will to survive would allow me to go. In addition, my training allows me to teach from the heart...I HAVE SURVIVED in every environment in the world...learning the hardships and victories of each.
The will to survive is so important. Why does one individual put a bullet in their head (after a crash landing on a frozen lake) when he was just 75 yards away from a temperate forest with all the resources to meet his needs...why does another person travel 1100 miles through some of the harshest environmenst in the world to attain freedom. Will, Will, Will to survive.
At ANEW:
-Our programs provide comprehensive level skills in the art of survival (knowledge)
-Our programs discuss and show you the different types of equipment you might use in a survival setting (manmade and natural)
-Finally, our programs SHOW YOU that YOU have the WILL to survive (this is something that can't be taught in a book...you must learn this through experience and increased self-confidence, self-relience, and self-esteem). BTW we don't do anything like I explained above (unless you want it :>))
To learn survival you must read it, watch it, and attend a reputable program to bring it all together. But most important...push your limits and develop your will. :>)
Any comments or questions on this post (the will to survive) are welcome.
------------------
Greg Davenport
http://www.ssurvival.com
Are You Ready For The Challenge?
Are You Ready To Learn The Art Of Wilderness Survival?
