Normal reaction to basic human fear can be very useful. When you are afraid, your body be- comes more alert, you hear better, you see better, and you can perform amazing feats of strength. Even though we overcome our fears to some extent, a lack of confidence in our strength and ability may seriously weaken our will to survive. Therefore, you must prepare, both physically and psychologically, to deal with stresses in survival situations. We have each acquired, to some degree, many personality traits that are helpful in a survival situation. Most of us have come through some difficult, drawn out, emotionally draining prob- lems. We have learned the value of persistence and perseverance when the odds seemed against us. Reaching a coveted goal in sports requires such traits. You may have surmounted moments of danger or crisis with a physical or psychological strength you didn’t know you had. The key to survival is your attitude. The development of at least twelve important traits, or characteristics, will help you develop a survival attiude: Courage Determination Cheerfulness Positiveness Flexibility Willingness Purpose Attentiveness Confidence Productiveness Persistence Certainty We cannot overemphasize the importance of developing these traits. They can be more valuable to your survival than your survival equipment. You could find yourself in two types of survival situations—survival ashore and survival at sea. Knowing how to survive in each situation is equally important. Since you could also find yourself as the senior person in a survival situa- tion, you need to know your authority and respon- sibilities. AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SENIOR PERSON IN A SURVIVAL SITUATION You have worked hard to advance to your position of leadership. One of the most impor- tant responsibilities you may have is to function as the senior person in a survival situation. That is where the leadership skills you have been work- ing on will pay off. You will be responsible for the lives of your shipmates and for seeing that they are safe. Navy Regulations and article IV of the Code of Conduct give the senior person in a survival situation the authority to take charge. Even if you are not the senior person in charge, you have the responsibility to fully back the senior person in charge. If the senior member becomes injured or dies and you are the next senior person, you will assume responsibility for your group. The members of your group will depend on you to lead them in evading the enemy and reaching safety. Although you have the authority and respon- sibility of leadership, listen to your subordinates, as they may have useful ideas. Survival requires every person to give 100 percent toward a group effort. Failure on one person’s part could cause the group to end up in a prisoner-of-war camp. Think before you act, and weigh every situation carefully. Use the helpful ideas of the group. ASHORE Survival ashore becomes a personal struggle between the environment and the specific qualities people bring to the situation. Disaster subjects people to severe stresses they are not normally ex- posed to. Some people remain remarkably calm for varying periods, even under extreme stress. Others, however, become overwhelmed by disaster and unable to cope with what might be a life-threatening situation. People suffer the worst reactions when, with little or no warning or preparation, they suddenly find themselves in an unstructured and undefined situation. When you are faced with a survival situation on land, remember several facts. The obstacles to overcome aren’t so much physical as mental. In all probability, others have survived in that 6-16