Figure 6-7.—Elements of survival.
happens, stop, take a deep breath, and relax; then
start over. Face the facts—danger does exist. To
try to convince yourself otherwise only adds to
the danger.
R—Remember where you and your group
are.
V—Vanquish fear and panic.
To feel fear is normal and necessary. It is
nature’s way of giving you that extra shot of
energy when you need it. Learn to recognize fear
for what it is and control it. Look carefully at a
situation to determine if your fear is justified.
When you investigate, you will usually find many
of your fears are unreal.
When you are injured and in pain, controlling
fear is difficult. Pain can turn fear into panic and
cause you to act without thinking, Loneliness can
also cause panic. It can lead to hopelessness,
thoughts of suicide, carelessness, and even cap-
ture or surrender. Recognizing the effects of fear
can help you overcome panic.
I—Improvise.
You can always do something to improve your
situation. Figure out what you and your group
need; take stock of what you have; then
improvise. Learn to put up with new and
unpleasant conditions. Keep your mind and that
of your group on SURVIVAL. Don’t be afraid
to try strange foods.
V—Value living.
Conserve your health and strength and that
of your group. Illness or injury greatly reduces
your chances of survival and escape. Hunger,
cold, and fatigue lower your efficiency and
stamina, make you careless, and increase the
possibility of capture. Be aware that your spirits
may be low because of your physical conditions-
not because of the danger. Remember the goal
for you and your group—getting out of your
situation alive. Concentrating on the time after
your rescue will help you value living while trying
to survive.
A—Act like the local populace.
“At the railroad station, there were German
guards,” one escapee related. “I had an urgent
need to urinate. The only rest room was an ex-
posed one in front of the station. I felt too em-
barrassed to relieve myself in front of all the
passersby. I walked throughout the entire town
stopping occasionally and inquiring if a rest room
was available.” This man was detected and cap-
tured because he failed to accept the customs of
the locals. When you are in a strange situation,
accept and adopt local behavior to avoid attract-
ing attention.
L—Learn basic skills.
The best life insurance is to make sure you
learn the techniques and methods of survival so
thoroughly that they become automatic. Then you
will probably do the right thing, even if you panic.
Be inquisitive, and search for any additional sur-
vival information.
SUMMARY
Everyone in the Navy has the job of prevent-
ing mishaps. Mishap prevention reduces personal
injury and damage to material and equipment.
Try to help the Navy reach its ultimate goal of
preventing all mishaps by recognizing the need for
mishap prevention; then take steps daily to pre-
vent mishaps.
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