Survival Zone Expert: Ross McFadyen (cont'd)

Read survival expert Ross McFadyen's responses to your questions below. Didn't find what you were looking for? Ask him more survival questions now.

Q: Can the human body produce something internally that helps them survive? Sometimes we hear stories where men or women perform amazing feats like carrying unbelievable weights and such. Is there a survival mechanism in the body that occurs in deadly situations that helps a person survive?
- "Arda Durmaz"

A: YES! It's called "the will to survive." It has been defined as "the desire to live despite seemingly insurmountable mental or physical obstacles." The key word there is "seemingly." Your outlook may not be the same as the next guy. While we all have a will to survive, it comes in varying degree from person to person. Training and the tools you have are important, but they are not always the deciding factor. That said, being properly prepared will have an impact on you mentally that will carry over to your will to survive. Even so, under life-threatening circumstances, one person will choose to die while the next guy will make different choices to live. A couple of stories come to mind.

The first is of a man who was stranded in the Arizona desert for eight days without food or water. He traveled more than 150 miles during searing temperatures, losing 25 percent of his body weight due to water loss (usually a 10-percent loss is fatal).His blood became so thick that his multiple lacerations didn't bleed until after he was rescued and given large quantities of fluids. Obviously his only thoughts were of surviving. This hasn't been substantiated, but I heard that he was going through a divorce and didn't want his wife to get everything!

The second story is of a Canadian bush pilot who had engine troubles and made a deadstick landing onto a frozen lake. He did a great job and came to a stop in the middle of the lake. He left the aircraft and checked it for damage. After surveying the area, he noticed a wooded shoreline about 200 yards away where food and shelter could be provided. About halfway there, he changed his mind and went back to the plane. He climbed into the cockpit, smoked a cigar, took out his pistol and blew his brains out. Less than 24 hours later, a rescue team found him. No one will ever know why he just gave up, or why some people will go on by eating their belt or drinking broth from their boots. But it all comes down to one's will to survive!

Here are some things to remember that you can use to strengthen your chances of survival:

1) Don't panic — "flying off the handle" can be a death sentence.

2) If possible, relax and think through your situation rationally.

3) Develop a plan and take action. Doing nothing does just that — nothing.

4) Having a positive mental attitude is critical. Keeping your hope and faith alive depends on your PMA.

5) Prayer or meditation and thoughts of your family can also be very helpful.

Keep in mind that, no matter what, you can and will survive.