Fatigue : Survival Tips : Discovery Channel

Fatigue: Worst-Case Scenario

Charles W. Bryant,

You've probably felt fatigued after working in the hot sun in your front yard all day. Then you go inside, have some dinner and rest, and you're good as new the next day. But in a survival scenario, you might be fatigued from hiking for rescue with little food or water. Add mental strain and anxiety to the equation, and you'll really be worn down. In this case, it's not as easy as firing up some dinner and nodding off under your Egyptian cotton sheets. You'll need to take care of your fatigue to maintain your strength, even if that means delaying your quest for civilization.

Tired?

You'll know when you're fatigued. Aside from having tired and achy muscles, you might pass out or feel faint, feel your heart beating in your chest, experience dizziness or vertigo, or become short of breath. Drowsiness may occur as well, although fatigue isn't the same thing as sleepiness. There's also a vicious cycle that occurs. Fatigue weakens your immune system and welcomes sickness and infection, and then those maladies render you more fatigued.

I Will Survive

In any worst-case scenario, your best tool is a clear and rational mind and a body in good health. If either one of these suffers, your chances at survival become dim. The bad news is that fatigue will hinder both mind and body. The good news is that fatigue is one of the simpler medical conditions to combat. You don't need any fancy equipment or superior survival skills. All you need is rest, food and water.

Mind and Body

If you're stranded in the middle of nowhere and your only chance at survival is hiking toward civilization, you need to take frequent breaks if you aren't in superior physical condition. Even if you're in great shape, you need to rest periodically. If you feel extremely weak and fatigued, take a day or two off to regain some energy. Set up camp and spend this time gathering food and water if you can. It helps to camp as close to a food and water source as you can. The name of the game here is energy conservation. While you rest your body, relax your mind as well. Experts will tell you that maintaining a positive outlook and steering clear of panic and anxiety will help to restore your energy levels.

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Fatigue: Worst-Case Scenario

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