Should You Stay or Venture Out in an Emergency?
Urban and wilderness survival guidelines traditionally advise people to remain in one place during or after a crisis so that they can be found by rescuers. But what if waiting isn’t an option? What if the usual recommendation to stay put is not ideal, and self-rescue is the more sensible choice?
Imagine a natural disaster, like a tornado or hurricane, where the emergency response is too stretched to help, or being stranded after an incident in a distant wilderness location. Or perhaps, on your daily drive home from work, you’re trapped in a blizzard and can’t get through to emergency services, as Anndell Taylor experienced in December 2022.
How should you respond? How can you differentiate between staying and venturing out? How do you decide?
Drawing from an article originally published on Leon Patenburg’s Survival Common Sense blog, Peter Kummerfeldt, a survival specialist, delves into the thinking and practicalities of self-rescue.
Understanding Self-Rescue
Self-rescue can be defined as: “Escaping a precarious situation without jeopardizing others in the process.”
If you’re someone who often finds themselves in outdoor settings, you may, at some point, have to choose between seeking external aid or relying on your own capabilities. Remember, every call for assistance poses potential risks to the responders.
Each emergency varies, necessitating different escape strategies. Yet, the core method remains consistent.
The Three Phases of Self-Rescue
- Identifying the Danger: Recognizing threats comes from past knowledge and experience, though one can also gain insights from experts or specific training sessions. This is especially vital outdoors, as understanding signs can help anticipate dangers like bad weather, unsafe terrains, or wildlife encounters.
- Distinguishing Imminent from Potential Harm: Recognize whether the threat is immediate or if it’s a potential danger that can be managed later. For instance, an about-to-ignite crashed plane presents immediate harm, while a forecasted storm might be a potential threat.
- Reacting to the Threat: In emergencies, prompt, effective responses are crucial. John Leach, in his book “Survival Psychology,” mentions that in a crisis, most people need direction, with only a few acting sensibly.
Guidelines for Effective Self-Rescue
- Immediate Response to Danger: Preparation is key. Your chances of survival hinge on prior planning. Tend to any immediate medical needs and assess the scene for safety before anything else.
- Stay Calm: Panic is a natural response in emergencies. While it can trigger adrenaline for fight-or-flight responses, uncontrolled panic can be counterproductive. Pre-crisis preparation plays a pivotal role in managing such reactions.
- Evaluate Your Resources: Knowing what you have at your disposal is crucial. This includes personal items, vehicle contents, and any potential tools or materials from the surroundings.
- Draft a Preliminary Rescue Strategy: Be realistic about your abilities and the situation. Overconfidence can be dangerous. Consider factors like the time of day, your location, and any promises made to others.
- Plan Step-by-Step: Consider all variables: your physical state, weather conditions, navigation tools, and energy levels.
- Consider Possible Issues: Anticipate challenges that might emerge during your self-rescue and brainstorm solutions in advance.
- Visualize Your Plan: Before executing, mentally walk through your strategy. If it seems unfeasible in thought, it likely won’t work in practice.
- Implement Your Plan: Once everything is organized, set your plan in motion. Avoid being influenced by external pressures.
A Concluding Thought on Self-Rescue
While the decision to self-rescue is challenging, it should be made with a clear, objective assessment of the situation. Preparation, adequate equipment, and knowledge are essential. Even if you feel confident in your self-rescue plan, sometimes the best option might be to wait for professional help.
