1. Fear -- Fear is a normal reaction in any emergency situation. It is extremely important to calmly assess the situation and not allow fear to interfere with your survival.
2. Pain -- Pain may often be ignored in a panic situation. Deal with injuries immediately before they become even more serious. Physical discomfort can distract from tasks and make it harder to think clearly.
3. Cold -- Can lead to hypothermia and is a significant physical threat in survival situations. Cold inhibits the ability to think, numbing the body and reducing the will to survive. Never allow yourself to stop moving or to fall asleep unless adequately sheltered.
4. Thirst -- Dehydration is a common enemy and must not be ignored. It can dull your mind, causing you to overlook important survival information. And don’t eat snow, especially the yellow kind. Animals do it but snow will only lower your body temperature. Always melt snow first.
5. Hunger -- Hunger is dangerous but seldom deadly (in the backcountry, something else usually kills you before starvation does). Hunger may reduce your ability to think logically and increase your susceptibility to the effects of cold, pain and fear. Lack of food can cause fatigue and a loss of energy, making it difficult to perform necessary survival tasks.
6. Fatigue -- Fatigue is often unavoidable. Physical and mental tiredness can be caused by lack of sleep, exertion, and stress, leading to poor decision-making. Keep in mind that it can and will lower your mental ability. Remember that in an emergency this is often the body’s way of escaping a difficult situation.
7. Boredom & Loneliness -- These enemies are quite often unanticipated and may diminish the mind’s ability to deal with the situation. Boredom is a psychological enemy that can lead to despair and a lack of motivation when there is no immediate task to perform. The feeling of being isolated can be emotionally taxing and lead to despair, especially if one is alone for a long period.
Reference:
ROYAL CANADIAN AIR CADETS
PROFICIENCY LEVEL ONE - A-CR-CCP-801/PF-001
SECTION 4 - EO M190.04 – DISCUSS SURVIVAL PSYCHOLOGY
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