SURVIVAL STRESSES
If you find yourself in a survival situation, the most important thing to remember is what not to do - don’t panic. If you allow panic to take control of you, it will take your ability to make intelligent decisions and greatly reduce your chances for survival. The result of panic is often a cumulative one as each mistake leads to the next one, making the situation worse and worse.

S.T.O.P.
The simplest way to keep panic at bay is to STOP.

S - Stop: Take a deep breath, sit down and calm yourself. Acknowledge the situation you are in and clear your mind so you can focus on finding a solution.

T - Think: Don’t do anything until you have thought it through. Acting rashly can lead to making your situation worse instead of better. Always evaluate your actions in relation to how they will help accomplish your survival plan.

O - Observe: Assess your current situation, your needs and your options. Inventory what you have brought with you, what your environment has to offer and what each person in the situation can contribute.

P - Plan: Now you must prioritize your needs and decide upon a systematic plan that uses what is available to meet those needs, using the least amount of time and energy. Once you have a plan, stick with it. Only make adjustments to it if they are necessary because of changing circumstances.