Maybe Hollywood is to blame. Or perhaps the fault lies with novelists. Whether as a result of watching one too many movies or reading one too many books, the fact is that there are a whole lot of “survivalists” out there with a distinctly skewed sense of reality. I call it “Lone Wolf Syndrome.” This mentality or mindset in which the hero (and aren't we all heroes in the story that plays out in our imaginations?) sets out all by himself to make his way through the blasted lands or the vast, impenetrable forests that have reclaimed the country after a great disaster.

Of course, the hero isn't always alone. Here and there, he inevitably rescues one or another damsel in distress, unfailingly a lovely young lass who is all too willing to reward the hero for his trouble.

Reality, however, rarely mirrors fiction. Out here in the real world, the vast majority of these lone wolves aren't going to make it — not in the long run. Planning to go it solo in the long term is planning to fail. A far better plan is to look at forming or joining a survival group.

What is a Survival Group?

By the simplest definition, a survival group is a collection of individuals who have agreed to work together for the common good before, during, and after a disaster. You've no doubt heard the common mantra that many hands make light work, right? That's the basic concept here. The idea is to bring together people who have desirable skill sets and attributes so as to better provide for the needs of all involved.

If you're alone, perhaps even if it's just you and your immediate family, the fact is you can't do it all yourself. You have to sleep sometime. You need to eat, which when we're talking long-term prepping, will involve the production and preservation of food, not just consuming bags of freeze-dried mush. Water will need to be collected, filtered, and stored. Firewood cut and stacked.

Even if we take the long-term approach out of the equation for the moment, wouldn't it be nice to know you have trusted folks who'll always have your back? People who, when a storm drops a tree on your back porch, will show up with chainsaws, axes, and maybe a case or two of beer, without even being asked?

A survival group need not involve some sort of quasi-hippie commune out in the middle of nowhere. Don't get me wrong, forming an actual community on private land, complete with acres of gardens, solar power systems, and such isn't a bad idea — provided the ultimate goal isn't to just assemble a harem for the guys in charge. But, for most folks, having a small group of people who can get together for teaching opportunities, fellowship, and networking is going to be the primary focus.

Finding Potential Members

Some of us already have the beginnings of a decent group, though we might not recognize it right away. Do you have folks with whom you go hunting every year? How about an existing neighborhood watch group? Or members of your church? Most of us have at least a couple of close friends or family members whom we'd love to have involved in a survival group.

To expand beyond the people already in your life, give thought as to where preppers are likely to hang out. Like your mother told you years ago, you probably aren't going to find a good mate in a tavern, right? The same basic premise applies here. Start visiting local places where preppers are likely to be found, such as farmers markets and gun ranges. Get to know the regulars, and let them get to know you a bit. Over time, you'll learn who might be most interested in a survival group; perhaps you'll even find out about one that has already formed.

Another option is to look online. Meetup.com can be a great resource, as there are tons of prepper groups already up and running across the country. Do a search for existing groups in your area and consider checking out a meeting or two. Same thing goes for www.AmericanPreppersNetwork.net, which maintains a huge message board with sub-forums devoted to every state in the country. SurvivalistBoards.com is a similar message board. Facebook also has a huge number of survival and prepper groups, filled with users who are hoping to network with others of like mind. Sites like these can be great resources for locating folks in your general area, if not immediately next door.

One word of caution, though. Unless you've already known the person for years, keep them at somewhat of a distance until you feel absolutely comfortable with them, and you've had an opportunity to check them out. In other words, don't invite them over for a guided tour of your preps the first time you meet them. Most legitimate folks will feel the same way and won't be intrusive.

Group Meetings and Activities

Once you have the foundation of a survival group, the next step is to start getting together on a regular basis. Many groups strive for monthly meetings at a minimum. This usually works well, as long as members know well in advance the date and location of the meetings so they can plan ahead. Smaller groups, say less than five or seven members, might get together a bit more often, if only because these mini-groups are typically comprised of strictly family or very close friends.

Unless all members of the group are extremely tight with one another, the meeting location should probably be somewhat public. Most public libraries have at least one meeting room that is available for community members, often for free. Other options include coffee shops, restaurants, and parks.

Some groups schedule activities or training for almost every meeting. One month, they might bring in a trainer from the Red Cross to teach CPR. Next month, they'll meet at a local shooting range to allow members to swap and test out different firearms. Another meeting could be at a park where one of the members will teach different ways to light a fire.

What seems to work very well is to have one or two members in charge of lining up the different activities. Granted, that makes for a lot of extra work for those members, but in return, perhaps if there are small fees involved for training sessions, the other group members agree to pay for the ones who organized the event.

Many groups have regular show-and-tell meetings, where they bring in their bug-out bags, their favorite knives, or maybe a few selections from their personal libraries. Another popular idea is to hold regular swap meets among the members.

Some groups routinely coordinate on shared purchases, such as several members chipping in to buy a butchered cow or pig, dividing up the meat amongst one another. This sort of group buying power can be very handy to use at warehouse stores as well.

One key element common to all successful groups is organization. Each and every meeting needs to be scheduled in advance, with the meeting topic, activity, or theme communicated to all members. Failing to do so invariably ends up with a poorly attended meeting, with those present staring at one another and wondering just how soon they can leave without being rude.

Keep in mind, too, that while training and activities are fun and educational, the ultimate goal is really for the members to bond with one another. The idea behind a survival group isn't just to have a group of people who have similar goals who get together once in a while, but to have folks who can rely upon one another in a crisis.

The Group's Role in a Crisis

Ideally, the group will develop some means of rapid communication with one another should a disaster strike or be imminent. This could be as simple as an old-fashioned phone tree or perhaps a mass text message sent out as needed. The goal is to have a way to get information out to all members as quickly and reliably as possible.

Depending upon the nature of the disaster, the group might plan to get together at a single location, such as at property owned by one or more group members where supplies have been staged for just such an event. Alternatively, the members might shelter in place at their homes, with the understanding or agreement that they check in with one another regularly. If a member fails to check in as scheduled, others can go to their location to check on their welfare.

Looking at a potential long-term event, such as a total grid-down scenario, the members can work together to provide food, shelter, security, and other needs for one another. While this might work best if all group members can relocate to a central location, it's still feasible if they live in relatively close proximity to one another.

There are many so-called experts infected with the Lone Wolf Syndrome who suggest it's entirely feasible to survive all on their own out in the wild using nothing but their wits and a bug-out bag. The sad reality is that if an event were to take place — sufficient in scope to necessitate these folks to implement those plans — within just a few weeks the wilderness would be littered with corpses carrying backpacks. Yes, there are people out there who truly possess the skills necessary to survive by living off the land for a lengthy period of time. But they'll be the first to admit that it's nowhere near an easy, or a desirable, existence.

A far better course of action is to make plans now to form or join a survival group. Be one of the many hands making light work for all involved rather than struggling to stay awake as the mutant zombie bikers circle ever closer to your debris hut.

About The Author:

Jim Cobb is a recognized authority on disaster preparedness. He has studied, practiced, and taught survival strategies for about 30 years. Today, he resides in the upper Midwest with his beautiful and patient wife and their three adolescent weapons of mass destruction. His books include Prepper's Home Defense, Countdown to Preparedness, and Prepper's Long-Term Survival Guide. Jim's primary home online is www.survivalweekly.com. He is also active on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jimcobbsurvival. Jim offers a consulting service as well as educational opportunities at www.disasterprepconsultants.com.

Role Players

Initially, a survival group might not have a wide range of choices as to which skillsets or personality traits are represented by its members. However, as the time goes on, there are several roles that are necessary for a well-rounded group, one best suited to withstand a major event. As the group matures, the members should actively seek out individuals who can fill these roles or allow people with innate qualities to naturally grow into them.

Bear in mind that group members should be cross-trained in more than one of these roles, as versatility and adaptability are key components to thriving in adversity. For example, what if injury (or even death) takes out the best hunter in your crew, or your group gets separated in the chaos of a tornado? Consider the following nine roles and see which one(s) you might best fill and which ones need filling.

The Leader is the person who guides the group, makes the hard decisions, and keeps everyone together when times get tough. This particular role is unique among the others as it's usually filled somewhat gradually and organically as the group develops. The group's founder may not always be the best person suited to be leader. If that's the case, hopefully the founder recognizes this fact early on. Leaders tend to be born with the ability to organize, delegate, and inspire through a combination of intelligence and charisma — whether they recognize it or not.

The Medic is the one who keeps everyone healthy. While survival groups often focus on how to prepare for extreme long-term events (thus the necessity of having someone who is well-versed in everything from battlefield surgery to herbal remedies), don't overlook the possibility of the medical representative helping group members improve their health and well-being when times are still good. This could include helping members with setting up dietary changes as well as exercise plans.

The Organizer is the logistics person in the group. He or she keeps track of available resources and communicates this information to the group as needed. The organizer knows, for example, just how long the stored food will last the group at current consumption levels. Note that the organizer will need to be able to work hand in hand with the scout.

The Mediator is a role often overlooked in survival group planning, yet is crucial to a group's success in the long run. People skills, such as conflict resolution and negotiation, may become just as important as food acquisition and security. Any group comprised of human beings is going to have internal conflict to one degree or another. That's just the nature of the beast. The mediator helps everyone to get along by working to resolve arguments and conflicts as peaceably as possible. Keep in mind that interpersonal conflict within the group isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's how the conflict is resolved that is critically important. Conflict leads to change, which can be a great thing.

The Soldier is the member responsible for group security. This role is often the one fulfilled the quickest as the group forms, given how many preppers and survivalists have military or law enforcement backgrounds. In fact, it's not uncommon for a group to initially consist of a whole bunch of soldiers, but not one organizer. This is one reason why cross-training is so important. It's perfectly fine to have the entire group capable of soldier duties, but don't overlook the other roles that are necessary for the group's success.

The Provider is the group member who is well versed in hunting, fishing, and trapping. He or she has the knowledge, the equipment, and the experience to reliably bring home food to the group. A provider who is able to also forage wild edibles and medicinals would be ideal.

The Scout is not only intimately familiar with the area, but has a very good handle on where to locate resources as needs arise. This is the type of person who, when given a list of needed building materials, will know exactly where to look and how to obtain them. The scout is also the group member who will be in the best position to alert the group to threats that lay over the horizon, due to their frequent forays beyond the group's immediate location.

The Gardener is the person responsible for growing the bulk of the food consumed by the group. He or she will know not only what types of plants grow best in the area, but how to organize gardens for the greatest success. They will also be able to reliably save seeds for the next growing season. Other members of the group may be needed for some of the labor involved with the crops (planting, weeding, harvesting). All group members should be taught the various means of food preservation as well, such as home canning and dehydration. Often, the gardener also gets involved with raising food animals, such as rabbits and chickens.

The Jack-of-All-Trades is the MacGyver of the group. Give them some PVC, duct tape, and maybe a couple of cinder blocks and they'll come back with a water collection setup that will last for decades. He or she will work side by side with the organizer and the scout to keep abreast of needs and available supplies.

An excellent resource to help plan for these as well as additional roles within the group can be found on the 12 Survivors website at www.12survivors.com/archetypes.html.

Eddie Rickenbacker is most noted for his exploits as a World War I pilot, achieving the title of Ace of Aces with 26 confirmed kills. He was awarded the Medal of Honor, seven Distinguished Service Crosses, and the World War I Victory Medal, among many other accolades. A true American badass if ever there was one.

Although most military history buffs may be aware of his record in the First World War, Rickenbacker actually escaped an early demise numerous times as a precocious kid, race car driver, and airline owner. One of Rickenbacker's most famous near-death experiences happened after he returned to civilian life. In October 1942, then head of Eastern Air Lines, but still a celebrity of sorts, he was asked to participate in a tour of bases in the South Pacific. He and seven U.S. Army airmen were provided an older B-17 as transportation, but when the bomber flew off course and their fuel ran out, they were forced to ditch in the central Pacific Ocean. They were hundreds of miles off course, dangerously close to Japanese-held islands, and drifted in life rafts while sharks circled for weeks.

Rickenbacker naturally assumed a leadership role. He captured a seagull that had landed on his head, helped divvy it up as food, and used parts of the bird as fishing bait. When the men would lose hope, Rickenbacker encouraged and pushed the men to get mad. After 24 days adrift, they were spotted by a U.S. Navy patrol aircraft and rescued.

An analysis of this particular Rickenbacker event shows that, at various times during his long-term survival situation, he utilized all of what I consider to be the “Seven Keys to Survivor Mentality” at least once and a few every day. He probably never consciously thought, Now is the perfect time to use Key Four. His survivor mindset was so fine-tuned that conscious intent was not needed. But how about for the rest of us? Follow along as I explain the seven concepts, how they've been used historically, and how you can start developing them in your everyday life.

Key 1 Learn From History

An important method to building your own survivor mentality is researching historical examples of iron-willed...

While all seven keys are important, possibly the most important resource can be found in the historical accounts of those who have survived harrowing ordeals. Let this article be the trigger for an exploration into the history of the trials and tribulations of people who overcame incomprehensible odds and persevered.

By using Internet search engines (or better yet, that old-school archive called a public library), you have the greatest window to view the history of men and women whose stories are truly inspirational. You will begin the process of imprinting and awakening your survivor mindset by consuming nonfiction books and documentaries of adventurers, military heroes, and ordinary people who have reached deep into their inner core to find their survival instinct.

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. ” — George Santayana

Key 2 Physical Conditioning

While one's mental state is often the deciding factor in whether one survives a life-threatening situation, there's no denying that one's physical state is a huge part of the survival equation. If you're fit and capable of overcoming external obstacles, there's a good chance your mind will push to overcome internal obstacles, too. After all, when all is lost, the only tools you'll have left are the ones you were born with.

One extraordinary example of this occurred in March 1943. A team of four expatriate Norwegian commandos, including Jan Baalsrud, sailed from England to organize and supply the Norwegian resistance. Betrayed shortly after landing, the team was ambushed by the Nazis, leaving Baalsrud as the lone survivor. He was poorly clothed, one foot was entirely bare, part of his big toe was shot off, and he was relentlessly pursued by the Nazis. He survived an avalanche, suffered from frostbite and snow blindness, but made his way over the Norwegian mountains and tundra to a small Arctic village. He had three great assets: his determination to return home, years of physical conditioning, and his training as a commando.

Here's a more modern example: As a security contractor, Robert Zugg is stationed in one of the world's most dangerous places: Afghanistan. He always makes physical conditioning a priority when he's not working for the U.S. government in the area around Kabul. With suicide bombings, anti-American sentiment, attacks by all sorts of warring factions, brutal winters and scorching summers, and just the general hazards of living in that region, Zugg learned from his combat experience as a decorated U.S. Marine that preserving in the face of adversity is a lot easier if you can walk up a flight of stairs without huffing and puffing.

Robert Zugg takes a break from trail-running in Afghanistan, where he needs to stay fit to maintain not just a strong...

Fitness competency is the physical engine that helps survivor mentality become a reality. If you're lost in the woods, facing a trio of street thugs, or swimming through a flooded street, it's a little too late to begin an exercise program.

Key 3 Think Survival

There's a saying in gymnastics that the body follows the head. In the psychology of self-preservation, if you say something repeatedly, the brain will do everything in its power to make the repeated mantra occur. Therefore, repeating the phrase, “I am a survivor,” is one of the most effective techniques for success.

If, in the final mile of a marathon (26.2 miles), a runner repeatedly thinks, I'm too tired. I'll never make the finish line, his brain interprets this statement as a command and begins the process of slowing the biochemical reserves needed to provide energy for the final 1,760 yards. This is an example of negative-outcome thinking. Repeat something often enough and the brain will make it reality. There's a reason why having a positive mental attitude is preached ad nauseam in every survival book, scout manual, survival video, and military SERE (survival, evasion, resistance, and escape) class.

Aside from thinking positively, another fuel that propels survivor mindset is motivation. What would motivate you to stay alive in a life-and-death situation? For Steve Callahan, it was family.

On the night of January 29, 1982, the sailor and naval architect headed from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean alone in a small boat. On February 5, his craft sank in a storm, leaving Callahan adrift in the Atlantic in a 5 and 1/2-foot inflatable rubber raft with only 3 pounds of food, a few pieces of gear, and 8 pints of water. Callahan drifted for 76 days on the ocean before he reached the Bahamas. Throughout his ordeal, he never gave up thinking about the people who needed him.

What motivates a person to stay alive when everything has gone wrong? Many survival stories speak of the survivors' faith, which provides them with hope. Other survivors have told of their intense desires to get back to family, friends, and loved ones. The motivators for each individual will be different. So, if you were in Callahan's wet boots, what would motivate you to live on?

Key 4 Eliminate Two Emotional Traps

It's important to think positively and have a mantra to rely on. But those two strategies might be difficult if you don't first eliminate two common emotional traps:

Freezing up or having feelings of “Why me?” after a traumatic incident can weaken your survivor mentality.

1. Mental Paralysis: Here's a really simple formula to explain why this emotional trap needs to be eliminated:

Anxiety > Panic > Mental Paralysis > Failure to Survive

The essence of anxiety is inaction, and when the anxiety levels increase to panic, several consequences occur:

• Mistrust of others
• Impaired decision-making
• Inability to follow directions
• Inability to visualize a successful outcome
• Inability to act as a team member
• Self-pity and self-sabotage

How do you reduce anxiety and stay calm? Especially in a dire circumstance? The answer to that could be enough to fill a whole other article. [Editor's note: See the “Evolution of Mindset” feature in Issue 15 of our sister publication RECOIL.] But without professional consultation, one of the best resources would be reputable websites on the Internet and, in particular, videos. A quick Google search for videos to reduce anxiety produced 2,180,000 hits in less than a minute.

Learning to control anxiety and panic reactions is a skill that can and should be used in everyday life — but, again, finding yourself in a life-threatening situation is not the time to begin practicing those skills.

2. Victim Mentality: A victim mentality might be one of the initial reactions to traumatic situations that involve prolonged periods of survival. Unfortunately, if left untreated, this will infect motivation, perseverance, and hope. It could manifest itself through dysfunctional thoughts and verbalizations. Victim mentality could show up as a verbal criticism of others, unwillingness to take responsibility for one's own actions, and a belief that survival is for other people.

Key 5 The Power of Focused Anger

“Anger is bad.” “Anger is a wasted emotion.” “Anger is trouble.” “Anger is not a solution.” The use of anger has had a negative reputation ever since Sigmund Freud tiptoed through the unconscious mind. Sure, anger can be a wasted emotion, and uncontrolled anger can lead to dire consequences — but under certain circumstances, anger can be one of the key ingredients to survivor mindset.

Controlled anger activates the basic survival instinct that can alert the body's physiology to be prepared for a challenge and force the brain to focus on a solution that leads to survival. The aforementioned story of former fighter ace Rickenbacker is another example of well-focused anger boosting chances for survival.

Key 6 Maintain Hope

Jon Krakauer's bestseller, Into Thin Air, detailed the events of the ill-fated expedition that left eight people dead and marked one of the deadliest climbing seasons in the history of Mount Everest. The most amazing part of the narrative focused on Beck Weathers, who was twice abandoned and presumed to be dead. Unbelievably, Weathers spent 18 hours in subzero temperatures in Everest's death zone before regaining his senses and staggering into camp. He was suffering from severe frostbite, corneal lacerations, and hypothermia — and his face was so badly frostbitten that it scarcely seemed human.

“Never, never — in nothing great or small, large or petty — never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense.” — Winston Churchill

Over the next year, Weathers underwent 10 surgeries and his entire right hand and most of his left hand were amputated. He said that he survived his Everest ordeal through constant self-talk, telling himself not to give in to the cold.

Never giving up is essential to a successful survivor mentality. This doesn't mean being foolhardy or taking foolhardy risks.

Key 7 Training

Keys 1 through 6 are really precursors to the final key: training. The seventh concept serves as the transition to utilize and refine the survivor mindset under controlled experiences. Make it your goal, and that of your loved ones, to attend at least one seminar and one experiential training course each year. The survival skills and techniques taught in these courses will increase your self-confidence and reinforce a survivor mentality.

Take training classes to learn skills, build self-confidence, and reinforce a survivor mentality.

Remember, there's a gigantic difference between thinking and experiencing. As an example, your chances of starting a fire without matches or a lighter are greatly improved if you've already practiced it until it became a skill. Having the fire-starting skillset not only allows you to keep warm and to cook food, but more importantly it also gives a jolt of self-confidence to the survivor mentality.

The Common Thread

Every member of our species survives the trauma of childbirth with an innate capacity of developing a survivor mindset. As we grow, mature, and choose our unique paths through life's mazes, this begins to weaken through disuse and verbal self-talk — but it never totally disappears. Some behavioral geneticists proselytize that we trained ourselves to become a society of people who give up at the first indication of failure or danger, immediately waiting to be rescued. The Seven Keys of a Survivor Mentality is a method for reestablishing the skillsets that helped us to take our first deep breath and test out our lungs.

The takeaway for the naysayers is that every human being starts life with the survival imperative. It's always present, but not always functioning. Each individual must make the conscious choice to flip the internal switch and turn on the self-preservation mode.

The bottom line is that survivor mentality has the potential to positively affect one's lifestyle. Although most people don't experience life-or-death situations on a regular basis like a first-responder, military personnel, or outdoor adventurer might, the use and practice of the seven survivor mentality keys may be the difference between a life well-lived or one of mediocrity.

Reading Material

Here's a partial list of books that influenced the development of Dr. Neal Olshan's “Seven Keys to Survivor Mentality.”

• Adrift: Seventy-Six Days Lost at Sea
  by Steven Callahan
• Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors
  by Piers Paul Read
• Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage
  by Alfred Lansing
• Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster
  by Jon Krakauer
• Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of Seal Team 10
  by Marcus Luttrell with Patrick Robinson
• Man's Search for Meaningby Viktor E. Frankl
• Papillon
  by Henri Charriere
• The Diary of a Young Girl
  by Anne Frank
• Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
  by Laura Hillenbrand

About the Author

Dr. Neal H. Olshan is a consulting psychologist, pilot, writer, and fine art photographer, as well as the chief combat psychologist for LMS Defense. He's the developer of the Evolution of Mindset Training Program. Olshan is the author of six non-fiction books and wrote the novel The Panama Escape with his wife, Mary. He can be reached at mindsetdoc@gmail.com.
http://www.drolshan.com