Children and Survival

Children and Survival by Gary Benton
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Have you ever talked to your about child survival? I mean, what to do if the car breaks down during bad weather, or what to do if suddenly forced to survive for any reason. I have, and the results surprised me. While most of you may think a child would not be interested in survival, they are, or at least the ones I spoke to were. The children I have spoken with were my own, as well as others in a classroom, and believe me, they all showed an interest. The classrooms I have spoken in were always quiet as if they were hanging onto each word as I spoke.

If you are out with children and suddenly find yourself in a survival situation, stay calm. It the children are very young, they may not notice any changes in your behavior. But, there will be changes and older kids will pick up on them. Just the sudden realization that you may have to survive will cause a slight, or great, change in all of us. However, older children may pick up on it immediately. While each situation, as well as each child, is different, I do have some suggestions.

Stop. If your car breaks down, you won’t have a choice here, but if you are hiking or walking you do. Stop and think about your situation. Do you have an idea where you are? If not, don’t panic. You must, at this point, use your mind to survive. If you do panic and begin to meander around in the woods, you may die and those with you as well. Stop and think. Who knows where you are? Who knows when you should return? Who did you tell about your trip? All of these things should have been told to someone before any hike in the woods, or even a simple car trip in isolated country.

Next, if the children are old enough to understand, explain what has happened. I would suggest you simply say, “We have to stay here and wait for help. I am not sure where we are and I need you to help me.” Older children, in their teens, can be told openly, “We are lost and need to stay here until we are found. I need your help to make us comfortable. Can I depend on your assistance?” The last statement will make them feel needed as well as part of the “group.” Depending on the child, you may use different phrases, but the idea is there. Convey you need to stay where you are, you need to wait for help, and that you need them to help you.” With the younger kids you might even be able to make a game of it all, or perhaps say very little.

Attempt to gain control over your initial inner fears. It is important for you to stay strong and to provide good leadership for the group. Of course, I realize you may not be a survival expert, but you don’t have to be. The key here is to maintain the image of trust the child has for you already. As children, they see us as those who provide food, water, comfort, and safety for them. While the sudden responsibility to care for a child in a survival situation will be very stressful, you must do all you can to keep an adult image portrayed at all times.

If you need to cry or feel as if you are going “to pieces” leave the group. Insure an adult is with the child at all times if you leave. So, leaving may not be possible. Make the excuse of needing to using the “toilet” or to gather firewood, then walk off a little ways. Do your thing and then return once your composure is gained. Survival it tough and it is rare an individual does not break down if they are out there long enough. If you are a religious family, then pray together. Most survivors pray at some point in their situation if they are out there long enough.

Ok, now that you have control and are maintaining your image, now what? Due to length restrictions and the complexity of this article, lets use older children in our situation, 8-14 years old. As I stated earlier, you can make a game of your situation. I would suggest you and the child go through your equipment, all of it. You will be surprised what a child may have in a pocket or a backpack. Often you will find gum, candy, a knife and other goodies. I know a man who found a small pocketknife and two cans of soda pop. Regardless of what you will find, inventory all of your equipment. Have the child assist you. I would have the child go through my pack as I went through theirs. Then, change packs and do it again.

As you find gear, ask the child what it could be used for, besides the obvious. Remember, just because they are younger and smaller does not mean they can’t have some very good ideas. I think you would be very surprised what they can come up with. See, they don’t know that certain things are expected to be used only in certain ways. Consider all of their ideas. Discuss the practical uses of the equipment with them and make sure they know exactly how to use each piece. This step is critical in the event you sustain a serious injury or death.

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