Wednesday, June 29, 2011

The Enemy of Survival - Fatigue

When it comes to your survival, fatigue is your enemy. It is very probable that in a survival situation you will experience many of the effects of fatigue. All of these effects can be a very real threat to your survival. Fatigue affects not only your body but also your mind. Any of the effects of fatigue can severely hinder or reduce your chances for survival. If you learn to avoid the problems caused by fatigue, you will be able to increase your chances of survival.

Fatigue is simply a feeling of being very tired or sleepy. This can be a result of inadequate rest or extended periods of physical activity beyond what you normally experience. Unusual amounts of stress or anxiety in a survival situation can also cause fatigue. The effects of fatigue can cause a number of serious problems. These problems will be both physical and mental and additional problems are the last thing you need in a survival situation.

Fatigue hinders the brain’s ability to function in a proper manner. When your # 1 survival tool isn’t functioning correctly, your ability to survive is definitely at risk. Fatigue can reduce your decision making ability, your alertness levels, your ability to remember details and lead to increased errors in judgment. As a result, you may fail to respond properly to changes in your environment or fail to process the information that may be available to you. It is important to remember that your brain needs rest in much the same manner as your body. Taking a little time to relax and gather your thoughts will help to fight off the effects of mental fatigue that will hinder your survival efforts.

Fatigue also affects the body’s ability to work properly. The effects of fatigue on the body can be just as devastating. It reduces your reaction times, your productivity and can also lead to an increased risk of accidents. Your body needs water, food and proper rest in order to handle even normal routine activities. Without the proper amount of rest, food and water, your body will be subject to fatigue. In most cases, your body is accustomed to eating and resting at regular intervals. You should make an effort to maintain a regular schedule that is as close to normal as possible. Working for periods longer than you are normally accustomed to without the proper rest will only hinder your survival. 


Fatigue is often increased by boring and repetitive tasks beyond what is normally experienced. If food and water supplies are limited, you should still make an effort to eat, drink and rest on a regular schedule in order to lessen the chances of your body becoming fatigued.

Most of the effects of fatigue are generally of short duration and can be avoided by taking a few simple steps to reduce its effects.

Got R&R?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

8 comments:

idahobob said...

Good 'un!

Excellent advice for all, especially those of us that are getting long in the tooth....rest is very important to us, since we are no longer 17.

Heh.

Bob
III

Anonymous said...

If you are young (under 40) and in good health you will be suprised to discover how well your body copes with increased activity. Not that you won't get fatigued but that the next day you will feel even better and the day after that even better and stronger etc. If you are seriously overweight, in poor health or old (lets say over 60 or so) you are in trouble. It is critical that you mentally monitor your condition at all times and don't overdo it. You will probably over time increase your ability to work but depending on your particular health issues you may not.

sel said...

Quite often after an event that alters your life in some way it can be hard to fall asleep. Your mind is going too fast to slow down even though you are dog tired. I found this to be true after Ike hit. It took a month to get back into a normal sleep pattern. How can we deal with this problem in the future?

Anonymous said...

A good night's sleep sure does help you concentrate the next day in the deer blind. Can't count the times I've nodded off or 'spaced out' when a bad night's sleep occurred. May as well have stayed in and slept late.

sel, I imagine 'sleeping light' will become the norm if SHTF. The heavy sleepers will become liablities.

riverwalker said...

To: idahobob

I'm one of the older guys but can still get around fairly well but you do need to realize your limitations and pace yourself...especially when your survival is at stake.

Thanks Bob III.

RW

riverwalker said...

To: anonymous 12:02

Walking is probably one of the best things you can do to help you stay or get in shape. It's something everyone can usually do to some extent and by increasing the amount of walking you do as your physical condition permits...you will definitely see good results from your efforts.

Thanks anon.

RW

riverwalker said...

To: sel

Usually light exercise in some form will help to relax your body and allow sleep to come more easily. The stress of a survival situation will take its toll on you if you don't realize how hard you may have been pushing yourself and your body.

Thanks sel.

RW

riverwalker said...

To: anonymous 7:32

It may be a natural defense mechanism of our brain and our body that keeps us in a state where we are not able to sleep as easily when things are normal. Under normal circumstances, we are probably just naturally more relaxed than at other times.

Thanks anon.

RW

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