Critical Analysis of the Most Important Characteristics for Survival

It takes all sorts of character traits to survive, but even if one has all life just isn’t always in their favour. However, to me, the most important character traits for survival are the ability to adapt to any situation, both physically and mentally —including emotions— , and having a good team or at least someone by your side.

When one knows his surroundings and are aware of what should be done in possible emergency situations, and especially when they have a plan, they are able to collaborate and follow the guiding steps, leading them out of the situation therefore enabling survival of that particular situation. Emergency situations such as fires, earthquakes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters are so common thus effective plans have been thought out and created to guide anyone out of these possible dangers. In many schools, homes and workplaces, fire and tornado drills have been carried out to help prepare people’s minds for the situation. For example in North High, every once in a while we have fire drills, tornado drills, or gun shot drills to help prepare the students’ and teachers/ workers’ minds for any possible emergency circumstances. These drills highly increase the chances of survival by allowing them to know how the event will feel like and giving a precise plan on how to handle the circumstance.

Adaptability is an extremely important factor and character trait for survival. Being able to adapt to the situation especially mentally and emotionally can help one understand self and their surroundings, and this makes it easier for them to get out of the situation, or help them endure it until they are rescued; When I was in Kenya—my home country— We were robbed at our house. A gang of thieves raided the neighbourhood and stole all possible electronics including phones, ipads and computers. But they especially targeted money. One person had been killed in one of the houses towards the end of the neighbourhood. When they came to our house It was a ‘think fast’ situation. They had guns and threatened to shoot my sister if we didn’t give them all our money and electronics. My parents had to quickly adapt to the situation and adjust their mindset. It was said that they stayed at our house the longest which was probably because my dad refused to unlock his iPhone because it was expensive.. My mom persuaded him in the end but it was quite a process. Thanks to my mom’s quick thinking no one was hurt. Our house maid/helper —It’s very common to have housemaids/helpers in Kenya— at the time also helped in a significant way. She put her phone on silent mode, and hid it in my closet under all the clothes. When the robbers left we were able to use it to get in contact with the police and a few other relatives for help.; I think the trait of adaptability can be extremely important in survival situations. In “The Lord of the Flies”, the story shows how a group of boys were able to implicate the true nature of humanity while in an invertent situation. It displays how their lack of adaptability led them to a quicker road of misery filled with savagery and unruly inhumanity.

Some may argue Physical strength is one of the most important character traits for survival, because it can be extremely helpful in survival situations that require physical encounters and ones physical strength.

One reason people may believe this, is because they say that one can have all of the survival gear in the world, but if you haven’t prepared your body to physically deal with the realities of surviving a long-term crisis or a physically tough situation you’re not going to survive for very long. However, my position is stronger because not every situation that requires survival requires physical strength. One can have an exceptionally intelligent and intellectual mind and extremely effective physical abilities but these characteristics only help in certain situations. The most important character traits are the ones that can be used in any and every situation that requires survival. Weather mental, physical, or emotional victory.

In “The Key to Disaster Survival? Friends and Neighbours”, the article emphasized the importance of having someone to depend on. Having a friend or a team can be one of the most essential key components to survival. In the story of “The Seventh Man” After a traumatic incident The seventh man —-that was the main character’s name— was caught up in a situation that he couldn’t get himself out of. Fear and emotional instability had overwhelmed him and he had no one to look up to for help other than himself. Perhaps if he had someone by his side to get through the situation with him, he would have overcome it without having to struggle as much or take that much time. Mental health would have been especially important and effective for him and knowing that he wasn’t alone would have made a significant difference. Having a team can be extremely effective especially if it is a physically disastrous situation. Often seen in movies and TV. shows, at the climax point of conflict two or more people —even if they are enemies— are put in a situation of survival. In the end many of them even end up being friends after working together to get out of the situation. As the saying goes “Two heads are better than one”.

Therefore, since we live in an unpredictable and dangerous world, where many times we are faced with unplanned situations or emergencies that call for our quick response. In my experience learning to mentally and emotionally adapt quickly to new situations is most important for survival. Having friends on our side makes it even easier.