If you have ever attended any of my classes you have likely been beaten to death on the topics of mindset and remaining calm. These are skills that will help you in every aspect of your life and are critically important during times of emergency and high stress. Panic breeds panic, but calm also breeds calm, whichever characteristic the strongest personality has the rest of the group will typically feed off of.
Psalm 23 is a verse often quoted (and misquoted) when the discussion turns to remaining calm and dealing with fear. It is comforting to know that when we are walking in communion with God he is there to guide and help us in both good times and bad. The strength he gives us is more useful than anything we can give ourselves. Psalm 23:4-6 KJV [4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. [5] Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. [6] Surely goodness and mercy d shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
What other factors should we consider to help remain calm? Afterall life is a participation sport, 2 Thessalonians 3:10 KJV For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
Confidence also can and should be gained through experience and realistic training. If you are unable to train, you can wargame. Wargaming is going through a series of “what if” scenarios in your mind or as a group. By making decisions in a calm, low stress environment with time you are able to make a thoughtful plan. Your mind will file this in your brain and when it recognizes the scenario playing out will typically revert back to it.
You can wargame in your everyday life. Driving for example, if a semi is in on coming traffic and swerves into my lane what will I do? You can use the situation in front of you to make a possible plausible scenario and then come up an acceptable, realistic response.
After you experience an event or training scenario, you should assess what went well and what didn’t. Then decide what can be improved and what must be maintained to get the same or better results next time.
A factor TCCC (tactical medicine) science has revealed is, maintaining a winning mindset will substantially increase survivibility. That mentally staying “in the fight” is extremely important if you are to complete a task successfully.
Remaining calm may seem like an odd topic in our EDC skills series, as most people focus on gear or tactics. But I promise you that your success will be dictated more by the clear head and resolve provided by remaining calm and having a winning mindset.
-Joe
Outpost 95 