In this presentation we explain a crucial aspect of surviving a serious attack. Mental preparation is extremely important in developing a mindset of survival. This approach to self-preservation should not be any different than preparing for other trained emergencies aboard an aircraft. By taking on a mindset of survival a crewmember’s chances of surviving a terrorist attack or a combative passenger are greatly increased.

One of the most important aspects of a survival mindset is camaraderie. Crewmembers must believe they are in an aircraft with other crewmembers that are willing to come to their assistance when needed. Whether you like them or not, you can count on them when the chips are down, and all hell is breaking loose. Camaraderie is an underlying aspect of all groups of people who must rely upon each other for survival.

We have identified six important principles for a survival mindset that will assist crewmembers in developing a mental picture of the steps required in building a survival mindset. These principles are Knowledge, Training, Awareness, Willingness and Ability to Act, Never Giving Up, Avoiding Complacency, Dependency, and Denial.

When the World Trade Center crashed down into 3 billion pounds of debris there were 20 people who survived the collapse and lived to tell about it. What type of a person does it take to endure what those who survived during the collapse? People exactly like you and me who are placed into a difficult position of survival. Preparing your mental frame of mind now by developing a mindset of survival will make your chances of surviving in a life or death situation much better.

At sometime in our lives we may be called upon to be courageous in the face of danger. We may not want to be courageous, but we may have to if we wish to survive an extremely difficult situation. The passengers and crew aboard United 93 realized that the terrorist attacks were occurring in New York and Washington D.C. using commercial jet aircraft. They were faced with a harrowing and difficult decision, but faced this final decision with courage in the face of grave danger.

A summary of the Fed Ex 705 flight that had been hijacked by a disgruntled flight engineer is an important mindset learning example. This is a true and inspiring story that crewmembers need to know about to help them develop their own mindset of survival. .