Interview with Dr John Leach - Survival Psychologist

[@jasonporter5747]

These discussions are gold. Thank you.

[@PopularesVox]

Good to see John after so long. Remember as a student in Bristol, having discussion on his research over a pint in the local pub, fascinating discussion. He has done so much more since I see, and is an expert in survival psychology.

[@bushcraftbasics2036]

I spoke with a colleague who was caught up in the 26 December Indian Ocean Tsunami. He ended up gathering up survivors but the first one he recalled, after his own family was a German woman who wouldn't come out from hiding because she was in the shower and naked when the water hit. He had to speak to her to calm her down, promise they did not care she was naked and would try to find something to cover her up once she got over to them. Interestingly I asked him what the most important item people should have in case of emergency. He thought about it, I was waiting for the normal responses of a good knife or a firestarter etc. After reflection he said good shoes. He went on to say that everything was broken and sharp and if you couldn't move you couldn't survive. He said it would be easy to get knives, lighters etc but if you lost your mobility you couldn't do anything. Just goes to show that survival priorities differ based on the situation.

[@zefsurvival6557]

Great probably the best survival video in a long time. Thanks 🎉

[@roypaulcarter4654]

I went to SERE school level C with MARSOC back in 2010 not all the training was realistic enough to trigger a physiological response but some of it sure was. I think the training could be enhanced by a class on this topic that teaches the students the effects on the mind and our response to it. This should aid in recovery time and a faster ability to get on with the mission or recover from a mission. We talk a lot about speed and violence of action on the objective how about adding the same concept to recovery after an unplanned traumatic event like a helicopter crash or being taken captive. Knowing what is going on in your brain should lead to a much faster recovery and well trained/ thought-out response. Thank you for the video I enjoyed it very much.

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

They do cover survival psychology in a very general way but it depends on who delivers the lesson! Some f this is covered in CAC I agree. I organised for John to do a talk at CSTS and it was very well received. Thanks for watching.

[@davef5916]

gosh some of these anecdotes are absolutely unbelievable. thanks for sharing this interview with us.

[@srmfx7724]

this was very informative and educational.. im now in the process of buying Dr Johns literature..

[@kellyrad339]

There is so much amazing info in this video I’m going to need to watch at least three times. Thanks for this awesome video 👍

[@scottm9933]

This is absolutely brilliant 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@meditationsoundscapes5203]

Saw your lecture at offgrid in Victoria. been wanting to hear more. thank for the Upload

[@holyfirebushcraft6816]

Very good information brother he is a very wise man God bless

[@ausstraya9120]

Terrific

[@BuckMckawtheotherone]

Very good discussion. I saw John's presentation from the GBS 2022. I wonder if the won't to live in survivors who went through very traumatic experiences (among decaying bodies, under fire, or in isolation) that causes them to die in their bed for no apparent reason a few hours after being rescued, fed, washed , and comforted, if it is not triggered by a feeling that the world will not get any better. They experienced a living Hell for days on end, then, they were brought to heavenly heights, and perhaps they reason that, this is the best time to die, rather than take a chance on living a few years longer, only to die of cancer, or old age, or accident. They choose to die in peace, rather than risk another Hellish death. This is my opinion on 'the won't to live'.

[@Lex-Hawthorn]

Very interesting chat with John, helped me understand a lot about human behavior and nature. I do agree that the human brain plays tricks on us all. I have a fear of heights. My last job was a high rise roofer. The higher I went the better I felt, 70 floors no issues, 10 floors or less, i'm a jelly. A friend of mine is a sky diver, and he said it's my brain tricking me. Go figure? O.o

[@daviddilley8310]

It's all well and good to have theoretical knowledge, but if it can't be applied due to a lack of practical experience it is useless. Dr Leach has both knowledge and experience in spades. Thanks for a most interesting interview

[@bushcraftbasics2036]

Rule of three is just a rough guide to help people prioritize. Perhaps the issue is, like the professor said, it is taught as a rule or law. Perhaps teach it as the average of three. I also think we should add "three seconds without thinking".

[@daviddilley8310]

My Pop used to say, and I said to my kids and now my own grandkids, "Rules are for the guidance of the wise, and the obedience of fools. Now boy, which are you?"

[@kingchief4038]

If he survived Portsmouth he is legit haha

[@ArcheryGuy2]

Go to jervis bay or something and take a selfie 🤳 then show the picture to your friends and say you went to the Maldives on a holiday