| When facing a threatening situation, the mind goes | | | | numb and with the added adrenaline that is now |
| through several different stages that have | | | | being pumped throughout the body, fine and |
| physical implications on ones actions. Commonly | | | | complex motor skills are lost. Simple actions such |
| referred to, as fight or flight, or tunnel vision, | | | | as reloading a firearm or the handling of an impact |
| these are very vague when compared to the | | | | weapon become difficult. The term tunnel vision |
| actual process. By knowing the stages and the | | | | is also a side effect from the diversion of blood. |
| effects of each variable, you become aware of | | | | Peripheral vision and auditory senses can be |
| why you body is reacting in the fashion that is, | | | | reduced or completely lost. Often when people |
| and this helps reduce the fear of the unknown | | | | are questioned after a deadly situation, they |
| and your attention can be focused now on | | | | cannot describe anything other than the threat |
| survival. | | | | directly in front of them and cannot remember |
| Three specific metal states that a person goes | | | | any dialog. Other effects that maybe encountered |
| through when facing a threat are: Threat Anxiety, | | | | are: loss of near vision, loss of night vision, loss of |
| Survival Stress, and Combat Stress. Threat | | | | depth perception, inability to focus, inability to |
| anxiety occurs when one is anticipating danger. | | | | process information, loss of memory and the |
| Maybe it is the fear of the unknown, maybe | | | | inability to make rational decisions. |
| injury or death. Once this has been triggered, | | | | The final stage is Combat Stress. In this stage |
| the body goes into the fight or flight decision, | | | | the body is affected by what is referred to as |
| which is to fight for self preservation or flee for | | | | Backlash. Once the threat has diminished the |
| self preservation. The Autonomic Nervous | | | | Parasympathetic Nervous System is reactivated. |
| System at this point engages the flight or flight | | | | The PNS allows the body to rest and conserve |
| option. This occurs when the Sympathetic | | | | energy. Blood pressure lowers, the heart slows |
| Nervous System releases Epinephrine and Nor | | | | and digestion starts again. Blood starts to flow |
| Epinephrine hormones into the system. | | | | back into the extremities and the hands will start |
| The body is now in the second stage, Survival | | | | to shake. As the blood rushes back into the |
| Stress. Blood pressure starts to increase, the | | | | extremities any open wounds will start to bleed |
| heart beats faster, the digestive system slows | | | | more if not properly taken care of. |
| down and pupils dilate. Blood vessels start to | | | | There are many other negative side effects that |
| constrict in the extremities to divert oxygenated | | | | may be introduced during these processes, but by |
| blood to the large muscles groups and organs. | | | | understanding that this is the body’s normal |
| This is a natural defense mechanism that was | | | | and natural response to a dangerous situation one |
| essential before modern times but does have its | | | | can reduce the fear that may accompany any |
| negative side effects in today’s world. As the | | | | unexpected responses from one’s own body. |
| blood flow is diverted, the hands can become | | | | |