Problem solving and decision making are essential in an emergency situation to increase the chances of a positive outcome for everyone involved. Often these decisions need to be made quickly in order to react to changing circumstances.
A common acronym used by emergency services and defence personnel to prioritise survival planning is PLAN, which stands for:
Protection (first aid, clothing, shelter, fire)
Location (attracting, holding and directing attention, being found)
Acquisition (acquiring water then food)
Navigation (travel, orientating yourself to your surroundings)
Using this acronym can allow for priorities to be established, reducing the need for group members to waste time and energy arguing or deciding what actions need to be done first.
In emergency situations, there may not be one clear solution to the problem. It is important to be able to brainstorm and identify different possible solutions to the problem. This requires creativity and the ability to think outside the box. Utilising the varied experiences of the members of the group will improve the decisions being made.
After identifying possible solutions, it is important to assess the consequences of each solution. Once you have evaluated the possible solutions and their consequences, you can then make an informed decision about what action to take. It is important to be decisive in emergency situations as time is often of the essence.