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There are two types of people in a crisis — those who act and those who do not.
At ProActive Response Group, we talk a lot about having survivor’s mindset. It’s an important part of our training because in order to survive a violent encounter, you must first have the will to survive.
In today’s blog article we want to dive a little deeper into this idea of a survivor’s mentality by uncovering the five characteristics that are true of a survivor.
Survivors do not allow their situation to determine their mood. They don’t depend on ideal conditions in order to be content, and they’re not thrown into a tailspin every time something doesn’t go their way. Whether the situation is good or bad, a person with a survivor’s mentality chooses to recognize the positive aspects of the situation or else pursue the steps that would result in a positive outcome.
How does this play out in real life? Positive people look for solutions rather than dwelling on the challenges. Take an active shooter situation at your workplace for example. If you realized your building was on lockdown because an armed gunman was inside, would you immediately start texting goodbyes to loved ones assuming there is no way out? Or would you look for an escape route or barricade a door in an effort to ensure a positive outcome?
Survivors are able to adapt to unexpected and undesirable situations. For example, imagine you’re operating heavy machinery, and the equipment malfunctions. You end up slicing your leg open resulting in a severe hemorrhage. The wound requires a tourniquet to stop the bleeding, but you know there isn’t one at the facility, and there’s no way you could reach help with your leg in its current condition. What do you do?
You adapt! Since you don’t have a tourniquet, you decide to use your shirt as one. This makeshift tourniquet buys you enough time until you can call for help and EMS arrives.
Being your own first responder is something we say a lot, but don’t be fooled — It’s not necessarily an easy thing to do. Imagine applying your own tourniquet or packing your own wound. In some situations, that’s exactly what it means to be your own first responder, and those are tasks that require a great deal of mental toughness.
Mentally tough people survive because they realize that their bodies are capable of much more than their minds tell them they are. They are masters of their minds rather than letting their minds master them.
There are many ways to build mental toughness. It may be something as simple as saying no to a delicious donut you’re craving or seeing a tedious task through to completion. Seeking discomfort is a great way to develop mental toughness — things like taking a cold shower, going skydiving when you’re afraid of heights, running a marathon, or enduring a strenuous workout. While these kinds of activities may seem unrelated to emergency situations, they all train your mind to respond to challenging situations with strength, resilience, and endurance.
How many times has someone survived a life-threatening or otherwise dangerous situation, and come out on the other side saying, “Well that was easy!”
Never. Survivors survive because they overcome the odds, and that takes hard work. That work will look different in different scenarios, but the point is, their work ethic enables them to set their mind to something, put their head down when necessary, and get it done.
All of us are motivated by something different. For some of us it’s success or accomplishment. For others, it’s family and relationships. Only those who are motivated by something they consider to be worthwhile will find the motivation they need to survive a difficult circumstance.
Motivation is essential to the survivor’s mindset because all of the previously mentioned characteristics of a survivor are driven by it. Only a motivated person would be able to…
The idea of a survivor’s mindset is weaved throughout all of our Active Shooter Training materials. Right now is a great time to take advantage of our Online Active Shooter Training Course. Use the discount code STAYPROACTIVE to save 50%.
Jim served as a Sheriff’s Deputy in Illinois for 30 years. During his time as a Deputy, Jim served on the SWAT team as an operator, team leader and Commander. Jim was involved in several barricaded gunman/hostage incidents as well as service of high risk arrest and search warrants.
Jim was a member of the US Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force where he performed surveillance and fugitive apprehension. His team was responsible for thousands of high risk felony fugitive arrests. Jim also served in the patrol division where he earned the rank of Sergeant and was responsible for patrol operations. Jim received numerous awards throughout his career to include Deputy of the Year, medal of valor and unit citation for SWAT operations.
Jim was a state certified CQB (Close Quarter Battle) SWAT instructor as well as an Active Shooter Response instructor, providing training for multiple law enforcement agencies throughout the state of Illinois.
I’m a proven leader with a diverse background in defense, law enforcement, and emergency response. My career began as a Scout Sniper in the U.S. Marine Corps, where I earned the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. I then served as a security contractor in Afghanistan and Iraq, further developing my tactical and crisis management skills.
Domestically, I served as a Deputy for the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, earning a Medal of Valor, and as a firefighter, where I was awarded a Life Saving Ribbon. These roles reflect my commitment to safety and service, demonstrating leadership under pressure and a passion for protecting others.
As part of the Proactive Response Group Team, I design and deliver comprehensive medical training, developing lesson plans and conducting hands-on sessions. I ensure that participants are equipped with essential medical skills, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and readiness. My role is vital in preparing our team to handle medical emergencies confidently and competently.
Email: jpregel16@gmail.com
Phone: 720-382-3184
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-pregel-67765451/
Chris is a retired Major from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina. Chris was third in command over operations, overseeing more than 300 sworn Deputies as well as all special teams within the Sheriff’s Office. In 2012, Chris helped to organize a Dignitary Protection Team within the Sheriff’s Office that assisted the Secret Service with Presidential and Vice Presidential visits throughout the state. In addition to his normal duties, Chris performs private security for dignitaries, celebrities, as well as 12 years with the Miss America Organization. Chris has been instructing Active shooter Response with ProActive Response Group since 2021.
In his down time, Chris enjoys time with his wife and daughter, as well as watching sports and fishing.
Email: ctaylor@proactiverg.com
Phone: 864-979-0978
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-taylor-331b00150/
Tyrie Fowler is an Active Shooter Response instructor at Proactive Response Group and an Emergency Medicine Trauma Nurse at Prisma Health in Greenville. A Greenville native, Tyrie earned his Exercise Science degree from the University of South Carolina and his nursing degree from Mary Black School of Nursing. He joined Greenville Health System in 2015, transitioning from Orthopedic Trauma to Emergency Medicine. At Prisma Health, a Level One Trauma Center, he is part of the Trauma Nurse Leader team, with training in Advanced Trauma Care (ATCN) and Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC). Tyrie is pursuing certifications in Emergency Nursing (CEN) and Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN).
Tyrie enjoys Fall for its long runs, college football (Go Gamecocks!), and hunting, including deer and quail. He also loves smoking recipes with a creative twist. As a medical instructor, Tyrie empowers bystanders to provide critical assistance in emergencies, teaching them to control bleeding and manage injuries, ensuring they leave his class confident in making a difference.
Steven J. Anderson is currently an Active Shooter Response Instructor for ProActive Response Group; he enjoys empowering people to survive in life threatening situations. Steve grew up in central Minnesota and spent three years with the United States Army. He graduated from St. Cloud State University with a degree in Criminal Justice. Steve worked as a federal agent for the United States Border Patrol where he was a member of the U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC): completing multiple assignments in Central & South America, an assignment with the United Nations and the Deputy Director (A) of the National Air Security Operation Center. In 2020 he retired from working in Federal Law Enforcement.
In his spare time he enjoys the outdoors especially bow hunting. Steve is a proud husband and father to 3 wonderful daughters.
Rob is originally from Louisville, CO. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2003 and served as a Combat Engineer Officer until 2012. Rob deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2009 and 2010 where he planned and implemented force protection strategy, counter improvised explosive device operations, and mobility operations for Third Battalion Sixth Marine Regiment and Third Battalion Seventh Marine Regiment . Upon his departure from the military, Rob began to teach firearms and tactics with Arizona based Alpine Arms while simultaneously running his own small residential security consulting firm. Rob relocated the South Carolina in 2021 and joined ProActive Response Group in early 2023.
When not working Rob spends time with his wife Lindsey and son Theo. He enjoys stand up paddle boarding, visiting the rifle range, four wheeling, and camping.
Phone: 720-382-3184
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-christian-29579649/
Andy Sexton spent 12 years with the Greenville County Sheriff’s office in South Carolina, where he held the rank of Uniform Patrol Sergeant. His experience includes serving as an assistant SWAT team leader, involvement in high-risk incidents, including hostage rescues and the protection of dignitaries, working in criminal investigations (including armed robbery and homicide), and serving on the training committee for the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office.
