<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><bold><italic>Introduction</italic></bold>. A growing interest in survival as a tourist and recreational activity raises the need for empirical research into this issue. Unfortunately, a vast majority of authors focus on the technical aspects of survival, ignoring the determinants of this activity. The few existing studies are mostly based on observation and involve small samples. This paper will help complement the body of knowledge concerning this issue.<bold><italic>Material and methods</italic></bold>. Following a pilot study, the study proper was conducted between 2011 and 2013 using a questionnaire prepared by the author. The analysis was based on the opinions of 594 respondents. The research was conducted during randomly selected survival events, among randomly selected members of survival societies and organisations, and among users of websites dedicated to survival.<bold><italic>Results</italic></bold>. The respondents usually organised survival activities individually or in a group of friends, forests being the preferred location. The respondents undertook survival activity either sporadically (once every 4-6 months) or sometimes (once every 2-3 months), with individual periods of activity usually lasting 2-3 days. The most popular form of this activity was one-day-long or several-day-long trips with overnight stays, and the activities the respondents performed the most frequently were constructing makeshift shelters, lighting and building campfires, and topography.<bold><italic>Conclusions</italic></bold>. Survival activity was strongly determined by the accessibility of the natural environment. The persons engaged in survival showed high independence in carrying out their tasks. The survival activities were undertaken in short periods and sporadically, weekend trips (sometimes with an overnight stay) being the most popular form of activity. Basic issues related to survival were the dominant activities performed by the respondents.</abstract>

Introduction. A growing interest in survival as a tourist and recreational activity raises the need for empirical research into this issue. Unfortunately, a vast majority of authors focus on the technical aspects of survival, ignoring the determinants of this activity. The few existing studies are mostly based on observation and involve small samples. This paper will help complement the body of knowledge concerning this issue.Material and methods. Following a pilot study, the study proper was conducted between 2011 and 2013 using a questionnaire prepared by the author. The analysis was based on the opinions of 594 respondents. The research was conducted during randomly selected survival events, among randomly selected members of survival societies and organisations, and among users of websites dedicated to survival.Results. The respondents usually organised survival activities individually or in a group of friends, forests being the preferred location. The respondents undertook survival activity either sporadically (once every 4-6 months) or sometimes (once every 2-3 months), with individual periods of activity usually lasting 2-3 days. The most popular form of this activity was one-day-long or several-day-long trips with overnight stays, and the activities the respondents performed the most frequently were constructing makeshift shelters, lighting and building campfires, and topography.Conclusions. Survival activity was strongly determined by the accessibility of the natural environment. The persons engaged in survival showed high independence in carrying out their tasks. The survival activities were undertaken in short periods and sporadically, weekend trips (sometimes with an overnight stay) being the most popular form of activity. Basic issues related to survival were the dominant activities performed by the respondents.

Survival – Selected Determinants Of Participation

Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Faculty of Tourism and Recreation, Department of Active Forms of Tourism and Recreation

Polish Journal of Sport and Tourism

This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Public License.

{"article-title":"Survival \u2013 Selected Determinants Of Participation"}

Introduction. A growing interest in survival as a tourist and recreational activity raises the need for empirical research into this issue. Unfortunately, a...

Survival – Selected Determinants Of Participation

Published Online: Oct 29, 2015

Page range: 94 - 99

Received: Dec 09, 2014

Accepted: Apr 15, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/pjst-2015-0017

Keywords
tourist and recreational activity, survival, determinants

© 2015 Przemysław Płoskonka, published by De Gruyter Open

This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Public License.

Survival – Selected Determinants Of Participation

Published Online: Oct 29, 2015

Page range: 94 - 99

Received: Dec 09, 2014

Accepted: Apr 15, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/pjst-2015-0017

Keywordstourist and recreational activity, survival, determinants

© 2015 Przemysław Płoskonka, published by De Gruyter Open

This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Public License.

Keywords
tourist and recreational activity, survival, determinants