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.
