The people that survive (because of things they do) all have a moment where they either almost give up and realize they want to live or they think about the things that are worth living. They also often times have and use the same plans this also interests me. I love when someone thinks their way out of bad situations. They say if this happens I am going to do this, I am going to play dead, or when he stops I am going to punch him in the face and jump out of the car.
I am convinced that if you keep thinking, planning, moving, and always have hope you can survive almost anything.