Risk behavior is defined as the repeated search for danger in which the skier puts his existence or that of others at risk. It differs from risky actions in that the latter occur in specific contexts, while the former evidences an attraction to danger. This behavior, which produces immediate pleasurable sensations, implies the unconscious search for self-destruction (death drive) and may entail a risk for the skier himself.
The Attachment theory states that when we need protection in threatening situations, we activate a psychobiological system that moves us to approach significant others. According to this theory, when experiencing unpleasant emotions, we would deploy an approach to others who can respond with sensitivity to cope with the situation. If we have this need, we will tend to monitor the environment for threats, are emotionally expressive, and eager for containment in case danger is detected, so perceiving that there is no one around to help us could generate anxiety.
It is common for a beginner or a fearful skier to cling to the instructor or a fellow group member in the face of a perceived threatening situation. In contrast, if we are confident, we rely on our own resources and generally possess good self-esteem along with a tendency to perceive the ski slopes as a relatively safe place.
Attachment theory holds that confident, trustworthy, or socially significant skiers in leading groups such as instructors, coaches, or mountain guides benefit the members of a group in terms of problem solving. They perceive that these professionals, as significant people, will have a better reaction and response capacity in a dangerous situation compared to pros perceived as detached or less confident.
When facing risky situations, adrenaline segregation prepares our body to act. The effects it produces are perspiration (prepares our body for the increase in temperature); dilation of our pupils (increases brightness, but reduces visual acuity); dry mouth (reduces secretion of gastric juices and saliva); heightened sense of smell and hearing; and pale skin due to reduced blood flow as it is redirected to other parts of the body (arms, legs).
Proactive behavior in risky situations
The way we perceive the reality of our skiing influences our behavior. If we have coherence applied to the present moment, we will be able to interpret how things really are and how they should be. Everyone is responsible for his actions, therefore, behavior is a function of our own decision adapted to the conditions of the environment. But not by adapting to the conditions we should not give power to these circumstances and let them control our own behavior. When this happens, reactivity comes to the surface so we, either by decision or by omission, act reactively. In dynamic activities such as skiing, we should not be satisfied with reacting to dangerous situations as soon as they appear but should act in anticipation of what we believe will happen.
Proactive behavior is a requirement for dangerous contexts and is a peculiarity of our behavior, not of us as humans, in contrast, preoccupation without concern is the opposite behavior. What affects us is not what is happening but the behavior we adopt or, in other words, it would not be the risk itself that harms but our response to it.
At applying a proactive behavior, we will feel slightly affected by external conditions involving risk but we will not be influenced by them because our impulse lies in enjoying skiing regardless of the circumstances, although we should not confuse proactive behavior with constant action. The latter is a type of frantic behavior that puts both ourselves and others at risk. It is a behavior of permanent haste, of rushing to get to the result, a stressful conduct in which there is no room for appropriation of experiences.
