Book SummaryI Had to Survive, by Roberto Canessa and Pablo Vierci

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of I Had to Survive

Canessa's Background and Values Shaping His Crash Response

This section delves into Roberto Canessa's upbringing, highlighting how the values instilled in him during his childhood and adolescence, particularly his mother's fearlessness and the Christian Brothers' emphasis on teamwork and perseverance, would later shape his response to the harrowing plane accident in the Andes.

Roberto Canessa's Upbringing Shaped by Loving Mother, Disciplined Father

Canessa's upbringing was a fascinating interplay of influences from his loving maternal relatives, his disciplined father's medical lineage, and his time on his nanny’s farm. These diverse experiences would shape his approach to life and later his actions during the mountain ordeal.

Canessa, the Sole Son of an Educated, Arts-Oriented Household

Canessa and Vierci describe how Roberto, the only son in a big family, was doted on by his mother and aunts. They encouraged his artistic leanings, fostering a love for poetry and a sense of independence. Yet, education was paramount in the Canessa household, instilled through Uruguay's system of tuition-free, compulsory secular schooling. This foundation would later influence his drive to use his experience to better medicine and advocate for children’s access to healthcare.

Practical Tips

• Engage in conversations with friends or colleagues about their family experiences and how it has affected their lives. This can broaden your understanding of different family dynamics and provide insights into how various family structures impact personal development.
• Start a journal to track and analyze your reactions to situations where you feel either overly supported or not supported enough. Use this as a tool to understand your emotional needs better and develop strategies to meet those needs yourself, rather than relying on others.
• Create a digital family newsletter that highlights and celebrates the artistic achievements of family members. This not only shows support but also helps to document and share their growth over time. If your cousin is a budding musician, include a section in the newsletter that features a recording of their latest composition or performance.
• Start a family or friends poetry night where each person brings a poem to read aloud. This can be a monthly gathering where everyone chooses a poem they like or have written themselves to share with the group. It's a way to foster a love for poetry through social interaction and to learn about different poets and styles from each other.
• Encourage decision-making in children by setting up a 'choice day' where they decide all activities. Explain to them that they have the freedom to choose what to do throughout the day, from meals to playtime activities, but also discuss the importance of making thoughtful decisions and considering the consequences.

Other Perspectives

• The importance placed on education does not necessarily equate to academic success or a well-rounded education.
• Secular schooling, by design, excludes religious education, which some families may value as an integral part of their children's upbringing and personal development.
• The influence of an arts-oriented household might have contributed to a creative approach to problem-solving in medicine, which could be a separate or additional factor in his drive to innovate.
• The influence of his mother and aunts might have been the primary factor in his advocacy, as their support and encouragement could have instilled a sense of responsibility and care for others.

Canessa's Rebellious Nature Clashed With the Irish Christian Brothers' Strict Upbringing

Canessa's rebellious nature presented challenges during his time with the strict Irish Christian Brothers. They valued discipline and teamwork, traits crucial in the Andes. Though initially a disruptive student, he never resorted to dishonesty, earning him eventual leadership positions. Through this, he began to understand the dynamics of effective group management, which would prove invaluable in the desperate struggle for survival in the harsh mountains.

Other Perspectives

• Rebelliousness can sometimes be a sign of critical thinking and a desire for autonomy, which may not necessarily clash with the values of discipline and teamwork but rather challenge their implementation in a rigid environment.
• Being a disruptive student might have overshadowed any honest intentions he had, potentially causing more harm than good in the educational environment.
• The text implies a direct causation between behavior and leadership without considering that correlation does not necessarily imply causation.
• Canessa's understanding of group dynamics may have been influenced by a variety of experiences, not solely his time with the Irish Christian Brothers.
• The importance of group management might be overstated if the group's survival was largely due to external assistance or rescue efforts,...

I Had to Survive Summary Plane Accident and Canessa's Survival in the Andes

This section recounts the moment of the plane crash, emphasizing Canessa's swift transition from a state of shock to assuming the responsibility of a doctor, caring for the injured, and leading crucial efforts for survival within the dire conditions of the wrecked fuselage.

Plane Crash: Canessa's Initial Triage and Rescue Efforts

On October 13th, 1972, Roberto Canessa found his life irrevocably altered when the plane carrying his rugby team crashed into the Andes. Confronted by horrifying devastation, he would demonstrate remarkable strength and resilience, putting his medical knowledge to use in extremely harsh settings.

How Canessa Responded to Andes Plane Accident

Initially stunned by the crash, Canessa vividly describes the disorientation, the deafening sounds, and the acrid odor that filled the air as he regained consciousness. The realization that he was still alive quickly gave way to the chilling reality of the situation, surrounded by injured friends and a snowstorm whipping through the open wreckage. His early actions, however, highlight a decisive shift from a sense of shock to a focus on immediate action.

Context

• The psychological impact of...

I Had to Survive Summary Canessa's Career in Children's Heart Medicine Inspired by Andes Experience

This section highlights the influence of the Andean experience on Canessa's medical career. It emphasizes how the tragedy shaped his approach to medicine, particularly his unwavering dedication to preserving lives, especially of young people, and his relentless pursuit of advanced treatments and technology.

Canessa's Andes Ordeal Prepared Him for Emergency Medicine Career

After coming back from the Andes, Canessa's medical career was irrevocably shaped by the harrowing experience. He resumed his studies and internship with a unique perspective, having witnessed the fragility of existence and the primal instinct to survive. His training became a continuous pursuit for innovative solutions.

Dr. Canessa Developed a Pressure-Driven, Improvisational Mindset Through Mountain Experiences

Canessa's experience as the "doctor on the mountain" instilled a pressure-driven, improvisational mindset, making him a remarkably resourceful and decisive physician. Having learned to make important choices under extreme pressure with limited resources, he could face conventional medical challenges with unconventional solutions. This pragmatic approach, coupled with his keen observation...