Alarm Reaction: Changes in the Body

The following are some of the changes taking place in the hunter’s body during the alarm reaction:

• His pupils dilate to let in more light so that he can see in the dark better.
• His heart beats faster to pump more blood and life-giving oxygen to his muscles.
• His muscles tense to better serve as armor protecting his vital organs in case of attack and also to better enable him to spring into action (either run away or stay and fight).
• His blood undergoes chemical changes so that clotting time is decreased just in case he is wounded.
• His throat and nasal passages dry up so that more oxygen can be taken in.
• His body stops producing saliva in his mouth, again to allow the easy flow of oxygen.
• His body stops digesting food since it has more important things to do at the moment.
• More blood is sent to the muscles and the brain to help the hunter act more quickly.
• His breathing becomes quicker and shallower.

All of the above occurs automatically (i.e., involuntarily). The hunter doesn’t have to think about it; it happens on its own. It is a survival mechanism that helps the hunter in life-or-death situations.