How the people survive the concentration camps

How the people survive the concentration camps

Not being Jews. Most Jews were gassed immediately on arrival. Non Jews were also usually spared selections.

Understanding German. Those who understood German were faster in executing orders and less likely to be punished, and could become useful by translating for others.

Getting a job. Inmates with a job had better rations. Beware, though, certain jobs were deadly, especially those in chemical plants or in stone caves.

Having a social network. Inmates got organized by nationality, political ideology, or religion. Those who were able to integrate in these support networks had better chances.

Not being prone to depression. Reactive and adaptable people were less likely to just give up like many did.

Ending up in a better camp. Each Lager had its own peculiarities. Extermination camps were a guarantee of rapid death, large Arbetislagers (work camps) offered marginally better hopes, some smaller work camps had hugely better conditions (Agfa ran a small camp where only two of the inmates died and the rest of the women were liberated in acceptable health conditions).

Being caught later. Deportations continued until the last weeks of the war, but by the late winter 1945 gsssing was stopped

The last captured weren't killed on arrival and faced death marches while still in a relative state of health.

Being very, very lucky.