I've sat in a Soyuz and talked to several people who have flown in them. The landing was described as "like being in a car crash", but much like NASCAR drivers, the combination of seat design and restraints keeps you safe. The seats are custom fit to each astronaut and ride on controlled crush shock/suspension system. They do have a pretty cool gun in the survival kit (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TP-82). I think the intent is that it be used against wild animals such as bears or wolves, and for hunting for food during if there was a long delay in being found after and off course landing. They also carry fishing gear for that purpose. Don't know about the bandits.

Sort of new to Slashdot, so I see it has my post list as "by Anonymous Coward". So, just to be clear, this was not written by Mr. Coward, but by me, Steve Berl.