Yeppers, Shammy are at the moment (and have been) a support class and PvP can present a bit of a problem on the survival front. Why? For two reasons - first being that we're still a relatively new support based class so we're weak on our own, second being because enemies that know what they're doing will immediately attempt to shut us down. Why? Because, if left alone for a short amount of time, a shammy can inflict massive damage to multiple targets.
Shammies, due to their gear, are easily identified by seasoned players. I've often approached a battle and had an enemy or two break off and charge straight at me ignoring the damage along the way. I take that as a badge of pride, not because my name carries any fear, but because to them, as a shammy, I am a walking, lightning firing howitzer and they respect me enough to divert all their efforts to killing me.
If it's helpful to you at all, Here's my play style when specc'd elemental in the BGs:
When approaching a battlegroup I take a less direct approach, away from the route the enemy is taking in, preferrably around a building (if available). Keep my water shield up at all times. Watch my range - as soon as my buttons light up I'm in position. Drop my wrath of air totem and choose a victim in the fray. I tend to choose priests (followed by mages).
Then, work a spell rotation into the group - Usually I start with two lightning bolts as not to draw too much attention to myself too early, followed with a chain lightning to watch the damage pile up - during the chain lightning cool down I can get off two more lightning bolts, then maybe an earth shock if the target is casting, then back to 2 lightning bolts, etc. Keeping this type of rotation means I'm constantly cranking out damage and spell disruptions.
BUT, It also means that someone IS eventually going to notice me.
As the 'noticer' charges, I targeting him/her, drop a frost shock to slow, and just start cranking lightning bolts. If damaged enough already, he/she will drop, if not, I will. If I do, I rez and repeat.
Using any type of method like this (and there are many discussions about on spell rotations), you'll be cranking out high damage to multiple targets steadily, which is sorta the point as you're specc'd for dps. Plus, if you're maxxed out on lightning related abilities on the talent tree, have a WoA totem down, manage to drop a critical chain lightning and the lightning mastery kicks in, woooooohoooooooooKAPOW to 3 targets at once. I've had this happen a few times at the right moment, where I've snagged 3 killing blows for a single spell.
Here's a fun thing to do as well (or I think so). If there's a confusing battle going on, your side seems to be up a bit, and the enemy is fighting to hold ground, run through the fray and drop your fire elemental totem smack dab in the middle. A fire elemental tends to be distracting to the enemy. Then run to the outskirts of the fray, turn, unload the spell rotation, enjoy the chaos.
So, I guess what it comes down to is - if you're going into the BGs for survivablity as an elemental, it's not going to happen as most shammy gear has a big bulls-eye painted on it. If you go in knowing that you're probably going to die a few times but will be causing mass destruction, you'll have a blast (no puns intended).
And remember - As a shammy, you die because they fear you. That's groovie.