There ’s something about the mind of being able to outlast in the wild that ’s thrilling . We spiritualize it with television shows like " Survivor " and " Man vs. Wild . "
But survival of the fittest in the rough conditions of nature is no simple intimacy , and most lessons ca n’t be study from television . In fact , some of the " endurance advice " that we ’ve pick up over the year is all ill-timed , often dangerously so .
Here are some myths you do n’t want to rely on if a short jaunt alfresco wrench disastrous .
Myth : you’re able to suck the venom out of a snakebite
Fact : If a bite delivers venom , it’llimmediately put down the bloodstream . Putting your mouth on the bite will deliver extra bacteria to the wound and may simply get venom into your sass and esophagus . If someone gets bitten , strain to keep heart rate low and hold the affected limb below centre level while get to a hospital .
Myth : Always play dead when you are assault by a bear
Fact : If you are out in the Wood and you see a bear , the general advice is to quiet back away . If it ’s in your yard or around your campsite , make yourself prominent and loud , which should hopefully scare away it off .
But in the instance of an actual onset , your response scheme shoulddepend on the bearand onthe type of approach . Never play utter if a smutty bear attacks — always fight back .
In most cases , a brown or grizzly bear attacks to defend itself or its cub . At these time it will warn you off by making noise and pretend to charge . Back away from a justificatory flack slowly . If the bear makes liaison , work deadened lying on your abdomen with your hands over your neck . But in the rarified case of a predatory attack , which hail with no warning ( or if the bear seems to be stalk you ) , fight for your sprightliness .
Myth : You need to come up a food provision right away if you are lost in the wilderness
Fact : Not even close . You cansurvive up to six weeks without food . The precise amount of time might vary , depending on embark on full stop and other wellness subject , but water supply and shelter from the elements are far more important .
Myth : The fluid in a cactus can redeem you from die of thirst
Fact : If you ’re experienced enough to pluck out the one variety of barrel cactus that you could filter body of water from safely , this may work . Butmost of the time , cactus fluid will make you sick , causing you to vomit up precious liquid and leave you more dehydrated .
Myth : Moss grow on the north side of a tree
Fact : Mosscan grow on all side of a tree , depending on environmental condition . Do n’t reckon on this morsel of folklore for navigation .
Myth : If an animal eats something , it ’s safe for you to consume it
Fact : dame and squirrels can eatcertain berries and mushroom that would kill a person .
Myth : Rub someone ’s skin or put them in a red-hot tub to warm them up if they ’re freezing
Fact : Rubbing frostbitten pelt candamage it even more , and hot water canbe shocking or prejudicious for someone dealing with frostbite and hypothermia . You involve to warm up someone back up slowly , rather with cover and some affectionate water bottles under their axilla .
Myth : If a shark attacks you , punch it in the nose
Fact : It ’s really hard to land a strong clout on the nose of a moving shark . In the rarefied caseswhere a shark comes in for a bite , seek to put a solid object between you and fauna . If that fails , claw at its eyes and gill .
Myth : Always swim parallel to shore if you are caught in a rip current
Fact : A rip stream is scary , but swimming directly parallel to shore work best if the stream croak directly out to ocean . This is n’t all wrong , but it ’s good to know that many rip electric current come in at an angle — your general idea should be to stay alongside the shoring , but swimperpendicular to the currentas much as you may " at an angle aside from the current and towards the shore , " harmonise to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association . It might be easier to drown one direction instead of the other . And do n’t tire yourself out too much ; it should n’t feel like you are perish upstream . If you ca n’t swim out , tread wateruntil you’re able to .
Myth : A lean - to is a great protection
Fact : The right shelter depends on surrounding conditions . In high heat you need shade , but in cool climates , staying lovesome is a precedence . This means protecting yourself from confidential information , but it also meansbuilding up a layer to insulate youfrom the nerveless ground at night . Alean - to mighthelp protect from steer and the chemical element , but may not be enough to offer warmth .
All images mention : Dragan Radovanovic / Business Insider
