9 misconceptions about survival skills that cannot be ignored
It is a misconception that any mushroom or berry that is edible to animals can also be eaten by humans.
First aid for snake bites
Snake venom enters the bloodstream very quickly and does not accumulate in the bite area. Therefore, trying to suck the venom out is not an effective solution, and placing your mouth close to the bite wound can cause the venom to go down the esophagus.
The best way to prevent the poison from spreading rapidly into the victim's bloodstream is to keep the wound below the heart, drink plenty of fluids, and try to get to the hospital as quickly as possible.
What to do when lost in the forest
You may have heard that the first thing to do when lost in the wilderness is to find some food. This is not entirely true. A healthy person can survive without food for quite a long time, up to 6 weeks. Finding a source of water and building a shelter from the elements is the top priority.
How to build a shelter
Before you start building a suitable shelter, assess your surroundings and the weather conditions. The shelter should provide protection from wind, rain, and heat. However, be aware that a place to hide or lean against is not enough. The cold ground will absorb your body heat at night, so create a layer of padding to insulate your body from the ground.
How to find water in the desert
If you are very thirsty, you should not drink the water in the cactus. The only type of cactus that contains water that you can drink is thebarrel cactus, most others are poisonous. Drinking the liquid inside its body can make you sick, cause vomiting, and further dehydrate you.
How to Survive a Bear Attack
Many people advise playing dead when encountering a bear, but this does not guarantee that you will be completely safe. Bears do not usually want to attack humans. So in most cases, you just need to back away slowly, maintaining eye contact with the bear. This will let the bear know that you do not want to invade its territory.
How do you know which plants are edible and which are poisonous?
In fact, some berries and mushrooms that are deadly to humans are harmless to animals and birds. So if you see an animal eating a delicious mushroom without any harm, don't be too quick to imitate it. The only way to accurately distinguish the specific characteristics of an edible mushroom or berry is to rely on what you have eaten.
Moss Orientation
“Moss grows on the north side of the tree” is a misconception because it can grow in any direction, depending on environmental conditions. Therefore, you should never trust this method of determining direction if you want to find your way out of a forest.
How to treat hypothermia
You should never rub frostbitten areas as this can cause further tissue damage. You should also not use hot water or a heating lamp to warm the victim. These treatments can shock the victim's body. Instead, you should warm the core of the body gradually, preferably by wrapping them in blankets and placing several hot water bottles under their armpits.
How to Survive a Shark Attack
You may have heard that if you are attacked by a shark, punch it in the nose. While this advice is sound, not many people have the strength to do this, especially underwater.
Shark attacks are rare, but if you do happen to be attacked, try placing a solid object between you and the shark, such as a diving mask or a surfboard. If you have nothing to hand, the best way to scare a shark is to poke it in the eyes or gills.
