Post by jimcobb on Nov 14, 2022 5:33:21 GMT
In an effort to help writers insert factual information into their stories, or at least avoid gaffes, I thought I’d share some survival myths and the reality behind them.
Myth: When searching for food in the wild, you are safe to eat anything you see birds and other critters consume.
Reality Check: There are numerous things we eat that will make our pets sick, right? Grapes, chocolate, and onions are all dangerous or toxic to dogs, yet we readily consume them without a second thought. The reverse is also true. Animals have very different digestive systems and they are able to safely consume many things that would cause severe health issues to the human body, including berries, mushrooms, and more. Even pet food itself could cause serious issues with a person’s digestive system.
Myth: When lost in the woods, shelter is always the number one priority. Or water. Or food. Or fire.
Reality Check: Every situation is different. If it is 72°F and sunny, shelter isn’t going to be much of a priority, though water might be if you don’t have a ready supply. On the other hand, a rainy and cold night requires you to get out of the elements as quickly as possible and warm up before hypothermia sets in. Adjust your priorities to the situation rather than relying upon a rigid set of rules.
Myth: Drink urine if you have no other water sources available.
Reality Check: TV shows aside, this is a very bad idea. Urine contains numerous waste products the body needs to eliminate. Ingesting them again just concentrates them further. Do whatever you can to find an actual water source.
Myth: Tampons work great for gunshot or puncture wounds.
Reality Check: Not so much. While yes, this was something that was taught, once upon a time, we’ve know better now. There are all sorts of reasons why this doesn’t work, from the wound channel not resembling the inside of a vagina to tampons being designed to pull blood out, not keep it inside. If you need to pack a wound and a tampon is literally the only thing you have available for some weird reason, go for it. But the only reason your character should have them in a first aid kit is for female patients who are unprepared when they get their period.
Myth: If a major disaster were to hit, such as an EMP strike, currency would instantly become worthless and we’ll have to rely on barter.
Reality Check: In a sudden crisis like an EMP or something similar, it will take some time before most people understand the extent of the event. For at least the short-term, if there are any stores or other businesses still operating, they will almost certainly still accept cash. People are creatures of habit and they will stick with what they know for as long as possible. That said, price gouging is all but guaranteed to happen as well. Use cash as much as possible until people stop accepting it, reserving your barter goods (or precious metals) for when you truly need them.
Myth: When you are running low on water in a survival situation, carefully ration what you have to make it last as long as possible.
Reality Check: Never ration water. Drink as much as you need for as long as you have the supply to do so. At the same time, always be looking for water sources and take advantage of them as often as possible. When you do find a source, camel up by drinking as much water as you can, then fill your containers. Dehydration is a very real threat and it can sneak up on you. While the often-repeated rule of three is that you can survive upwards of three days without water, the reality is that you can suffer dehydration in far less time. Once dehydration sets in, your ability to find more water is going to be hampered by cramps, dizziness, and more.
Myth: Wild mushrooms are a great source of survival food when lost.
Reality Check: Edible mushrooms have many poisonous lookalikes and someone inexperienced with identification can make potentially serious mistakes. Even if you are absolutely certain the mushroom is safe to eat, there’s another reason to avoid them in a survival situation. The body burns more calories digesting a mushroom than it derives from it. In a crisis, calories are important as they are what fuels the body.
Myth: Wasp spray is an effective self-defense option.
Reality Check: While it could be argued that any substance, when sprayed into the eyes, would be at least a momentary distraction or deterrent, relying on wasp spray to put an assailant down is not a great idea. It doesn’t work like pepper spray in the least, despite what you may have read on social media. It might burn for a second, but that’s about it. Pepper spray causes all sorts of problems to most attackers, from slamming their eyes shut and causing them to water excessively to inflammation of mucous membranes.
Myth: To treat a snakebite in the wild, cut the bite open with a knife or razor and suck out the venom.
Reality Check: Yeah, this doesn’t work. All you’ll do is make matters worse by aggravating the wound and causing the patient’s heart to pound harder, sending the venom into the system even faster. Best option is to get the bite above the level of their heart, if possible, and get them to a hospital pronto.
I’ll add more to the thread as I think of them.
Myth: When searching for food in the wild, you are safe to eat anything you see birds and other critters consume.
Reality Check: There are numerous things we eat that will make our pets sick, right? Grapes, chocolate, and onions are all dangerous or toxic to dogs, yet we readily consume them without a second thought. The reverse is also true. Animals have very different digestive systems and they are able to safely consume many things that would cause severe health issues to the human body, including berries, mushrooms, and more. Even pet food itself could cause serious issues with a person’s digestive system.
Myth: When lost in the woods, shelter is always the number one priority. Or water. Or food. Or fire.
Reality Check: Every situation is different. If it is 72°F and sunny, shelter isn’t going to be much of a priority, though water might be if you don’t have a ready supply. On the other hand, a rainy and cold night requires you to get out of the elements as quickly as possible and warm up before hypothermia sets in. Adjust your priorities to the situation rather than relying upon a rigid set of rules.
Myth: Drink urine if you have no other water sources available.
Reality Check: TV shows aside, this is a very bad idea. Urine contains numerous waste products the body needs to eliminate. Ingesting them again just concentrates them further. Do whatever you can to find an actual water source.
Myth: Tampons work great for gunshot or puncture wounds.
Reality Check: Not so much. While yes, this was something that was taught, once upon a time, we’ve know better now. There are all sorts of reasons why this doesn’t work, from the wound channel not resembling the inside of a vagina to tampons being designed to pull blood out, not keep it inside. If you need to pack a wound and a tampon is literally the only thing you have available for some weird reason, go for it. But the only reason your character should have them in a first aid kit is for female patients who are unprepared when they get their period.
Myth: If a major disaster were to hit, such as an EMP strike, currency would instantly become worthless and we’ll have to rely on barter.
Reality Check: In a sudden crisis like an EMP or something similar, it will take some time before most people understand the extent of the event. For at least the short-term, if there are any stores or other businesses still operating, they will almost certainly still accept cash. People are creatures of habit and they will stick with what they know for as long as possible. That said, price gouging is all but guaranteed to happen as well. Use cash as much as possible until people stop accepting it, reserving your barter goods (or precious metals) for when you truly need them.
Myth: When you are running low on water in a survival situation, carefully ration what you have to make it last as long as possible.
Reality Check: Never ration water. Drink as much as you need for as long as you have the supply to do so. At the same time, always be looking for water sources and take advantage of them as often as possible. When you do find a source, camel up by drinking as much water as you can, then fill your containers. Dehydration is a very real threat and it can sneak up on you. While the often-repeated rule of three is that you can survive upwards of three days without water, the reality is that you can suffer dehydration in far less time. Once dehydration sets in, your ability to find more water is going to be hampered by cramps, dizziness, and more.
Myth: Wild mushrooms are a great source of survival food when lost.
Reality Check: Edible mushrooms have many poisonous lookalikes and someone inexperienced with identification can make potentially serious mistakes. Even if you are absolutely certain the mushroom is safe to eat, there’s another reason to avoid them in a survival situation. The body burns more calories digesting a mushroom than it derives from it. In a crisis, calories are important as they are what fuels the body.
Myth: Wasp spray is an effective self-defense option.
Reality Check: While it could be argued that any substance, when sprayed into the eyes, would be at least a momentary distraction or deterrent, relying on wasp spray to put an assailant down is not a great idea. It doesn’t work like pepper spray in the least, despite what you may have read on social media. It might burn for a second, but that’s about it. Pepper spray causes all sorts of problems to most attackers, from slamming their eyes shut and causing them to water excessively to inflammation of mucous membranes.
Myth: To treat a snakebite in the wild, cut the bite open with a knife or razor and suck out the venom.
Reality Check: Yeah, this doesn’t work. All you’ll do is make matters worse by aggravating the wound and causing the patient’s heart to pound harder, sending the venom into the system even faster. Best option is to get the bite above the level of their heart, if possible, and get them to a hospital pronto.
I’ll add more to the thread as I think of them.