SURVIVAL MYTHS THAT COULD ACTUALLY HURT YOU
Added on: 23rd Jun 2016
USE A TOURNIQUET IF YOU ARE BLEEDING
Of course, tourniquets can save your life, but only use this as
a last resort because it is very likely that you will lose your limb.
Also, once you apply the tourniquet, do not remove it under any
circumstance! This can release toxins back into your blood
stream that your body won’t be able to handle. It needs
to be removed in the hospital. Pro tip: mark the time that you
applied the tourniquet. Doctors will need this information
when removing it.
IF THERE IS AN EARTHQUAKE THEN YOU
SHOULD STAND IN A DOORWAY
Depending on the age of the building this may be terrible advice.
In the past the doorframe was extremely sturdy but in modern
structures there are much better places to hide, like under a
sturdy table or desk. Keyword: sturdy.
EATING PLANTS IS A SAFE BET
Not really. Unless you have time to perform the universal
edibility test (something good to learn about), there is a good
chance that you will ingest something poisonous. Besides, even
if you do find plants that aren’t poisonous, they probably don’t
have many nutrients anyway. It would be a waste of your time.
MOSS ONLY GROWS ON THE NORTH SIDE OF TREES
This is false. In the northern hemisphere it may sometimes grow
better on the northern side of the tree only because that side is
less likely to receive direct sunlight, but it can grow anywhere if
there is shade or moisture. Do not depend on this to give you
accurate directions. The sun would be a better source.
DRINKING ALCOHOL KEEPS YOU WARM
This myth is actually quite dangerous. Alcohol only makes you feel
warmer but it in fact decreases your internal body temperature.
IF IT IS COLD ON THE VALLEY FLOOR,
MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND
While it is true that inversion layers and rising hot hair can make
it a few degrees warmer on the slopes of the valley than on
the valley floor, it is not always a good idea to move to higher
ground. Remember that there is a higher wind chill factor and
it may be harder to start fires. You’ll just have to use
your discretion.
ALWAYS SWIM PARALLEL TO THE SHORE
IF YOU ARE CAUGHT IN A RIP CURRENT
While this is true for rip currents that pull directly out to sea, not
all rip currents do that. Some are diagonal and some are
longshore. The basic rule is that you should swim perpendicular
to the rip in the same direction as the prevailing wind or
ocean current. If at any point you feel like you are swimming
upstream, then you are not moving in the right direction.
YOU WILL SUDDENLY FIND YOURSELF IN A
SURVIVAL SCENARIO
Survival situations do not usually happen suddenly. They are
typically the result of a series of bad decisions. Many times it is
our pride or stubbornness that gets us there. If you are out
fishing on a lake and you see lightning, get off the lake.
Don’t be macho and most likely you will be ok.
SURVIVAL IS ABOUT KNOWING WHAT TO DO
No. As any survivalist will tell you, survival is much less glamorous
than just having the right skills. Sometimes it is about that, but
usually it is simply about prevention. As we just mentioned before,
don’t be foolish and use common sense. The best way to survive a
deadly scenario is to not get yourself into a deadly scenario.
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