Cheap homestead protection during SHTF or THE Purge

Methods for moving a wounded patient

Original Article

By
Bob Rodgers




In normal times if someone close to you gets sick or injured, you will get them to a modern medical facility as fast and soon as possible. However, medical assistance may be absent or nonexistent in a survival situation, so you will have to improvise to save your loved ones.

A general rule of first-aid states that victims need to be left in the position they are found until professional medical help arrives. However, that may not always be possible, and you need to decide if you can treat the patient on the spot or if you have to move them to another location where they can receive proper medical care.

If you decide to move the patient, you first stabilize the victim as best as possible. This means that you need to stop all bleeding, you have to make sure airways are open, you have to splint orthopedic injuries, and so on. If you can’t do that with the available supplies and materials, have someone from your party bring you anything you need to prepare the patient for transport.


Now, depending on the number of people you have in your group, you can figure ways to transport the patient without causing additional damage. For example, someone with a spinal injury should be rolled onto a stretcher, but you must do it carefully to avoid bending their neck back. You will need to use a cervical collar and supportive blocks with straps to immobilize the spine.

Even more, if you don’t have to deal with a spinal injury, it’s still recommended to immobilize the patient’s neck if they are unconscious. This will prevent additional trauma when transporting the victim. Keep in mind that the head needs to align with the spine for unconscious victims during transport if you suspect a spinal injury.

If you have people in your party willing to help, transporting the victim is much easier than you would think, but it does require some coordination. You will have to guide them to lift the patient simultaneously and move at a steady pace, so everyone needs to be on the same page.
Moving the patient

When you move the patient onto a stretcher, you first place the stretcher next to the victim. The patient should be on his back with the arms alongside his body. One person from your group should slip his arms under the victim’s back and waist, while another helper should slip his arms under the hip and knees. You give the command “lift,” and they should both lift the patient simultaneously and place him or her on the stretcher.

Alternatively, the helpers could carefully turn the patient on their side, and you could slip the stretcher underneath. If you decide to do this, make sure the victim’s arms are placed across their chest and the head is aligned with the spine when the patient is turned on the side.
Improvising a stretcher

Regarding the stretcher, you may have to improvise one using your creativity if you don’t already have it readily available. This is especially true if you find yourself in a survival scenario, but there’s always something you can work with even then.

For example, abandoned buildings could provide suitable materials to improvise your stretcher in an urban or rural setting. You can use a blanket, an inside door, or even an ironing board if you find one. All these can be used to make a backboard, and you can use a paracord or rope to make the handles and immobilize the patient, preventing his arms and legs from moving during transport.

Even a chair can be used to transport the victim if he or she is conscious. Have them sit or place them on the chair and position one helper to stand in the chair’s back and hold it by the sides. They will have to tilt the chair back, and you or another person will have to move in front of the chair and grab its front legs. Now lift at the same time and move the victim. The person in the back will also keep an eye on the victim and tell his partner to stop if something is wrong.

You can also move a victim using a poncho or a blanket, provided they are sturdy enough. Stretch out the blanket or poncho near the victim. Place them on the improvised stretcher and roll the side of the blanket or poncho inward to create some grabbing supports. Each person will have to grab a handhold, lift simultaneously, and carry the victim to safety. You will need four people to transport the victim using this method.

If only two of you are present, you can still use that blanket or poncho, but you will also have to improvise some supports from sticks or long poles. You can pick something that is 6 feet long and at least 2 inches thick to make sure it holds the patient’s weight.

Lay your blanket on the ground and place the two poles on top of it to divide the blanket into thirds. Now fold both of the outer thirds over the poles, backward toward the middle.

Place the victim on the blanket, and don’t worry about your stretcher coming apart since the patient’s weight will hold the blanket and poles in place when you lift.

If there’s just you and the victim and cannot wait for help to move the patient, you can still use the blanket or poncho to carry the injured person. Place it under the victim, hold the blanket at one end with both hands and place your forearms to cradle the head. Now use your legs to pull and move the patient to safety.

You can also drag the victim by pulling on the shoulders of his shirt or jacket. Grasp the back of the clothing right under the shoulder, and use your legs to pull them. Please pay attention when moving the patient so that your forearms can cradle their head.
Transporting the victim without additional materials

There may be nothing available to help improvise a stretcher or a litter system in a worst-case scenario, so you will have to use your body strength to move the victim to safety. 

Here are some recommendations:

Four-person team – If there’s more of you, that additional help will be put to good use. You can improvise what’s called the hammock method to lift and move the victim. Have the helpers kneel on both sides of the injured person, and two of them will have to reach under the victim and grab the wrist of the persons across from them. 

The helpers at each end will have to make sure one of their hands supports the feet and the head of the victim during transport. Good coordination will be needed when using this method because everyone will have to get on one knee upon the first command and then stand upon the second command.

Three-person team – Sometimes, you might be forced to move the patient onto a higher level than a stretcher on the ground. Maybe you have to place the victim on an operating table or a hospital gurney. In such a case, the helpers will have to stand on one knee near the patient and roll him on his side to face them. 

The patient is then lifted onto their knee, and they stand once the command is being given. In this case, the victim is being held on the helpers’ chest, and they all need to move using the same foot.

Two-person team – When there’s only you and another helper, you have several options for transporting the victim. For example, if the patient is conscious, you can improvise a four-handed seat by interlocking all four wrists in a square pattern. 

The patient will sit on the improvised seat, and he or she will hold onto your shoulders. If you need one hand free to operate a radio or a phone, you can use only three wrists in a triangular pattern to improvise a seat. Another method of carrying a conscious patient is the crutch method. 

This method is perhaps the simplest of them all, and it allows the victim to walk using the helpers for support (as a pair of crutches). Each helper grabs the patient’s wrist and puts the crook of the victim’s arm on the back of their necks and over their shoulder. The other arm needs to go around the victim’s waist. The patient can then stand with assistance. 

In cases where the victim is less alert, the waistband or belt can be pulled to help lift him or her, with their legs more or less dragging behind as you move. If the patient is more or less aware, you can use the two-handed seat method for transporting the victim. 

This method provides a backrest for the less alert victim. Each helper has to interlock one wrist to form the seat, while the other arm will grab the far shoulder of its partner, thus forming the back support. This method of transport needs to start with the helpers squatting on either side of the victim, and they need to use their legs to lift to avoid injuring their back. 

If you have to transport the patient over a long distance, you can use the fore and aft carry method. In this case, one helper has to get behind a laying victim and slip his arms under the victim’s armpits so that it can lock his hands around the chest. 

The second helper has to position himself facing the patient’s feet, and he needs to use both arms to grab underneath each knee. Please make sure the taller helper holds the patient by his chest since transport will be much easier. 

This method can be used for both conscious or unconscious victims.

One-person army – In case there’s only you and the victim, and there’s no equipment available to help you evacuate the victim, there’s still hope for the patient. You can use the fireman’s carry method to transport the victim since this method keeps the injured person’s torso relatively leveled and stable. 

Start by squatting or kneeling near the patient, grab his right wrist with your left hand, and drape it over your shoulder. Now keep your back straight and place your right hand between the patient’s legs, around the right thigh. 

Use your legs to lift and stand up. If you did things right, you should have the patient’s torso over your back, and his right thigh should be resting on your right shoulder. The victim’s left leg and arm should hang behind your back, and you can adjust his position to make the transport easier. Another option for carrying an injured patient is the pack strap carry method. 

The patient should be behind you, and you need to grab both his arms and cross them across your chest. When squatting, make sure you keep your back straight and use your legs and back muscles to do the lifting. Also, it’s recommended to bend a little so that the patient’s weight is located on your hips before lifting them.
Concluding

Carrying a victim to safety is a complicated ordeal if you have no idea what you’re doing or if it’s your first time doing it. You may end up causing more harm than good to the patient and make things worse for them.

It’s recommended to practice this patient carrying methods before you put your knowledge to the test. Taking part in a first aid class where various protocols are explained and practiced is recommended to be sure you can transport a patient to safety in survival settings.

DIY Perimeter Defense - Area Denial Devices

Suggestions For Taking Care Of Your Body In The Wilderness

Original Article

 

by Bob Rodgers

It’s important to remain healthy regardless of the conditions in which we might find ourselves. Obviously, it’s harder when in remote areas where you cannot just pop around the shops for a bar of soap. Simple things like blisters can turn into a major medical calamity if not treated earlier enough.

In this article, we will start with the head and work down the body to avoid or treat ailments that can jeopardize a wilderness adventure.

Hair parasites

Head lice are blood-sucking insects about 3mm long which lay eggs in the hair. They hatch after a week, and the bites are very irritating, which causes scratching. These scratches, in turn, become infected, which can lead to impetigo.

Lice are spread by skin contact and clothing borrowed from an infected person, especially headgear. Keep the hair short and be especially careful if living with indigenous people. There are products that can be used to cleanse the hair of eggs and lice, but the best method is combing with a fine-toothed comb after washing the hair.

Eyecare

The eyes are vulnerable to dust and bright light, and special care is needed in these conditions. In the desert, trying to guide a helicopter to land is like being in a sandblasting machine. Close-fitting goggles are essential to keep the eyes free of sand and grit.

A reflex action tries to rid the eye of any foreign body by vigorous movements of the upper lid and a stream of tears that try to wash the particle away. The eye must not be rubbed, let nature take its course. If the particle is stuck, it will need removing.

Examine the lower lid first by pulling it gently down and remove any grit with the corner of a clean, wet handkerchief. Examine the top lid by sitting the patient down with their head tilted back.

The lid needs to be turned inside out for a thorough examination, this may sound drastic, but it’s a simple thing to do. Grasp the eyelashes between thumb and forefinger and pull out and up. Use a matchstick to press down on the lid and roll it over the matchstick. Now a thorough examination of the eye can be carried out.

Sunglasses will protect the eyes from bright sunlight in hot countries and also from the glare of snow in the mountains. On one of my mountain hunting trips, I couldn’t get used to my new snow goggles and kept removing them. After a few days, a brown halo surrounded my sight, this is the early warning of snow blindness.

The eyes are protected by a layer of aqueous fluid. Bright light from the sun, the glare off snow, or a welder’s torch, all break down this layer leaving the eyes feeling as though they are full of grit. It’s easily avoided by reducing the amount of light falling on the eye.

If you lose your goggles, you can improvise by blackening under the eye with soot or charcoal. Covering the eyes with mosquito netting or cutting narrow horizontal slits in cloth are other useful tips.

Oral hygiene is mandatory

Before going on a long trip, visit the dentist, especially if going to a cold climate or climbing. Clean the teeth at least twice a day and after each meal if possible. In the jungle, we couldn’t use toothpaste but took care of our teeth by flossing with the inside of paracord or using a toothpick fashioned from a thorn.

Temporary fillings can be made from pine resin. Collect the resin and mix in a small amount of cotton wool and pack it into the cavity. This will cover the nerve, greatly reducing the pain.

We used to carry zinc oxide and clove oil in the medical pack, which we used for fillings. Again add a little cotton wool to the mix and pack in tightly. I know someone who had one of these temporary fillings for months. He had to be reminded to get it sorted out professionally.

Gums are the common cause of toothache. Massaging them lightly with salt will help keep them healthy.

Take care of your lips

The lips are particularly vulnerable to cracking in extreme heat/cold conditions. Keep them covered in the cold and out of the sun in the tropics. A lip balm is a good thing to carry, and any ointment, grease, or oil will help prevent cracking.

Certain oils will attract flies which was the case when I used margarine in the Middle East. But no matter what I used, my lips always seemed to crack a week before I was due home. Every time I smiled, the lips split, which is not a very romantic sight when returning from a six-month deployment.

How about the ears?

The ears are a perfect shape for an insect trap. It was a full-time job in the jungle removing creatures from ears. The worse thing to do is to poke or prod, which will push the insect deeper into the ear. Warm oil will help get rid of the unwanted guest. Keep the affected ear facing downwards, allowing gravity to help.

In Belize, I had a mate who became increasingly clumsy and complained of dizziness. He tripped over every vine and fell off the largest of logs that bridged the many streams that crisscrossed the area. At first, it was a source of amusement to watch him sprawling every few minutes, but as the injuries mounted up, something had to be done.

I used a torch to look into his ear, and he thought I was trying to attract an insect out like a moth to a flame. I used a cotton bud to remove the heavy discharge of wax and found a seed the size of a grain of rice wedged firmly deep in the ear canal. This what was causing his loss of balance. I used a syringe and forceps to remove the obstruction, thus ending the source of entertainment that he had supplied.

Staying clean

It’s important to keep the skin clean, bathing occasionally in clean water will do this. No soaps or shampoos are needed, just a good soaking. Pay special attention to armpits and crotch, and make sure you dry between the toes.

Take good care of your feet. Keep them clean, have good-quality boots and socks, and ensure they fit correctly. Blisters can be avoided if friction between skin and socks is eliminated. One way of achieving this is by applying an oil that is specifically made to do this.

The largest organ of the body is the skin, and special care is required to keep it healthy. Personal and camp hygiene must always be practiced, even in the most difficult of situations. Areas most at risk are the crotch and armpits, areas of heat and dampness, which are prime breeding places for bacteria and fungi infections.

Tinea and ringworm are fungi complaints that attack the outer layer of the skin, hair, and nails, causing them to become brittle. It is highly contagious and will spread to others in the group if not confined.

In the military, we used ointments that should be listed under weapons of mass destruction. The burning application was worse than the effects we were trying to heal, but it was very effective.

Tinea is spread directly from infected clothes, towels, and lavatory seats and indirectly via the feet from wet floors and matting. Skin complaints were very common amongst the locals in the jungle, and we used a variety of ointments to treat them.

They adored being coated in Castellani Paint which is a rich purple color. Cetrimide was yellow, and calamine lotion, which is pink, were also used to treat skin complaints, and an artistic license was used in their application!

In Belize, the jungle was alive with bugs, flies, and insects that all wanted to use your body to lay eggs in. The Botfly favored the scalp to lay its egg, which started as a spot but grew as the larvae developed. The look on the barber’s face was priceless as he was cutting my hair when a maggot emerged from a spot that he had nicked. It actually stopped him talking for at least five minutes.

Staying fed and hydrated

We must keep the body well-nourished and try to eat a balanced diet. The body needs food to supply heat, energy, and tissue regrowth. Lack of food makes it increasingly difficult to keep warm, recover from injuries and illnesses.

Staying hydrated is equally important because water is essential and helps in the processes of digestion, assimilation of nutrients, and the elimination of toxins from the body. You should drink water as often as possible, and you shouldn’t ration your water supplies unless you are certain you cannot identify a water source.

Concluding

Taking care of your body is an important survival task if you find yourself in an environment that lacks modern infrastructure and the amenities you’re used to exploiting daily for your own comfort. There are certain things that shouldn’t be ignored when it comes to personal hygiene, and there’s always room for improvisation to maintain yourself in good shape.

Richard Trammell has written this post for Prepper’s Will.

DELICIOUSLY SIMPLE SOURDOUGH HONEY OAT BREAD RECIPE

Original Article

By Cery

Bread is my love language.

I love making it.

I love gifting it,

And I love eating it.

There are more bread recipes out there than you can shake a stick at.

In case y’all aren’t from the South, that means there’s LOTS of them…

And since I’ve never met a recipe that I didn’t want to fiddle with, I’m always coming up new stuff to try out.

Some are winners and some are epic flops! But it’s so much fun to play in the kitchen!

This Sourdough Honey Oat Bread is definitely one of the winners!

I love this type of bread for grilled ham and cheese sandwiches. I usually make it the day before I’m going to use it.

But one time I went to make it and I realized my yeast hadn’t come in yet and I was out.

I order bulk yeast online.

So I decided to play a little and make it a sourdough recipe.

And it was perfect for those sandwiches. It’s also great for toast. And it’s really amazing for French toast!

I haven’t gotten around to using it for bread pudding yet, but it’s close to the top if the list.

 

Don’t have a sourdough starter yet? Grab a copy of my eBook “Learn How to Create a Sourdough Starter” and get yours going today!

 

RECIPE NOTES

This recipe calls for rolled oats and not instant oatmeal. The instant won’t give you the same texture as the rolled oats.

If you want to add whole wheat flour, you can sub out up to 1 cup without having to adjust the liquid.

Make sure you are using recently fed starter that is active.

I know that all y’all don’t always have time to let the sourdough starter do it’s thing with the long rises, so I’ve also added yeast as an optional ingredient for shorter rise times.

It still has a little bit of tang from the sourdough and some of the health benefits, just not as much as a full on sourdough only bread.

I am not now, nor will I ever be, the sourdough police.

Yeast often gets added to my sourdough breads when I’ve not got all day to wait.

So feel free to do the same!

Ready to go?

Grab an apron and let’s make us some Sourdough Honey Oat Bread!

SOURDOUGH HONEY OAT BREAD

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 cups water, divided
• 3 Tablespoons butter + more to melt and brush on top
• 1/3 cup honey (mild in flavor)
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 2 cups sourdough starter (fed and active)
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons yeast OR 2 packages (optional)
• 1 large egg
• 1 Tablespoon sea salt
• 3 to 4 cups all purpose flour or bread flour

INSTRUCTIONS

Put one cup of water in a small saucepan and heat to boiling.

Remove from heat and add honey and butter. Stir to dissolve.

Then stir in rolled oats. Just like making porridge. Set aside to cool slightly.

rolled oats cooking

Pour the sourdough starter into a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the remaining water and stir till thoroughly mixed.

If you are mixing by hand, I highly recommend a Danish Dough Whisk. These are also called Danish dough hooks and work much better than a spoon for mixing bread doughs.

Add the egg, the honey and cooked oats mixture, the salt, the yeast (if using), and 2 cups of flour. Mix well.

starting the dough

Add the remaining flour a little at a time until you’ve got a soft dough.

Scrape the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead for 5 to 8 minutes until the dough is smooth and no longer sticky.

Or attach the dough hook and knead in the stand mixer for 8 minutes. 

Form the dough into a ball and place in a greased bowl, turning to oil the top. 

make sure to flip it over so the top doesn’t stick to your bread cloth

You can use butter, coconut oil, or olive oil to grease your bowl.

Cover with a damp bread cloth or plastic wrap and put in a warm place to rise till doubled. Yeast added method, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Sourdough only method, 4 to 6 hours.

 

Butter 2 bread pans. Or you can use a banneton or 2 depending on how big they are. Make sure the banneton baskets or liners are well floured.

These are the banneton proofing baskets I like to use for sandwich loaves.

Once the dough has doubled, turn it out onto a slightly floured surface. Using a bench knife, or other sharp knife, divide the dough in half.

Form each half into a loaf. Place seam side down in the loaf pans, or seam side up in the bannetons.

seam side down in loaf pans

Cover again and let it rise again until doubled. Yeast method, 45 minutes to and hour. Sourdough only method, 1 to 3 hours.

About 20 minutes before your sourdough honey oat bread is ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F.

If you used bannetons, turn the loaves out onto a greased or parchment covered baking sheet.

Right before baking, brush melted butter on the top of the loaves. You can sprinkle them with a little bit of rolled oats if you want to be a little fancy.

With a sharp knife or bakers lame, make a slash down the center of the loaf lengthwise.

brushed with butter and slashed

Now, pop those sandwich loaves in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until lightly browned.

Remove from the pans. If the crust is not as dark as you would like, you can return them to the oven for about 5 more minutes.

If you have any remaining melted butter, brush that on the top of your loaf now.

Put on a wire cooling rack to cool off.

ready to pop out of the loaf pan and cool

Allow to cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing.

This makes a great all around sourdough sandwich loaf. You can also use the dough to make dinner rolls, or make a large boule to bake in a Dutch oven.

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Pick One Gun for the End of the World.... | Ask the Expert

15 Of The Most Common Wilderness Survival Myths

 

by Bob Rodgers

I’ve been a prepper for a while now, and everyone that knows me can swear that I would rather spend as much time as possible in the great outdoors rather than living in the concrete jungle. Over the years, I’ve heard many wilderness survival myths, and there are many versions circulating out there that make people believe everything is possible in the outdoors.

Relying on these wilderness survival myths could lead to drastic outcomes, and it’s best to examine some of these myths to separate fact from fiction.

15 wilderness survival myths and their reality check

1. A solar still is a great way to procure water in the wild

source: wikipedia.com

Building a solar still involves digging a hole in the ground, placing a container into the hole, and then covering the hole with a piece of plastic. A small stone is placed on top of the plastic, directly above the container.

The theory is that water will evaporate from the ground and condense on the underside of the plastic. Moisture will run down the plastic and drip into the container.

Success depends on a huge range of factors, including the moisture levels in the ground, the climate, temperature, and the size of the hole.

Rarely will you get nearly enough water to warrant the expenditure of time and energy. In short, you’ll probably lose more water by sweating from the exertion than you’ll gain from the few ounces you might get in return.

2. Find your way by looking for moss because it only grows on the north side of a tree

This is a fun one to do with the kids. Tell them to figure out which direction is north by finding moss. They might walk in circles for quite some time because, given the right conditions, moss can grow all the way around a tree.

In some environments, it might be difficult or impossible to find moss growing on a tree at all. A far better solution is to carry a compass every time you hit the trail and teach the kids how to use one. Absent a compass, look to the sun or stars to help you get moving in the right direction.

3. When looking for food in the wild, you can safely eat anything you see birds and other animals eat

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 humans, including berries, mushrooms, and more. Even pet food itself could cause serious issues with a person’s digestive system.

4. Wild mushrooms are a great source of survival food if you get lost

Edible mushrooms have many poisonous lookalikes, and someone inexperienced with identification can make a potentially deadly mistake.

Even if you are absolutely certain the mushroom is safe to eat, here’s another reason to avoid them in a survival situation: Mushrooms are thermogenic. This means 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.

5. Water must be boiled for 5 minutes to be made potable

Waterborne pathogens are killed or rendered inert in less than one minute at 158 degrees F. At sea level, water boils at 212 degrees F, so any viruses, bacteria, or protozoa in the water will have been taken care of well before that point.

At the highest point on earth, the peak of Mt. Everest, water boils at 158 degrees F. In that particular case, maybe let it boil for a minute, just to be safe.

6. When lost in the woods, shelter becomes your number 1 priority, or water, or food, or fire

Every situation is different, and you need to stop and think about your particular situation.

When it’s 72 degrees 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 on a rigid set of rules.

7. If someone is bitten by a snake, try to suck out the venom immediately

The absolute best tools to have if someone is bit by a venomous snake are a working vehicle and the keys to it. Get the injured party to a hospital as soon as possible.

It is impossible to suck the venom out of the wound, and trying to do so just wastes time and potentially causes more injury. If possible, identify the snake either by killing or photographing it.

Remember that a snake can still strike after death due to reflexes. Handle the corpse very carefully. Knowing what kind of snake it was will help the medical team treat the injury appropriately.

8. Drinking urine is the way to go if you don’t have other water sources available

Forget what you’ve seen on TV shows. 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.

9. If you’re lost during the winter, and you get dehydrated, just eat snow

There are a few reasons why this isn’t a good idea.

First, snow is made of ice crystals, the sharp edges of which can cause tiny cuts inside the mouth.

Second, eating snow can lower your body temperature, and in a true survival situation, you need to maintain your core body temperature.

Finally, the snow might have become contaminated as it sat on the ground, which could cause illness. Melt the snow in a container rather than in your mouth. If feasible, use a water filter before consuming.

10. If you’re running low on water during a wilderness adventure, ration it to make the water last as long as possible

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, take a hint from a camel and drink as much water as you can, and 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 ailments.

11. Surviving the night in the forest requires a lean-to shelter and is the best available choice

There are few shelters simpler than the lean-to. It is a classic style, and many a young boy or girl has built them as forts when they are playing in the woods. But, as a true survival shelter, it lacks a few desirable features.

You’ll have limited protection from the elements, with the wind running right through and chilling the inhabitants. The roof of a lean-to will be far too high to trap any sort of body heat or the warmth of a fire. A better shelter is a debris hut. It isn’t as pretty, but it is far more functional for a night in the wild.

12. Friction fire is the preferred method in a survival scenario, and its fail-proof

Have multiple methods of starting a fire. A disposable lighter will do the job in most situations, though if the lighter gets wet or too cold, it might not work. In those cases, a ferrocerium rod or a flint and steel set might be your best bet.

Most primitive skills instructors recommend that you carry several types of fire starters. Nobody is 100 percent successful with making fire with primitive means, such as a bow drill. For example, humidity might be a factor.

13. Running water that is clear is also safe to drink

Waterborne pathogens cannot be seen by the naked eye. While pathogens often tend to collect in standing water, there are absolutely no guarantees that running water, even if it is crystal clear, isn’t still teeming with all sorts of nastiness.

Always consider any wild source, with the possible exception of fresh springs, to be dirty and require filtration or disinfection prior to consumption. That said, if you lack any means of cleaning water beyond perhaps running it through a T-shirt, moving water has less risk of being contaminated than stagnant pools, all things being equal.

14. When you’re getting cold outside, a sip or two of whiskey will keep you warm until help arrives

When I was young, a common sight in cartoons was a Saint Bernard rescuing someone stuck in the snow. The dog always had a small whiskey barrel on its collar and would pour a healthy swig into the mouth of the person to thaw them out.

While drinking alcohol might give a feeling of warmth, it is a false sense of heat. What happens is the blood vessels leading to the arms and legs become dilated.

The increased blood flow is what makes you feel warm. But, that blood has to come from somewhere, and as it flows out to the limbs from the torso, the end result is a lowered core body temperature.

Not to mention—alcohol isn’t exactly known for increasing the odds of good decision-making.

15. Bring some tampons along for treating bullet or major puncture wounds

While there is something to be said for being able to come up with creative solutions, if you’re putting together a first-aid kit, rely on proven tools and gear rather than hoping to improvise.

Tampons are a poor choice for treating gunshot wounds and other penetrating injuries for a few reasons. A tampon is designed to absorb blood lining shed from the uterus, and other fluids and semi-fluids. It is not designed to stop bleeding.

Modern medicine has come up with countless much more reliable tools, including pressure bandages and tourniquets. If you’re going to plan ahead, plan properly. Invest a few bucks in the right tools and take a class, so you know how to use them correctly.

Concluding

As you can see, these wilderness survival myths are nothing more than legends and old wives’ tales. It’s always better to use your head when you find yourself in difficulty in an unfriendly environment.

Learning to separate fact from fiction will save your life in a real survival scenario, and you shouldn’t rely on things you’ve seen on TV to get out of trouble.