Do you think you have what it takes to survive off-grid, in the wild, or in a TEOTWAWKI situation? You may think you do, but if you believe any of the following dangerous survival myths you may be in for an unpleasant surprise. This is Robert Raskin of Las Vegas, warning you that just because someone tried something in an action movie and survived nearly insurmountable odds, doesn’t mean it will work for you. Read and and learn more about what is actually useful and what could get you killed.
Animal Myths
We’ve all heard the one about getting bitten by a shark and punching it in the nose to get it to release its jaws, but honestly, who has ever tried this and lived to tell about it? Cartoons tell us to play dead if a bear attacks, and the Woody Allen movie Bananas features a hilarious scene about the need to suck the poison out of a snake bite, but unfortunately none of these strategies will produce any kind of outcome that will be favorable for you. If a snake bites you, get to a hospital, and if a bear attacks you, slowly back away. If a shark bites you, you can try punching it, and if you live send us a message and tell us your story!
Sustenance Myths
While it is technically true cactus contains water you can drink in the case of an emergency, the crucial bit of information that is left out of this myth is that it is only one kind of cactus that provides safe drinking water, and that is one type of barrel cactus. Drinking the fluid from other cacti can cause you to vomit, which is the opposite of fighting dehydration. It is also not safe to eat something just because an animal ate it and didn’t get dick. Some berries and mushrooms are edible, while others contain deadly toxins. Unless you are 100% positive you can identify any catci, berry, or mushroom you come across, steer clear!
Myths About the Elements
If the weather is pleasant and you have even a rudimentary shelter, you are in luck, but unfortunately this will not always be the case when you are in the wild. A lean-to is one easy-to-construct style of shelter, but did you know that it will not protect you from the elements unless you also have a layer of protection between you and the ground? If you are lost, don’t follow the moss on the trees if you need to go north, because the truth is moss can grow on every side of a tree. Also, if you or another person are the victim of frostbite, don’t get directly into a hot tub. Instead, warm up gradually with a blanket or by placing warm water bottles under the arms or you’ll risk further tissue damage.
This is Robert Raskin, and I hope you’ll come back next time to see what valuable and potentially life-saving advice I might post next!