Survival Myths... Debunked

[Denis]

http://www.m4040.com/Survival/Survival_Myths.htm

[SaturnICL]

[72 Virginians]

cool.

[TwinStick]

Has anyone even tried lighting one of the waterproof matches? I haven't bought them in years. The ones I tried had a thick protective coating which almost made it impossible to strike a flame. I really think the only way I could light them was by lighting a standard match first...

I like to find big grubs and bite into them just like Bear does.

I like his attitude, no bsing.

[72 Virginians]

Has anyone even tried lighting one of the waterproof matches? I haven't bought them in years. The ones I tried had a thick protective coating which almost made it impossible to strike a flame. I really think the only way I could light them was by lighting a standard match first...

I like to find big grubs and bite into them just like Bear does.

I like his attitude, no bsing.

F*** Bear. Les Stroud is the man.

[Styx]

It's a simple equation... if it walks, crawls, swims, or flies, the odds are in your favor that it's not only safe to eat, but that it will provide you with the nutrition and energy your body needs. If it sits there like... umm... like a plant, the odds are against you both for your own physical safety, and for nutritional content.

Still a good idea to know what berries and nuts you can eat in an area.

[TwinStick]

F*** Bear. Les Stroud is the man.

I agree, I like Les much better. Bear just likes to eat puss type things for effect.

Almost put the "y" at the end of that word but didn't want to turn the topic.

[RARECJ8]

F*** Bear. Les Stroud is the man.

Survivorman! That's the real deal... man v wild is almost fake.

[rusty_tlc]

Back at the dawn of time, before bic lighters were invented, we use to make our own waterproof matches.
All you need is a chunk of paraffin, the kind grandma used to seal her jelly with, and a big box of Ohio Blue Tip strike anywhere matches. Melt the paraffin in a coffee can, dip the matches about half way in, pull them out and let them cool. Matches treated this way are also somewhat wind proof, the paraffin is very flammable and helps keep the match lit. I've been totally soaked and pulled one out of a shirt pocket to light a fire.


Now days I carry a Bic and a mag block in my 10 essentials.


I'll take exception to the advice to get in a low area to camp. Mid way up the lee side of a ridge is better advice IMHO.

[rusty_tlc]

Survivorman! That's the real deal... man v wild is almost fake.

Almost?

[RARECJ8]

well he does have a film crew, support and a chopper ride at a minutes notice. so, yeah, 'almost' fake, hahahahaha...

[ammowaster]

Almost?

Yeah no kidding

Like when he jumped into the river and used his backpack for "flotation" even though the fool was clearly wearing a PFD under his sweatshirt.

Good way to get some fool to kill himself there Bear

His show is a good lesson in how not to do stuff. Another one of my favorites was him running full bore through the woods with no light, Moron

[rusty_tlc]

Yeah no kidding

Like when he jumped into the river and used his backpack for "flotation" even though the fool was clearly wearing a PFD under his sweatshirt.

Good way to get some fool to kill himself there Bear

His show is a good lesson in how not to do stuff. Another one of my favorites was him running full bore through the woods with no light, Moron

Exactly what my wife said the first time we watched the show. I think he was hiking through the desert at high noon or something stupid like that.

[TwinStick]

Getting back to the myths and this being chukar season...

Does anyone carry rattle snake bite kits? I have a couple with little suction cups and blades. I am not so sure a person could suck all the venom out of a bite before the effects were felt.

[AtoZ]

Well you know. But his respons about building a shelter at higher elevation. There is a kabatic air flow down gullies, valleys etc... the ideal place is just above this area. Walk up from a valley floor and your notice a change in the temp up slope from the valley floor. No you don't have to set up camp on a ridge line as yes ti can be very breeze up there.
Cheers

[kairo]

Couple bones to pick:

Matches:
Bring a lighter AND matches. Store them seperately in double ziplocks. I keep my matches in a pill container with a strip of striker material. Matches are usually in my coat pocket, lighter in the pack. If you lose your pack falling into a river, how you gonna start a fire?

Boiling water:
Yes, bringing water to a boil will kill almost all of the bacteria. Sometimes, but not all the time, it won't though. If you're gonna boil it, do at least 5 minutes, 10 is actually required to ensure everything is dead. I boil for two minutes. Better yet, carry iodine tablets in a waterproof container in a ziplock. Put these in your coat pocket too.

Building shelter from dead materials:
Dead materials will actually conserve more heat and are typically easier to harvest (you don't have to have an axe to break a dead limb). You can stuff dead leaves / grass in your shirt or jacket and they will insulate much better than green leaves.

"ALL fur bearing mammals are safe to eat, and will provide you with nutrients and calories."
Properly cooked they are. Err on the side of overcooked. You don't want to get the bubonic plague from eating raw squirrel--yes, the plague still exists.

[toyjota]

I just carry my east german fire starter. If I want flame, pop the cap.
Water does not put the thing out

[TwinStick]

I used to think road flares were really good to carry around for emergency fire starters. They are okay to use in dry areas but one fateful camping trip during a long down pour changed my mind. The flare itself never burned out but the flame wasn't hot enough to light wet or damp material. Makes sense since they don't burn asphalt, didn't think of that at the time.

[toyjota]

I used to think road flares were really good to carry around for emergency fire starters. They are okay to use in dry areas but one fateful camping trip during a long down pour changed my mind. The flare itself never burned out but the flame wasn't hot enough to light wet or damp material. Makes sense since they don't burn asphalt, didn't think of that at the time.

That's why you need an east german fire starter. You could throw one into a pile of snow and light a wet tree on fire.

I got mine when I did a snow survival training from this place:

http://www.safetyoneinc.com/safetyon...n=display&id=5

[BIG BLUE]

the best survival tactic is this....wheel close to home! Or better yet just play jeep thrills on the Wii....very safe. I always carry a flame thrower with me in case I need to start a fire. They work good, just make sure you clear everyone out of the way. Crispy frying your copilot is generally frowned upon...unless it was their spotting that put you in the predicament. Also travel with a really fat copilot. They have lots of fat/meat which you can survive of for a long winter if need be.

[ManNamedJed]

Getting back to the myths and this being chukar season...

Does anyone carry rattle snake bite kits? I have a couple with little suction cups and blades. I am not so sure a person could suck all the venom out of a bite before the effects were felt.

I hear its better to leave the bite alone and keep it clean. 'Cutting and sucking' can cause way more damage than the bite itself.

[rusty_tlc]

Couple bones to pick:

Matches:
Bring a lighter AND matches. Store them seperately in double ziplocks. I keep my matches in a pill container with a strip of striker material. Matches are usually in my coat pocket, lighter in the pack. If you lose your pack falling into a river, how you gonna start a fire?

Boiling water:
Yes, bringing water to a boil will kill almost all of the bacteria. Sometimes, but not all the time, it won't though. If you're gonna boil it, do at least 5 minutes, 10 is actually required to ensure everything is dead. I boil for two minutes. Better yet, carry iodine tablets in a waterproof container in a ziplock. Put these in your coat pocket too.

Building shelter from dead materials:
Dead materials will actually conserve more heat and are typically easier to harvest (you don't have to have an axe to break a dead limb). You can stuff dead leaves / grass in your shirt or jacket and they will insulate much better than green leaves.

"ALL fur bearing mammals are safe to eat, and will provide you with nutrients and calories."
Properly cooked they are. Err on the side of overcooked. You don't want to get the bubonic plague from eating raw squirrel--yes, the plague still exists.

Bubonic plague is a very real threat at all times. However it isn't usually life threatening nowadays. AND you would be in more danger from a flea bite while handling the dead animal than from eating it. Fleas and ticks are the "Vector" for the plague. In other words they are how the plague gets from the reservoir species (rodents in this case) to you. Always avoid rodent borrows and any animals that seem sick.

[TwinStick]

I hear its better to leave the bite alone and keep it clean. 'Cutting and sucking' can cause way more damage than the bite itself.

Hopefully none of us will have to worry about this in the field.

[rusty_tlc]

Hopefully none of us will have to worry about this in the field.

I've been knocking around the desert for 40 years and never even had a close call. If your smarter than a chicken you shouldn't have to much problem.

[89jeepcpl]

The only episode I saw of Bear Grills was showing your how to float down a river on your back, if you had no life vest......


in the scene you could see the outline of a vest under his clothes.........................He's full shiz

Les is the man!