10 survival myths that can kill you

The idea that you could survive in the desert sounds exciting. We watched a lot of such shows and TV shows. Nevertheless, survival in harsh environments is not really an easy task, and most of the lessons you can not learn from television. Some survival tips that we hear over the years are completely wrong, if not dangerous.

Here are some myths that you should not rely on if you do not want a short walk in the fresh air to end catastrophically.

You can suck out venom from a snake bite

If you are bitten by a poisonous snake, the poison immediately enters the circulatory system. If you try to pull it out with your mouth, it can add additional bacteria to the wound. In addition, you also run the risk that the poison will get into your mouth or esophagus. If someone has bitten by a poisonous snake, try to keep the affected limb below the level of the heart and as soon as possible to send the victim to the hospital.

Pretend to be dead if you are attacked by a bear

If you are in a forest and accidentally see a bear, the best thing you can do is continue to walk quietly. If this happened near your camp, try to make noise, as this will help frighten the beast.

But in the case of a real attack, your reaction should depend on the bear and the type of attack. Never pretend to be dead if a black bear attacks you, always try to fight back.

In most cases, brown bears or grizzlies attack in order to protect their young. At this time, the beast warns you, makes a noise and pretends to prepare for an attack. Very slowly move away from this place. If you see that the bear calms down, pretend to be dead: lie on your stomach and raise your hands to your head. But in rare cases, when a predator actually attacks and does so without warning, you have nothing to do but fight for your life.

If you are lost in the desert, you should immediately look for a supply of food

This is not true. You can do without food for about six weeks. The exact time can vary depending on the locality in which you are and health problems. However, water and shelter are more important.

The liquid in the cactus can save you from death due to thirst

If you are a seasoned traveler and are able to collect water from the cactus barrel, then filter it to make it safe, this can work. But in most cases the liquid that is in the cactus will make you feel sick, and you will get something like food poisoning that will lead to even more dehydration.

Look for moss on the north side of the tree

Moss can grow from all sides of the tree, depending on the environment. Do not use this folklore prejudice for navigation.

If animals eat something, then for you these plants are also safe

Some animals, for example, birds and squirrels, eat berries and mushrooms that are capable of killing a person.

In case of overcooling or frostbite, rub your skin or climb into a hot bath

Rubbing the frostbitten skin can lead to even more frostbite, just like hot water, which can cause more harm if you deal with frostbite or hypothermia. Therefore, you need to warm up gradually, preferably with blankets and a few warm bottles of water under your arms.

If you were attacked by a shark, you need to hit her in the nose

Do not you think that getting into the nose of a shark that is moving is really difficult? If the shark approaches you to attack, try placing a solid object between yourself and the animal. If this fails, try to injure her eyes or gills.

Try to swim parallel to the shore, if you are in a discontinuous current

The movement directly parallel to the shore works best if the current is directed directly to the sea. This statement can not be called completely incorrect, but you should know that in many cases the discontinuous flow is at an angle. Therefore, all you have to do is stay as close to shore as possible and swim perpendicularly to the stream for as long as possible. It may be easier to swim in one direction, rather than in the other. In any case, do not be too tired. You do not have to feel like you are swimming with the flow. If you can not swim any more, try to stay as long as possible on the surface of the water.

Canopy is an excellent refuge

The correctness of such a shelter depends on the surrounding conditions. At high temperatures you need a shade, but if you are in a cold climate, staying warm is the main priority. This means that you must not only protect yourself from the wind, but also build a litter that will protect you from the cold soil at night. Canopy helps you to protect yourself from wind, sun and rain, but it may not be enough to provide heat.