Adapting to Natural Hazards: Animals and Plants
If you don't know what you're doing in the wilderness, just about anything may kill you, and experienced survivalists in the great outdoors will tell you this time and time again. In this post, we'll take a look at two of the most prevalent types of dangers that people face today, as well as the steps you may take to protect yourself from them and/or deal with their effects.
Poisonous plants
One key distinction between animals and plants is that the former won't suddenly become aggressive toward you. The only occasions that individuals become sick from dangerous plants are when they ingest plants that they shouldn't or touch plants that they shouldn't.
Steer clear of any plant that has thorns on it. If there are prickly plants around, you should avoid the area in question. You shouldn't even attempt to go through them.
Do not ever attempt to consume mushrooms. Some of them are deadly poisons that may end your life. You should always perform an edibility test before actually consuming any fruits or plants whose identity you are unsure of.
If the plants you're handling contain sap, you shouldn't touch them, and you should take special care to keep the sap out of your eyes. Plants like poison ivy may produce rashes and burning sensations when they come into contact with the skin.
Researching the kinds of plants that are indigenous to the region around the place where you want to bug out is one of the most effective methods to get yourself ready for a life in the woods. If you do this while there is no immediate threat, you will be well-prepared for when one arises.
Animals that may cause harm
It all depends on the location of your bug-out location: you might be in danger from bears, large cats, wolves, wild dogs, snakes, wasps, and so on. When you know what to anticipate, you've already won half the fight.
If you are going to be camping in an area where there are also coyotes or wolves, there is no purpose in having bear spray with you. Setting up your tent in a location that is not in close proximity to animals is the most effective strategy to protect yourself from being attacked by them.
You shouldn't pitch your tent directly over a wasp nest. You shouldn't go near a den where there are wolves. Always have a keen awareness of your whereabouts.
When going someplace, always make a lot of noise with your feet. The vast majority of animals will run away in fear. When snakes sense that people are getting closer, they will flee the area. The vast majority of animals will run away when they see a person. They will only attack if they perceive that they are in danger.
Bears are attracted to the scent of food, so there is a possibility that some of them may come close to your campground. As a result, after you are through with your meals, it is in your best interest to remove all food from your campground. Make sure your food is stored in bear-proof coolers that seal off all air, and take steps to maintain a clean living space.
Keeping a fire going will drive away the majority of the animals. On the other hand, snakes might be attracted to the heat and move in close proximity. So, be cautious.
Be aware of alligators if you are setting up camp near mangrove swamps, lakes, or other bodies of water. Be wary of jellyfish and other marine life if you're going to be swimming near the water when you're staying near the water.
Defending Oneself Against Animal Attacks
Acquiring a rifle with a high power rating is your best hope for personal safety. There is no other option. If there is a wolf in the area that has been watching you and has been passing your campsite on many occasions while maintaining a safe distance, shooting a cartridge at it will drive it away. If it doesn't, you just need to fire one bullet at it, and if you're accurate, it will be defeated.
Bear sprays are effective, but in order for them to work, you need to deploy them while the bear is nearby—which is often far closer than is comfortable. Even if you have to fire it from a safe distance, a gun may still save your life. If you don't have access to a reliable firearm, you won't have a chance against a large feline.
If a person is stung by many wasps, they run the risk of going into anaphylactic shock. This risk increases with each additional sting. It is in everyone's best interest to have a syringe containing adrenalin that can be used to preserve their life until they can obtain care from a trained medical practitioner.
If someone is bitten by a snake, you shouldn't attempt to drain the blood by cutting the wound, and you also shouldn't try to suction the venom out of the bite. These are unethical behaviors that are often reserved for the big screen.
Your best line of action will be to eliminate the snake that was responsible for biting the victim in the first place. When dealing with a deceased snake, use extreme caution. Its fangs are loaded with poison as usual. Catch the snake and put it in a bag so that the physicians will know which anti-venom to use later. You should never hesitate to take the victim to the hospital.
Before you go inside your tent, you should always inspect it. There's a chance snakes may hide out in there. The same thing goes for your automobile, which is out in the middle of nowhere by itself. When they perceive that they are in danger, snakes will strike. If you make some noise, they will go on their own.
You should always have a first aid kit in your vehicle. It should include items such as bandages, cream for bites, syringes, and adrenaline injections. In the event of a crisis, these goods will prove to be quite helpful.
In the end, knowledge, practice, and experience are three of the most important factors in wild survival. Before there is an emergency, try to gather as much as you can. Avoid picking up lessons in safety the hard way.