Tag Archives: Camping

How to Survive an Avalanche

Posted by on February 21, 2012 Comments Off

Surprise!  You just got buried in snow!  An avalanche occurs when a large volume of snow quickly flows downhill, triggered when the volume of snow surpasses a threshold of weight, earthquakes, or animals.

  • It is disputed whether or not loud noises can trigger an avalanche, though the human voice is probably not loud enough to trigger an avalanche even at its loudest volume.
  • If possible, move to the side of the avalanche as much as possible, getting stuck right int he middle is the worst place to be.
  • Another option is to grab hold of a tree and hang on for dear life.
  • If you are being enveloped by an avalanche, cup your hands over your mouth, which will create space for you to breathe under the snow while you wait to be rescued.
  • Once caught in the snow, push your leg or arm out in hopes of reaching to the surface, where it is possible for someone to see you and come dig you out.
  • Rarely is it possible to dig oneself out of an avalanche.

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First Aid for Minor Cuts, Scrapes, and Burns

Posted by on February 8, 2012 Comments Off

Not all injuries require a trip to the emergency room, but even minor wounds should be cared for in order to prevent infection (especially if you are out in the wilderness) or making them worse and slowing down the time it takes to heal.

Burns:

  • For first and second degree burns resulting from flame or heat, you should run some lukewarm water over the burn and wrap it up securely in a damp cloth.  Try to keep the injury elevated.  Avoid popping any resulting blisters.

Cuts and Scrapes:

  • Wash the injury with water and soap and try to keep the wound clean, watch for redness to appear around the injury, a possible sign of infection.  Wrap the injury in a piece of cloth.  If bleeding won’t stop, you will need to fashion a tourniquet.  You can improvise one with a strip of cloth or a belt.  Tighten the tourniquet the limb above the injury.

 

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Pooping in the Great Outdoors

Posted by on February 6, 2012 Comments Off

If you’re stuck out in the wild and have nothing with which to wipe your ass after defecating, there are a few other good options for getting your butt clean:

  • Not only does it make for an easier, faster defecation, squatting (as opposed to sitting) also leaves your butt clean after the dirty deed is done, so there’s less to clean.
  • Leaves (of the non-poisonous varieties) are always a go-to toilet paper substitute.  Beech leaves are prime.
  • In the cold, snow is a great way to get your ass clean after a good pooping.

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First Aid for a Bee Sting

Posted by on January 27, 2012 Comments Off

When treating a bee sting injury:

  1. Remove the stinger as quickly as possible, delaying will only cause more venom to be released into the injury.
  2. Apply ice or a cold compress to the injury in order to reduce swelling and pain.
  3. If the bee sting sufferer is known to be allergic to bee stings or you suspect he or she is having an allergic reaction, seek emergency medical care as soon as possible.
  4. If the sufferer is known to have an allergy and he or she has an EpiPen handy in order to deal with such a situation, you can help administer the treatment.  An epinephrine autoinjector, or EpiPen, contains epinephrine, which helps treat or prevent anaphylactic shock.

Try not to scratch the sting as this can make the problem worse.  The sting will likely be painful for up to a few hours after the sting for most people.  Doctors often recommend a tetanus shot after being stung by a bee.

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Survial Gear for Staying Dry in the Rain and Snow

Posted by on January 25, 2012 Comments Off

If you find yourself in the wilderness, staying dry is extremely important for your health and hygiene.  Wearing wet clothes can contribute to some illnesses.  In cold climates, staying dry is necessary for avoiding hypothermia.  Having an extra set of clothes in your water-proof bag is a smart idea.

If you know ahead of time that you are going into a wet and possibly cold climate, you should invest in some waterproof gear.  Note that water-resistant gear is not the same thing.  Water-resistant gear can help you stay dry in light rain for a little while.  However, for more severe and long-lasting weather conditions, waterproof gear is the way to go.  Waterproof gear is typically a little heavier than water-resistant gear. Waterproof fabrics shed water because they have been treated with a waterproofing agent or because of how the fabric is woven or what it is made out of.

 

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Personal Safety: Take Off Your Headphones

Posted by on January 17, 2012 Comments Off

In previous posts, I cautioned against wearing headphones while walking about town due to the increased risk of theft and crime you open expose yourself to, due to being less aware of your surroundings.

Now, there’s another good reason for ditching your headphones while walking the streets – wearing headphones has now been linked to an increased likelihood of pedestrian deaths and injuries.  While wearing headphones (or maybe just fiddling with your smart phone while walking), you’ll be less likely to pay attention to incoming motor hazards.  It’s a similar risk to texting or talking on your cell phone while driving.  According to a new study, headphone related accidents have increased by more than three times in the last six years.

Featured Photo by Courtney Leigh

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Dangerous Insects: Hornets

Posted by on January 12, 2012 Comments Off

Hornets have stingers which they use to both kill prey and defend their nests. These stings can be very painful to humans, significantly more than a bee sting.  Unlike bees, hornets can sting repeatedly; making them that much more unpleasant to deal with. Hornets are provided this benefit because their stingers are not barbed, such as those of bees.

A single hornet sting is not fatal, with the exception of anyone with an allergic reaction to the sting.  Multiple stings from non-European hornets can be fatal.  The stings of the Asian giant hornet is very poisonous and can even be fatal to those who are not allergic.

Image by William Warby

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S

Posted by on January 12, 2012 Comments Off

There’s a new portable electric charger out on the market that you can use to charge your phone, iPod, or GPS device.  It simply requires the addition of a little water, even urine or muddy water will suffice.  Yes, it sounds gross., but it works and could be very useful in a wilderness setting.  The device is called the PowerTrekk Fuel Cell Charger, developed by the company SiGNa Chemistry.  It even fits in your pocket.  The device won’t go on sale until May of 2012.

The device does require refills of powdered sodium silicide, but if you are out somewhere in the middle of nowhere with a dead GPS device and no electric outlet in site, this could be a very handy device. The device won’t be terribly cheap, somewhere around $200 to $220 for a unit, though I expect the price will go down if the technology proves to be practical.  The US military is interested in it, after all.

Check out the SiGNna Chemistry homepage for more information. Read more »

How to Avoid Being Struck by Lightning

Posted by on January 11, 2012 Comments Off

There’s really no full-proof way to avoid being struck by lightning.  Luckily for us, lightning strikes are a rare occurrence compared to many other deadly situations out in the world.  According to the National Weather Service, 2011 set a new record for the least amount of lightning-related deaths in America, with less than 30 people having died due to lightning strikes. This is about half the yearly average.  In fact, over the past few decades there’s been a continuous decline in lighting-related deaths, perhaps due to increased education on the subject.

You should be mindful of weather conditions and take precautions to reduce your risks of being struck.  Lightning most often becomes a threat when the victim is in the outdoors and caught off-guard by a storm.

  • If you can see lightning and/or hear thunder, the risk is already present
  • When a storm approaches your area, avoid large open spaces (like a field or golf course) or high-elevation locations (like a mountain).  Get away from light poles, metal fences, large bodies of water, and isolated trees.
  • If there is a time delay of less than thirty seconds between spotting the lightning and hearing the resulting thunder, you need to be extra careful.
  • Take refuge in a large, enclosed building if possible.

Note that a lightning strike can easily be fatal, but this is not always the case.  Roy Sullivan, a U.S. Park Ranger managed to be struck by lightning 7 times throughout the course of his life.  Still, many people are not so lucky.

Featured Photo by carolynconner

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Dangerous Sea Critters: The Stonefish

Posted by on January 2, 2012 Comments Off

The stonefish is native to the waters of Australia.  It has been called the most poisonous fish on the planet.  They tend to blend into their surroundings, and the usual way that a person is stung by a stonefish is by stepping on it.  Less frequently, someone is stung when picking a stonefish up with his or her hands.  It has toxic venom in its spines.  Stonefish can stay out of water for as long as a day.

A stonefish sting can be fatal and requires immediate medical attention.  An antivenom has been developed for the treatment of stonefish poisoning.

Featured Photo by walknboston
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