THE UNDYING SURVIVAL MYTHS
Survival myths are everywhere. They’re in movies, TV shows, Youtube videos, and even in our own heads. But how many of these myths are actually true? In this article, we're delving into the heart of the Philippine wilderness to debunk 10 common survival myths, ensuring that you're armed with accurate knowledge for your next tropical escapade.
Myth 1: Finding Food Is Your Top Priority
One of the biggest survival myths is that you need to invest your time and energy in order to immediately find food. TV shows and YouTube videos often depict survivalists hunting wildlife, setting traps or finding edible plants within a few hours of being inside the wilderness area. In reality, you can survive for weeks without food but you cannot last more than 3 days without water. It's extremely rare for someone to die of starvation in a wilderness survival situation. Something else will get you first - thirst.
The duration of a survival scenario: Understanding the duration of a survival scenario helps individuals prepare mentally and physically for the challenges they might face. In the first few hours of a survival situation, the focus is on calling for help, conserving energy and finding a safe zone. Provide first aid if you or a member of your group is injured or ill. If your drinking water is running low and the situation is likely to extend for more than a day, you should search for a water source without compromising your safety. Finding a sustainable food source would only become a concern if the situation is likely to extend beyond a few days.
Survival By The Clock
Categorizing survival situations based on timeframes is important to help in our understanding of survival. In Philippine wilderness survival, it may be categorized as follows:
Myth 2: You Can Always Find Water
No, you can't. Despite the abundant vegetation, finding safe drinking water proves to be a formidable challenge, especially in higher elevations.
The presence of dense vegetation can obscure potential water sources, and many streams may be seasonal, drying up during certain months. Additionally, rugged terrains and remote locations make access to water sources difficult. To avoid dying of thirst, individuals must carry ample water or filtration systems.
Myth 3: You Can Drink Your Urine if You Are Dying of Thirst
While urine does contain some water, it also contains waste products and toxins that your body is trying to eliminate. Drinking urine can actually worsen dehydration and introduce harmful substances back into your system.
Myth 4: Hypothermia Only Occurs in Colder Countries
While Philippine climate is generally warm, people can still die of hypothermia. Wearing wet clothes for an extended time, even in warmer areas, can lead to hypothermia. Wet clothing saps body heat and reduces insulation, increasing the risk of dangerous drops in body temperature. In humid tropical environments, especially at night or in rain, being wet can contribute to chilling. It's crucial to prioritize staying dry, even in warm climates, to prevent hypothermia and maintain core body temperature.
Myth 5: Drinking Liquor Makes You Feel Warmer and Hydrated
Some people believe that drinking liquor prevents hypothermia and dehydration. Drinking liquor might make you feel warm temporarily due to its effects on blood vessels, but it does not hydrate you. In fact, alcohol is a diuretic, which means it increases urine production and can lead to dehydration. While you might experience a warm sensation because alcohol can dilate blood vessels, this doesn't indicate hydration.
Moreover, drinking liquor can change your behavior and make it harder to move with coordination, which increases your chance of slips, trips and falls.
Myth 6: Starting Fire is Easy
Starting a fire is often portrayed as a simple task in television shows and social media. We've seen "survivalists" rub sticks together or strike stones to create instant flames. But the reality can be quite different, especially in the wet and humid conditions of the Philippine tropical wilderness. Finding dry materials, such as dead leaves, twigs, and grass, can be a struggle due to the consistent humidity. Physical exhaustion, damp wood and materials can thwart even the most skilled fire-starters.
Even with the right tools and knowledge, practice is essential. Before heading into the wilderness, practice starting fires in controlled environments to build your skills and confidence. Bring reliable fire starters such as lighter so you don't have to rub sticks when making fire.
Myth 7: You'll Never Get Lost With A Map And Compass
Navigating the wilderness in the Philippines poses unique challenges that render traditional maps outdated. The country's lush jungles boast dense vegetation that can obscure landmarks and trails, thwarting accurate navigation with conventional maps. The intricate terrain demands adaptability, as visual cues may prove unreliable due to sudden weather changes or cloud cover. In such conditions, modern technology like GPS devices and navigation apps offer more accurate alternatives, provided they don't ran out of battery.
Myth 8: Moss Always Grows on the North Side of a Tree
The idea that moss consistently grows on the north side of trees is a common but unreliable navigation method. While moss prefers shaded and damp environments, it can grow on any side of a tree depending on factors like moisture, local climate, tree placement, and available sunlight. Relying solely on moss for direction can lead to errors.
Myth 9: When You See a Snake, Catch it or Kill it
This myth can be dangerous and counterproductive. Snakes generally prefer to avoid humans and will often retreat if given the chance. Attempting to catch, chase or kill a snake can escalate the situation, leading to defensive behaviors like biting. Most snake bites occur when people try to handle or harm snakes.
Give snakes space and slowly back away from them. Keeping a safe distance reduces the risk of a snake feeling threatened. Instead of trying to engage with or eliminate them, learn more about them.
Myth 10: If Bitten by a Snake, Cut or Suck the Bite Wound
This myth needs to die. Cutting the snakebite or attempting to suck out the venom is ineffective and can worsen the situation. It's important to avoid creating additional wounds or introducing infections.
If someone is bitten by a snake, the best course of action is to remain calm and seek medical help immediately.
Of course, there are more survival myths out there that can get you killed. Leave your comments in the comment section.
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