Exposing 10 survival myths

(Bugout.news) Most of our exposure to survival is what we see in television shows and movies, but the fact is, much of what we see in entertainment has very little practical real-world application or use.

That said, while there are some things that TV can accurately depict and can actually teach us about survival, there are a number of survival myths out there and this article aims to expose and debunk them so you don’t fall prey to mistaken judgment.

Here are 10 survival myths, though you may know of others:

1. Food is your top priority: Actually, no, it isn’t. You can survive for weeks without food. But you can only live about three days without water. So, in this order: Shelter, fire, water and then food.

2. Sucking out snake venom: This is often depicted in the movies, especially westerns, but in reality it’s ineffective and can even be dangerous.

3. For a fire, just keep rubbing two sticks together: Except, this won’t work. What you really need are materials for starting fires.

4. All shelter means is putting a roof over your head: If only it were that simple. Actually, to preserve body heat – which is vital to your survival – you need a warm, protected place to sleep, since lots of body heat can be lost to the cold ground.

5. Bear Attack! Play dead: Sort of. Some bears, like Black bears, may just go ahead and start eating on you if they think you’re dead. Not so much with Brown bears. Better to try to scare off the Black bears if you can.

6. Boil water for 10 minutes: Actually, the CDC recommends boiling water for just 1 minute to kill pathogens, and three minutes if you are at altitudes of more than 6,500 feet.

7. Moss only grows on the north side of a tree: Just false.

8. Running water is safe: Maybe, and maybe not. It might be safer to drink but you don’t know from where the water is running, and that’s important.

9. Salt water, in small amounts, is okay: No, it isn’t. Salt water in any amount is not good for humans.

10. Stuck in the desert? Cut open a cactus for water: Another old western movie myth. Cactus may be moist on the inside but could also contain toxins that will give you diarrhea and further dehydrate you.

The following short video expounds upon these myths and explains them in greater detail:

[H/T Survival Know How]