Teach Yourself Survival Skills

SKIN DISEASES AND AILMENTS Boils, fungal infections, and rashes rarely develop into a serious health problem. They cause discomfort and you should treat them as follows: Boils Apply warm compresses to bring the boil to a head. Another method that can be used to bring a boil to a head is the bottle suction method. Use an empty bottle that has been boiled in water. Place the opening of the

WOUNDS An interruption of the skin’s integrity characterizes wounds. These wounds could be open wounds, skin diseases, frostbite, trench foot, or burns. OPEN WOUNDS Open wounds are serious in a survival situation, not only because of tissue damage and blood loss, but also because they may become infected. Bacteria on the object that made the wound, on the individual’s skin and clothing, or on

Basic Wilderness Survival Skills : Wilderness Survival: Safe Drinking Water Finding safe drinking water, such as running water, is critical to wilderness survival. Learn to dig a hole to get clean, pure water from an experienced outdoorsman in this free video about wilderness survival skills. Tags: wilderness survival skills hiking water

BITES AND STINGSInsects and related pests are hazards in a survival situation. They not only cause irritations, but they are often carriers of diseases that cause severe allergic reactions in some individuals. In many parts of the world you will be exposed to serious, even fatal, diseases not encountered in the United States.Ticks can carry and transmit diseases, such as Rocky Mountain spotted

SPRAINS The accidental overstretching of a tendon or ligament causes sprains. The signs and symptoms are pain, swelling, tenderness, and discoloration (black and blue). When treating sprains, you should follow the letters in RICE as defined below: R–Rest injured area. I–Ice for 24 to 48 hours. C–Compression-wrap or splint to help stabilize. If possible, leave the boot on a sprained ankle

DISLOCATIONS Dislocations are the separations of bone joints causing the bones to go out of proper alignment. These misalignments can be extremely painful and can cause an impairment of nerve or circulatory function below the area affected. You must place these joints back into alignment as quickly as possible. Signs and symptoms of dislocations are joint pain, tenderness, swelling,

BONE AND JOINT INJURY: FRACTURES There are basically two types of fractures: open and closed. With an open (or compound) fracture, the bone protrudes through the skin and complicates the actual fracture with an open wound. Any bone protruding from the wound should be cleaned with an antiseptic and kept moist. You should splint the injured area and continually monitor blood flow past the injury.

PREVENT AND TREAT SHOCK Anticipate shock in all injured personnel. Treat all injured persons as follows, regardless of what symptoms appear (See Image Below): If the victim is conscious, place him on a level surface with the lower extremities elevated 15 to 20 centimeters (6 to 8inches). If the victim is unconscious, place him on his side or abdomen with his head turned to one side to