Survival Lessons Tips for the survivalist, fisherman and hunter
The forest is a popular place for pleasant recreation and exciting leisure activities. Here you can walk and breathe fresh air, pick mushrooms, flowers and berries. It is also a great choice for a picnic and of course hunting. However, do not forget about the dangers lurking in the forest. We have already written about how to behave when meeting a bear . Today we will talk about the poisonous and stinging inhabitants of the forest. How to avoid unpleasant consequences from meeting with them?
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Ticks are the number one forest hazard
The first and most common danger is ticks. Surprisingly, these small and inconspicuous insects can cause serious illness. They carry tick-borne encephalitis and tick-borne borreliosis. Infection occurs unexpectedly, and the bite can be immediately overlooked. The insect sticks to the wound carefully, while releasing an anesthetic.
It should be remembered that:
- The active tick season lasts from April to July. But even at a later time, an unpleasant meeting can occur.
- Ticks live on low bushes and grass. They usually wait for their prey near forest paths, having felt its approach from a distance of up to ten meters.
- At first, the insect imperceptibly clings to the clothes of a passing person. Then he begins to crawl along it in search of an unprotected area of \u200b\u200bthe skin for a bite.
When going for a walk in the forest, it is better to choose clothes made of dense materials and one that would cover most of the body. The most vulnerable areas are the neck, wrists, and ankles. Vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis will not hurt either. You need to be vaccinated regularly: first one to two months after the first vaccination, and then a year later. If you have a dog, be sure to vaccinate your four-legged friend as well.
After the walk, you need to carefully examine your clothes and body. If a tick is found, do not panic. Not every insect is infected, the virus is not released instantly. It is better to immediately try to carefully remove the tick. This can be done even with a regular thread. If, after a bite, you feel worse, you should immediately seek medical help. For more information on what to do in case of a tick bite and how to remove it, read our article.
Wasps and other stinging insects
There are bees, hornets and wasps in the forest. A painful bite can be received by negligence, for example, bending over a berry or flower and not noticing the insect. The stung place on the body aches and hurts, and chills and fever are often added to the swelling. Quincke's edema can become the most unpleasant consequence.
After a bee sting, the sting is removed. However, when bitten by a hornet or wasp, there will be no sting. The stung place should be gently rubbed with vinegar or citric acid, and then treated with an antiseptic. You need to drink as much liquid as possible. If a high temperature has risen, nausea and dizziness have appeared, you should immediately consult a doctor. We have put together a detailed description of the process of removing the stinger and caring for the sting site in our article on first aid for a bee or wasp sting .
Snakes and the danger of their bite
Most often in the forests of our country you can find vipers. These are poisonous snakes, the bite of which is not only quite painful, but also poses a mortal danger.
When meeting with a snake, first of all, try not to make sudden movements. Usually vipers attack only in self-defense. When a person approaches, the snake tries to crawl away. If she fails, she will hiss warningly and lunge forward. The person needs to step back, slowly and smoothly.
In order not to be accidentally bitten by disturbing a snake, it is better to wear strong and closed shoes for a walk in the forest. While picking berries and mushrooms, inspect the area around you. If the snake has bitten, then the person should be immediately taken to the first-aid post, where he should be injected with serum. Until this time, it is very important to ensure the immobility of the affected part of the body. A sterile bandage is applied to the bite site. You need to drink plenty of fluids, you can take an antihistamine.
Poisonous berries and mushrooms
Poisonous mushrooms and berries pose a great danger to humans. Even experienced mushroom pickers can inadvertently pick up a dangerous specimen. If there is the slightest doubt, it is better to abandon the vending berries or mushrooms. Poisoning can even lead to death.
If you suspect poisoning with forest gifts, you should be especially alert to these symptoms:
- cramping pain in the abdomen
- dizziness and sometimes hallucinations
- increased salivation and lacrimation
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
General symptoms may be supplemented by other signs. After poisoning with berries or mushrooms, medical attention is required. Until this time, you need to thoroughly rinse the stomach, causing vomiting. It is very important to drink plenty of fluids (still water, strong black tea), and you will also need to take any absorbent (such as activated charcoal).
Do not forget to read about how to assemble a first aid kit on a hike in our article of the same name.
Safe trips!
Hello, I am Alexander, the mastermind behind the blog.
In terms of career and free time, I connected my life with the forest. How else, when you live in Karelia! In this blog, I am responsible for the hunting, hiking and equipment sections. Welcome to my world!
