#1 Killer in the outdoors: EXPOSURE!! (Cold Related)

Signs and Symptoms of Hypothermia

In our English lexicon the term Exposure is a catch all phrase used in the description of cold or heat related illness, these includes hypothermia, hyperthermia and other environmental related conditions. The human body is a delicate organism, in order for our continued survival we must maintain a core temperature of around 98.6F, deviation in either direction can have devastating effects. Therefore the ability to regulate that core temperature is vital, thus exposure is the #1 killer of humans caught unprepared in the outdoors.

The following is a generalized presentation of how cold related conditions can kill you.

Mild Hypothermia

Core Temp.
99 - 97F -Normal temperature range, metabolic rate increases shivering may begin.

97 - 95F -Goose bumps and cold sensation. Unable to think or problem solve. Confusion sets in. Loss of dexterity. Shivering may be mild to severe. Skin appears pale and cool to the touch.

Moderate Hypothermia

95 - 93F -Violent shivering in waves. Apparent poor Co-ordination, stumbling. Apathy and confusion. Fatigue. Unable to walk 30-ft. straight line (best field test for early Hypothermia). Difficulty in touching pinky finger to thumb.

93 - 90F -Impaired fine motor coordination. Violent shivering, difficulty walking. Slurred speech and possible hallucinations. Lethargic.

Severe Hypothermia

86 - 90F -Shivering stops, consciousness clouded, unable to walk, exposed skin takes on blue hue, blood pressure drops.

78 - 86F -Continued progressive physical and mental deterioration resulting with a loss of consciousness and soon after, DEATH.

Treatment and Prevention

Prevention: BE PREPARED, never underestimate the weather or over-estimate your abilities. Be aware of others and yourself to recognize symptoms early, PREVENT continued heat loss by adding clothing. PRODUCE heat, internally (digest warm liquids or high carb. foods) or externally (obtain shelter, create fire). RELAX, continued physical exhaustion can accelerate core heat loss. HYDRATE, water aids in the regulation of core temperature and aids circulation.

Treatment: Reduce exposure as much as possible. Send for help ASAP. Remove wet or damp clothing; replace with dry clothing and extra insulating layers. Drink warm liquids or high-energy foods. If core temp drops below 95F, obtain medical attention as soon as possible.

*None of the foregoing is a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or medications. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on BeFoundAlive.com. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.

Stay healthy, mind-body-spirit! -Z

Winter Driving: What to do if Stranded

1. Stay Calm
2. Stay with your vehicle
3. Avoid fatigue and exposure
4. Run your vehicles engine for short periods of time, 10-15 minutes per hour. Crack windows & ensure exhaust is free of blockage.
5. When using an open flame (Emergency heater or candle), keep windows cracked. Carbon monoxide is a killer.
6. After dark, turn inside dome light on, increasing visibility to rescue crews.
7. Fuel your internal engine to maintain core body temperature. Eat high energy foods, stay hydrated and move (exercise) if needed. Don’t forget to stretch: cold muscles tighten and increase injury risk.
8. Sleep in shifts.
9. Use hazards sparingly.
10. Blast horn in multiples of 3 (the universal distress signal).
11. Improvise: hubcaps make excellent shovels, seat cushions and upholstery can be used as emergency clothing and CD’s can be used as a signaling device.

Stay healthy, mind-body-spirit! -Z

Tips for Regulating Your Body Temperature in the Outdoors

If you find yourself overheating you can safely regulate your body temperature by:

Too Hot…
• Removing your hat
• Loosening clothing, pull up sleeves to expose forearms, opening pit-zips and unzipping your outer layer to allow in cool air.
• Removing articles of clothing.
• Reduce the intensity of your workout or pursuit.
• Stop and take a break.
• Drink cold water.

Too Cool…
• Add a hat.
• Close Jacket, “zip up” all pit-zips and pockets, closing all areas where air can easily circulate out of your clothing – usually at the neck, wrists, waist, and ankles.
• Add additional clothing to your insulative layer.
• Wear all three VIP layers for maximum protection against the elements.
• Drink hot liquids and eat high calorie foods

Stay healthy, mind-body-spirit! -Z

Field expedient methods of killing Intestinal Parasites

In the United States the two primary types of intestinal parasites are helminths and protozoa. Tapeworms, pinworms, and roundworms are among the most common helminths found in our population. In their adult form, helminths cannot multiply in the human body. Protozoa are single cell organisms which have the ability to rapidly multiply inside the human body, which can allow the development of serious infections. These parasites are usually transmitted through contact with infected feces (for example, through contaminated food, or water) often the result of unwashed hands. In the U.S., the most common protozoa are giardia and cryptosporidium.

Signs and Symptoms of infection:

Parasites can live within the intestines for years without showing any symptoms. Symptoms include the following....

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting
• Gas or bloating
• Dysentery (loose stools containing blood and mucus)
• Stomach pain or tenderness
• Lethargy
• Rapid weight loss

Without some form of treatment, ALL of these symptoms have the potential to be life threatening in any type of emergency situation, whether in the wilderness or urban jungle.

Field expedient treatments:

Intestinal parasites are commonly treated using modern medications available from any health facility or medical provider. However, without access to these medications, the following field techniques can be employed to rid the body of the parasites…

• Eat the tobacco of 1 or 1 ½ cigarettes. The nicotine in the tobacco will kill any intestinal parasite allowing it to pass from the body. This can be repeated every 48 hours till effective.
• Drink 4 tbsp of salt mixed with 1 quart of water. Do not repeat this treatment.
• Drink 2 tablespoons of kerosene. This can be repeated in 24 to 48 hours. Care should be taken NOT to inhale the Kerosene fumes, this can cause lung irritation.
• Hot Peppers are effective only if a regular part of your diet. They can be eaten raw, taken in capsule form (cayenne) or cooked in soups or rice and meat dishes.
• Stay hydrated. Replace lost fluids and replenish electrolytes by drinking sports drinks or other rehydration solutions.

These field expedient techniques to treat intestinal parasites are effective due to their ability to promote a gastrointestinal environment which is prohibitive to parasitic attachment, multiplication and growth. Due to this reaction, we caution that these methods are not without their dangers, Please use only if medical help is un-available!!

*None of the foregoing is a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or medications. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on BeFoundAlive.com. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.

Stay healthy, mind-body-spirit! -Z

WATER: The Staff of Life

A few Interesting facts about water…..

• Water is the only substance on earth that naturally exists in three states (solid, liquid, gas).

• March 22 is World Water Day, as declared by the United Nations.

• 97.5% of the water on Earth is salty. 1% of that is brackish.

• 2.5% of the Earths water is fresh.

• Water expands by 9% when it freezes.

• By the time you feel thirsty, your body has already lost more than one percent of its total water.

• A person can live for over a month without food, but only about three days without water.

• 66% of the human body is water.

• 75% of the human brain is water.

• A living tree is 75% water.

• Americans use about 100 gallons of water each day.

• In the US, the average person pays 25 cents for their water each day.

• Many women in 3rd world countries walk an average of 3.7 miles each day to get potable water.

• In many developing countries, private vendors are the only way to get safe drinking water, which charge up to ten times more than piped water would cost. In many African cities, up to 80% of the population gets their water this way. In Namibia, up to 20 percent of the family income is spent on water (plus, they have to pay to use the toilet).

• Globally, 69% of withdrawn water is for agriculture, 23% is for industrial purposes and 8% is for domestic purposes.

• 80% of diseases in developing countries are water-related.

• 60% of infant mortality is linked to infectious and parasitic diseases, most of which are waterborne.

Stay healthy, mind-body-spirit! -Z

The Survivors Mantra....

Developing a positive mental attitude and maintaining the WILL to LIVE is an essential skill or attribute of the survivor. While stability of your core temperature and adequate hydration levels are Key to physiological survival, a lack or loss of hope can be the determining factor between rescue or body recovery.

As crucial as physical preparedness may be, the aspect of mental preparation is paramount and should NOT be neglected. We created the Survivor’s Mantra as a mental exercise to keep your subconscious mind in shape prepared for what may come….

to read more....

Stay healthy, mind-body-spirit! -Z

To Drink or Not to drink

I find it humorous that one of the most common questions I get asked while in class or workshops is “Can I drink my own urine?” Apparently, their reference to this odd practice is Bear “something or other” from the Discovery channel.

This controversial practice is one which is tossed back and forth between survival experts and authors on a regular basis. Seems each year news stories surface of survivors overcoming dehydration and emergency situations by consuming their own or others urine. Most often however, we don’t get the full picture of other determining factors in these survivors success (mental attitude, environmental factors, severity of dehydration etc.), thus propelling the myth further into the survivors lexicon.

To further understand and decipher this myth, let’s look at the facts:

• Urine is sterile when it leaves the body; it’s the contents of the “plumbing” which should cause immediate concern.
• Urine has a 2 to 3 day shelf life depending on environmental conditions, heat, humidity and method of storage.
• The color of urine is a prime indicator of hydration level*, the darker the fluid the greater the dehydration. Catching ones urine for drinking is best done while your body is properly hydrated and urine appears clear. *Certain medications and vitamins can darken urine, no matter hydration level.
• As the body dehydrates and available moisture used, urine becomes increasingly concentrated with waste: toxins, uric acid and sodium. Continued consumption of these in increasing doses can speed dehydration and cause possible renal failure, drastically enflaming the severity of the situation.
• The nature of survival situations in general, dictate that the severity of the situation is not realized until things turn for the worst: weather change, debilitating injury, darkness, early stages of hypothermia etc. Therefore, it’s a survival technique which should NOT be relied upon.

Understanding these simple physiological facts, we STRONGLY advise against drinking one’s own urine to re-hydrate (regardless of WHO does or promotes it), it is simply poor survival strategy.

The ability to address dehydration is a necessity for ALL outdoor enthusiasts and disaster preppers. Without this post evolving into a “book”, here are a few basics….

1. PLAN ahead: knowing natural sources and techniques for obtaining water from the environment. Know how to read the landscape and natural indicators (flora & fauna).
2. Be PREPARED: carry enough water* on your person to last the anticipated time in the outback and a means to make water “potable”, whether chemical, mechanical or pasteurization. *Its recommended 1 gallon per person per day.
3. KNOW the facts.

Stay healthy, mind-body-spirit! -Z

Myth of the Mylar Space blanket….

Was out hiking the other evening with some friends who did not seem prepared for any type of adventure, even a couple of miles into the front-country. They each carried a small "Camelbak" its free pocket stuffed with a few energy bars and two Emergency Mylar Space blankets. I inquired, “what will you do if an emergency occurs”. Each of them referred to their "space blanket" and cell phones as “survival” tools.

I have heard this claim many times before, "a space blanket provides an adequate shelter and can keep one comfortable on an unexpected night out". I have always said “the term space blanket is a falsehood; the thin plastic sheet is neither a miracle material nor a blanket”. Don’t believe the marketing claims!

By definition: "Blankets" trap heat in insulating pockets of dead air space, the thicker the insulation the higher the heat retention value. Blankets do not add heat, they simply trap it.

A thin plastic sheet has no insulating properties; the plastic barrier immediately becomes as cold as the snow, rock or cool wind and will immediately conduct that cold through wet clothing to the body, possibly effecting your core body temperature. A space blanket is not a blanket, nor an effective barrier between you and the environment.

While the Mylar Space blanket is not completely useless, with a little improvisation it can be RE-purposed to meet the needs of many a survivor:

Pros:
• The aluminized material does in fact reflect radiant heat, just not body heat, used behind a fire or in the rear of a shelter as a heat reflector, can increase shelter temps dramatically. Also effective in providing shade in a desert environment.
• Can be worn under clothing as an effective “vapor barrier”, reducing convective heat loss.
• Aluminized Mylar material is translucent, can be worn over face and eyes as emergency sunglasses, reducing sun exposure and possible sun or snow blindness.
• Opened, the reflective surface makes an excellent rescue signal. Waved as a flag or beach towel in the sun, sends off a large reflection with the effect of a huge broken mirror.
• The polyester material the aluminum is bound to can be: used as a fire starter, cut into strips and twisted into cordage and used in a depression to collect, store and boil water w/ hot stones.

Cons:
• When enclosed in the material, it is extremely noisy, possibly drowning out the yells of rescuers or SAR aircraft.
• The fragile state of an opened blanket is evident immediately; a small nick and breeze can result in shreds of Space blanket material. Usually these blankets are made too small in size for an average adult and require both hands to keep in place.
• As stated above, they are technically NOT a “blanket” & are ineffective in capturing, retaining and reflecting body heat.
• While extremely compact and lightweight, opening one can be extremely difficult, especially in any wind or with an injury, getting it back into its previous folded size is a feat for the Gods...
• THE biggest drawback of Mylar Space blankets: they are perishable. Their sensitivity to light and heat can, with time, produce a brittle, unmanageable and flaking state. Most preppers store these in their emergency kits for years, occupying valuable space, and may be unreliable when needed.

"So If I remove the Space blankets from my emergency packs, is there an alternative?"

While lacking the compact nature and light weight of the space blanket, there are a number of effective alternatives. 1) A clear 55 gallon drum liner is perhaps one of the most useful items one can carry. Its possible uses are only limited by your imagination. 2) Adventure Medical's Heatsheet Bivy, a lightweight, durable, immediate shelter. 3) Lastly, lets not forget your #1 line of defense against the elements: Proper Clothing. Dress for the worse, hope for the best.

Stay healthy, mind-body-spirit! -Z

First-Aid Training

First-aid Training should be mandatory for the survivor. Your ability to survive takes a quantum leap forward by knowing even basic first aid and human physiology. While this might seem obvious, it escapes many experienced and not-so experienced outdoors-people and prepers. The goal of learning survival skills and being prepared is to keep the human body alive. Learning basic first-aid skills gives you insight into how the body works; its requirements, its priorities and its fragility. Having an understanding of the bodies basic needs from a medical perspective will give you insight into what you truly need to prepare and include in you emergency preparations.

A great place to start for the basics: http://www.redcross.org

Wilderness Medicine institute: http://www.nols.edu/wmi/

CERT Training: http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/

Stay healthy, mind-body-spirit! -Z

Fear Factor....

Fear is THE MOST common emotional response to any perceived stressful or emergency situation. Its physiological and psychological effects can range from slight anxiety to overwhelming panic to cardiac arrest. Recognizing fear and having the ability to control it will greatly increase the odds of your surviving an emergency situation.

In a recent polling of our survival students, we asked students to identify their most common fears in an outdoor (wilderness) setting. What we discovered: generally, we all posses similar fears, perhaps genetic throwbacks to primal times. The following list is a compilation, (I am sure it will not surprise many), of the most prevalent fears found in our poll. **Not necessarily in order.

1. Heights
2. The dark
3. The unknown
4. Death
5. Loneliness
6. Suffering/pain
7. Wild animals (spiders & snakes….)

How does fear affects YOU: Our physiological reactions to stress and fear are not necessarily a negative thing, these response are a crucial part of our “fight or flight” mechanism. Allowing us to adapt and respond appropriately to unknown or traumatic circumstance. Understanding how this affects us is key to recognizing and controlling these potentially life threatening reactions.

Impairment of Circulatory and Metabolic System: as learned in the survival “Rule of 3’s” we can survive 3 minutes without oxygen, this illustrates the immense importance of maintaining a healthy circulatory system. Impairment of this function can cause: dilated pupils, dizziness and black-outs, racing heartbeat, sweaty palms, headaches, labored breathing, sweating, tightness in chest and possible cardiac arrest.

Impairment of Rational Thought: clear judgment is essential to handling any type of survival or emergency situation. As stated in previous posts, “Your #1 survival tool is your brain”, lack of the ability to rationalize, improvise and find solutions can be the determining factor to your survival. Lack of judgment manifests in the following: Shock, denial, shame, a sense of helplessness, depression, loss of hope, confusion, anxiety, panic, hallucinations, loss of appetite and inability to relax.

Impairment of Motor Skills: the ability to perform simple tasks from striking a match to operating a signaling device can be severely impaired due to adrenaline release and the effects of the previous two “Impairments” mentioned above. Both fine and complex movements require a steady hand & a calm mind. As the ability to move is impaired, you will experience: uncontrollable shaking of hands and extremities, inability to focus on the task at hand, flight, loss of “hand-eye” co-ordination.

Dealing with and controlling Stress and Fear: Both stress and fear are a necessary part of our human experience, some believe, throw backs to our more primal days when predators hunted US. Mounting an offense and effectively confronting stress and fear is a valuable technique to learn, while these affects will always be present, YOUR ability to control them makes YOU the master of your destiny…..

Methods of controlling fear…

• Be Prepared: accept the fact that you could find yourself in a survival situation, prepare mentally, physically and spiritually. Carry a survival kit which can meet environmental and seasonal threats, fits your skill level, obtain survival training and maintain a positive mental attitude.
• Be aware: educate yourself on possible threats, personal weakness, weather patterns, possible animal encounters, environmental (i.e. flash flooding, avalanche etc.) and human hazards.
• S.T.O.P: once lost execute the following survival acronym, S-stop, T-think, O-organize, P-plan.**This will be covered more thoroughly in a future post.
• Focus: once a plan of action has been established, focus on the plan and accomplishing your desired outcome.
• PMA: crucial to getting home alive!! Having the WILL TO LIVE and HOPE will help you maintain that “UNKNOWN” survival factor. Practice Autogenic breathing technique.**This will be covered more thoroughly in a future post.
• Act: once a plan has been established, follow through, focus on goals.

Stay healthy, mind-body-spirit! -Z