Survival Myths Busted - Myths and Truths of Wilderness Survival

This is something that I have been wanting to write about for quite some time, as it has been the subject of many conversations for me both at home and in the workplace. I didn't notice until conversing with so many people about how many common misconceptions there are in regards to wilderness survival, I am also shocked at the sheer amount of people who believe these myths that should seemingly know better.

Myth: Finding food and water should be my first priority.

  This is a common misconception with many people, though I feel that it has been busted over and over so I won't  push the point too much. Whilst thirst can be an issue and if somebody is stuck in the bush for a prolonged period, and hunger can become a similar issue, these are far from the top priority for anybody stuck out for several days or even just overnight.
  A well known figure within the survival community is the rule of three's. A person can last three days without water, three weeks without food, yet only three hours in adverse conditions without shelter. This is why I always advocate that a hiker, even those only going for a couple of hours or a day, should ALWAYS carry either some form of shelter or a means of making a shelter.
  Even in my most minimalist of kits, I always have a means of making at least a small improvised shelter. This means that I will always carry a small emergency blanket and a fixed blade knife at the bare minimum. Whilst water is very important when hiking long distances or steep inclines, especially in warmer weather, exposure is a far greater risk than thirst. This leads into my next myth.

Myth: I can drink my own urine when I run out of water.

  No, certainly not, a million times no. Simply put, your body has excreted the waste for a reason, pumping back in the waste which is full of urea, chlorine, sodium and potassium will only serve to dehydrate the body further.
  This is of course, assuming that the individual is in perfect health at the time of drinking their own urine. Should the individual have any sort of abnormality within their bladder or other part of their urinary tract, there may be anything from traces of blood, to leukocytes, to nitrites, to a high sugar content within the urine. This will only contribute to worsening any pre-existing condition as well as further dehydrating the person at an alarming rate.
  An individual wanting to utilise their own urine in such dire circumstances is better off urinating on their clothing, hat or scarf in order to cool down their exterior. This creates a cooler micro climate around them, enabling them to minimise sweat loss which in turn leads to conservation of the water already within the body. It may not smell very nice, but if the need arises when an individual must utilise their own urine it is much more preferable and will actually help conserve water.

Myth: I don't need to bring anything with me if I am only going out for a short walk

  If The Scouts have taught us anything, it's in their motto, "Be Prepared". If you are heading out for a day hike, you should always be prepared for things to not go as planned. This could be anything from the walk taking longer than anticipated to a severe injury whilst on the trail.
  The result is still potentially the same, regardless of the cause of the mishap, you're staying the night in the bush unexpectedly. Always carry either a small shelter(a pocket poncho and/or an emergency blanket are more than enough) or the means to build a shelter(such as a cutting tool), preferably do both. Even if you are only carrying a water bottle, a pocket poncho and a folding knife; your chances of survival a drastically improved from those who do not.  This is, of course, not taking into account potentially fatal encounters such as broken limbs, snake bites, as well as falls from cliffs and mountains.
  First-aid kits, whilst not essential, is a highly recommended piece of gear, and need not be a large and heavy piece within the pack, carrying a couple of bandages(or even just a bandanna and/or a shemagh) will help with any potential wound, laceration or injury that may occur.

It doesn't have to be a full 72-hour kit, but at least bring something.

  Myth: Shelter equates to a roof over my head

  This is somewhat true, though it is more important to be properly clothed when heading into the bush. Shelter can be anything from a bed of leaves to get you off the ground, to a fire reflector wall, to a hat on your head, to a scarf around your neck, to the very clothes on your back. Shelter in a survival sense, is considered to be anything that protects your from the elements.
  It is yet another reason why I always wear a hat wherever I go, forgetting the fact that I'm as bald as a badger, and the same reason why always carry a shemagh in my bag. this is regardless of the weather and where I am going.
  When heading into the bush, clothing choice is extremely important as it will determine comfort levels for the duration of the trip. Clothing needs to be breathable, loose and comfortable when sweating. Most importantly, clothing needs to be able to dry quickly. My general rule of thumb is that if I wouldn't go to the gym in it, I don't want to be hiking in it. The only exception to this rule is my socks. This woollen socks are a staple for me, even in the middle of summer, as these help to prevent blisters.



  I'm sure I will have more items to add to this list as time goes on and I may very well write one or more companion pieces to it, however this more than covers what I had to say initially. Make sure that you stay safe on your adventures and most of all, have fun.