
Finding yourself in the wilderness, lost and alone, is nothing to take lightly. When the chips are down and every minute counts, you need your wits about you and the right bit of technique to make it through. Fortunately, you remember all the random bits you've read online to see it through alive. But WAIT! It's probably wrong. Seriously. Don't do it.
Reddit user, u/ConvenientSpoon, wanted to know what's the most messed up myth when they asked:
What is a survival myth that is completely wrong and could get you killed?
Knew That Anna Paquin Was Full Of It
"Follow flying birds to find water" They can simply be flying to spend a night anywhere, so we can't rely on them
Snakes...Why'd It Have To Be Snakes...
If you ever find yourself in snake country, make as much noise as possible. Most people want to avoid snakes so stay quiet, but they are more scared of you than you are of them. Talk loudly, stomp, but obviously keep an eye and ear out for any fellas who don't want you to be there.
Source: Australian
Alright, Listen People, It's POISON. Seriously.
Sucking a snakebite, it will often make it worse
Alright, Listen People, It's A BULLET. Seriously.
Removing a bullet is more dangerous than leaving it in. Trying to remove it can tear vital organs, it can be pushed in even deeper, or removing it can cause the person to bleed out.
Get That Shelter Up
The first mistake is to look for food and water first before having a shelter up to keep yourself dry and warm!
Edit: When I say shelter first it includes having a fire too which I forgot to mention. When you are wet and exposed to the elements your core body temperature can drop and you can get hypothermia if it gets too cold and you would burn more calories than necessary. A big reason to building a shelter too is to also keep yourself off the ground because the ground is an infinite heat sink which means you lose your body heat way faster than you would think and will be more exposed to the cold/elements.
Guys yes it's good to be near a water source, but remember that it's always colder around rivers,streams, lakes, and oceans. Make sure you are able to easily gather shelter/fire material within the area. Plus finding a prime location to set up shelter.
"Snow Dad Is Better Than No Dad"
Don't eat snow to stay hydrated if you're in a winter survival situation, losing the heat to the snow while eating it is more dangerous than dehydration.
Heat it up or let it melt in a container first to lose less heat.
If you have fire and a pot, put ice in it, not snow. It is cleaner and more dense than snow, i.e. you get more water out of it.
Edit: Not sure about the cleanliness of ice vs. fresh snow. But we are still talking about boiling that water. And my main argument, that you get more volume of water from ice than from snow still stands.
Don't Brace Yourselves!
Closest I can think of is brace yourself if you are about to get in a accident.
Try to go limp, you're more likely to walk away with minor injuries if you go limp. That's how drunk drivers survive crashes.
GET DOWN!
Jumping in an elevator if it falls. You want to drop to the floor if an elevator falls, because if you jump, hitting the ground could either break (or shatter) your legs or kill you on impact.
YOU Are The Alpha
Do not lie dead in an animal attack. They'll eat you anyways. Instead, assert your dominance by spreading your arms and making yourself look big and scary, as if you were trying to intimidate a high-school bully.
Correct me if this is wrong, I don't want blood on my hands.
You're Not Rambo
Don't pour alcohol on open wounds.
It damages the f-ck out of the cells and hurts like a motherfucker. It can cause permanent damage. Water is way better for cleaning any wound.
Seek Protection In The Group
In Germany there is a saying that goes „Eichen sollst du meiden, Buchen sollst du suchen"
Which roughly translates that in case of a thunderstorm you shouldn't stand under oaks, but u should seek shelter under a beech.
Just don't go anywhere near a tree in a thunderstorm...
That one kind of makes sense. Dont stand under a lone tree during a storm but if there is a wooded area nearby that's much safer than an open area. Beech trees grow in the shade so usually around other trees.
Take Your Time
Don't always drink the first water you see
I was on a school residential trip near a lake and we kanooded across the lake and when we stopped for a break our instructor told us that the lake has lots of metals in and wasn't advised to drink from it without a filter
Leave It In
Never pull out anything stuck in your body (sticks from a fall, arrow, a knife) like they do in the movies. The foreign object is forming a seal inside the wound, keeping whats supposed to be inside, inside.
Wrap around the object with gauze/cloth to stabilize the object so it doesn't scramble your insides when it moves around. If you need to travel, you could clip the ends of the object if its like a sharp branch so it doesn't bump against anything.
Water Always Wins
Water - rivers, oceans, large streams, floods, pools, hot tubs...even buckets with water in them for young children.
Don't ever think you can overpower some of these and just "swim across". Water gives no f-cks and is very very heavy...it moves fast and will kill you.
Learn to swim and teach your kids to respect water.
Poor Pa Kent...
Hiding under an overpass during a tornado.
It's been pretty widespread news that it's more deadly to do this, but come to the south during a tornado warning & watch how many people still do it & jam the interstate putting more people in danger. If you're on the road with no real shelter in sight, you should park & lie flat in a low ditch. Only stay in your car if it's a must & don't hide under an overpass.
Winds can throw things in at you or just plain suck you out & kill/hurt you worse than doing what's suggested.
Ugh, Florida...
the myth that if you move from left to right in a zig zag with help you when running from an aligator.
that is COMPLETELY wrong and the croc would run down the middle
If You Didn't Know, Now You Know
Using your phone battery to start a fire.
Chances are if you don't know how to make a fire and are in such an extreme situation that you have to resort to murdering your phone battery, you'll die sooner or later; it won't help if you don't have a phone.
May I also point out you could die from those lithium fumes? 😂
Crack The Ribs To Save Lives
Rescue breaths are wildly overrated in most movies and TV shows. You'll see someone in cardiac arrest, and the rescuer will stop giving compressions and focus on breathing into a persons's mouth and BLAMO! Awake, alert, alive!
Nope. Don't do that.
Your body does store a fairly decent amount of oxygen in its blood at all times. If someone in front of you OD's and their mouth is covered with saliva/vomit or someone collapses in front of you of a suspected cardiac arrest your plan of action is 2 fold:
- Are they breathing do they have a pulse? This is easy to f-ck up especially in a moment of panic. My rule (as an EMS provider) is that if you don't feel it in 10 seconds, it's not there. Start compressions! If they are not in cardiac arrest they will let your ass know - and the law covers you under good-Samaritan clauses in most of these cases.
- If you are the only person attending to this body - do not stop and give rescue breaths if help is on the way and will be there soon. It takes about 4-7 decent compressions to get blood recirculating in the body after stopping to give mouth-to-mouth. That's a lot of blood, carrying a lot of vital oxygen reserves, that aren't making it to the brain. Obviously if you're a long way out from help, and you feel safe to do so, give rescue breaths. But it should NEVER be priority #1.
BTW if you hear ribs crack, make a face, make vomit noises if you have to, tell the person their bones are f-cking grossing you out, but don't stop compressions.
Because what are compressions? That's right. They are number f-cking one.
A Different Kind Of Survival
You do not need to wait 24hrs to report a missing person. If you think someone is missing report it as such. The faster a missing person report is filed the greater the chance the person will be found
Especially if it's a child. Missing children are at high risk during the first 24 hours especially if abducted.
In 76% of child abduction murders, the victim was dead within 3 hours. 88.5% were dead in the first 24 hours.
Edit: Source
In relationships, there are two camps to which couples respectively belong: those who wish to have kids and those who do not.
While there are many couples who wish to expand their family unit, there are just as many that would rather not provide for another human for more reasons than you think.
Curious to hear from strangers online, Redditor AGstudios22 asked:
"What makes you not want to have kids?"
These are why having kids is not for them.
Too Much Work
"I can barely take care of myself."
– Altruistic_Peak7690
A Past Trauma
"My ex who said 'now you can't leave me.'"
– Between_the_narrows
Creepy Factor
"Those kids who have parents that are perfectly normal but still somehow act like mini serial killers."
– mikmikthegreat
When it comes to making a decision about having kids, these folks are not on the fence.
Not For Them
"I would be a terrible parent."
– IAmABurdenOnSociety
"I would be a terrible parent but a great uncle :)"
– Any-Energy-6126
Full-Time Job
"The idea of being responsible for a human being isn't for me."
– Goobula
It's All-In Or Nothing
"The fact that nothing really makes me WANT to have them. I feel like you should have an overwhelming desire to become a parent - I don’t, so why would I have a kid?"
– pupsnpogonas
For some, it's a matter of budgeting concerns.
Lack Of Profit
"After rent, food, and insurance I only come away with 200$ a month profit. Which is usually eaten up by a single doctor visit or necessary car part. And I live with two roommates."
– Snowfreak2507
You Can't Go Back
"It's irreversible, you can't unhave kids when you've committed to it, so when you have all those doubts and fears you might not be a good parent, it's hard to take the plunge."
"Plus I'd have to find someone to have a kid with and make more money for it to be viable but I think they're secondary to actually wanting to go through with it."
– Latifi_WDC_2023
People talk from experience and realize kids will never be in their future.
All That Screaming
"My neighbor has 7 of them. The only form of communication in that house is screaming. The teenage boy just screamed in the middle of my typing this. Kid is absolute shite at whatever game he's trying to play. My work meetings are constantly interrupted by his whiny cursing/crying sessions."
– QuackWaddleflow
The Older Brother As An Example
"I've been dealing with a mentally disabled older brother for nearly all my life. He's 32 yrs old, but acts like a 7 yr old nearly ALL the time. I love him to death, but after so long of dealing with him growing up (I'm 22), I just do not have the patience to handle something like that again."
"Edit: Wow, didn't expect this to blow up. Thanks for the kind and understanding comments everyone! To everyone else struggling with something similar, know that you're not alone. It may feel exhausting at days, and sometimes you might wish you weren't even in such a postion. But cherish those moments you share with them where they're the happiest you've ever seen them. Because at the end of the day, you're all they have left. I fear for my brother's future every day, and hope that he grows up well without the need for us to care for him 24/7."
– MajesticxFlan
Forever Young
"This is my big one. I feel terrible for this, but the fear of having a child that isn’t going to grow into a fully independent person with no limitations stopped me dead. If there was a guarantee they would be of average mental capability, I might reconsider."
– VanessaClarkLove
It's a big responsibility. Those who have several offspring to take care of surely have days when they have regrets and are envious of friends who've opted not to have kids.
But overall, the eventual gratitude grown children express to their parents can be a huge reward. So they say.
Is that prospect worth it in the end?
Your answer will indicate where you stand.
Let us know in the comment section!
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Various organizations can have any number of followers who are totally devoted to their respective missions, it seems like a cult.
Religions are known for having so many followers who abide by a lifestyle that comports to supporting the faith.
But the same dedication can apply to non-religious organizations.
These were explored when Redditor DrLizardLover asked:
"What isn't a religion but people treat it like it is?"
People in the big picture have their insanely dedicated followers.
Elon, The God
"I spoke vaguely against Elon Musk in a reply to a comment on a video."
"The video has gone viral, and the comment I replied to was pinned. So I get about 3-4 notifications a day of musk simps acting like I've insulted a deity. I've just rolled with it and reminded them he's essentially an oligarch and is inherently not a good dude. They froth."
– Goatfellon
Matinee Idols
"Celebrity worship."
– VisualSeaweed5927
Actor Adulation
"Whatever Jared Leto’s got going on."
– SirMooncake
People find a sense of belonging in social media groups and communities.
Following With The Flow
"People who worship streamers."
– The_bombblows12
Gaming Culture
"Steamer/Twitch culture freaks me out. I've been a gamer my whole life (only 30,) but the gaming scene is so strange to me. I truly hope the people in Twitch chats are nothing like that in real life."
– kamWise
"Poggers Dude"
"Take this with a grain of salt. But I've met a few other people who have watched twitch. Most of them are a bit nerdy, but nothing crazy."
"But one guy, he was like an attractive, active dude, who you might see on the beach in California going for a surf. He and I were at a barbecue and he was talking about something non gaming related and he said 'poggers dude'. I had to take a second to realize what I heard. Then I started to notice him saying things like 'PogChamp' and some of the other popular twitch phrases. Later come to find out he is like a die hard fan of some esport, can't remember which."
"I realize this isn't quite like a typical twitch chat of what you see on big streams like xqc, mizkif, or others. But still I imagine there are probably some people out there who act like those chats."
– CaptSprinkls
The FB Matriarchy
"Mom groups on facebook."
– Swift_Lad
Anonymous Tippers
"There was a streamer poker game the other night and seeing these guys dump half a million in an hour made me wonder, why are people donating to these people? It's like that Kylie Jenner thing where one of her employee got an accident and she started a gofundme for 150K instead of paying it herself."
– Zorops
Power Play
"Cricket game in india."
– RayTrader03
"Cricket in Australia, too, lol."
– CalypsoContinuum
People flock to this popular financial prospect.
"Multi level marketing."
– Voice_of_Season
Predatory Endeavor
"What upsets me is I sometimes meet people who are genuinely motivated to change their life but completely misguided in what they invest their time and money into and mlm sorta preys on that."
– ultimaIV
A "Sunny" Reference
“ It’s a Pyramid scheme!”
“No, it’s not a Pyramid Scheme, it’s a Reverse Funnel system!”
“…turn it upside down”
“Goddamnit! Sh*t!”
– doobydoodle
Pitch At A Party
"Dude.. I was just at a child's birthday party and this douche was telling my aunt about his wellness products. She said sounds like MLM. No it isn't though because I really believe in the products. Do you have someone encouraging you to sell. No I don't I sell it because it's a high quality product at a reasonable price. Do you make good money? Not yet because we are brand new. What else do you do for work. This is it right now. I'm happy with my regular wellness products. How would you know until you try these? This went on for the entire birthday party. She said I'm Not Interested. And turned the other way. He still pestered her."
"After the party he was asking people if anybody knew my aunt's phone number."
– lumberjackpat19
It's one thing for a person to join a community of like-minded individuals to feel a sense of belonging.
But it's another thing when they lose a sense of themselves completely for their blind devotion.
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There are many things in modern society that are generally accepted but would have been considered taboo as little as ten to twenty years ago.
But even in our supposedly progressive modern age, we still have a long way to go.
Far too many people are still hesitant or afraid to be open about elements of their life, fearing too many people wouldn't consider it "normal."
This idea piqued the curiosity of Redditor Sham-da-man, leading him to reach out to the Reddit community on what needs changing in modern society by asking:
"What needs to be normalized?"
Finding that work/life balance.
Choosing to leave a job during your probation period. The probation period is not just for the company to see if you’re a good fit, but for you to assess the company and see if you actually like it. A lot of employers tend to forget this, and then it is sometimes looked down upon on your CV unfortunately. - User Deleted
"Taking time off work when you’re sick."- HuffleSlut_.
"Being able to go home from work if your tasks are completed."
"Not at 10am because you don't have anything on your plate, but say at 3:45pm after you've busted it all day, completed your items, helped a few co-workers with some things outside of your scope, and are now browsing reddit because you're waiting on people to get back to you before you're able to proceed."- xLenny3x.
It takes a real man to know...
"Men actually having feelings and not have to 'take it like a man'."- Gifigi600.
Sorry, can't help you!
"Not being available at all times."- INTPhoenix.
Saying 'I don’t know enough to have an opinion on this issue' or 'I don’t know'.- LiquidPenChamber1019.
Table for one.
"Eating alone."- -lmayonnaise.
That might be what YOU think, but...
"Being allowed to disagree with people in your community, and being allowed to agree with people outside your community."
"We are so polarized and political these days."- 604jmv.
Not ashamed to admit it.
'Mental health struggles.'
"Society has come a long way but we still have progress to be made."- JBAnswers26.
Arguably, there's another very pressing issue which needs to be normalized more than anything.
The overuse and expectations of the word "normal."
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Expectations can be a dangerous thing.
It's very easy to be excited for an upcoming movie or TV show, an item of clothing you've been dying to own, or a vacation we've been saving years for.
But sometimes, when reality sets in, whatever it was we were so eagerly looking forward to doesn't always turn out to be everything we'd hoped it would be.
Redditor Tarps-celom was curious what fellow Redditors had sky-high expectations for, only to find themselves let down, and asked:
"What were you really hyped for but completely flopped?"
Is being a grown up all that it's cracked up to be?
"Being an adult."- marr318
"Running my own business."- LB_P
"Having a career, our whole life built up to this..and its just mediocre, and NOBODY knows what they are really doing."- SnooPandas1674.
For all the advancements in technology...
"Power Glove."
"It sucked and I'll never forget it."- Ekh0es.
"Google +"
"They made us to wait for a very long time with invite only feature."
'Ppl forgot about it when it was released."- introvertboyme.
Not worth the price of admission.
"'Dark Tower' movie."- urchisilver.
"M.Night's 'Avatar' movie."
"He broke my heart."- Suspicious-Elk-3631.
So much better the first time.
"Sim city 5.'
"Good God what a horrid mess."
"First week or more of release you were lucky to play because you could only play it online on their servers that were constantly full."
"Then once you hit like 50k people in your city the game was uncontrollable."
"You would literally run out of water and no matter what you did traffic took the shortest path so constant traffic and thus emergency vehicles couldn't move so everything went to hell fast."- InsertBluescreenHere
"Second go round of 'Arrested Development'."
"Deep inside I knew they’d never be able to capture that magic."
"Still, told myself they could."
"Narrator: They couldn’t."- PollyWentlightly
"Should old acquaintance be forgot..."
"Every New Year’s Eve party ever."- PollyWentlightly
When expectations are high, being disappointed is almost inevitable.
Then too, it's entirely possible that our disappointment didn't stem one bit from our sky-high expectations, but simply the fact that what we were so looking forward to turned out to be just plain awful.
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