These People Debunked Common Survival Myths That May Actually Kill You
Do you ever worry about getting stuck in a survival situation? Whether you fret about an impending zombie apocalypse or worry about more realistic scenarios like natural disasters and hikes gone wrong, it never hurts to brush up on tips for survival.
Still, because of social media and popular entertainment, tons of disinformation can circulate that may cause more harm than good in these situations.
The online community has recently shared debunked survival myths that are not only wrong but can actually kill you.
You Can Freeze To Death In The Desert
“People say that the desert is hot and little clothing is best. But, cover up during both the day and the night.”
“The sun will burn and dehydrate you very quickly. And during the night, it is really common for people to die of hypothermia because the temperature drops so fast.”
“I live here during the winter, and the desert reaches the low twenties often, and the wind is awful.”
Don’t Do This In A Tornado
Daniel Kraso? – stock.adobe.com – Illustrative purpose only, not the actual person
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“People say that if you are in a tornado, you should open all your windows to equalize the pressure inside to match the outside.”
“But, opening any window or door will create a wind tunnel that rips your entire roof off.”
“Also, you waste time doing that when you need to get to the lowest part of the building or the innermost room. Cracks and small openings will take care of air pressure since buildings are not airtight.”
“The average lead time for tornado warnings in the U.S. is nine minutes. Yet, the most common refrain is that people do not take the warnings seriously.”
–[deleted]
If You Are Lost, Don’t Look For Moss
“People say that moss grows on the north side of a tree. It can grow all over, so it is not a steadfast rule that you should make important decisions on.”
“I grew up in the rainy Pacific Northwest, and when I heard this as a kid, I looked at all the moss on every side of the trees. I thought that I just lived in the most Northern place.”
Don’t Swim Away From Sharks
“If a shark is coming towards you, it is most likely just curious and wants to check you out. Swimming away and thrashing about will only further intrigue it to keep following you.”
“Instead, redirect it by running your hand along its side and carefully positioning it to swim away from you.”
Common Avalanche Myths
“Avalanches do not strike at random. Most that injure or kill people are caused by those people, and they always show signs of instability.”
“You do not need to be quiet to be safe from avalanches. Sound does not trigger them, and even very loud sounds are nowhere near enough.”
“Avalanches can travel up to sixty miles-per-hour, and it is unlikely you can get away. By the time it slides, you are likely in it, and it is inescapable.”
“Even if you are inches below the surface, it is very unlikely you’ll be able to dig yourself out. The snow sets very hard and very fast. People caught in avalanches report not being able to move their fingers.”
Have you ever heard these survival myths before? To learn more, visit the full Reddit thread here.
More About:Human Interest