One of the most overlooked Principles of Survival is having the ability to Meet your First Aid and Security Needs. The outdoors are called the wild for a reason. It can be dangerous out there, and accidents are just waiting to happen. Something as simple as a sprained ankle or as serious as an animal attack, it is important that you are always prepared. Inspect your first-aid kit, and establish security protocols while in the field. In an actual survival situation attend to any injuries, and remove yourself from any danger. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
First Aid & Security Could Save Your Life
First Aid
Four common first aid mistake we see in our classes are:
- Gimmicky First Aid Kits
- Poor Selection of Medical Supplies (Lacks Trauma Care)
- Inadequate First Aid Training
- Folk Medicine (Example: Suck poison from a snake bite)
Having a properly stocked IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit), and professional training is vital to your self aid. If you are uncertain of items in your kit then learn what they are or remove them. Be sure your first aid kit treats the most common incidents: sprains, burns, and wounds. After those needs are met then you can add items that will treat blisters, stings/bites, rashes, and so on. Also, be sure to attend a wilderness first aid course, and then begin to regularly practice your skills.
Get your IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit) on our store. SurvivalGear.us or build your own.
SECURITY
Security is more than carrying a gun, it is a mindset. It is about having a fine tuned awareness of nature. Make sure you fully understand your surroundings and establish a perimeter around your camp. Be sure you have not set up on a game trail or under a dead fall. If you are in an area that has a high predator population be sure to have a fire and create a barrier between you and the wildlife. This could be as simple as backing up against a rock ledge with a fire out front, surrounding yourself with briers (thorny plants), fully enclosing your shelter, or creating an improvised alarm system. You should always have some form of weapon to defend yourself even if it is nothing more than a sharpened spear.
We recently had a bear come into camp that created a stir. He busted some beer bottles and drank all the beer. Needless to say he was probably a bit tipsy. We were able to run him off by making ourselves look bigger and raising our voices. This could have been avoided by keeping food and drink hung in a bear bag. If the bear continued to be persistent an air horn, bear spray, or offset gun shot would have been enough to scare him off.
A simple improvised alarm system could consist of a trip wire attached to some aluminum cans or other noise maker. Use your imagination. As silly as that may seem, security is no joke.
Check out our latest First Aid Video, share, subscribe, and stay tuned for the 3rd Survival Principle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE2eeKZZy-g
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