2012年1月24日 星期二

Dealing With Bug Bites When Bugging Out


Our summertime weather is now in full swing and numerous people will be practicing their bug out techniques. What this may encounter is taking off with the family to some desolate wooded area and pretending that this is going to be their new home for a short period of time. It doesn't really matter if you are using a tent, and RV or a pull behind camper those nasty biting bugs are sure to make your life miserable.

According to the section of the country where you are planning to hold your bug out will determine the types of bug population that exists. Some areas will feature an abundance of insects ranging from dangerous spiders to scorpions, many of which could cause some seriously painful reactions. In general bites and stings from insects can be dangerous but usually they are not fatal.

What makes a bug bite dangerous is the increased possibility of anaphylaxis. This condition represents an acute hypersensitive reaction which affects approximately 15 percent of the American population. Of this percentage only 1 percent will possibly dies from complications. This amounts to maybe 1500 deaths yearly.

It is the spider bites or scorpion stings which provide the most worries while in the wild. Scorpions are scary however in most cases they are not fatal. In Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and some parts of California one can find the Bark Scorpion which is particularly dangerous. These scorpion stings often cause numbness and associated tingling feeling around the tissue of the bite. If the bite displays these characteristics you should seek the services of a medical professional immediately.

When establishing your emergency retreat keep in mind that spiders prefers dark, damp areas so it would be wise of you to be cautious around wood piles or dead trees. Scorpions usually are rather active at night so be sure to inspect your bedding prior to use. Scorpions are known for their love of stowing away on anything they can. When I was in the wilds of New Mexico we had to shake our boots out every morning before putting them on as it was not unusual to find a scorpion or two had hidden inside during the night.

In North America we have two dangerous spiders to contend with. They are the brown recluse and the black widow. Unfortunately, most bites that people receive are actually from unidentified insects. As with any insect involvement there are specific procedures to follow in order to minimize the consequences of the bit. This is particularly of interest when it concerns the removal of ticks or dealing with bee stings.

While bugging out in the forest make certain you follow any kind of precaution and always wear protective equipment when it is called for. If you are stung by a bee you should follow the specific directions treating the bee sting.

First apply an ice pack directly onto the location of the sting. Alternate the ice pack on and off in order to minimize any tissue damage. Do this procedure for at least 20 minutes on then another 20 minutes off. If there are any kinds of symptoms as follow with the victim then you should consider the possibility of anaphylaxis:

* Dizziness

* Excessive itching

* Experiencing any shortness of breath

* General weakness

* Hives

* Increased swelling anywhere except where the bite has occurred

* Erratic heartbeat or palpitations

* Unusual chest pain

In the event that the victim is experiencing any sort of involuntary muscle movements you should seek emergency medical treatment immediately. If you are able to call 911 you should do so.

The doctor is going to want to know what kind of bug bite the victim so if you can identify it then that would be much better. If the bug is now dead you should place it in a container and take it to the emergency room with you. A word of caution here you should be very careful even with dead bugs as they can still generate a reaction to their venom.

Several simple over the counter medications may ease the pain and associated discomfort with the bite. For pain try Acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Copyright @2010 Joseph Parish

www.survival-training.info




By Joseph Parish

For more information relating to survival visit us at http://www.survival-training.info





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