One of the first things you need to think of before you ever start a fire is what exactly you are planning on burning. As you may know White Birch Bark and other dry hard woods are great for starting a fire. Other plants though, like the Cashew Plants or Anacardium occidentale give off toxic gases when set ablaze. There have been numerous reports of throat irritation, naseau, vomiting, unusual fatigue, blindness and even death. Never under any circumstances burn cashew plants or any type of plant from the Anacardium family which is the same family that has poison ivy and poison oak in it!
Cashew plants aren't all bad though, not only do they make a tasty treat when processed correctly, but their seeds can be ground up into a powder and used for snake bites! The nature oils in the nuts can also be used to heal cracked heels.
^ Thanks for the tip! If I might add to that...please don't take the bark off White Birch trees unless you are in a survival situation, it kills them rather easily because it opens the tree up for infection.
But anyway, I think this topic is great because it sets an expectation of informing yourself about the dangers of the environment you are in. For example, I really don't need to worry about burning cashew plants because they don't grown anywhere near me. However, poison ivy / oak / sumac - you betcha'!
I was reading an article this morning about a group of teenagers that had to be rescued because they failed to properly prepare themselves for a hike they were doing. They didn't bring water, started late in the day, only brought 1 flashlight, wore t-shirts, etc.
Here's the article: Teens may pay price for hiking unprepared (http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Teens+may+pay+price+for+hiking+unprepared&articleId=df2cefc5-247f-4165-a02e-bef7ac8161dc)
Thanks for starting this Rob!
EDIT: Thought I might add a tip! Often times people find themselves without a whistle when they need one. This problem can be easily remidied by picking up an acorn shell. Using your thumbs to create a "V" over the opening of the shell then blowing can be used to make a whistle that is often times louder than many whistles.
Don't eat yellow snow ;D
Be sure to make sure water is sanitary before drinking it. Having a filter is the best way the purifier tabs are disgusting.
Quote from: NCO forever on November 17, 2008, 08:02:42 PM
Don't eat yellow snow ;D
Be sure to make sure water is sanitary before drinking it. Having a filter is the best way the purifier tabs are disgusting.
Anyone ever played around with the UV purifiers that are out there?
I have never used one but I have met some people that use them and like them.
If you're planning on being in the woods, forest, etc. overnight, it's a good idea to have a shovel or something to dig a hole with. Use the hole to discard of human waste (also you should make sure you're far enough away from water sources as urine and such will seep). Make sure to bury the waste (even maybe put a rock over the spot). Predatory animals have a tendency to be attracted to such things when left out in the open and not taken care of. The last thing you want is to wake up to a bear or mountain lion in your face, and realize while you were tracking down "whatever", something was tracking you.
Plan for your environment. What works in upstate NY won't always work in Southern Nevada. Dress for the crash - not for being cool.
When starting a fire be careful and don't do it like they did out in CA, start a bonfire and start a major brush fire that took out million dollar homes. :o
If it is too windy DON'T DO IT. ::)
Quote from: Rob Goodman on November 20, 2008, 03:06:01 AM
When starting a fire be careful and don't do it like they did out in CA, start a bonfire and start a major brush fire that took out million dollar homes. :o
If it is too windy DON'T DO IT. ::)
According to the last news item I heard, it wasn't a case of the wind. They "put it out", failed to ensure that it was out, and left the area. The smoldering ashes flared up, and off it went.
^^^
Being in the wildland fire "bizness" for twenty years
Let's just say its a coupled event.... fire failed to be put out during a Santa Ana wind driven event
60+ mph winds and whatever ignitables that are smoldering get a chance to be driven into some woodpiles, house eaves, through open vented areas, and preheating...then its off to the races
CORN CHIPS!!!!.....If you're trying to start a fire and having a hard time in a damp area, try packing a few corn chips in your gear and use them as a kindling starter. Because of the fat and oils in the chips, they burn for quite a bit longer, giving you a better chance of lighting damp kindling.
Quote from: Rob Sherlin on April 07, 2009, 05:30:34 PM
CORN CHIPS!!!!.....If you're trying to start a fire and having a hard time in a damp area, try packing a few corn chips in your gear and use them as a kindling starter. Because of the fat and oils in the chips, they burn for quite a bit longer, giving you a better chance of lighting damp kindling.
I can't remember if that was Les Stroud (Survivorman) of Bear Gryls (Man vs Wild)
Quote from: Rob Sherlin on April 07, 2009, 05:30:34 PM
CORN CHIPS!!!!.....If you're trying to start a fire and having a hard time in a damp area, try packing a few corn chips in your gear and use them as a kindling starter. Because of the fat and oils in the chips, they burn for quite a bit longer, giving you a better chance of lighting damp kindling.
Makes you reconsider the health of eating them, however.... ;)
QuoteI can't remember if that was Les Stroud (Survivorman) of Bear Gryls (Man vs Wild)
It was the ex UK Commando guy, but not everyone has seen that, and it's good advise, so I thought I'd post it.
Quote from: Rob Sherlin on April 07, 2009, 07:02:18 PM
QuoteI can't remember if that was Les Stroud (Survivorman) of Bear Gryls (Man vs Wild)
It was the ex UK Commando guy, but not everyone has seen that, and it's good advise, so I thought I'd post it.
Actually, it was Les Stroud in the Utah Canyon lands.
If you go out in areas with lots of poison ivy,oak, or sumac, take a non-drowsy Benadryl or other anti-histimine before you go. Also, upon returning from the woods, take a shower using Dawn dish wahing liquid first before you use your regular soap and shampoo. If you are hypertensive, consult your doctor before you take any anti-histimine. Also, be careful of the smoke of any wood that might have one of the poisonous plants on it. You can get it from this too.
The biggest problem I see with cadets and some seniors in firemaking is not putting it out but in getting it going. Three big logs and a can of Coleman may get you some flame but not a fire. Take some time to gather tinder, kkindling, and finally, fuel wood. Keep your fire small to be warm all over. Big fires singe your eyebrows and freeze your rear echelon. And finally, remember, you cook over the coals not the flame.
Carry a couple of 9 volt batteries and some steel wool. Rub the posts of the battery on the steel wool and watch the lava flow. But keep in mind it ruins the batteries pretty quick. So dont pull them out of your flashlight and expect them to work later.
I've been really successful using dryer lint from a load of towels and cottons. Lint from blended fabrics doesn't work as well.
You can really improve the amount of warmth from even a small fire by selecting a site where you are between the fire and something solid, like a rock wall or a fallen log.
I get confused from the two guys since I watch both when I can. Lot's of helpfull advise, with exception of jumping on the back of an Aligator in the Louisiana swamps, severing it's spine, using the meat for food, the fat for insect repellant, and skin for rope........Yeah! Like I'm going to go jump on an 8ft. American Aligator!
The advise for the poison oak, ivy, was great because you can pretty much find it everywhere! I prefer to just stay away from it, but you never know. What does the Benadryl do?
http://www.drugs.com/benadryl.html
Benadryl is an antihistamine. Benadryl blocks the effects of the naturally occurring chemical histamine in the body
Taking it ahead of time can reduce the severity of an allergic reaction.
But don't forget the Benadryl mantra regarding its most significant side effect - "Take a Benadryl, take a nap." Gotta be real careful when using it.
I would think it would be better to NOT take the Benadryl, and know to identify Poison Oak, Ivy, and Sumac (Fall can be a problem because it could be just a stem, yet still produce irritating oils if you come in contact with it), and stay away from it. I asked about Benadryl , because I thought it would only do good if you inhale smoke from the oils. I didn't think it would help with skin irritation....
Never the less!...Don't let the Cadets scratch! (I'm sure you all know that)
Benadryl isn't gonna do much for the skin reaction, as it's not so much a histamine release as it is contact dermatitis (inflammation/irritation of the skin). Topical steroids, or in severe cases, oral steroids, are the optimal treatment for it.
And DON'T ASSUME everyone knows what it looks like.
I still have problems identifying it and almost touched it when I was practicing for 4-H's forestry program.
The extension guy was leading us around Bald Eagle State Park and as a trick question asked us what a small "seedling" was, I bent over and was about to turn a leaf so I could look at it when he said don't touch it and explained that it was poison ivy. He had assumed everyone knew what it looked like. I'm still picked on for that one but at least he makes sure everyone knows what it looks like now and doesn't assume everyone does.
(I use to do 4-H in NY and PA and the only National event I didn't do through PA was Poultry Science and Avian bowl.)
Quote from: SJFedor on April 10, 2009, 01:18:10 PM
Benadryl isn't gonna do much for the skin reaction, as it's not so much a histamine release as it is contact dermatitis (inflammation/irritation of the skin). Topical steroids, or in severe cases, oral steroids, are the optimal treatment for it.
There is Benadryl
cream that you apply to the skin. Works just great on stuff like poison oak and ivy, insect bites and such.
I agree not to asume everyone knows how to identify these plants. That's probably one of the first things that should be gone over when going into areas where you might come into contact with any of them (be extra careful in the Fall seasons). The last thing you need is for someone to break out at the very begining of an outing (they'll usually scratch when you're not looking even though you say not to, and it spreads). I never knew about the Benedryl cream.
So I guess the next survival tip here would be "Leaves of three, leave them be. Leaves of four, eat some more."
Poison Ivy and Poison Oak both have three leaves originating from the same point on the plant. So, if the plant has "three leaves" leave it alone.
Fortunately, poison ivy in both the spring and the fall turns a nice maroon/red color - nature's way of saying "leave me alone."
I suppose that you could bring a goat with you wherever you may go, it is their favorite meal.
But, I don't have to worry about any of that, I'm not allergic to any of it. I could bathe in the oil and not break out. (not that I want to try...)
You forgot the "berries white, poisonous sight !" part. I mentioned fall because after they turn red and green, I,ve seen the leaves fall and just leave a stem (which still carries the oils). I too, seem to not be bothered by it (I've fallen into batches of the stuff several times), but it's not a pretty or comfortable sight, when I've seen others who aren't so lucky get it. Never the less, you definitely dont want anyone to try to burn it in a fire, inhaleing the smoke could be an entirely different reaction than just itching.
I just downloaded and started reading the ground team manual, and it says not to use anti-histamine lotions or spray on poison oak or ivy and such, because it just spreads the rash. Could it be that it may cause relief, but make things worse at the same time? After all, it really doesn't get the oils from the plant off, or out of your skin.
Quote from: Rob Sherlin on April 14, 2009, 06:22:51 PM
I just downloaded and started reading the ground team manual, and it says not to use anti-histamine lotions or spray on poison oak or ivy and such, because it just spreads the rash. Could it be that it may cause relief, but make things worse at the same time? After all, it really doesn't get the oils from the plant off, or out of your skin.
It really should just have a caveat that you don't do anything to an affected site until you have THOROUGHLY cleaned it with lots of cold water. (Bonus points for remembering to clean exposed clothing before wearing it again!)
If you haven't THOROUGHLY removed the oil from the affected skin, then the application of any topical treatment will spread the oil around, likely exposing greater areas of skin than before.
Simple steps:
1. Rinse with Cold Water. Really rinse, like you just stepped out of a sewer or something. Honestly, you can't overdo this unless your skin is pruning.
2. Wash with Cold Water and mild soap. Use as little soap as possible, and only after you have rinsed thoroughly. If you aren't SURE you have rinsed most of the oil off, then just skip the soap. Soap on the oil can make the whole ordeal worse.
3. Apply any topical treatments deemed necessary.
4. Remember to wash clothing before wearing again. And exercise care in handling the clothes prior to washing them.
openmind
That's why I said in my original post to wash with Dawn dish soap in order to remove the oils. The antihistimine helps to prevent a mild rash. If you are having a severe reaction, the only solution is a steroid shot or a Z-pac of steroid pills or both. I speak from experience here folks. I can normally spot poison ivy in the wild, but I was trimming some trees in my front yard and the other plants concealed the fact that I was rubbing up against poison ivy. It was a hot day in June 08 and I would stop every so often and wipe my face with my shirt. By the next evening my face was a little puffy and by the morning after that I woke up with one eye swollen shut and the other nearly so. The advice I give here is straight from my MD and by the way I got both the shot and the Z-pac. It was 4am the next morning before I could get to sleep with all those steroids in me and I was off work the whole week.
OUCH!!! I'd have to say it wasn't a good start of summer for you that year.
Believe me. You have no idea how bad my summer was.
Benedryl ( dipenhydramine) is not particularly effective on Poison Oak, either as a topical, orally or parenterally ( injection) but it may help the pain a bit, and will help a sufferer sleep. If the victim has any respiratory issues, don't give benedryl; it can cause a thickening of lung fluids and make the problem much worse. After thoroughly washing the area with cold water and mild soap , apply cortisone cream. After the affected area is clean it won't spread to others or other body parts by contact, but the severity of the allergic reaction can cause a kind of allergic melt -down even after the exposure is long past. ( contaminated clothes are still dangerous) a Cortisone injection or an oral course of prednisone will generally get it under control fast. In some cases, an allergic reaction to Poison Oak can be life threatening, and a person who knows in advance that they are very sensitive should ask their doctor for an anaphylaxis kit ( an epi-pen and a couple of antihistamine tablets) Inhaling smoke from burning plants ( kids, don't try smoking this one!) can kill you in short order and create a genuine medical emergency. Consider the Epi pen if the you break out in hives and have difficulty breathing. anaphylaxis can proceed very quickly, so be prepared for basic life support (CPR)
Major Lord