Arizona is a semi-arid desert, therefore it is important to keep up with new discoveries of the best ways to remain safe in the desert. Two dangerous events are: hiking in the desert with little water, and rattlesnake bites. Movies, and especially old movies, actually show the worst things to do in these emergencies.
Hiking in the desert requires preparation: Bring plenty of water. Wear a head covering, and loose, cotton clothing. Carry a cell phone. Stop in the shade if you get tired or weak.
However, what do you do if you run short of water?
True or False? Ration your water and take small sips.
False! Do not take small sips of the last water.
Research shows that small sips of water may make you feel less thirsty for a moment - but it only soothes your tongue. It does not help your body, and in fact is a waste of water. Drink the remaining water. Seek shade. Use a small stone in your mouth to moisten your tongue. Call 911.
If you cannot reach 911, wait, rest, and walk in the early evening and early morning.
You’ve all seen the movies where a victim is bitten by a rattlesnake. A tight tourniquet is applied Then a hero makes a cut over the bite and sucks out the poison. NO! Do not do this!
This remedy is far outdated. Never cut the snake bite. Often, cuts were made too deep and the victim bled to death. Many years ago, it was discovered that a loosely tied tourniquet is much better than a tight tourniquet.
However, new research shows that doing nothing is the best solution. If you apply a tourniquet, it traps all the poison in one small area - thus destroying large amounts of tissue.
Human bodies can handle the poison produced by a rattlesnake, if it is allowed to spread thinly throughout the body.
In case of snake bite: Remove watches and jewelry before any swelling starts. Seek shade. Sit down. Relax. Call 911.
While some wonder who volunteered to be bitten by rattlesnakes, the facts support that the best solution is doing nothing except call 911, relax and wait for help . Short on water? Call 911. Drink the remaining water, relax and wait for help.
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