Dissection of the #1 adventure of self sufficiency
With the way I was raised, I am always studying, thinking, tearing apart what
I do and why. Since the ‘Adventure of self sufficiency’, I have
been doing just that. I am going to put this into a conglomeration of similes
and metaphors, so bear with me thru this.
If I had been on a hike when this had happened, I might have been in a better
place mentally to immediately deal with the injuries, but I do not think so.
When you pack for a hike or to go camping, you are likely to bring more than
you really need, but not what you really do need, unless it is something you
do often. Would I have had all these things along with me on a hike?
A First Aide Kit. Yes. But how well stocked would it have been? I used items
from both first aide kits in my van to tidy myself up. There are books galore
on medicine for the trail and first aide, but in my experience, even on the
‘hiking trail of business’, the most you will really need is adhesive
bandages and aspirin. I would have even been able to use some of the plants
from the overgrown lawn next to the parking lot, if necessary. It is still
nice to know that I can deal with a broken limb or such if necessary.
I hear you say, “Use plants?” Yes. Herbalism kept us alive and well
for millennia before the little black bag and the doctor attached to it came
along. There are plants, like yarrow and plantain that are common plants,
sometimes considered weeds if they grow in the wrong place, that can be used
to treat cuts and such. Before you try it, I suggest you actually read up
on it and talk with people, possibly take a herb walk in your area. To have
knowledge and being able to use it are great advantages in surviving anything.
If I had been on the trail, would I have had water? I should hope so. Even
when I am in business clothes, I try to have a sports bottle of PLAIN water
with me to keep me floating. When you are being active, you use more water
and might not realize it because you do not have too pee as frequently, and
might pee less. If I had not brought water with me, I could have just used
the peroxide, but I would have not felt as clean, and the peroxide would have
been partially wasted on large particles of dirt in the wounds.
Away from plumbing, water can be found all over the place, but not all of
it is clean enough to drink or wash in. Even very clear water can have bacteria
and parasites lingering in it. Boiling can take too long in an emergency situation
(as if a boo-boo is an emergency). Filters can be bulky, but work well. Iodine
tablets taste bad, and too much can be bad for your body. I once heard that
if you put a lot of salt into water you are not sure about it will be safe.
Do not do it. It will dehydrate you, but for washing out wounds, you could
get by with it, though it would hurt. Very Much.
Extra clothes? If I was expecting to stay over, or were in a changeable situation
weather wise, yes. Layering is one of those things that all the camper and
hiker gurus tell you to do. Really, it works. Even when you are hiking in
100+ weather (why?), having extra layers is good.