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.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Dealing With Bug Bites When Bugging Out
