Quiz

Thanks to the author, Charles A. Lehman, of the 1988 "Desert Survival Handbook", we
can project ourselves into certain scenarios and see what we would do...and should do.

Here is a quiz for you:
You are driving from El Paso to Phoenix along Interstate 10 and at about noon, you get bored and take the next exit and travel 5 miles and turn west on a well-maintained road. You check the rear view mirror...no cars...you get to enjoy all this rare desert beauty by yourself..the airconditioner is keeping you cool and comfy. All of a sudden, you bright red HOT light on the dashboard flashes. You have ablown radiator hose! As you step out of the car, the blast of 115 degree heat (you knew that from the radio announcer)shocks you.

Boy, it's hot. You recall a ranch you passed 25 minutes back. You know you are 5miles from the freeway, but you are quite isolated. You recall that only 2 other cars had come toward you just after you left the freeway.

How would you insure your survival in the searing desert heat?


a. Begin walking toward the freeway and hail a passing car.
b. Strip off as many clothes as possible to help beat the heat, then walk slowly back down the road looking for help.
c. Stay in you car.
d. Get in the shade, wait until dark, then walk out.


The answer is.....











d.


Why?

First of all, you want to save the water that is already in your body. If you take some clothes off, you expose your skin to more evaporation and you lose more water.
If you walk, that also creates heat and you work up a sweat and more water leaves your body.

So rest, and find shade. Your car is shade but will feel like an oven. You will overheat quickly in your car. Roll down all the windows...if still too hot for comfort, create some shade. Make a lean too with 2 poles and some fabric. The car also will cast a shadow as the day progresses. If there is a cave, use that but don't go far in..stay within sight of the entrance, and within sight of your car. A rock overhang nearby could also provide shade.

Desert Survival Handbook

I live in the Mojave desert and most of the people who read this blog do too.
We live in Victorville, California which is about a 3 hour drive from Las Vegas.

When we moved here, I bought this book...I was scared.

Several years ago, there was a story about a guy and his son who were out walking in this landscape in the heat of the summer, thinking they had enough water. They both perished. Official cause of death: Dehydration and hyperthermia.

This book has loads of lifesaving information and I will post the main points for you as soon as I can. We are going on a trip across this desert next week, so it will be good for me also to review these concepts.

Now at Target !

This item is currently at the Target on Palmdale (7th Street) in Victorville.

I don't think you will see this cheaper. I bought one as a gift for someone (since we have one already from Walmart)...it was $9.17 compared to $9.97 at Walmart and $13.99 online. It has so many good items in a convenient sturdy case, complete with a little handbook of what to do in emergencies.
I highly recommed this kit. It is on a low shelf against the wall perpendicular to the toothpaste section or thereabouts...There were 5 left on the shelf after I picked out one to buy.

Here is a list of every item in this kit. To buy them all separately would cost way more than the $9.17 (plus 8.75% California state sales tax)you pay at Target.)
CLEAN: 9 - JOHNSON & JOHNSON Cleansing Wipes.
TREAT: 2 Neosporin Antibiotic ointment packets
1 JOHNSON & JOHNSON Red CRoss Band Burn Cooling Patch (2.6" x 1.0")
1 CORTAID Advanced 12 hour Anti-Itch Cream (.1 oz.)
PROTECT: 1 - BAND-AID Brand Flexible Fabric Extra Large Adhesive Bandages 1-3/4 in x 4 in
34 - BAND-AID Brand Adhesive Bandages 5/8 inch x 2 1/4 inches
30 - BAND-AID Brand Adhesive Bandages 3/4 inch x 3 inches
14 - BAND-AID Brand Sheer Comfort Flex Spots Adhesive Bandages 7/8 inch x 7/8 inch
2 - BAND-AID TOUGH STRIPS Adhesive Bandages 1 inch x 3 1/4 inches
2 - BAND-AID Brand Flexible Fabric Extra Large Adhesive Bandages 1 3/4 inches x 4 inches
20 - BAND-AID Brand Flexible Fabric Finger and Knuckle Adhesive Bandages*;
8 - JOHNSON & JOHNSON Gauze (Four 2-packs) 2 inches x 2 inches
20 - BAND-AID Brand Butterfly Closures 1 3/4 inches x 3/8 inch (4.5 cm x 1 cm)
1 Band-Aid Brand Large Water Block Plus Adhesive Bandage 2" x 3"
1 - JOHNSON & JOHNSON Oval Eye Pads 1.6 inches x 2.6 inches (4.1 cm x 6.7 cm);
1 - JOHNSON & JOHNSON First Aid Tape 1/2 inch x 5 yd (1.2 cm x 4.5 m) (no scissors required)
3 Band-Aid Brand Sport Strip Adhesive Bandgaes 5/8 inch x 2 1/4"
OTHER FIRST AID & UTILITY ITEMS:
2 - IMODIUM AD caplets;
2 - TYLENOL acetaminophen extra strength caplets;
4 - MOTRIN IB caplets;
1 - COACH instant cold pack,
1 - JOHNSON & JOHNSON Survival Wrap;
1 Omni Glow Light Stick
2 - health care gloves;
1- tweezers;
1 - American College of Emergency Physician's First Aid Guide;
1 - ready organized tray;
1 - durable plastic shell.Warnings *The packaging of this product contains natural rubber latex which may cause allergic reactions. This First Aid Kit contains non-prescription drug products that have expiration dates. Please check before use. Please keep out of reach of children. For medical emergencies seek professional help.

Ready for cuts and burns

1. When traveling, stock your first aid kit with a small bottle of fresh clean water.

2. Clean the area with cool water immediately.

3. Apply antibiotic and a Band-Aid. You only need the antibiotic for the first 24 hours.

4. Keep it moist. Some advice tells you to let the cut "breathe", but a dried up wound won't heal as fast. New cell growth will be delayed and you have increased chances of having a scar.

5. Keep the wound moisturized until the skin heals.

6. According to the latest edition of Ladies' Home Journal,p. 154, to avoid getting a scar, you do not need special scar salve or cream. "Just apply petrolem jelly daily under a fresh band-aid for at least a week until the skin is completely healed. Vitamin E or aloe also provide moisture, but the active ingredients do nothing to improve healing and can even cause an allergic skin reaction."

7. "Massage after it heals. Use a firm circular motion to massage the area several times a day. This helps break down the dense scar tissue left by the healing process and encourages your skin's softer upper layers to regenerate."

We Need To Know....

We need to know how to survive in the coming summer sun and heat! There may be times (who knows?) when our air conditioning will be inoperable and we need to have techniques for staying cool.
There may be times when the car we are in stalls on a lone desert road on a 105 degree day!

The next month or so, I will post information about these topics as well as how to refine our 72 hour kits, our car kits,...and I will include first aid information also.
I am sorry I have not posted anything here for 2 weeks! Sorry if I have disappointed you...check back again soon, though!