The conditions for preserving health in survival situations

The Fundamentals of Survival: Water, Food, and Hygiene in Hostile Environments

To survive, one needs water and food. It is also necessary to have good hygiene practices and to put them into practice.

1. Water

The loss of water by the body is a normal physiological process. An average adult loses between two to three liters of water per day, with factors such as exposure to heat or intense activity potentially increasing this loss.

Dehydration results from the loss of organic fluids that are not replaced, which decreases the proper functioning of the body and increases the risk of shock in the event of injury.

Consider the consequences of a loss of body fluids:

• A loss of 5% causes thirst, irritability, nausea, and weakness.
• A loss of 10% causes dizziness, headaches, inability to walk, and a tingling sensation in the limbs.
• A loss of 15% causes blurred vision, painful urination, swelling of the tongue, and a sensation of numbness in the skin.
• A loss greater than 15% can lead to death.

Signs of dehydration include dark urine, fatigue, and a loss of skin elasticity.

To prevent dehydration, it is recommended to drink small amounts of water at regular intervals even if you are not thirsty. In cases of physical or mental stress, you should increase your water intake. In extreme climates, a normal person can lose between 2.5 to 3.5 liters of water per hour, so it is crucial to stay well hydrated.

There are several ways to estimate fluid loss, such as pulse and respiratory rate.

2. Food

Although one can live for several weeks without food, it is necessary to eat enough to stay healthy. Deprived of food, you will see your mental and physical abilities deteriorate quickly and you will weaken.

Foods include carbohydrates, proteins as well as vitamins, minerals, salts, and other elements essential for health. And, what may be even more important, eating helps to maintain morale.

The two fundamental sources of food are plants and animals (including fish). To varying degrees, both provide the calories, carbohydrates, fats, and proteins necessary for the normal functioning of the body.

The calorie is a measure of thermal and potential energy. A normal person requires 2,000 calories per day to meet their minimum needs. Without sufficient caloric intake, the body digests its own tissues to meet its energy needs, which can lead to starvation.

Plant-Based Foods

These foods provide carbohydrates, which are the main source of energy. A large number of plants provide enough protein to maintain the body's normal activity.

Although plant-based foods may not be sufficient for a balanced diet, they will sustain you even in the Arctic, where the thermogenic properties of meat are normally essential. Many plant-based foods, such as nuts and grains, provide enough protein and oils to ensure normal activity. Roots, green vegetables, and plant-based foods containing natural sugars provide the calories and carbohydrates that are the body's natural source of energy.

The nutritional value of plants becomes very important if you are in an area where wildlife is scarce. It is easier and more discreet to find plants than meat. Plants can be dried in the wind, in the air, in the sun, or over a fire. This delays their degradation and allows for making reserves or carrying food during travels.

Animal Origin Foods

Meat is more nutritious than plant-based foods. In some places, it can even be easier to find. But one must know the habits of the game and how to hunt it.

To meet immediate food needs, it is better to turn to easy and abundant prey, such as insects, crustaceans, mollusks, fish, and reptiles. These prey can satisfy your immediate hunger while you set traps or lay snares to catch larger game.

3. Personal Hygiene

Cleanliness is essential to prevent infections, especially in survival situations. Insufficient hygiene can compromise your chances of survival.

A daily shower with hot water and soap is ideal, but not essential. You can wash yourself with a washcloth and soapy water. Focus on areas prone to infections: feet, armpits, groin, hands, and hair. In case of water scarcity, a "dry" bath by exposing your body to the sun and air for at least an hour can be an alternative, but avoid sunburn.

In the absence of soap, you can use ashes or sand, or if the situation allows, make soap from animal fat and wood ashes.

Here is the recipe:

1.  Extract the fat from the subcutaneous fat layer of the animals by cutting it into small pieces that you will heat in a saucepan.
2.  Add enough water to prevent the fat from sticking to the pot.
3. Cook the fat slowly, stirring frequently.
4. When the fat is melted, pour the grease into a container and let it set.
5. Place the ashes in a container with a spout at its base.
6. Pour water over the ashes and collect the liquid that drips from the spout into a separate container. This liquid is potash. Potash can also be obtained by filtering the mixture of water and ashes through a cheesecloth.
7. Pour two parts of fat into a saucepan for one part of potash.
8. Heat the mixture and let it boil until it thickens.
9. Once the mixture has cooled, you can use it in a semi-liquid state directly from the pot. You can also pour it into a mold, let it set, and cut it into loaves for later use.

Keep Your Hands Clean

The germs present on the hands can infect food and wounds.

Wash your hands after handling any material that may carry germs, after using the latrines, and after caring for the sick. Also, wash your hands before handling food, utensils, or drinking water. Keep your nails short and clean, and avoid putting your fingers in your mouth.

Keep your clothes clean

Keep your clothing and bedding as clean as possible to reduce the risk of skin infections and parasitic infestations.

Clean your clothes every time they get dirty. Change your underwear and socks every day. If water is scarce, clean your clothes by shaking them, airing them out, and exposing them to the sun for two hours.

If you use a sleeping bag, turn it inside out after each use, shake it, and let it air out.

Eventen your teeth clean

Use a toothbrush at least once a day to thoroughly clean your teeth and mouth.

If you don't have a toothbrush, use a twig about 20 cm long and 1 cm wide. Chew one end to separate the fibers and use it to thoroughly brush your teeth.

Another way to do it is to wrap a clean strip of cloth around your fingers and rub your teeth to dislodge food particles.

You can also brush your teeth with a little sand, baking soda, salt, or soap. Then rinse your mouth with water, salt water, or a willow bark infusion.

"Using dental floss can also improve your oral hygiene. If you have cavities, you can temporarily fill them with candle wax, tobacco, aspirin, hot pepper, powder or toothpaste, or pieces of ginger root. Before filling a cavity, clean it well by rinsing your mouth and removing any food particles that may be present."

Keep your hair clean

Hair and fur are a favorable environment for bacteria, fleas, lice, and other parasites. Keep your hair clean, combed, and short to avoid this danger.

Take care of your feet

To avoid foot pain, break in your new shoes before wearing them, wash and massage your feet daily, cut your toenails straight, wear insoles and dry socks of the right size, and sprinkle your feet with talcum powder.

Check daily for the absence of blisters. Do not puncture small blisters; apply a pad to relieve pressure. In case of bursting, treat it like an open wound by washing and dressing it daily, applying a pad all around. Leave large blisters intact.

To prevent the bulb from bursting or tearing under pressure and becoming a painful wound, follow these guidelines:

1. Take a sewing needle and clean or sterilized thread.
2. Wash the bulb and pierce it through and through with the needle and thread.
3. Let the two ends of the thread hang to absorb the liquid from the bulb, thereby reducing the size of the opening and preventing it from closing.
4. Place a cushion around the bulb.
5. Get enough rest

To maintain your efficiency, take regular breaks, for example ten minutes per hour, during your daily activities. Learn to relax even in difficult conditions by alternating between intellectual and physical activities if necessary.

Keep the camp clean

Do not soil the camp ground with urine or feces. If possible, use the latrines; otherwise, dig small pits and bury the waste. Draw drinking water upstream from the camp and purify it.

Conclusion