a very exact science, and if you eat the wrong one, it can kill you quickly.
Mushrooms offer little nutrition in return for the chance you are taking.
My friend in survival Dave Arama has this to add: “In a survival situ
ation, and on an empty stomach, even a mildly toxic plant can kill you.
With a full stomach as in our everyday lives, ingesting a mildly toxic plant
will probably result in a stomach ache or in the worstcase scenario a quick
visit to the hospital.”
If you suspect that your skin has come into contact with a poi
sonous plant, your first course of action should be to try to remove the
oil by washing the area with soap and cold water. If there is no water
nearby, use dirt or sand to wipe your skin (but not if blisters have already
appeared there).
The toxin and the infection can be spread by touching the infected
area and then touching another part of your body, so resist the urge to
scratch! Bandage the infected area to prevent any other part of your body
from coming in contact with the infection.
Aside from the dangers of touching and eating unknown plants,
there is another littleknown way that plants can be harmful: if you burn
them. People have experienced lifethreatening health issues from burn
ing piles of poison ivy and inadvertently breathing the smoke.
Plants can prove hazardous through more than just their poisons,
too. Many are covered in spikes, spines, barbs, or thorns that can cause
excruciating pain that, if left unattended, can result in festering wounds.
One unfortunate hiker who was walking carelessly through the desert
tripped and held out his hand to break his fall. He landed on a saguaro
cactus, and a 4inch (10 cm) spine went right through his palm and out
the other side.
Some plants can be hazardous because of the insects they host. Cer
tain plants and insects help each other out. For example, there is a bush in
the Amazon jungle that is home to a very protective type of ant. Get too
close to the bush and the ants will actually jump out and attack you. Grab
the bush and all bets are off. For this reason, wear gloves when possible
and tuck your pants into your socks whenever you travel in creepycrawly
country, no matter how uncomfortable it may be.
Don’t overlook the importance of footwear as protective clothing. One
time in Arizona, I stopped in the middle of a hike because of excruciating
Dangers and Hazards (^) | 265