Once you become sick, your energy levels suffer, as do your survival
efforts. The result could be a dangerous snowball effect. If you don’t have
the energy to build a shelter, for example, you will increase your exposure
to the elements and your susceptibility to conditions such as hypothermia.
What you do to treat yourself now will affect what happens in the minutes,
hours, days, and weeks to come.
Bites and Stings
Since bites and stings range from very minor to very major events, the
best approach is to avoid them by wearing proper clothing and not put
ting your hands or feet in dark places without first investigating. Check
yourself daily to make sure no strange creatures are hitching a ride
on your body. Try not to scratch bites and stings, as they may become
infected.
For bee, wasp, and hornet stings, the most important consideration
is whether you or someone in your group has a severe allergy. If so, you
should carry an epinephrine (“epi”) pen and antihistamines.
You can get an EpiPen prescription from most physicians; just
explain that you’re traveling to a remote area and there’s a chance you
may get stung by an unknown insect. Be warned, however: if you have a
true anaphylactic reaction to a bite or sting, an EpiPen will only help to
prevent your throat from closing for about 15 minutes or so, the time it
would usually take to get a victim to a hospital. EpiPens are expensive and
expire after 12 to 18 months, so keep your firstaid kit updated. Carrying
two EpiPens is a good idea. Note that while epinephrine opens up the
airway, it does not stop the cause of the constriction. You must also take
antihistamines to counter the body’s production of histamine, which is
what closes up your airways in the first place.
If you get stung by a bee or other similar creature, remove the stinger
immediately. This can usually be done by scraping up and away (not pull
ing out) from the area with a fingernail or knife blade.
Being bitten by a spider or stung by a scorpion is more serious, and
little can be done in the way of treatment unless you’re lucky enough to
have an antivenin on hand. If a member of your group is bitten or stung
by one of these, watch for anaphylaxis, clean and dress the area, and also
treat the victim for shock, vomiting, and diarrhea, should they occur. Some
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