The Arctic and Polar Regions
At the top of the list for polar dangers is the weather. Blizzards have taken
the lives of many very experienced Arctic travelers. Do not, under any cir
cumstances, travel in a blizzard. If a blizzard strikes (or is imminent), return
to your shelter immediately. If you don’t yet have a shelter, build one right
away. If you don’t have time to do this, at least get out of the wind.
Frostbite is another everpresent danger in the world’s cold places.
Proper clothing is your first line of defense in preventing frostbite, but
protecting yourself from the elements—especially the wind—is equally
important. See “Survival First Aid,” Chapter 13.
Snowblindness, which is essentially a sunburn on your retina, is also
a real hazard in these parts. On sunny days, the sun’s rays reflect off snow
and ice and come at you from all directions. Snowblindness causes excru
ciating pain and can leave you without proper vision for as long as three
days. Protect your eyes in any way you can.
On the Sea or Open Water
As with snowblindness in the Arctic, sunblindness is a sunburn of the retina
caused by the reflection of the sun’s rays on the water.
Seasickness is a malady that affects some people and doesn’t touch
others at all. If you’re prone to it, bring seasickness medication in your
firstaid kit. When you’re on the open water in a sizable vessel, staying
above deck may help. Some say that looking across the horizon instead of
at the waves can help. Focusing on small, dexterityassociated tasks, on the
other hand, may promote seasickness.
If you do get seasick, allowing yourself to vomit may provide almost
immediate relief.
Jungles
Freshwater rivers and lakes in the jungle can host a number of dangerous
creatures such as alligators and crocodiles, not all of which are visible from
the shore or your boat. Many of these animals have been known to attack
boats and other vessels, so plan your trip carefully by avoiding proximity
to them whenever possible.
You’ll find many smaller, though no less hazardous, critters along the
way. The black piranha is the most dangerous freshwater fish in the world.
Dangers and Hazards (^) | 271