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Introduction
Psychology of survival
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Desert survival
Terrain
Environmental factors
Need for water
Heat casualties
Precautions
Desert hazards
Tropical survival
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Sea survival
Expedient water crossings
Field-expedient direction finding
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Survival movement in hostile areas
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Survival in man-made hazards
  
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Clouds: foretellers of weather
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Home / Outdoor Survival

OUTDOORSURVIVAL

Desert Survival: Desert Hazards

There are several hazards unique to desert survival. These include insects, snakes, thorned plants and cacti, contaminated water, sunburn, eye irritation, and climatic stress.

Insects of almost every type abound in the desert. Man, as a source of water and food, attracts lice, mites, wasps, and flies. They are extremely unpleasant and may carry diseases. Old buildings, ruins, and caves are favorite habitats of spiders, scorpions, centipedes, lice, and mites. These areas provide protection from the elements and also attract other wild-life. Therefore, take extra care when staying in these areas. Wear gloves at all times in the desert. Do not place your hands anywhere without first looking to see what is there. Visually inspect an area before sitting or lying down. When you get up, shake out and inspect your boots and clothing. All desert areas have snakes. They inhabit ruins, native villages, garbage dumps, caves, and natural rock outcropping that offer shade. Never go barefoot or walk through these areas without carefully inspecting them for snakes. Pay attention to where you place your feet and hands. Most snakebites result from stepping on or handling snakes. Avoid them. Once you see a snake, give it a wide berth.


Desert survival
Terrain | Environmental factors | Need for water | Heat casualties | Precautions | Desert hazards

U.S. Army Survival Manual Buy The Book This Section Is Based On
The "Outdoor Survival" section of our site is based on the "U.S. Army Survival Manual", a public domain work published by the U.S. Department of Defense that is available for sale at Amazon.com.

Buy it now on Amazon.com



 

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