Good physical health is essential to survival
- The Cooking and Fishing chapters outline methods of catching, cooking and storing food.
- The First Aid chapter highlights insect stings, snake and animal bites,cleanliness, drowning, etc. The First Aid chapter also outlines methods to prevent disease and treatment of injuries.
- Injuries: Even minor injuries are potentially serious as they can become infected. Carefully treat every cut, sprain, or bruise.
- Bleeding: Limit bleeding by the methods outlined in the First Aid chapter.
- Blisters: Avoid blisters on your feet as they will restrict your movement. Never miss a chance to dry your socks by the fire.
- Insects: The ferocity, persistence and quantity of insects in the bush are always an insurmountable surprise. Small insects such as black flies can be a major problem. Short exposure to them can make life unbearable.
Follow the simple rules of personal hygiene to protect yourself against disease and injury.
- Brush your teeth using table salt or baking soda as a substitute for toothpaste. If you do not have a toothbrush chew a green twig to a pulpy consistency. Rinse your mouth after each meal.
- Use soap and water to keep clean. Special attention should be given to areas on your body that are susceptible to rash and fungus infection, between your toes, your crotch and scalp. If soap is not available use wood ash as a substitute. A daily shower with hot water and soap is ideal. If this is impossible, keep your hands as clean as possible and sponge and dry your face, armpits, crotch, and feet at least once a day.
- Keep your clothing, especially your underclothing and socks, as clean and dry as possible. If laundering is impossible shake out your clothing and expose them to the sun and air every day. Clothing should be kept clean as clean clothing does not wear out as fast and cleanliness will reduce your exposure to rashes and infections.
- Have up to date immunization before you travel.
- Guard against heat illness, cold, windchill. hypothermia and fatigue.