New "preppers" use caution!!

[justanothergunnut]

I know this has been stated, re stated then hammered on some more HOWEVER. When you are learning new skills especially those that may prove to be hazardous APPROACH WITH CAUTION.. Yesterday I attended a short medical "class" basically just a overview with some information on IV administration, emergency re hydration, suturing etc. etc. Now most of the people in attendance were fairly new to the whole thing. There was however one gentleman in the front row who seemed to have a burning desire to share his "knowledge". It started with him suggesting that one could use a .3 micron water filter inline on a IV set to make safe questionable fluids for administration. Among his other enlightened money saving approaches was purchasing gallon size jugs of denatured alcohol at the paint store for use as a cheaper solution to Isopropyl alcohol wound cleaner. THANKFULLY one of the two presenters was actually qualified to teach on the subject and he immediately jumped in and advised all in attendance that bad medical advise will get you killed. See denatured alcohol is a caustic poison. ALL in a attempt to save a couple $$.. My point is 1. don't assume every "expert" with a internet connection knows what he is talking about and 2. sometimes you cant substitute for the real thing. I know it's tempting, we all want to save as much cash as we can but hooking up a makeshift IV line to your camel back is a STUPID idea and it WILL GET YOU KILLED. This goes for many of the skills we learn about survival. One of my personal favorite wives tale that just won't die is using liquor to warm up. Bad Idea , don't do it..

[610Alpha]

I know this has been stated, re stated then hammered on some more HOWEVER. When you are learning new skills especially those that may prove to be hazardous APPROACH WITH CAUTION.. Yesterday I attended a short medical "class" basically just a overview with some information on IV administration, emergency re hydration, suturing etc. etc. Now most of the people in attendance were fairly new to the whole thing. There was however one gentleman in the front row who seemed to have a burning desire to share his "knowledge". It started with him suggesting that one could use a .3 micron water filter inline on a IV set to make safe questionable fluids for administration. Among his other enlightened money saving approaches was purchasing gallon size jugs of denatured alcohol at the paint store for use as a cheaper solution to Isopropyl alcohol wound cleaner. THANKFULLY one of the two presenters was actually qualified to teach on the subject and he immediately jumped in and advised all in attendance that bad medical advise will get you killed. See denatured alcohol is a caustic poison. ALL in a attempt to save a couple $$.. My point is 1. don't assume every "expert" with a internet connection knows what he is talking about and 2. sometimes you cant substitute for the real thing. I know it's tempting, we all want to save as much cash as we can but hooking up a makeshift IV line to your camel back is a STUPID idea and it WILL GET YOU KILLED. This goes for many of the skills we learn about survival. One of my personal favorite wives tale that just won't die is using liquor to warm up. Bad Idea , don't do it..

Alcohol thins the blood (don't take my word for it look it up yourself) and makes you "feel" warmer but in actuality you are NOT.

http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/mythbusters-database/alcohol-warms-up.htm

[justanothergunnut]

it also causes the blood vessels to dilate which brings more blood to the surface of the skin and away from our core. Our skin is a great heat sink. As that blood passes through the blood vessels at the surface it cools thus cooling our core and setting up a perfect situation for hypothermia. Yet I constantly hear people expound on the virtues of drinking booze when they are cold. This myth was busted years ago yet still it persists.

[DIM TIM]

Most likely spread by alcoholics. :rolleyes: