10 KILLER Survival Fails

Ovens Rocky Mountain Bushcraft

7 Jul 202415:09

Summary

TLDRIn this informative video, Greg Ovens of Rocky Mountain Bushcraft debunks common survival myths found in books and on TV. He cautions against rubbing snow on frostbite, eating any berries birds consume, and relying on moss growth to determine direction. Ovens also warns against drinking urine in a survival situation, as it can lead to faster dehydration. He emphasizes the importance of fire-making skills and the practicality of using paracord over plant fibers for bow drill strings. The video serves as a reminder to always research and question survival techniques for reliability in critical situations.

Takeaways

🚫 Rubbing snow on frostbite is dangerous; it should be warmed up instead of being cooled down.
🍓 The myth that eating berries birds eat is safe for humans is debunked; some berries can be deadly.
🌲 Moss growth on trees does not reliably indicate direction, as it can grow on all sides of a tree.
❌ Drinking urine in a survival situation is a fallacy; it can dehydrate you faster than not drinking anything at all.
🔥 The importance of fire-making skills in survival situations, and the practicality of different methods is emphasized.
👟 Shoelaces are not always suitable for making bow drill strings; other materials like paracord are more reliable.
🌿 Making a string from plant fibers can be time-consuming and impractical in a survival situation.
🌞 The use of a clear ice lens to start a fire with the sun is not practical due to the rarity of clear ice and insufficient sun intensity.
🔥 The fire roll method is not practical as it requires specific materials like ash and cotton to smolder into coal.
🔧 Carrying a lighter and a Ferro Rod is recommended for starting fires in survival situations due to their reliability.
🌳 Researching plants is crucial for accurate identification to avoid consuming toxic berries or plants.

Q & A

What is the common misconception about treating frostbite with snow that Greg Ovens addresses in the video?
-The misconception is that rubbing snow on frostbite can warm up a frozen object. In reality, this is harmful as it does not warm the area but instead cools it further, which is the opposite of what should be done.
Why is the advice to eat berries that birds can eat potentially dangerous according to Greg Ovens?
-This advice is dangerous because some birds can safely eat berries that are toxic to humans, such as nightshade berries. Consuming these berries can lead to poisoning and even death.
What is the myth about moss growth on trees that Greg Ovens debunks?
-The myth is that moss only grows on the north side of trees, which could help in navigation. Greg shows that moss can grow all around trees, not just on one side, making this method unreliable for determining direction.
Why should drinking urine be avoided in a survival situation as per Greg Ovens' explanation?
-Drinking urine should be avoided because it contains concentrated salts which can dehydrate a person five times faster than not drinking anything at all. It does not provide the necessary hydration for survival.
What is the importance of the string in a bow drill setup according to Greg Ovens?
-The string is the most important part of a bow drill setup because it needs to be strong and reliable to create friction and generate an ember for starting a fire. Weak or stretching strings can break or fail to produce the necessary heat.
Why does Greg Ovens recommend against using plant fibers like dogbane for a bow drill string in a survival situation?
-Greg recommends against using plant fibers like dogbane because it can take a very long time to create a strong and thick enough string, which is impractical in a survival situation where time is critical.
What is the practical alternative to plant fiber strings that Greg Ovens suggests for a bow drill setup?
-Greg suggests using paracord as a practical alternative because it is reliable, does not break easily, and only needs to be tightened a few times before attempting to start a fire.
Why does Greg Ovens mention the movie 'The Edge' in the context of survival techniques?
-Greg mentions 'The Edge' to illustrate the point that some survival techniques depicted in movies, like making fire from ice, are not practical in real-life situations due to the specific conditions required for them to work.
What is Greg Ovens' opinion on the necessity of bringing a lighter and a Ferro Rod when going into the wilderness?
-Greg believes that bringing both a lighter and a Ferro Rod is essential for wilderness survival. A lighter can be used to start a fire, but if it gets wet, the Ferro Rod serves as a reliable backup as it can still spark even when wet.
Why is it important to do your own research on plants, as emphasized by Greg Ovens?
-It is important to do your own research on plants because there can be mistakes in books and videos about plant identification. Misidentifying plants can lead to consuming toxic berries, which can be dangerous or even fatal.
What are the fallacies Greg Ovens discusses regarding the identification of poisonous and edible berries?
-Greg discusses two fallacies: one is that birds can eat certain berries safely, but humans cannot; the other is that sweet-tasting berries are safe to eat while bitter ones are poisonous, which is not a reliable method of identification.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Debunking Survival Myths

Greg Ovens, a Bushcraft expert, starts by addressing common misconceptions found in survival literature and TV shows that could be life-threatening if followed. He emphasizes the importance of not taking such advice at face value and instead thinking logically. For instance, he explains that rubbing snow on frostbite is harmful, contrary to old first aid teachings. He also refutes the myth that one can eat any berries that birds can eat, highlighting the danger of consuming certain berries like Bane berries. Ovens then discusses the fallacy of moss only growing on the north side of trees to determine direction, showing examples of moss growth all around trees. He also warns against the advice of drinking urine for hydration, explaining that it can lead to faster dehydration due to its high salt content. Lastly, he talks about the impracticality of making a bow drill string from plant fibers, suggesting the use of paracord for its reliability in fire-making, a critical survival skill.

05:03

🌞 Fire Making Misconceptions

In this section, Greg Ovens discusses various fire-making techniques that are not as practical as they may seem. He mentions the method of using ice as a magnifying glass to start a fire, which he finds ineffective due to the rarity of finding clear enough ice and the sun's insufficient intensity. Ovens also addresses the impracticality of the fire roll method, which requires ash and cotton to smolder into coal, pointing out that one would need an initial fire to create these conditions. He advocates for carrying a lighter and a Ferro rod as reliable fire-starting tools, especially since a lighter can fail when wet. Ovens stresses the importance of doing one's own research, especially with plants, as he has found errors in both YouTube videos and plant books. He provides examples of misidentified plants and berries, such as the confusion between thimbleberries and salmonberries, and the incorrect identification of tarium honeysuckle as soapberries. He emphasizes the need for accurate plant identification to avoid consuming toxic berries.

10:04

🍇 Berry Identification and Toxicity

Greg Ovens concludes the script by focusing on the accurate identification of berries, particularly salmonberries and soapberries, and the pitfalls of relying on taste or bird consumption as indicators of edibility. He clarifies that salmonberries have a pinkish flour, unlike the white flour of thimbleberries, and that soapberries are dark red when ripe, unlike the orangey transparent berries of the honeysuckle. Ovens points out that the leaves and stems of these plants have distinct characteristics, such as the velvety underside of the soapberry leaves and the positioning of the berries in relation to the leaves. He also dispels the myth that all bitter berries are poisonous and all sweet berries are safe to eat, using soapberries as an example of an edible but very bitter berry. Ovens reiterates the importance of personal research and verification of information, especially when it comes to foraging for food in the wild.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Survival

Survival refers to the ability of a person or organism to continue living in difficult or adverse conditions. In the context of the video, it is the central theme as the host, Greg Ovens, discusses common misconceptions about survival techniques. The script emphasizes the importance of accurate knowledge for true survival situations, debunking myths that could be harmful if followed.

💡Frostbite

Frostbite is a condition where body tissues freeze from cold, typically affecting extremities like fingers and toes. The video script mentions a common myth about treating frostbite by rubbing snow on it, which is incorrect. The correct approach is to warm the area gradually, not to rub it with cold snow, which can exacerbate the condition.

💡Berries

Berries in the script are discussed as a potential food source in survival situations, but with a warning. The video points out that not all berries that birds can eat are safe for humans, as some can be poisonous. This highlights the importance of accurate plant identification to avoid consuming harmful substances.

💡Moss

Moss is a small, non-vascular plant that grows in damp or shady locations. The script refutes the myth that moss only grows on the north side of trees, which is a common belief used for navigation. Greg demonstrates that moss can grow on all sides of trees, making it an unreliable indicator of direction.

💡Urine

Urine is a bodily fluid that is mentioned in the script as a myth for hydration in survival situations. Drinking urine is said to be a bad idea because it contains concentrated salts that can lead to further dehydration, contradicting a common misconception seen in TV shows and some survival guides.

💡Bow Drill

A bow drill is a primitive method of creating fire by friction. The script discusses the importance of the string used in the bow drill setup, noting that shoelaces and plant fibers may not be practical or reliable for this purpose. Greg suggests using paracord due to its strength and reliability.

💡Paracord

Paracord is a strong, versatile nylon rope originally used in the military. In the context of the video, it is recommended as a reliable material for the bow drill string due to its durability and resistance to breaking, unlike some natural fibers or shoelaces.

💡Fire Making

Fire making is a critical survival skill discussed in the script. Greg emphasizes the practicality of different methods, such as using a bow drill, a sandwich bag as a magnifying glass, and the fire plow technique. He stresses the importance of having a reliable method and tools for starting a fire in a survival situation.

💡Plant Identification

Plant identification is crucial for safety in foraging for food. The script points out the dangers of misidentifying plants, such as confusing thimbleberries with salmonberries, which can lead to consuming toxic berries. Greg encourages viewers to do their research and verify information from multiple sources.

💡Taste Test

Taste test is mentioned as a myth for determining whether a berry is poisonous or not. The script explains that the sweetness or bitterness of a berry does not necessarily correlate with its edibility, and relying on taste alone can be misleading and dangerous.

💡Research

Research is a recurring theme in the script, emphasizing the need for viewers to verify the information presented in survival books and videos. Greg encourages personal research to ensure the accuracy and practicality of survival techniques, especially when it comes to plant identification and foraging.

Highlights

Greg Ovens critiques common survival myths from books and TV shows, emphasizing the importance of logical thinking and practical experience.

Rubbing snow on frostbite is debunked as a harmful old-wives' tale that can exacerbate the condition.

The myth that birds can safely eat all berries that humans can is challenged with examples of deadly berries.

The belief that moss only grows on the north side of trees is refuted with visual evidence.

Drinking urine in a survival situation is cautioned against due to its high salt content, which can lead to faster dehydration.

The importance of the string in a bow drill setup is highlighted, with common materials like shoelaces found impractical.

The impracticality of making a bow drill string from plant fibers without readily available strong materials is discussed.

Paracord is recommended for bow drill strings due to its reliability and quick setup time in survival situations.

The use of a sandwich bag as a makeshift magnifying glass for fire starting is noted as situational and not always effective.

Greg shares his unsuccessful attempts at making fire with ice, pointing out the impracticality of this method.

The fire roll method is critiqued for its reliance on specific materials and conditions that may not be available in a survival scenario.

The combination of a lighter and a Ferro rod is suggested for reliable fire starting in various conditions.

The necessity of personal research on plants is underscored with examples of misinformation in popular media.

Mistaken plant identification in foraging videos and books is used to illustrate the dangers of relying on inaccurate sources.

The differences between thimbleberries, salmonberries, and soapberries are detailed to prevent foraging errors.

The myth that bitter berries are poisonous and sweet berries are safe is debunked with examples of edible bitter berries.

Greg concludes by emphasizing the importance of personal research and verification of survival techniques and plant identification.