By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    All-On-4 Dental Implant Surgery: A Guide to the Recovery Process
    All-On-4 Dental Implant Surgery: A Guide to the Recovery Process
    March 22, 2023
    scaling a pharmaceutical product
    Important Steps to Take for Scaling A Biopharma Product
    May 2, 2023
    Liposuction
    The Science Behind Liposuction: How It Works to Sculpt Your Body
    August 23, 2023
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Nursing Shortage Cheerleaders: There You Go Again
    March 22, 2012
    Myth Busters #9: Hysteria Over the Uninsured
    September 27, 2011
    What Causes Inflammation? A Comprehensive Look At The Causes and Effects Of Inflammation (part 3)
    April 10, 2012
    Latest News
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: 10 Myths About Outdoor Medicine – Debunked
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Wilderness Medicine > 10 Myths About Outdoor Medicine – Debunked
Wilderness Medicine

10 Myths About Outdoor Medicine – Debunked

CWSonline
Last updated: January 13, 2012 8:54 am
CWSonline
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

By Paul Auerbach, M.D.

There are many myths related to outdoor medicine. These need to be “debunked,” so that people do not fall prey to outdated and useless techniques. Here are some of the most common myths (in italix):

By Paul Auerbach, M.D.

More Read

The Downer of High Altitude Sickness
Blister Prevention, Management & Treatment
50+ Uses of a Triangular Bandage
Taking Ibuprofen to Avoid Altitude Sickness?
Trench Foot – A Common Ailment of Hikers

There are many myths related to outdoor medicine. These need to be “debunked,” so that people do not fall prey to outdated and useless techniques. Here are some of the most common myths (in italix):

1. Mechanical suction, electric shock, and immersion in ice water are effective first aid (“field”) therapies for snakebite. In truth, these are not only not helpful, they may be quite harmful. Antivenom therapy is the only therapy that has been proven effective, with the possible exception of pressure immobilization for certain elapid (e.g., coral) snake bites.

2. Urinating on a jellyfish sting is an effective method to reduce pain. This is of very limited value. Some persons will cite that it was helpful in their particular case, but at least as many persons will state that it did not diminish the pain. The most effective therapy is decontamination with a specific topical compound, such as vinegar or ammonia. The decontaminant chosen depends upon the species of stinging jellyfish. 

3. Applying a cold pack to a jellyfish sting is the most effective method to reduce the pain. Current information indicates that application of warmth (e.g., immersion in non-scalding hot water) may be much more beneficial.

4. Rabies shots are injected into the abdomen and are horribly painful. Not true- post exposure rabies vaccination may include a painful component as rabies immune globulin is injected into the bite site, but the subsequent vaccine, which is administered as part of the post exposure treatment, is given as a series of very tolerable injections into the arm or thigh.

5. In any circumstance of frostbite, rapid rewarming is essential. Actually, this should only be done if the body part can be relatively guaranteed to remain thawed. Otherwise, re-freezing the tissue causes significantly more damage than does the initial episode of freezing.

6. The Heimlich maneuver should be used for any victim of submersion (near-drowning) to remove water from the lungs and improve the chance for survival. The Heimlich maneuver has never been proven to be of use in humans in this situation, and may in fact increase the risk for vomiting and harmful inhalation of gastric contents. There is no evidence that it removes water from the lungs. 

7. Drinking large amounts of liquids is harmful during exercise because it promotes stomach cramps. Quite the opposite – so long as the ingested amounts are prudent and don’t promote nausea from a full stomach, it is essential to replace fluids and electrolytes constantly during periods of high exertion, particularly in the heat, to avoid dehydration.

8. A person struck by lightning is “electrically charged” and may not be safely touched. This is not true. It is perfectly safe to touch such a person, and in fact the sooner that breathing can be supported, the more likely that the victim will survive with maximal neurological recovery.

9. In cold water, it is better to remain in the water where one feels warm that to pull oneself onto a rescue vessel or platform and be exposed to wind chill. Absolutely not true – one may lose heat 25 times as fast in the water as in air, so no matter how uncomfortable you feel, if it is possible to get out of the water, do so. 

10. Sharks and bears are attracted to menstrual blood, so it is important for women to avoid diving and hiking during menstruation. This is a false concept, and has never been proven to be true, either epidemiologically or scientifically.

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

healthcare facilities
Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
Global Healthcare Infographics
June 15, 2025
from gut to glow
From Plate to Wellness: How Everyday Foods Nourish Your Body Inside and Out
Dental health Infographics Specialties
June 15, 2025
beyond nutrition
Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
Health Infographics
June 15, 2025
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy
How TMS Therapy Helps with Treatment-Resistant Mental Illness
Mental Health Therapies
June 13, 2025

You Might also Like

The Coldest Journey: Q&A with Dr. Rob Lambert, Expedition Team Doctor

January 17, 2013
Health careHealth ReformHome HealthMedical EthicsMental HealthWilderness Medicine

5 Reasons You Might Want To Try Full Spectrum CBD Oil

May 31, 2019

Rebranding Rural Medicine for Young Doctors

August 12, 2011

Tick Season Has Begun: Are You Prepared?

June 6, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?