Ultimate Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook Page 3

  HOW TO ESCAPE FROM A CHARGING BULL

  1 Do not antagonize the bull, and do not move.

  Bulls will generally leave humans alone unless they become angry.

  2 Look around for a safe haven—an escape route, cover, or high ground.

  Running away is not likely to help unless you find an open door, a fence to jump, or another safe haven—bulls can easily outrun humans. If you can reach a safe spot, make a run for it.

  3 If a safe haven is not available, remove your shirt, hat, or another article of clothing.

  Use this to distract the bull. It does not matter what color the clothing is. Despite the colors that bullfighters traditionally use, bulls do not naturally head for red—they react to and move toward movement, not color.

  4 If the bull charges, remain still and then throw your shirt or hat away from you.

  The bull should head toward the object you’ve thrown.

  If You Encounter a Stampede

  If you encounter a stampede of bulls or cattle, do not try to distract them. Try to determine where they are headed, and then get out of the way. If you cannot escape, your only option is to run alongside the stampede to avoid getting trampled. Bulls are not like horses and will not avoid you if you lie down—so keep moving.

  If you cannot find safe cover from a charging bull, remove articles of clothing and throw them away from your body.

  HOW TO FEND OFF A CHARGING REINDEER

  1 Stand your ground.

  Most reindeer have been bred to be docile livestock; they are sometimes referred to as “tundra cows.” They will run around, rather than over, a standing person, even when charging in a herd.

  2 Watch for reindeer in rut.

  Reindeer mate from late August to October, when they are in rut, or heat, and much more dangerous. Each male, or bull, will keep a harem of females and will become unpredictable and aggressive with any person who approaches. While both male and female reindeer have antlers, male reindeer are noticeably larger, weighing 400 pounds or more. During rut, necks on males will be large and swollen.

  3 Watch for front-leg kicking.

  When disturbed, reindeer will rear up on the hind legs and kick out with the front hooves. Females are generally not dangerous except when defending calves. Stay well back and to the side to avoid being kicked. During rut, reindeer bulls will try to gore rather than kick, if antagonized.

  4 Watch for antler display.

  Before goring, a male will often attempt to intimidate by showing, or “presenting,” his antlers, turning his head to the side. Be wary in approaching or cornering a bull reindeer during this display.

  5 Back up slowly.

  Speak to the reindeer in a soft voice. Do not make any sudden movements.

  6 Do not raise your arms over your head.

  The bull may take this as a challenge and a sign that you are also displaying antlers.

  7 If the reindeer attempts to gore you, grab the antlers.

  Grasp one branch with each hand and attempt to steer the head away from you. If the reindeer tries to lunge forward, you may not be able to stop it, but guiding the antlers may allow you to redirect its charge.

  8 Move to the side quickly as you release the antlers.

  The reindeer will now be beside you and may just move away. Do not run, or you will call attention to yourself. Carefully put distance between yourself and the reindeer.

  9 Call for help.

  Using a voice and tone that does not further antagonize the reindeer, advise others in the area of your situation. They may be able to distract the reindeer, if it is still in pursuit.

  RUNAWAY ANIMALS

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  Hang on tight and pull the reins to one side to make the camel run in a circle. It will stop on its own.

  HOW TO CONTROL A RUNAWAY CAMEL

  1 Hang on to the reins—but do not pull them back hard in an attempt to stop the camel.

  A camel’s head, unlike that of a wayward horse, cannot always be pulled to the side to slow it down. Camels are usually harnessed with a head halter or nose reins, and pulling on the nose reins can tear the camel’s nose—or break the reins.

  2 If the camel has sturdy reins and a head halter, pull the reins to one side to make the camel run in a circle.

  Do not fight the camel; pull the reins in the direction in which the camel attempts to turn its head. The camel may change direction several times—let it do so.

  3 If the camel has nose reins, just hang on tight.

  Use the reins for balance, and grip with your legs. If there is a saddle, hold on to the horn.

  4 Hold on until the camel stops.

  Whether the camel is running in circles or in a straight path, it will not run very far. The camel will sit down when it grows tired.

  5 When the camel sits, jump off.

  Hold on to the reins to keep it from running off.

  Ways to Calm a Spooked Horse

  Don’t be tense; the horse will be more scared if she thinks you are.

  Hold your hands palms-up.

  Approach slowly, talking in a soft and firm voice.

  Do not reward the skittish behavior with kindness (saying “there, there,” etc.).

  Distract the horse.

  Bring a confident, nonspooked horse to stand nearby.

  Be patient; horses can take a long time to recover from being spooked.

  Reward brave behavior, giving a treat and kind words when the horse stops being scared.

  Sit up in the saddle as much as you can. Fight the instinct to lean forward.

  HOW TO STOP A RUNAWAY HORSE

  1 Hold on tight to the saddle with your hands and thighs.

  Most injuries occur when the rider is thrown, falls, or jumps off the horse and hits the ground or some immovable object, such as a tree or fence post.

  2 Grip the saddle horn or the front of the saddle with one hand and the reins with the other.

  If you have lost hold of the reins, hold on to the saddle horn or the horse’s mane and wait for the horse to slow or stop.

  3 Sit up in the saddle as much as you can.

  Fight the instinct to lean forward (it will be especially strong if you are in a wooded area with many trees and branches), since this is not the standard position for a rider when the horse is asked to stop (whoa!), and the horse can feel the difference. Keep a deep seat, with your feet pushed a little forward in the stirrups.

  4 Alternately tug and release the reins with a medium pressure.

  Never jerk or pull too hard on the reins of a horse running at full speed—you could pull the horse off balance, and it may stumble or fall. There is a very high risk of serious injury or death if the horse falls while running at full speed (25 to 30 mph).

  Kicked by a Zebra

  Move back: Zebras kick with their hind legs when they are followed too closely, or with the front legs as a defensive measure. The zebra’s powerful hindquarters can deliver a kick with force sufficient to break a crocodile’s jaw.

  How to Dismount from a Rearing and Bucking Horse

  Kick your feet out of the stirrups and release the reins. Throw your arms around the neck of the horse as it rears backward. Maintain your grasp and slide around the side of the horse, land on your feet, and push away from the horse to avoid being trampled. This maneuver is known as an emergency dismount.

  5 When the horse slows down to a slow lope or a trot, pull one rein to the side with steady pressure so that the horse’s head moves to the side, toward your foot in the stirrup.

  This maneuver will cause the horse to walk in a circle. The horse will become bored, sense that you are in control again, and slow to a near stop.

  6 When the horse is at a walk, pull back with slow, steady pressure on both reins until the horse stops. Dismount the horse immediately, before it has a chance to bolt again.

  Hold the reins as you get down to keep the horse from moving.

  WARNING!

  Long reins dangling i
n front of a horse may cause it to trip. Inexperienced riders should tie the ends of the reins together so that they cannot fall past the horse’s neck and pose added danger.

  Horses bolt when they are frightened or extremely irritated. The key response is to remain in control of the situation without causing the horse greater anxiety. Talk to it reassuringly and rub its neck with one hand. Yelling, screaming, and kicking the horse will only make it more agitated.

  DOGS

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  HOW TO SILENCE A BARKING ADDICT

  Give your dog more attention.

  Many canines bark out of loneliness. Increased quality time with your pet can help mitigate her tendency to vocalize.

  Give your dog less attention.

  Do not comfort a barking dog. Do not reinforce the idea that making noise reaps benefits.

  Use negative reinforcement techniques.

  Startle the dog in mid-bark by rattling a soft drink can filled with a handful of coins. At the same time, say “Quiet!” in a firm voice. Eventually the dog will respond to the command alone.

  Do not shout at the dog.

  Remain calm. If the dog barks because she believes she is defending her territory, seeing her owner become agitated will only reinforce her view that defense is warranted.

  Introduce your dog to people she finds threatening.

  Dogs will bark at frequent visitors such as mail carriers. Arrange a face-to-face “meet and greet” with such regular strangers. If the canine sees the person as a known quantity, she may respond less aggressively. Closely supervise such meetings.

  Introduce your dog to people she finds threatening.

  Reward silence in your absence.

  Walk out the front door as if you are going somewhere. Say “Quiet” to your dog as you leave. When the dog begins to bark, step back in and say “Quiet” again. Leave once more. Only return when the dog is silent—even if she is silent only for a few seconds.

  Household Items Tat Are Toxic to Canines

  U.S. pennies One-cent coins minted since 1982, which contain high concentrations of zinc, can cause anemia and kidney and liver failure.

  Chocolate The darker the variety, the more dangerous; theobromine, a natural stimulant found in chocolate, can cause arrhythmia, seizures, muscle tremors, and coma.

  Onions Can cause destruction of red blood cells, triggering severe anemia.

  Garlic Can also trigger severe anemia.

  Antifreeze Dogs are attracted by its sweet taste; very toxic.

  Macadamia nuts Can cause depression, weakness, muscular stiffness, vomiting, tremors, elevated heart rate.

  Raisins and grapes Can cause renal failure in dogs who eat large amounts.

  Tobacco Can cause severe vomiting, elevated heart rate, blood pressure drops, seizures, respiratory failure.

  Alcohol Even small amounts can cause alcohol poisoning; the smaller the dog, the greater the danger.

  Mistletoe Triggers gastrointestinal disorders and cardiovascular collapse.

  HOW TO GIVE A DOG A PILL

  1 Sit on the floor in front of your dog.

  Place smaller dogs on your lap.

  2 Grasp the dog’s head using your nondominant hand.

  Be firm but not harsh. Place your hand on top of the muzzle, with your thumb on one side and fingers on the other.

  3 Raise the dog’s nose.

  Squeeze firmly behind the canine or “eye” teeth until the jaw opens.

  4 Place the pill between the thumb and forefinger of your dominant hand.

  Use the hand’s other three fingers to open the lower jaw further.

  5 Place the pill far back in the dog’s mouth.

  6 Close the mouth.

  7 Tilt up the chin.

  Keep the mouth closed and stroke the throat to help with swallowing.

  8 Give the dog a treat.

  BE AWARE!

  Blowing on the nose may stimulate the dog to swallow.

  Hiding the pill in peanut butter or some other treat the dog covets is the easiest way to administer a pill. However, some canines become quite adept at eating the treat and leaving the pill.

  Use your hand to keep the dogs mouth closed after placing the pill in his mouth.

  How to Clean Dog Poop Off a Shoe

  Use a stick to scrape out poop from beneath the tread of your shoe.

  Drag sneaker though grass or over edged curb.

  Dip shoe bottom into park fountain.

  Emergency Rain Gear

  Cut or tear holes in a plastic shopping bag for the dog’s paws and head. Use a kitchen- or yard-sized bag for larger breeds. Carefully slip the bag over the dog’s head, and ease the front and back paws through the holes.

  HOW TO GET RID OF SKUNK ODOR ON YOUR DOG

  1 Keep the dog outside.

  2 Flush the dog’s eyes with water.

  3 Change your clothes and remove jewelry.

  The compound used to remove skunk odor can discolor fabric and, in contact with metals, irritate skin.

  4 Prepare special odor-removing wash.

  Mix 1 quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide with 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap. Ingredients will bubble furiously when combined. This quantity is sufficient for a medium-sized dog. A larger canine may need more.

  5 Apply mixture immediately.

  Use the odor-removing compound while still foaming, as this is when it is most effective. Place dog in bathtub or outdoor tub and work mixture into fur, avoiding mouth and eyes. Leave for several minutes or until the foaming stops, then rinse thoroughly. Reapply if odor persists.

  6 Dry the dog.

  7 Repeat washing, if necessary.

  This treatment can irritate a dog’s skin, so wait at least 48 hours before bathing a second time.

  WARNING!

  Skunk spray consists of the ejected contents of the animal’s anal glands. A freshly sprayed canine can transfer the scent to carpet, furniture, and anything else he brushes against. The odor can cause nausea and dizziness in humans.

  Discard the dog’s collar or harness. It will spread skunk odor to anything it touches and isn’t worth the extensive effort it would take to deodorize it.

  Skunks can carry rabies. Examine your pet for bites.

  HOW TO GIVE A DOG CPR

  1 Position the dog on her side.

  The back is better for barrel-chested breeds. Make sure the dog is on a firm surface.

  2 Kneel next to the dog.

  3 Compress the chest.

  For small dogs, place your palm and fingertips over the ribs at the point where the elbow meets the chest. Compress the chest approximately one inch, twice per second. Alternate every five compressions with one breath. For medium to large dogs, extend your elbows and cup your hands on top of each other. Place hands over the ribs at the point where the dog’s elbows meet the chest; then compress it two to three inches, two times per second. Alternate every five compressions with one breath. For dogs that weigh more than 100 pounds, compress the chest two or three inches once per second, alternating every 10 compressions with a breath.

  4 Check for a heartbeat.

  After one minute, listen for a heartbeat. If none is found, continue with compressions.

  To give artificial respiration, tilt the dogs head back, place hand around the muzzle, put your mouth over the nose, and breathe into the dogs nose.

  SEA ANIMALS

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  HOW TO ESCAPE FROM A GIANT OCTOPUS

  1 Pull away quickly.

  In many cases, a human can escape from the grasp of a small- to medium-sized octopus by just swimming away. Propel yourself forward to create a pulling pressure on the octopus’s arms. If you cannot get away, or if you feel yourself being pulled back, continue to the next step.

  2 Do not go limp.

  Octopi are naturally curious and, if strong enough, will check to see if you are a food item before letting you go. Do not act passively, or you may be b
itten or quickly enveloped by the octopus’s web, a flexible sheath used to trap prey. Once you are caught in a “web-over,” escape will be extremely difficult. However, octopi tire easily, so continue to put pressure on the arms by attempting to swim away. The octopus may decide to let you go rather than bring you in for a closer look.

  3 Prevent the octopus’s arms from wrapping around your arms.

  Initially, the octopus will secure itself to a rock or coral formation and reach out to grab you with just one or two arms. Once it has a firm grip on you, it will move you toward its mouth (called a “beak”) by transferring you to the next sucker up the arm. Do not allow the first two octopus arms to pin your own arms to your sides, or you will have little chance of fighting it off.

  4 Peel the suckers from your body.

  Using your hands, start at the tip of each octopus arm and remove each successive sucker from your body, like peeling up a bath mat. Once you have loosened one of the octopus’s arms, give it a spear, raft, surfboard, or other object to latch on to. Work quickly, before the suckers reattach to your body or the octopus’s other arms have a chance to grab you.