Tropical jungle survival?

**Jay** · 12-08-2007, 03:00 PM

Have any of you folk been in a tropical jungle survival situation? If so I'd like to hear what type of problems you ran into and how you overcame them if you dont mind. It could be very useful to me, as I spend lots of time in the jungle.
thanks

**Gray Wolf** · 12-08-2007, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by Jay

Have any of you folk been in a tropical jungle survival situation? If so I'd like to hear what type of problems you ran into and how you overcame them if you dont mind. It could be very useful to me, as I spend lots of time in the jungle.
thanks

Jay, I do a few treks a year deep into the Florida Everglades, it's tropical and the closest place in the US that reminds me of Viet Nam, but I don't consider it a jungle. So I don't know if that would that help you?

**Sarge47** · 12-08-2007, 10:00 PM

The only jungle I survived were the streets of Chicago whe I was 12 to 14 years old; don't thing that's what your talking about.

**Jay** · 12-09-2007, 07:04 AM

Greetings Grey Wolf,

Were there any paritcular difficulties that you ran in to in Florida? Mossies, Leeches, other wildlife, finding food etc. I understand from what I've read that the Everglades has no shortage of water, but is it drinkable? any info you can share will be greatly appriciated.

Sarge47,
Dont knock the concrete jungle. It can be a terribley harsh place to survive in.
I have the utmost respect for any one who has survived in it and is still in one piece physically and mentally.

In the natural jungle, what you see is what you get. (Mostly) Cant always say that for the concrete one. Survival is survival, no matter where you are!

**Gray Wolf** · 12-09-2007, 01:43 PM

Hi Jay,

Yes, all that water.... But you need to boil it before you drink it, and I mean a hard boil. Animals are of plenty, with terrible habits, as they all drink from the glades, and urinate and defecate there too. There are many deer and other animals that die in the water and rot. Even gators may take down a deer and only eat part of it and the rest rots where it lays. So a hard boil is a must. There is plenty to eat, deer, rabbits, coons, snakes, birds, some plants. There are many plants that are poisonous. There are ticks and mosquitoes the size of a small Piper Cub...... There are growers that set up trip wires, that will launch multiple sharpened bamboo stakes (seems to be their favorite) or explosives. There are smugglers on air boats, waiting for the planes to make their drops. They are heavily armed, to take on the DEA if needed. Once in a while I run across a small plane that was shot down by one of the Blackhawk helicopters Florida has gotten. Again the water in the glades contains the fuel, hydraulic fluid, coke and burnt up wreckage from these planes. You need to watch out for old snares, traps and dead falls, that have been left out there. The Florida Everglades is a very harsh place to trek, especially in the summer months. Best to go in the wintertime. Either way though, trekking miles through the glades is tough. I like doing it a few times a year though, but, I like my mountains across the North better. If you live in Florida, and are 7'6" tall, you could see from Miami to Tampa Bay....... NO MOUNTAINS! I think I do it because any type of thick tropical jungle is harder and more dangerous than any mountains. JMHO
I hope that helps some.
Be Smart, Be Safe

**Jay** · 12-09-2007, 02:12 PM

Thanks Gery Wolf,

Sounds like home to me!!! We have plenty of ticks in our jungles too. can give you tick fever. Nasty! If one latches on you should never pull it off. A burning ember held near, salt, tobacco juice, any type of fruit belongling to the citrus family cut in half & applied will cause them to let go. then you can pick them off. I guess you already know most of this stuff anyway.

**Gray Wolf** · 12-09-2007, 02:52 PM

Jay, is most of the water there drinkable without boiling? The reason everyone will always hear me talk about boiling is 2 fold, First I think it's the safest way to kill anything. 2nd I'm allergic to Iodine, taken or put internally. If it's put on a open cut, I need to take Benadryl. If taken internally... Respiratory arrest.

**Jay** · 12-09-2007, 03:17 PM

Grey Wolf,
Over here, most of the water in our jungles and rural areas has to be boiled for absolute saftey. I have been forced to drink water without boiling but so far have not sufferef any ill effects. It may have something to do with built up immunity. Once when we were out in the jungle every one came down with terrible stomach pains & the ..er...squirts,for three days except me. these guys were regular city folk. I on the other hand was just finishing up a two year project in the area. Every one ate the same food and drank from the same source. or maybe I was just lucky. but I have noticed that I seem to have a fairly tolerant stomach. My wife says it must be lined with stainless steel.
Have you tried potasium permangernate to sterilize the water. Use the crystal form. a little bit about the size of a match head per liter of water. water should be a very pale pink. let it sit for about 30minutes. bit of an odd taste but it will kill most germs.
Here in Sri Lanka we are blessed with several vines & creepers in the jungle that yield water. But you have to know your way around them. if the liquid is anything but clear it shouldnt be drunk. Also you should not let the cut end of the vine touch your mouth as some times the bark or the cambium may contain oxalic or other acids that may cause irritation.

**Gray Wolf** · 12-09-2007, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by Jay

Grey Wolf,
Have you tried potasium permangernate to sterilize the water. Use the crystal form. a little bit about the size of a match head per liter of water. water should be a very pale pink. let it sit for about 30minutes. bit of an odd taste but it will kill most germs.

Yes I have, and it did taste funky. My other problem with the crystals is as you stated it will kill "most" germs. Since I usually alone, I'd just as well be very safe and boil the water and it will kill everything and taste better. Making fire is second nature, and very easy for me, even if it's just for 10 minutes to boil just water.

**Rick** · 12-09-2007, 04:12 PM

Gray Wolf, I'm with you on the boiling. I completely agree. I've looked at everything from the CDC to military to FDA to a lot of old timers. I do carry a Sweet Water purifying system but filters can clog and parts break. Boiling is just so easy and fool proof.

**Gray Wolf** · 12-09-2007, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

Gray Wolf, I'm with you on the boiling. I completely agree. filters can clog and parts break. Boiling is just so easy and fool proof.

That is a great lesson for the newbies! Learn how make a fire, Practice, Practice , Practice .... Water - Fire - Shelter and the the odds are with you if you get into trouble!!!