How to survive a nuclear attack and shelter against radioactive fallout debris
What is nuclear fallout? Fallout refers to the process by which wind carries radioactive materials through the air. After a nuclear bomb or other nuclear explosive device is detonated, residual radioactive material is propelled into the upper atmosphere. The material then falls from the sky, showering earth with radioactive debris.…
How to survive gas (chemical) and viral (biological and virus) attacks – all about decontamination, respirators, masks, and other protective equipment.
How to recognize a gas attack It's true, some gases are odorless and colorless and near impossible to detect but in many cases, there are signs that a gas attack is occurring. Obviously, look for vapors trailing from a low flying aircraft. In many attacks, there were reports of…
Snipers – how they operate and how to avoid their gun sights
About professional snipers Professional snipers, particularly military-trained snipers, are well versed in marksmanship, field craft, reconnaissance, observation, surveillance, target acquisition and of course, camouflage. Avoiding a sniper attack can be nearly impossible but by understanding how they work, and following a few simple avoidance tactics, it’s possible you may…
Mountain Lion Dangers and how to defend yourself against a Mountain Lion attack
About the Mountain Lion or Cougar Unlike bears (see defense against bear attacks here), Mountain Lions (also known as cougar, puma, mountain lion, mountain cat, catamount or panther) usually go after a person with the intent to eat ; They tend to stalk their victim before the attack and they…
Bear Dangers and how to defend yourself against a bear attack
About Bears Forget the generic bear defense tips you read on other sites. Although there are many common defense strategies, how you defend yourself against a bear attack depends on the species of bear. In addition, poor wilderness etiquette can increase bear dangers for your fellow outdoorsmen so you must…
How to avoid toxic or poisonous (non edible) fish
How to tell if a fish is toxic or poisonous There are no simple rules to tell edible fish from those with poisonous flesh and it's a simple fact - toxic fish contain various types of poisonous substances or toxins in their flesh and are dangerous to eat. In general however, they…
Terebra Shells
Terebra shells Terebridae species These shells are found in both temperate and tropical waters. They are similar to cone shells but much thinner and longer. They poison in the same way as cone shells, but their venom is not as poisonous.
Cone Shells
Cone shells Conidae species These cone-shaped shells have smooth, colorful mottling and long, narrow openings in the base of the shell. They live under rocks, in crevices and coral reefs, and along rocky shores and protected bays in tropical areas. All have tiny teeth that are similar to hypodermic needles.…
Portuguese Man-of-War
Portuguese man-of-war Physalis species Although it resembles a jellyfish, the Portuguese man-of-war is actually a colony of sea animals. Mainly found in tropical regions; however, the Gulf stream current can carry it as far as Europe. It is also found as far south as Australia. The floating portion of the…
Blue-ringed Octopus
Blue-ringed octopus Hapalochlaena species This small octopus is usually found on the Great Barrier Reef off eastern Australia. It is grayish-white with iridescent blue ringlike markings. This octopus usually will not bite unless stepped on or handled. Its bite is extremely poisonous and frequently lethal.
Weever Fish
Weever fish Trachinidae species The weever fish is a tropical fish that is fairly slim and about 30 centimeters (12 inches) long. All its fins have venomous spines that cause a painful wound.
Toadfish
Toadfish Batrachoididae species Toadfish are found in the tropical waters off the coasts of South and Central America. They are between and 25 centimeters (7 to 10 inches) long and have a dull color and large mouths. They bury themselves in the sand and may be easily stepped on. They…
Tang or Surgeonfish
Tang or surgeonfish Acanthuridae species Tang or surgeonfish average 20 to 25 centimeters (8 to 10 inches) in length, with a deep body, small mouth, and bright coloration. They have needlelike spines on the side of the tail that cause extremely painful wounds. This fish is found in all tropical…
Stonefish
Stonefish Synanceja species Stonefish are found in the tropical waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans. Averaging about 30 centimeters (12 inches) in length, their subdued colors and lumpy shape provide them with exceptional camouflage. When stepped on, the fins in the dorsal spine inflict an extremely painful and sometimes…
Siganus Fish
Siganus fish The siganus fish is small, about 10 to 15 centimeters (4 to 6 inches) long, and looks much like a small tuna. It has venomous spines in its dorsal and ventral fins. These spines can inflict painful stings.
Scorpion Fish or Zebra Fish
Scorpion fish or zebra fish Scorpaenidae species Scorpion fish live mainly in the reefs in the Pacific and Indian oceans. They vary from 30 to 90 centimeters (12 to 35 inches) long, are usually reddish in coloration, and have long wavy fins and spines. They inflict an intensely painful sting.
Rabbitfish
Rabbitfish Siganidae species Rabbitfish are found predominantly on the reefs in the Pacific and Indian oceans. They average about 30 centimeters (12 inches) long and have very sharp spines in their fins. The spines are venomous and can inflict intense pain.
Stingray
Stingray Dasyatidae species Stingrays inhabit shallow water, especially in the tropics, but in temperate regions as well. All have a distinctive ray shape, but coloration may make them hard to spot unless they are swimming (Stingrays settle into the sand). Shuffling your feet, rather than stepping, to avoid stepping on…
Dangerous Sea Animals
Dangerous Fish and Mollusks Fish and mollusks may be one of your major sources of food. Therefore, it is wise to know which ones are dangerous, what the dangers of the various fish are, what precautions to take, and what to do if you are injured by one of these…
Mexican Beaded Lizard
Mexican beaded lizard Heloderma horridum Description: Less colorful than its cousin, the gila monster. It has black or pale yellow bands or is entirely black. Characteristics: Very strong legs let this lizard crawl over rocks and dig burrows. It is short-tempered. It will turn and open its mouth in a…
Gila Monster
Gila monster Heloderma suspectum Description: Robust, with a large head and a heavy tail. Its body is covered with beadlike scales. It is capable of storing fat against lean times when food is scarce. Its color is striking in rich blacks laced with yellow or pinkish scales. Characteristics: Not an…
Yellow Bellied Sea Snake – how to identify, avoid their habitat, and treatment for their bite.
Yellow-bellied sea snake Pelamis platurus Description: Upper part of body is black or dark brown and lower part is bright yellow. Characteristics: A highly venomous snake belonging to the cobra family. This snake is truly of the pelagic species - it never leaves the water to come to shore. It…
Banded Sea Snake – how to identify, avoid their habitat, and treatment for their bite.
Banded sea snake Laticauda colubrina Description: Smooth-scaled snake that is a pale shade of blue with black bands. Its oarlike tail provides propulsion in swimming. Characteristics: Most active at night, swimming close to shore and at times entering tide pools. Its venom is a very strong neurotoxin. Its victims are…
Tiger Snake – how to identify, avoid their habitat, and treatment for their bite.
Tiger snake Notechis scutatus Description: Olive to dark brown above with yellowish or olive belly and crossbands. The subspecies in Tasmania and Victoria is uniformly black. Characteristics: It is the most dangerous snake in Australia. It is very common and bites many humans. It has a very potent neurotoxic venom…
Taipan Snake – how to identify, avoid their habitat, and treatment for their bite.
Taipan Oxyuranus scutellatus Description: Generally uniformly olive or dark brown, with a somewhat darker brown head. Characteristics: Considered one of the most deadly snakes. It has an aggressive disposition. When aroused, it can display a fearsome appearance by flattening its head, raising it off the ground, waving it back and…
