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#237964 - 12/25/11 02:40 AM Re: Survival items WITHIN our bodies [Re: Chisel]
Bingley Offline
Veteran

Registered: 02/27/08
Posts: 1580
I'm not sure where we can go with this idea. It seems that our body is already built for survival: an energy system that takes fuel from the environment, a water-based thermal regulation system, immunity against microbes, and even a system for producing copies of ourselves, slightly changed to improve our survival chances (is that family-friendly enough for you, Jim?). To treat our bodies like an expendable resource in most situations doesn't seem like such a great approach. It's getting into Dwight K. Schrute territory. Will we be discussing self-cannibalism next?

Too bad we can't burn our waste. Otherwise that's a source of fuel.

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#237969 - 12/25/11 03:05 AM Re: Survival items WITHIN our bodies [Re: Bingley]
aloha Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 11/16/05
Posts: 1059
Loc: Hawaii, USA
I have used the oil from my face to lubricate the top of a bow drill spindle. And pee'd on a small fire used to make coffee to start extinguishing it.
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#238081 - 12/28/11 12:26 AM Re: Survival items WITHIN our bodies [Re: Bingley]
Hikin_Jim Offline
Sheriff
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 10/12/07
Posts: 1804
Loc: Southern California
Originally Posted By: Bingley
Too bad we can't burn our waste. Otherwise that's a source of fuel.
Well, they burn "buffalo chips" and yak dung, don't they?

I think though that it's herbivores' waste that you want. I think carnivore/omnivore waste isn't as good.

HJ
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#238270 - 12/30/11 04:13 AM Re: Survival items WITHIN our bodies [Re: Hikin_Jim]
Byrd_Huntr Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 01/28/10
Posts: 1174
Loc: MN, Land O' Lakes & Rivers ...
Originally Posted By: Hikin_Jim
Originally Posted By: Bingley
Too bad we can't burn our waste. Otherwise that's a source of fuel.
Well, they burn "buffalo chips" and yak dung, don't they?

I think though that it's herbivores' waste that you want. I think carnivore/omnivore waste isn't as good.

HJ


What about vegetarians?
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#238272 - 12/30/11 04:20 AM Re: Survival items WITHIN our bodies [Re: Chisel]
hikermor Offline
Geezer in Chief
Geezer

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
Vegetarians would be fine fuel sources as long as they eat lots of cellulose - tree bark, grass, twigs, and the like.
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#238277 - 12/30/11 11:13 AM Re: Survival items WITHIN our bodies [Re: hikermor]
bacpacjac Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 05/05/07
Posts: 3601
Loc: Ontario, Canada
Originally Posted By: hikermor
Vegetarians would be fine fuel sources as long as they eat lots of cellulose - tree bark, grass, twigs, and the like.


Use the people who eat what food eats as a fuel source? LOL!
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#238467 - 01/02/12 12:27 PM Re: Survival items WITHIN our bodies [Re: aloha]
Brangdon Offline
Veteran

Registered: 12/12/04
Posts: 1204
Loc: Nottingham, UK
Originally Posted By: aloha
I have used the oil from my face to lubricate the top of a bow drill spindle.
I have heard of ear wax being used for the same purpose.
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#238488 - 01/02/12 08:53 PM Re: Survival items WITHIN our bodies [Re: Brangdon]
MostlyHarmless Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 06/03/09
Posts: 982
Loc: Norway
Happy new year everyone!

I thought this thread would be more like "Wolvervine" with Mora style blades... cool

To be at least bordering on topic: If you neglect to pee or do "nr 2" it seriously impairs your well being and makes you less robust to cold (you freeze a lot quicker). Not exactly what you need in a survival situation. Many simply won't go when deprived of the comfort of a nice, well equipped rest room. Improvise, adapt, overcome - just get the job done, you'll feel better and you have improved your chances.

The waste products are of very limited use - and I can't think of any that hasn't been discussed already.

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#238512 - 01/03/12 01:15 AM Re: Survival items WITHIN our bodies [Re: MostlyHarmless]
Aussie Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 11/12/10
Posts: 205
Loc: Australia
There are plenty of uses for body “survival items”. Here’s a few off the top-of-my-head (LOL):

Urine
-Is sterile, and has been traditionally used (fresh) to wash wounds.
-Breaks down to form ammonia, which is also a useful cleaner and sterilizing agent
-Can be “readily” distilled (solar still) to produce potable water
-Can be used as a fertilizer, when diluted with water (about 1:10), it actually contains a good NPK ratio for plant growth
-Tanners soaked animal skins in urine to remove hair fibers
-Urine is said to be excellent at removing greasy stains from fabric

Hair
-Has been used for production of cordage or millennia
-It is Not a good tinder or kindling, it doesn’t take a flame readily
-Those with a long fringe, or long hair can pull it over their eyes to provide some protection from glare (in the sun or snow)
-Hair provides warmth and (anecdotally) protection from some insects like mosquitoes
Hair is a survival item which you really need to work on well in advance of any situation, some of us are better endowed than others, but I’m sure that appropriate hormone therapy could sort out any deficiencies !

Saliva
-Licking wounds - human saliva has been shown to increase the speed of coagulation for human blood, this process also removes dirt from the wound area.
-Soothes cuts, stings and minor burns
-Lubricant
-Spot cleaning

Teeth
-Breaking and grinding (eg chewing a stick end to make a brush, or softening skins/cordage)
-Holding items as an “extra” hand

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