20 Survival Myths That Are Completely Wrong and Can Get You Killed

Survival advice gets shared fast, but not all of it deserves a second look. Some tips sound practical until you realize they can make a bad situation even worse.

This roundup pulls together 20 common survival myths that people still repeat, from what to do in the wild to how to react in a house fire or severe weather. The problem is that a few of these ideas are not just wrong, they can be dangerous when it matters most.

Read through the list, and a few of these old assumptions may surprise you.

1. It's not the quenchiest option; as tempting as it seems, just hold out a little longer for that real water.

aixbelle

2. They might just be looking for food or a place to nest for the day.

loveliboi

3. There are actually people out there who have died of dehydration because they kept trying to conserve their water.

Basketballjuice

4. You're essentially giving the tornado more chances to carry your whole house away.

NightOnFuckMountain

5. The best way to warm them up is through body heat. Put their frosty skin near yours.

Grungemaster

6. Moss can grow anywhere it likes, and the tree can't do anything about it.

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Some of these myths have been around for years, which is exactly why they keep getting repeated.

7. If you're lost or injured in the woods, your best chances of survival depend on being found quickly.

Histidine

8. That will just make it easier for killers to stalk their prey. Why do you think predators always separate their prey from the group?

Mission_Blueberry_48

9. That guy probably wouldn't actually survive if he didn't have his film crew there with him.

DemocracySausage89

10. Animals don't have the same body systems as humans, so don't trust everything that goes into them.

lordbeezlebub

11. Just because it looks crystal clear and nothing is in it doesn't mean it doesn't have any deadly bacteria waiting for you.

12inch_Juicy_Burrito

That is where a lot of people get caught off guard.

It’s the same kind of safety-first call as the friend pressuring you to pet sit an aggressive cat.

12. The elements can weaken you much faster than a lack of food for one night, and yes, herbivores can absolutely mess you up.

kuroi_sny

13. Just run straight ahead for your life. The alligator will eventually decide it's had enough of the chase.

TchaikenNugget

14. They're just curious creatures most of the time.

swaggy_kyu

15. You'll only make your blood flow out faster, and you'll likely die from blood loss.

Alexastria

16. Just avoid any places they might strike altogether, because although you might survive the first strike, two strikes don't sound too good.

CatboyInAMaidOutfit

17. They might get revived for a little while, but that doesn't mean they're completely out of the danger zone.

Q8Q

18. The best chances of finding that person or any clues to their disappearance lie in those early hours after someone notices them missing.

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19. It helps with frostbite, though.

Morning_Throbber

20. It's better to wrap up to protect yourself from getting burned by the sun and freezing to death.

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Double-checking a survival tip can make all the difference when the stakes are high.

A backup plan never hurts either.

Before you “save” yourself, see how someone chose safety over an unprepared hiking buddy in this Mount Everest dilemma.