Dangers of the Mojave Desert

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Dangers of the Mojave Desert

• Daniel Nogee

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Dangers of the Mojave Desert

• Primary Dangers
• Heat related illnesses
• Dehydration
• Wildlife
• Other Dangers
• Precautions
• What to do if you get lost in the desert

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Heat related illnesses

• Three main types of heat illness
• Heat cramps
• Heat exhaustion
• Heat stroke
• Same causes
• Lack of water
• Body overheats
• Increasing severity

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Types of Heat Gain
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Heat Cramps

• Causes
• Moderate loss of salt, ions
• Effects
• Moderate to severe muscle cramps
• Treatment
• Stop all activity
• Get in shade
• Drink water, electrolytes

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Heat Exhaustion

• Causes
• Large loss of body water and salt
• Effects
• Headache, confusion, weakness
• Treatment
• Stop all physical activity
• Lie down in shade
• Drink small amounts of water every 3 minutes

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Heat Stroke

• Causes
• Extreme loss of water, salt
• Inability of body to cool itself
• Effects
• Stop sweating
• Unconsciousness
• Treatment
• Move victim to cool, shaded area
• Medical attention ASAP!

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Preventing Heat Illness

• Watch for signs
• Drink water at least once per hour
• Stay in shade while resting
• Avoid working in heat
• Wear proper clothing
• Special risks

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Dehydration

• Caused by heat
• Body sweats to lower temperature
• Sweating causes water loss
• Effects range from mild to severe
• Can be life threatening
• Dehydration compounds effects of other heat
  related illnesses
• Most likely threat to affect us

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Hiking in Mojave Desert will probably require
around 10-12 liters of water per day, per person.
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Wildlife

• Three main concerns
• Mojave Rattlesnake
• Scorpion
• Gila Monster
• Avoid them if you see them

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Mojave Rattlesnake
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Mojave Rattlesnake

• Adults usually 2.5-3 feet long
• May or may not warn before attacking
• Very potent poison
• Hemotoxic and neurotoxic
• Venom is more toxic than that of other North
  American rattlesnakes
• Causes respiratory injury
• Bites may not be noticeable at first

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Desert Scorpion
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Desert Scorpion

• Nocturnal
• Can be found under debris, rocks during day
• Can sting
• Venom not very potent for humans
• Sting comparable to bee sting
• Can cause problems if allergic to scorpions
• Check boots for scorpions in morning

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Gila Monster
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Gila Monster

• Large desert lizard
• Not aggressive
• Will likely only bite if picked up
• Active March-June
• Venom is not fatal
• Very painful however
• Bite will cause massive tissue damage, and likely
  become infected

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Other Dangers

• Floods
• Rain is infrequent, but can cause floods
• Avoid washes, ditches if it rains
• Do not cross moving water

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Other Dangers

• Exposure
• Sun can cause severe sunburns during day
• Wear sunscreen!
• Desert can also get cold at night
• Terrain
• Be careful while hiking over rocks
• Wear hiking boots
• Dont fall off of cliffs

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Precautions

• Drink lots of water (drink when thirsty)
• Wear the right clothes
• Lightweight, breathable
• Hiking Boots
• Wear sunscreen
• Watch where you step
• Watch for warning signs of dehydration, and heat
  related illnesses

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What to do if you get lost

• Dont Panic!
• In general, stay where you are
• Move into shade
• Higher ground might be worth moving to
• Make a signal
• Be prepared
• Have water on you at all times
• Know where you are

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Sources

• Information
• FM 21-76 US Army Survival Manual
• www.desertusa.com
• Las Vegas Review-Journal
• Arizona Game and Fish Department
• http//www.azgfd.gov/w_c/edits/documents/Helosuci.
  d_002.pdf
• Graphics
• Pathfinder Mojave 2005 Trip
• http//wwwstatic.kern.org/images/siscsafetyAndLoss
  C/thermometer.gif
• http//www.swfltaxidermy.com/rattlesnake20145205
  0020pix.jpg
• http//www.californiaherps.com/snakes/habitats/moj
  avehabitatkern2.jpg
• http//www.aircav.net/survival/asch13/fig13-1.gif
  
• http//www.kingsnake.com/nvreptiles/images/snakes/
  Mojave20Rattlesnake209-04-04.JPG
• http//www.desertusa.com/oct96/du_scorpion.html
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ImageGila.monster.75
  0pix.jpg