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Activity 1 Build a model of Brian's shelter out of natural materials such as rocks, sticks, leaves, and dirt. |
Chapters 5 - 6
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Activity 1 Build a model of Brian's shelter out of natural materials such as rocks, sticks, leaves, and dirt. |
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Activity 2 Gut Cherries (Choke Cherry) |
Brian is very hungry when he follows some birds to what Brian calls the gut cherries because of the way they make his gut feel. These are really choke cherries which is a type of wild cherry. Learn more about choke cherries and add a page about them to your survival guide.
The choke cherry tree has leaves that are dark green and thin with fine sharp teeth edges. The leaves are wider above the middle with a short tip. Their fruit is round, red to dark red berries. These look like cherries but are smaller. The cherries are closer to the size of blueberries. The fruit is bitter and causes the mouth to pucker when eaten. However choke cherries make good preserves and jellies. The tree is small growing up to 20 feet. It may be recognized by its thin, smooth, dull grayish or reddish-brown bark. Its twigs have a bitter almond taste and an unpleasant rank odor. In the spring the tree has flowers that are white with yellow centers. Choke cherries are usually found near streams.
Native Americans used the bark of the choke cherry tree for a remedy for diarrhea, sore throats, worms, headaches, and heart conditions.
| Activity 3 Research how long a person can go without food and water. Was it safe for Brian to drink the lake water? Research the possible reasons for not drinking this water. |
The United States Office of Water states that a person can go a month or more without eating. However people can only go without water for a week or less depending on conditions. To remain healthy the average person needs to drink six to eight cups of water a day. This is taking into account that a person will take in approximately four cups of water from food and the body's metabolism.
Giardia is a microscopic parasite that exists in water sources nearly everywhere on Earth. It can't be smelled, tasted or seen. Its symptoms include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, fatulence, vomiting, weakness, and fever.
This disease begins with fecally contaminated surface water. The parasite loves cool, clear water. Elk, deer, beaver, muskrat, dogs, and humans are know carriers. A carrier may not show any signs of the disease, but can spread it to less tolerant people.
To reduce the risk of infection, boil water for several minutes. This parasite is so small it can be carried on a toothbrush dipped in water. After coming into contact with giardia you may not see symptoms for up to seven weeks.
The only treatment for giardia is through hospital care.
If you are unsure if a water source is safe to drink, either boil out the possible toxins or collect the evaporated water. During evaporation the impurities don't evaporate.
