5 common survival myths that could get you killed in the wilderness

Suck venom from a wound. Play dead with black bears. Put food before water and shelter. These are survival myths to avoid at all costs.

• There are a lot of survival myths out there that could get you hurt, or even worse, killed.
• Some of the most common are sucking venom from a wound and punching sharks in the nose.
• The best thing you can do before venturing into the wild is to pack properly and prepare beforehand.

This article is primarily transcribed from a 2017 Insider video on "5 Survival Myths That Could Get You Killed." Some of the information has been updated.

Getting outdoors this summer is great for your mental and physical health, but spending time in the wilderness can come with risks.

Between 2007 and 2018, 2,727 people died while visiting a US National Park, according to an analysis by personal injury attorney group Panish Shea & Boyle.

The majority of deaths were due to drowning or car accidents whereas the minority were from poisoning or animal encounters.

That said, whether you're glamping or backpacking, it's important to be prepared when you enter the backcountry anywhere in the world.

To that end, here are five survival myths and tips to keep in mind, if you find yourself fact-to-face with snakes, bears, sharks, or you get lost in the great outdoors.

Myth 1: You can suck the venom out of a snake bite.

A bite from a venomous snake or other animal can deliver that venom straight to the bloodstream. Trying to suck it out could transfer venom to the mouth. It could also further infect the wound.

Other things you shouldn't do if you or a friend is bitten by a snake are to avoid applying a tourniquet, don't worsen the wound by slashing it with a knife, and don't try to pick up the snake or trap it, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Instead, hold the limb below or close to heart level, per Mayo Clinic's advice. This may prevent the poison from reaching and stopping your heart.

Myth 2: Always play dead during a confrontation with a bear.

Playing dead only works in some situations with certain types of bears.

For example, when a black bear charges, do not play dead, according to the National Park Service. Instead, try to escape or — if that's not an option — fight back focusing your blows and kicks at the bear's face and muzzle. 

Bear spray could also help.

If you encounter a brown or grizzly bear and it charges at you: lie face-down with your hands clasped behind your neck, the NPS advises. Stay still until the bear leaves. But if the bear continues to attack you, then fight back with whatever it available.

Myth 3: If you're lost in the wild find a food supply immediately.

Depending on body composition, a healthy person can survive roughly six weeks without food.

However, you're not going to last that long if you don't have water and shelter. In fact, a person can only survive two to four days without water.

Therefore, it's critical that if you find yourself lost, locate water and shelter before trying to scout out a source of food. The effects of dehydration will kick in a lot sooner than hunger.

Myth 4: Moss always grows on the north side of a tree.

Moss grows on just about any hard surface where conditions are moist and cool.

The north side of trees are less likely to receive direct sunlight, so moss will typically grow here. But in the woods, trees can be shaded from any direction.

So if you're trying to gain a sense of direction in the woods, don't use moss as your guiding north star.

Instead, the best thing you can do is prepare ahead of time and bring a compass and map of the terrain.

If you didn't prepare you can try to make your own compass or use the sun and stars for navigation.

Myth 5: If a shark attacks you, punch it in the nose.

Landing a solid punch underwater is difficult and also not a good idea.

Sharks tend to attack by approaching from the bottom up, Navy Seal Clint Emerson explained in another video.

Therefore, Emerson recommends keeping your eyes on the shark at all times. If it latches on, then you should stab and claw at its eyes and gills because you want to cause it as much pain and discomfort as possible so it lets go and you can swim to safety, Emerson said.