Scorpion

How to Survive Anything: Dealing with a scorpion sting

Scorpions are scary. I’m not even going to play about that… But they’re also not really all that dangerous. While a scorpion’s sting can really make you feel like crap, it’s uncommon for one to actually kill you. Unfortunately for me, I’ve been stung by scorpions three times over the years (to varying degree of misery).

The best way not to get stung by a scorpion is to leave it the hell alone — but maybe you’ve watched that scene in “Skyfall” a few too many times and now only drink your whiskey with a scorpion poised to sting you in the face. If that’s the case, I respect your drinking habits, but it may be in your best interest to know how to treat one of those stings.

Give the area of the sting a good washing with soap and water.
Reduce the swelling with a cold compress or ice pack.
If the sting is on one of your extremities, elevate it while you ice it.
Stay calm. Some scorpion stings can cause symptoms that may include increased heart rate, rapid breathing, muscle weakness, or vomiting. These are all serious concerns in a survival situation, but the sting itself is very rarely deadly.
Wait it out. Drink plenty of fluids and allow your body to recover before you go picking fights with any other six-legged monsters.

Feature image courtesy of Sony Pictures/MGM

Video: Grand Power Stribog PDW Range Tested

Earlier we broke the arrival of the Grand Power Stribog personal defense weapon. That pistol has been outfitted with a Matador Arms Sidewinder folding adapter and Gearhead Works Tailhook 2 Brace. Stribog threatens the CZ Scorpion by offering both a longer barrel and shorter overall length. That means more energy delivered to the target from a more compact package. Yes, magazines are proprietary, but so are CZs.

In standard fashion the Stribog is of course tested with a variety of rounds in attempt to choke it. In all 14 different loads were tested including aluminum steel and brass cases. Subsonic and supersonic. Full-metal jacket and hollow points. See the video below to find out how Stribog did.

For those who missed the original coverage here are the specifications of the Stribog taken from the product page:

Caliber	9 MM
Action	Dynamic Blowback Mass Bolt
Capacity	20+1
Barrel Length	8″
Front Sight	Flip-up steel
Rear Sight	Flip-up steel
Finishes	Black
Grips	Polymer
Construction	HTS aluminum alloy
Safety	Ambidextrous External Safety
Weight	82 oz.
Length	14.74″
Height	8″

Retailers have been letting the Stribog go for around $700, some even offering a brace already installed. I admit to being a Grand Power fan. One need only look at our library of articles to know that. I was a bit apprehensive about how something so out-of-the-norm would do from them, but was wrong to question them. The trigger, specs, and performance so far beat the competition.

As pictured in the tittle image this makes for a handy little home defense gun when paired with an InForce light and Nikon Spur reflex sight. We’ve also proven it very reliable with a suppressor when noise is more important that compactness.

We’d like to hear your thoughts on using such a firearm for home defense. There are merits and drawbacks. They offer more power and higher capacity than a handgun while being more compact than a rifle or shotgun. The use of pistol ammunition makes them inexpensive to train with and perhaps can reduce the risk of over penetration. What are your thoughts?

G-Code Scorpion Soft Shell Pouch

This soft shell pouch comes in the typical sizes: pistol and rifle. These seem suspiciously like the HSGI Taco, however, it seems to have a few immediate differences. First off I noticed a fabric difference, the Taco has a Cordura body while this Scorpion has a rubbery body. Retention is gained with a kydex sheath and shockcord. This item is available to purchase in six colors and five different mounting options. G-Code is advertising it to hold both single stack and double stack magazines. Coming in at $25 with the most expensive mounting option selected, this mag carrier is going to be slightly more economical than the Taco.

The Scorpion Soft shell Mag carrier was not a new design, however, it is a new twist to the idea. Personally I have never used a Taco, but a few guys on my team did and they swore by them. You can imagine my curiosity spike when I saw these available while ordering my Incog holster, I had to get one. My pouch came with a paddle style attachment system that is non adjustable, though it fits all of my belts just fine (up to about 1.5 inches). The paddle hooks in with satisfaction and is removed far easier than any of my other paddle style holsters. Inserting mags is made nearly silent thanks to the soft shell material used, and the flared kydex opening allows objects will be tossed in with ease.

I carry an array of pistols from single stack to double stack, it really helps out to not have to order multiple model specific carriers for all of my mags. The mag that really shocked me was for a CZ Scorpion, a tight but positive fit. I have been using this item on hikes, I mounted it upside-down with a Leatherman Wave and it never fell out during my scramble.

I don’t believe it is necessary to have such a long bungee cord, I might be shortening that up so it won’t snag. The only other thing I am worried about is the interior wearing out if I insert items with dirt on them too often. Getting wet has not been an issue thanks to the material. I plan on getting a few more for my kit in the future.

Author – William Hoyt is a former Army Ranger of 1/75. He is now pursuing his bachelors in psychology and coaching swimming.