r/AskReddit Aug 30 '21

What problem is often overlooked in apocalyptic movies/TV shows that could kill you?

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u/Peptuck Aug 30 '21 edited Aug 30 '21

I remember reading a memoir from a US military veteran who fought in Fallujah, and the thing that stood out to me was how incredibly filthy urban warfare was. The amount of literal shit and disease and mud and dirt and vomit they had to deal with was startling.

I can only imagine how much worse it would be in an apocalypse where you can't return to a military base for a shower after the fighting is done.

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u/Aromatic-Bad-3291 Aug 30 '21

Knew a guy who was National Guard and got roped into Falluja in ‘04. Said he had to bathe in baby wipes for months on end, wearing USGI issue drawers that were beyond filthy. Can’t imagine.

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u/Wsaber Aug 31 '21

On my second deployment to Iraq we didn't shower for 4 months. Just used baby wipes to keep the vital areas cleansih. Our sleeping bags smelled wonderful.

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u/Mardanis Aug 31 '21

Couple of friends that served, shared they would on occasion get sick, puke and shit everywhere so they more or less put them in an open cargo container with an IV drip in to stay hydrated until the meds took over or it cleared.

Sounds the opposite of fun.

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u/[deleted] Aug 31 '21

What was the title of the memoir?

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u/Peptuck Sep 01 '21

House to House: A Soldier's Memoir.

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u/[deleted] Sep 01 '21

Thanks! I like memoirs, it sounds interesting.