The idea of getting away from civilization entices many to hike and backpack into the wild. Thousands of people do this regularly, but unfortunately some of them get into trouble. It's important to know about backcountry and outdoor safety, for your own sake and for that of your trail companions.
Just because many rules are common sense precautions doesn't lessen their importance. For instance, when exercising at home or at the gym, it's important to stay hydrated. This is even more important when you're in the wilderness. It can mean the difference between survival and the grim alternative.
A person needs to drink 2 to 3 quarts of water on a mild day when they're exercising. If it's a hot day, the allotment goes up to 3 to 4 quarts. When the weather is cold, the recommendation also rises to 3 to 4. This may surprise you, but a lot of moisture is lost through respiration into dry winter air. On hot days, you should add a little salt and sugar to your water, or some electrolytes. It just makes sense to carry water with you in the wilderness. Unless you have one of those super filtration bottles, you won't want to drink from creeks, lakes, or puddles.
You need to check weather conditions before you out. Base temperature is important, but so is humidity and wind velocity. On hot and humid days, it's harder to stay cool by perspiring. Your core temperature may rise to dangerous heights if you do too much. In cold weather, a stiff breeze can make you lose body heat quickly. This is the 'wind chill', which you may hear on the weather report.
Dress for variable temperatures. A light jacket that feels fine when you start out might not be enough if a storm comes up, you get wet, and the wind makes you shiver. If you are injured, shock can make you more vulnerable to cold. Layers are best, and a waterproof windbreaker can be invaluable.
Again this simple common sense act of dressing properly is often overlooked. Hikers go up a mountain, get caught in a storm, become chilled and disoriented, and put themselves, their companions, and rescue teams in danger. Remember that it's always a good idea to plan for the worst case scenario rather than end up facing an emergency you're not prepared for.
It's vitally important to think ahead: what if one of you needs to be evacuated? You need to leave word about where you're going and with whom, so someone knows if you don't come back. Know how to send an emergency signal if you need help. Remember that cell phone reception is usually bad in the mountains.
Plan ahead on how you will handle things like animal attacks, sprains or fractures, heat exhaustion or heat stroke, hypothermia or frostbite, and dehydration (which can be caused by not drinking enough water, blood loss after injury, or diarrhea). Educate yourself on what to expect on the trail and how to handle a crisis if one should arise. First aid training is wise; improper procedures can make a bad situation worse.
Just because many rules are common sense precautions doesn't lessen their importance. For instance, when exercising at home or at the gym, it's important to stay hydrated. This is even more important when you're in the wilderness. It can mean the difference between survival and the grim alternative.
A person needs to drink 2 to 3 quarts of water on a mild day when they're exercising. If it's a hot day, the allotment goes up to 3 to 4 quarts. When the weather is cold, the recommendation also rises to 3 to 4. This may surprise you, but a lot of moisture is lost through respiration into dry winter air. On hot days, you should add a little salt and sugar to your water, or some electrolytes. It just makes sense to carry water with you in the wilderness. Unless you have one of those super filtration bottles, you won't want to drink from creeks, lakes, or puddles.
You need to check weather conditions before you out. Base temperature is important, but so is humidity and wind velocity. On hot and humid days, it's harder to stay cool by perspiring. Your core temperature may rise to dangerous heights if you do too much. In cold weather, a stiff breeze can make you lose body heat quickly. This is the 'wind chill', which you may hear on the weather report.
Dress for variable temperatures. A light jacket that feels fine when you start out might not be enough if a storm comes up, you get wet, and the wind makes you shiver. If you are injured, shock can make you more vulnerable to cold. Layers are best, and a waterproof windbreaker can be invaluable.
Again this simple common sense act of dressing properly is often overlooked. Hikers go up a mountain, get caught in a storm, become chilled and disoriented, and put themselves, their companions, and rescue teams in danger. Remember that it's always a good idea to plan for the worst case scenario rather than end up facing an emergency you're not prepared for.
It's vitally important to think ahead: what if one of you needs to be evacuated? You need to leave word about where you're going and with whom, so someone knows if you don't come back. Know how to send an emergency signal if you need help. Remember that cell phone reception is usually bad in the mountains.
Plan ahead on how you will handle things like animal attacks, sprains or fractures, heat exhaustion or heat stroke, hypothermia or frostbite, and dehydration (which can be caused by not drinking enough water, blood loss after injury, or diarrhea). Educate yourself on what to expect on the trail and how to handle a crisis if one should arise. First aid training is wise; improper procedures can make a bad situation worse.
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Be sure to take a look at the following web pages featuring backcountry and outdoor safety tips. Here you will gain an insight into this educational topic by checking out the related site at http://www.mra.org/training-education/public-education.
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