How To Hike Safely}

How To Hike Safely

by

John MyreCommuning with nature is no walk in the park. Consider Laura. She and a friend set out for an afternoon excursion around the local reservoir. Estimated time: four hours of hiking.

In that four hours, she developed three blisters, scraped her knee, caught a bad case of poison ivy, twisted her ankle, got doused in a rain storm, and had a lovely hairdo ruined. Laura’s new idea for a jaunty hike is a brisk walk through the shopping mall.

Whether your hike is planned for a few hours or a few days, there are precautions you need to take.

Have A Plan

* Get information on the weather, trail conditions, and animal hazards.

* Ask the police about known criminal activity in the area.

* If thunderstorms are predicted, avoid trips to high risk areas, such as exposed ridges or open country.

* Be ready for emergencies. Pack a cell phone, flashlight, pocket knife, waterproof matches, whistle, compass, map, insect repellent, allergy medications, and first aid instructions and supplies, including bandages, gauze, tape, antibacterial ointment and a needle.

* Consider using a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver, and the need for warm clothing and a Mylar blanket.

* Carry high protein snacks.

* Pack at least one quart of water for every two or three hours of light-to-moderate hiking, and more if you expect to sweat a lot.

* For your hiking comfort, wear:

-a broad-brimmed hat, dress in layers, and bring rain gear. -long sleeves and full length pants to protect you from sun, briars, and insects. -clothing designed to wick moisture away from your skin. Avoid cotton clothing. -two pairs of socks, one lightweight inner sock and a heavy outer sock. At the first sign of a blister, put a small patch of moleskin or 2nd skin over the affected area to limit further irritation. -broken-in hiking boots, or good sturdy walking shoes.

* Provide a whistle for children.

Don’t Worry, Be Cautious

* Take the time to get in shape before you hike. During the hike, pause periodically to stretch, (especially in the morning after you’ve gone a mile or two).

* Listen to your body. Your muscles, joints and lungs will tell you when it’s time to slow down.

* Use a sunscreen with a sun-protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, even on cloudy days. Reapply it often if you’re sweating heavily.

* Avoid using scented products.

* Don’t hike alone. Travel in small groups. Make sure everyone knows the destination.

* Let someone know where you will be going, and when to expect you back.

* Stay on well marked trails.

* To prevent hypothermia, stay dry, beware of wind, put on your raingear or wool clothes before you start to shiver, and stop to rest.

* Next to hypothermia, stream crossings take more lives of backpackers than any other cause.

* To cross a stream safely:

-unbuckle the hip belt on your pack. -never face downstream. -walk with your legs and body sideways to the current, always with only one foot or other means of support (stick or other person) moving at any one time.

* Consider all back country water to be contaminated. Don’t drink it, or treat it first.

* If you find yourself trapped in a thunderstorm, find

a place to hide. Avoid metal structures and equipment, elevated areas, and natural electrical conductors, such as water. Seek out a low spot and sit or crouch. Do not lie down.

* To prevent altitude sickness, climb to higher altitudes slowly to allow your body to get used to them. Drink lots of fluids. If you experience nausea, loss of appetite or vomiting, get down to lower elevations.

* Allow enough time to return before dark.

* Head back at the first sign of bad weather.

* If you get lost, stay put.

They Were There First

* Never approach or feed animals.

* Don’t step where you can’t see.

* Don’t put your hand inside holes in logs, trees, or rocks.

* Assume snakes are poisonous.

* Carry a compact field guide to help you identify poisonous plants.

* Lyme disease precautions:

-apply tick repellent to your clothes and wear light colors (which make ticks easier to see). -check your hair and skin for ticks frequently. -tuck your pants into your socks. -avoid bushes and underbrush by sticking to the middle of the trail. -to remove ticks: place blunt-tipped, fine-pointed tweezers flat to the skin and slide under the tick. Gently pull the tick straight up without twisting. Put it in a plastic bag or jar, and have it tested for bacteria.

John Myre is the author of the award-winning book,

Live Safely in a Dangerous World

, and the publisher of the

Safety Times Reproducible Articles.

.

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