Before heading out on an outdoor adventure, spend some time preparing yourself both mentally and physically for the trip. Learn not only how to respond to problems but also how to prevent them. It is important to understand and pack appropriately for the place you will be visiting. Consider contacting the State Department of Natural Resources or other local authorities for tips on environmental conditions and recommended precautions for the specific geography of your planned trip.
Skills
Learning basic first-aid skills can help you respond more effectively to situations that may occur on any hiking, boating or other outdoor trip. Most first-aid courses, such as those offered by the American Red Cross, the American Canoe Association and many community colleges, will teach you how to deal with sprains, broken bones, open wounds, head injuries, heat stroke, hypothermia, frostbite, burns, choking, allergies, snake bites and altitude-related sickness. Other important survival skills include reading a topography map, building a fire, locating water, building shelter and identifying edible plants.
Geography
Take some time to learn about the geography you plan to visit. Understanding the time of year, altitude, local wildlife, difficulty rating and weather forecast can help you plan and pack appropriately for a safe and enjoyable trip. Many mountainous areas, for example, are hot during the day, but very cool at night, even in July and August. This means you should pack warm clothing and avoid wearing cotton, which gets cold and clammy when wet and takes a long time to dry. If you plan to hike in the desert, you will need to pack in a gallon of water or more per day per person. You may also need to bring portable shade.
Misconceptions
Wild animal attacks make big headlines, but they are not what you need to be most afraid of when spending time outdoors. Hypothermia, heat stroke, dehydration and twisted ankles are all far more common occurrences than bear, wolf or mountain lion attacks. Be aware of the dangers presented by wild animals, but keep in mind the more likely and less dramatic injuries that can spoil your outdoor adventure.
Prevention
Knowing how to prevent injuries and mishaps is a big part of first aid. Prevent dehydration by taking enough water with you and drinking small amounts throughout the day. Because dehydration is much more difficult to reverse than prevent, you should not try overly hard to conserve water. Instead, drink as you feel you need it. Do not, however, waste good drinking water on a hot day by, say, pouring it over your head. Hypothermia can be prevented by wearing layers of synthetic fabrics such as polyester, polypropylene or wool. Prevent snake bites by walking loudly--not quietly--through areas where they might dwell. Making noise will also scare away bears. If you will be hiking in bear country, consider wearing bells or periodically clapping or singing as you walk.
Treatments
If someone in your group does become dehydrated or overheated, have him lie down in a cool spot. Help him to stay cool by placing wet cloth on his wrists, neck, collar bone, inner thighs and armpits. Feed him water or juice in small amounts. Signs of dehydration and heat stroke include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea and mental confusion.
To treat hypothermia, remove any wet clothing from the victim, and cover her with dry clothes, a sleeping bag, a blanket or--if necessary--another person. Keep the center of the person's body warm, not her extremities. Try feeding the person sugar liquid or foods high in carbohydrates or fats; this will help her body begin to warm up. Signs of hypothermia include shivering, irrational or belligerent behavior, disorientation, apathy and slow, shallow breathing.
Packing Tips
Before heading out on your trip, pack a survival kit with a cell phone, lighter, knife, signaling mirror, bandanna, bright tape, rope, water purification tablets, plastic bag, whistle, drink powder and energy bars. You may also want to pack a book or a deck of playing cards. If you do get lost or hurt, these items can help you relax while you wait for help to come.
References
- "Camping and Wilderness Survival: The Ultimate Outdoors Book"; Paul Tawrell; 1996
- St. John Ambulance: Heatstroke
- St. John Ambulance: Hypothermia
- Wilderness Survival Skills: Wilderness Survival Guide
