1. Prepare the Doctor Bag
Bring along a small first aid kit in your backpack. Include medications you might need plus standard supplies like antiseptic wipes and different kinds of bandages. An elastic roll bandage comes in handy for turned ankles. Include tweezers for pulling out splinters, stingers and ticks. For long hikes, add antibiotic ointment and something like hydrocortisone cream for itching. Another item for the hiker's first aid kit is moleskin; very useful when blisters start before your hike is finished. Moleskin places an extra layer between your feet and hiking boots.
2. Keep an Eye on the Trail
Focusing your attention a few feet ahead of you on the trail can help you avoid potential problems, such as snakes crossing your path. The best way to handle snakes on the trail is allow them the right of way. Learn to recognize poisonous snakes like copperheads and rattlesnakes. Another trail danger is poison ivy, and its relatives poison oak and poison sumac. The poison ivy vine contains leaves with three points. Poison ivy grows in all seasons, but is less likely in winter. Long pants, long-sleeved shirts and long socks will protect you when accidentally brushing up against it, and protect you from ticks as well.
3. Lions, Tigers and Bears
One of the joys of hiking is seeing wildlife in their natural habitat. It's also one of the dangers. Most animals scatter when they hear you coming, but when they don't, never approach a wild animal even if it's a baby. Chances are its mother is around somewhere, and she won't like you near her baby. Disturbing wild animals can scare them, with dangerous consequences. If confronted by a bear, loud noises often scare it off. Don't run away from aggressive animals like mountain lions. When you present your back to them, you trigger hunting instincts. Instead, back away slowly while facing them.
4. Weather Permitting
Weather has a way of sneaking in when you least expect it, particularly if you're in the mountains. One minute, clouds look like puffy white balls of cotton. The next, angry skies darken and flash lightening. The best way to handle bad weather is to avoid it. Check weather reports before you go out. If weather changes while you're out, put on raingear to keep you dry and take cover from a thunderstorm in a low lying area not part of a source of water. Flash flooding can turn a creek bed into a raging wall of water very quickly. Take off metal backpacks; you don't want to give lighting a target.
5. Hide and Seek
Follow developed, marked trails whenever possible to avoid getting lost. If you get lost heading to the supermarket, then you probably should bring along a compass. Learn to use it before you take a hike. At least try to get a trail map that includes markers. While some hikers depend on GPS devices, carrying technological gizmos with you on a hike seems to defeat the purpose. Whenever possible, hike with other people. There's strength in numbers.
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