Hiking into wild country is a popular pastime. It's great to get away and rediscover the beauty of nature. However, it's crazy to take off without knowing how to go out and return safely. You owe it to yourself and others to educate yourself on backcountry and outdoor safety procedures.
Many of the guidelines are everyday precautions that you already know. It's just that they take on new importance when you're miles away from civilization. You know to stay hydrated when you exercise. People often disregard this principle, but they are usually just a few steps away from a clean water source. On the trail, things are different. You need to carry your water with you.
When exercising lightly on a mild day, a person needs 2 to 3 quarts of water a day. High temperatures raise this amount to 3 to 4 quarts. If you're working really hard, like climbing a mountain, you'll need even more. Most people know this. However, many don't know that cold weather also increases the need for water. Every breath in dry cold causes a loss of moisture, so you need at least 3 quarts of water daily. It's always a good idea to add a little salt to your water; try adding some apple cider vinegar or lemon juice for added electrolytes.
Check the weather before you go. It's important to know if high humidity will make hot weather harder to handle, or is the wind chill will make a cold day even colder. It's important to maintain a normal body temperature, but that's difficult when moist air keeps your perspiration from drying and cooling you off. Of course, we all know that getting chilly takes all the fun out of winter sports.
The right clothes are important. A light jacket may be enough when you start out, but the weather can change. If you get caught in the rain and your clothes are not designed to be warm when wet, you can get chilled enough to impair you. Layers are great on the trail, since you can take them off and put them on according to what the weather does.
Hikers who get overheated or chilled put themselves and others at risk. People with heat exhaustion or with hypothermia may become disoriented and may not be able to go on or to hike out. It's so much better to know what you're doing and plan for all contingencies than end up needing to be rescued.
You also need a plan for an emergency that means you need help or have to be evacuated. Inform family and friends of your route and let them know when to expect you back. Learn how to send emergency signals when you have no cell phone service. Know what kind of help is available in the area you plan to explore.
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.
Many of the guidelines are everyday precautions that you already know. It's just that they take on new importance when you're miles away from civilization. You know to stay hydrated when you exercise. People often disregard this principle, but they are usually just a few steps away from a clean water source. On the trail, things are different. You need to carry your water with you.
When exercising lightly on a mild day, a person needs 2 to 3 quarts of water a day. High temperatures raise this amount to 3 to 4 quarts. If you're working really hard, like climbing a mountain, you'll need even more. Most people know this. However, many don't know that cold weather also increases the need for water. Every breath in dry cold causes a loss of moisture, so you need at least 3 quarts of water daily. It's always a good idea to add a little salt to your water; try adding some apple cider vinegar or lemon juice for added electrolytes.
Check the weather before you go. It's important to know if high humidity will make hot weather harder to handle, or is the wind chill will make a cold day even colder. It's important to maintain a normal body temperature, but that's difficult when moist air keeps your perspiration from drying and cooling you off. Of course, we all know that getting chilly takes all the fun out of winter sports.
The right clothes are important. A light jacket may be enough when you start out, but the weather can change. If you get caught in the rain and your clothes are not designed to be warm when wet, you can get chilled enough to impair you. Layers are great on the trail, since you can take them off and put them on according to what the weather does.
Hikers who get overheated or chilled put themselves and others at risk. People with heat exhaustion or with hypothermia may become disoriented and may not be able to go on or to hike out. It's so much better to know what you're doing and plan for all contingencies than end up needing to be rescued.
You also need a plan for an emergency that means you need help or have to be evacuated. Inform family and friends of your route and let them know when to expect you back. Learn how to send emergency signals when you have no cell phone service. Know what kind of help is available in the area you plan to explore.
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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