5 Tips for Safe Hiking
By Carl Street, Pupbrothers.com
Hiking trips usually aren't perilous. It's a wonderful delight most of the time, even adventurous. But because you are out in the elements, sometimes miles from nowhere, you can be injured or even worse. Heeding to some good sense hiking tips can make your trip worry-free.
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Tip #1 - Hike with a partner
Hiking Guide
There are, of course, exceptions to this rule. If you are just day hiking in a close locale that is a hotspot for fellow footsloggers, you should have nothing to worry about if you go it alone. But traveling in densely wooded areas, with high canyons and twisting hiking trails, it's very easy to become lost. And, obviously, there are many gradations along the way. Use prudence.
Hiking and backpacking with another person has many advantages, especially if your partner is a seasoned journeyer or hiking guide. People by nature are far less likely to panic if traveling in pairs. They can help one another up steep slopes and administer first-aid if necessary.
Hiking Accessories
Hiking partners can journey back to the head of the trail if you're hurt. And, if necessary, body heat is much better preserved when two are journeying together. More than hiker lost on the trail has succumbed to hypothermia before help could arrive.
Tip #2 - Know your path and follow it
Getting lost is the last thing you want to do. Unless you are accomplished enough to go off the common trail, travel only on well-designated or oft-traveled paths. They may not be as engaging, but losing your way is, only in a very distressing sort of way.
Major hikes call for major hiking gear, such as a compass, hiking trail maps, and/or a GPS unit. Of course, in order to be of use to you, it must function in the region you're hiking. GPS units might not work in every area. Find out the details about your hiking locale from someone who knows.
Tip #3 - Bring along 'essential' gear
It's very easy to go nuts on the hiking equipment you pack, but at the same time, you can't put a price on the contentment you'll get when hiking for hours over rough terrain.
Take matches or a lighter with you. Neither one is perfect - lighters can run out of fuel, but matches can get damp - solution? Bring both
A Swiss Army knife, with many truly useful accessories can literally save your life.
A basic first aid kit can also turn a losing situation into a winning one. Bandages and gauze, anti-bacterial cream and additional typical items are important. You'll be glad you brought sunburn and anti-itch creams at times. Aspirin is one of science's most unappreciated drugs. All of these items are small-scale and weigh practically nothing. You don't have to take the whole doctor's office along, just the essential hiking accessories.
Obviously it pays if you have some first-aid know-how. Sometimes aspirin can be unsafe. Bandages and gauze won't help if you aren't aware of the difference between arterial and venous bleeding.
You must pack a flashlight. Another oft-overlooked item is toilet paper, and you'll be cursing yourself when you need it!
Tip #4 - Stock your provisions
Water or other liquids such as sports drinks are clearly important. Your body will lose lots of liquid just over a 2-hour timeframe on a hot day. Heat stroke can be fatal, but is staved off pretty readily. Dehydration can greatly diminish physical ability. Keep in mind that liquids weigh about 8 lbs per gallon. Take only what you must, and not much more.
Stay clear of drinking from streams unless it's an emergency. Never mind the TV commercials. Often, natural water sources are teeming with bacteria. Keep in mind too that animals bathe and relieve themselves in them.
Bring enough foodstuffs to last through the estimated time of the hike. 1 lb per day (depending on what the hiking food is) is pretty standard for a mid-sized male. You can get by longer with water than food, so trade off when necessary.
Tip #5 - Use your brain
That means, among other things, don't get cocky with enthusiasm - and believe you're invincible - and do something stupid. Mother Nature can be very unforgiving when you choose to be an idiot.
