Hiking safety & well-being
There is always concern in guides of this sort about safety. There should be. Especially important is the need to stay hydrated and to have immediate access to drinkable water at all times. Equally important is the need and capability to stay warm and dry . Finally , someone not on the hike must know your hiking plans (where and when you’re starting, where you’re going, where and when you’re ending).
Water + Warm & Dry + Leaving Word
= Basic Well-being
However, it’s not the lost planet out there. There’s stuff
to know in order to maintain well-being but how’ s that
much different than knowing how to drive an automobile
safely on a freeway?
The following subjects are in alphabetical order:
Altitude
As you hike higher there is less and less oxygen.At
10,000 feet there is 30% less oxygen than at sea level.
This can be a problem for those who live at lower
levels hiking up to 7,000 feet or higher.
Take one or two days to acclimate at the higher level
without strenuous exercise.Then take it easy the first
day. Climb no more than 1,000 feet a day after that. For
every 3,000-foot gain take a day of rest. Increase your
fluid and carbohydrate intake. Keep in mind that fats
and proteins take more oxygen to metabolize —
oxygen you may need for laboring body parts!
Altitude Sickness
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is the most common
illness associated with altitude. It can begin from
7,000–9,000 feet if one is not acclimatized. Symptoms
include nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite, headache
and weakness. Stop to acclimate, or for immediate relief
descend 1,000–3,000 feet. If you are susceptible, a
doctor can prescribe drugs.
When AMS becomes severe, two life-threatening conditions
may result:
High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is indicated by
extreme shortness of breath, the need to sit up to
breathe, coughing and the inability to sleep.
High-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) is indicated by
severe headache, vomiting, confusion, loss of balance
and coordination and loss of consciousness.
In both cases, the victim must be taken to a lower altitude
immediately.The conditions progress rapidly and
death can result.
Bandits
(protecting your parked car from two- and
four-legged criminals) Disable your car by removing the rotor and/or distributor
cap. Lock the fuel cap. Bears can literally dismantle
an auto looking for stuff to eat (yes, they can!). Remove
food and make sure nothing inside looks like a cooler.
Lock and shut windows and doors.
Bears
If you run into a bear, more than likely it’ll be a black
bear. It will not eat you. However, black bears have
learned that humans are an excellent source for food
and they will make attempts to get at your stash.They
are active day and night at all altitudes.
● Make noise as you hike. Bears are shy and will
avoid you.
● You are responsible for protecting food from bears.
Open food encourages the development of a “problem
bear” (one that stalks campers and their food). Such
animals must eventually be killed.
● In camp, store food and all odoriferous items such as
toothpaste and scented soap in bear boxes or bear canisters.
Canisters hold three–five days worth of food and
weigh three–five pounds empty.They are rigid and
bulky in your pack. Bear boxes are better. Or hang your
items by counterbalancing (see directions next page).
● When dayhiking from base camp where you can’t
bear-box food, take the food with you.
● Scare curious bears away immediately. Jump up and
down, wave your arms and make noise (bang pots,
blow a whistle, set off a hand-held fog horn).
● Do not battle a bear for food already taken.You will
not win. Neither will you starve to death in the
three–four days it takes to get back to base camp.
Before you nod off, unzip pack pockets so bears don’t
rip them off looking for snacks.
● Don’t take food into your tent or sleeping bag! A
bear will crawl in there with you.
● Store garbage the same as food. Clean up thoroughly.
Pack your garbage out!
Counterbalancing (when there isn’t a bear box)
● Find a tree with a live branch you can throw a rock over (at
least 25 feet high).
● Divide food into two equal sacks (8–10 pounds each) or counterbalance
food with a sack of rocks.
● Tie a rock to the end of a strong, thin rope and toss it over the
branch. Position rope on that part of branch that will support
food but not a bear cub (about 10 feet from trunk).
● Tie pots or cups to one bag to act as noisemakers.
● Tie the first sack to the end of the rope and hoist it over the
branch.
● Tie the other sack to the other end of the rope as high as you
can. Place excess rope in the sack and leave a loop for retrieval.
● With a stick push the second sack up until it’s at the same
height as the first sack. Sacks should be well out of reach (about
12 feet high).
● To retrieve, push one sack until the other descends to where
you can reach it.
● Make sure you hold the other end of the rope as you detach
one of the bags.
● Sleep close enough to the setup so if a bear comes you can
scare it away.
● Above the tree line use a rock overhang or the stash-in-a-crack
method (you can retrieve the food but a heavy-pawed bear
cannot).
Blisters
When you first feel the hot spot, bandage and/or pad it
with moleskin. If it’s already a blister, lance it with a
sterile needle (just run the needle through a match
flame) and bandage. Make sure your bandage is secure.
Often the pounding
and flexing of your
feet will lift the bandage
from the
affected area. If you
treat and pad blisters
soon enough you
might be OK for
the rest of the hike,
unless shoes are a
poor fit to begin
with.
First Aid
Discuss possible
emergency situations with your hiking partners. Pack a
first-aid guide. First-aid kits often come with such information.
Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke
Heat exhaustion comes on gradually over a day or several
days. Symptoms include fatigue and weakness.The
victim feels bad but can still perspire. Get him out of
the sun, have him drink fluids and rest.
Heatstroke is much more dangerous and attacks
quickly. Breathing becomes short and labored. Muscles
feel like they’re on fire.The victim suffers blurred
vision, dizziness and nausea. Sweating ceases and his
body temperature soars.The body’s cooling mechanism
shuts down and consciousness is lost.The victim needs
shade, fluids and rest. Cool the body by pouring liquids
over the victim or by immersing him in a water source.
Prevention, of course, is best.Always drink before
you’re thirsty. Dehydration is indicated by lack of urinating
or dark urine.Avoid caffeine and alcohol since
they activate the kidneys resulting in fluid loss.
Hypothermia
This is the most deadly hazard to hikers. Subnormal
body temperature is caused by exposure to cold, and
intensified by wetness, wind and fatigue. First symptoms
are uncontrollable shivering and imperfect motor
coordination followed by loss of judgment. Prevention
is key. Stay dry. Carry wind and rain protection and put
it on as soon as the weather dictates. Stay warm.Wear
wool or suitable synthetic (not cotton) against your
skin.
If the weather gets bad and you’re unprepared, flee or
hunker down. Protect yourself and remain as warm and
dry as possible.
Treat shivering at once. Hypothermia acts quickly and
disables the victim’s ability to judge his condition. Get
the victim out of the wind and rain. Replace all wet
clothes with dry, put him in a sleeping bag and keep
him awake. Give him warm drinks. No booze. For
severe shivering, strip the victim down and warm him
with other naked bodies wrapped in a sleeping bag.
Lightning
Seek thick woods away from the tallest trees.Avoid
being the highest object in a 50-foot radius.Avoid
mountain ridges, open meadows, lone trees, shallow
caves or the base or edge of cliffs. Get rid of metal
objects (like your pack frame). If you’re in an exposed place, put insulating material (sleeping pad or poncho)
on a small rock and sit on it. Clasp knees and touch
rock with feet and buttocks only.
Losing Your Way
Prevention
Use a good map. Bring a compass. Stay on the trails.
Remember prominent landmarks and evaluate distances
to and from them as you hike. Keep track of the
sun’s position.
Lost
Stay in a clearing or large rocky outcropping. Lay out a
colorful tarp or build a small smoky fire in a safe area.
Find protection from the wind (tent, boulders, log or
hollow). Stay put. Dress warmly before you get cold.
Wrap in a space blanket or poncho. Huddle with
others upon a ground cover. Don’t panic.
Mosquitoes and Biting Bugs
Use a repellent containing N, N diethylmeta-toluamide
(DEET) and you should be OK.Wear clothing that
covers skin.A funky head net with a snug neckband
works wonders with swarming bugs.
Mountain Lions
Pick up small children. Don’t run. Don’t hide. Stand tall.
Hold your ground.Wave hands, shout, throw sticks and
rocks. If attacked fight back.
Poison Oak and Poison Ivy
Not always easy to spot. Remember this rhyme: Leaves
of three, let it be. If you think you’ve brushed against
these plants, wash with soap and water.
Rattlesnakes
Most common around riverbeds and streams under
7000 feet. Bite is rarely fatal.You may want to carry a
snake bite kit called Extractor. If you hear the rattle,
determine its location and detour.
Stream Crossings
If there’s no better crossing and turning back is not an
option:
Wait until morning when the level is lowest. Rig a rope
over the stream if possible. Unfasten the hip belt of
your pack in case you have to free yourself from it.
Keep your boots (or some sort of footwear with traction)
on. Don’t face downstream as your legs may
buckle from the current. Move your foot only when the
other is secure. Don’t cross your legs. Use a stick for
support.
Ticks
DEET works on ticks, too. Check yourself often and
watch where you sit. Pull ticks straight out with
tweezers being careful not to leave the head.The Dog
Tick is big enough to see easily.The Deer Tick is very
small and may carry Lyme disease.
Ultraviolet Rays
The sun’s rays become stronger with elevation. Cover
exposed skin, wear sunglasses and a hat with a visor.
That’s OK. You go ahead.
I guess I’m lucky. I’ve never been hurt on the trail. I’ve
been woozy and nauseated from dehydration and altitude
sickness, suffered cramped and blistered feet, all sorts of minor discomforts like sleepless nights and
sore joints as well as the mental anguish of domestic
quarreling — but nothing close to serious.
When I was a boy I once broke my finger the first day
of summer camp and for two weeks suffered a very
swollen and painful appendage.The first–aid guy
thought it was a sprain or something. On my very first
camping trip as a boy scout I cut my finger the first
night of a weekend trip carving a neckerchief slide. It
was a nasty little slice that never got stitched (I spent
the weekend out there) and to this day is slightly
lumpy from scar tissue.
What I consider luck is probably influenced by the
increased sense of safety that maturity brings. I didn’t
take up serious hiking and backpacking until I was an
adult.When you’re older, you don’t feel the intense
desire to leap off or climb up dangerous places. If it’s
do-able and fun, yes (I’m not a total wuss), but to prove
my manhood, no.The latter is really a guy thing and happens when guys get together and decide to be irrational,
foolhardy and stupid.
My favorite wayward manhood rite wasn’t exactly a
hiking accident. It was a mountain biking accident but
it illustrates a point.A bunch of fellows went biking in
the desert back country of San Diego, California, and it
should be noted that most were weekend warriors at
best. I didn’t go because I knew some of the personalities
involved and I knew what was going to happen.
Instead of staying on the trails they all decided to take
a deep plunge down a steep rocky gorge. It’s something
you can do on a mountain bike, of course, if you
have the expertise. I’ve made a hair-raising run or two
myself, but my craving for split-second, near-death
experiences have given way to challenges colored by
pleasure and physical effort.
Well, two of the most talented (and headstrong) riders
tumbled and crashed into cactus, breaking bones and
covering themselves with thousands of sharp spines.
They were several miles back and what saved the accidents
from turning into a full blown crisis was the fact
that most of the riders were firefighters highly trained
in emergency first aid.They knew what to do and got
the victims to hospitals quickly. I was told it took two
hours for one guy to have all the cactus needles
plucked from his body.
The point? Safety and well-being is often a hiker’s
rational choice. It’s not likely that a freak lightning bolt
or an enraged mother bear will harm you on your next
trip. It’s your own highly tuned sense of well-being that
will keep you sound and pull you through when you
need it.
Parting words
● Use your head!
"Two diseases spread by ticks
If you get ill after a hike, see a doctor. Both of the following illnesses
can be treated with antibiotics.
Lyme Disease
Indications include a bull’s-eye red rash around the bite that
appears 3–30 days after the attack.Also flu-like symptoms
including muscle aches, fever, fatigue and nausea. Lyme disease
can cause serious neurological and arthritic complications.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
An eastern United States malady with a 2–14 day incubation.
Symptoms include fever and a red-spotted rash on hands and
feet spreading to torso. It can be fatal."
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