Outdoor Safety

Outdoor Skills and Safety

1) The Draw to the Wilderness
a) Spending time in nature is relaxing and healing, and is something that is ever so important in our busy lives
b) Many people do not know how to travel and be in the wilderness with safety.  Our modern lives have not taught us these skills.  No matter what outdoor skills and experience a person has, the natural world holds mystery enough to learn and explore for a life time.
c) This outline is geared towards a novice outdoors person who wants to learn some basic wilderness travel skills and knowledge.

2) The Essentials
a) Map
b) Compass: with clear base plate and a straight edge, string and movable dial.
c) Sunglasses and Sunscreen
d) Lunch and extra food
e) Water and water purification system (uv light pen iodine tablets, water filter pump or stove)
f) Headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries
g) First aid kit
h) Fire starter, matches
i) Knife
j) Whistle
k) Toilet paper
l) Insect repellant
m) Back Pack; comfort and appropriate capacity, with built in back pad
n) Emergency shelter; large contractor trash bag , bivy sack, tarp

3) Proper clothing – to keep you dry, warm, comfortable
a) Stay dry!!
b) Layering systems of clothing
c) Clothing needs to fit well; too tight and it will constrict circulation and be a potential for cold weather injury, too loose and it will be awkward.
d) Layer next to the skin should wick water away from your skin and breathe
e) Insulation layers trap air to keep you warm.  This layer should not absorb much water.
f) Shell layer protects you from wind, water.  This shell must breath or you’ll get wet from the inside.
g) Proper head gear will protect you from sun, rain and cold.  Have an assortment of hats for all conditions.  You can even layer hats.
h) Gloves will provide dexterity at the cost of less warmth and mittens will provide warmth at the cost of less dexterity.
i) Boots should be broken in and comfortable before long trips.  Wear them on short trips to break them in.

  • Support vs. Weight.  You’ll need to decide on the type of boot you need.  Your choice depends on the type of activity you anticipate and the amount of ankle support you think you need.  The more weight you plan on carrying and the more rugged the terrain, the more ankle and foot support you’ll need.  The opposite is true.  Some people have more than one pair of hiking boots from which they’ll choose.
  • Important considerations in hiking boots
  • Fit for your feet.  Different companies have different lasts so you may find that certain brands of boots will work better for you.
  • Waterproof
  • Durability
  • Break-In; will the boot mold to your foot or does it have plastic heel and toe cups that will not form to your feet?  I prefer boots that will mold to my feet.
  • Traction; rubber type and sole pattern
  • Rigidity; no shank, half shank, full shank
  • Fit for the sock combination that you plan to use.

j) Socks

  • Inner polypropylene socks
  • Outer wool and polyester blend socks

k) Gaiters keep debris, snow and water from entering the top of your boots.
l) Fibers

  • Cotton is very comfortable to wear but has the ability to soak up a large amount of water and does not dry quickly.   This cloth is best used in warm weather.  Do not use this fabric in cold weather as the moisture that it can hold will lead to heat loss and hypothermia.
  • Wool is warm and absorbs less water than cotton.  It is a good insulator even when wet and is good for use in the mountains.  It is relatively heavy and scratchy.  Wool should be used as an insulation layer and a mild wind layer.
  • Synthetic clothing is really the norm in outdoor activities today.  These fabrics do not hold much water, except in between the fibers, they tend to be light and strong and perform a variety of tasks.
  • Polypropylene and polyester are good choices for of clothing against the skin.  When these fibers created in thicker layers, these fabrics are good insulation layers. .. think of fleece
  • Waterproof breathable fabrics consist of a nylon fabric and a waterproof/breathable membrane.  This membrane has holes in it that are large enough for vapor water molecules to fit through, but too small for liquid water to fit through.   These fabrics are also sprayed with an exterior coating that makes the water bead up.  This can be re-applies when it wears out. This clothing can only handle so much moisture and it is easy to exceed the garments breathability capacity.  Keep this clothing clean by following the washing instructions but do not over wash as this will lead to premature fabric failure.
  • Down is very light, compressible and insulates well, but provides almost no insulation if it gets wet.  This is best in very cold and dry conditions.
  • Synthetic fills tend to be just as warm, but are heavier and do not compress as much.  They also lose their loft sooner than down.  However they do not lose their capacity to trap air when they are wet.  This is the choice for cold and wet locations.

4) Nutrition and Hydration
a) Eat 2500 to 3000 calories on your outdoor sessions.  This should ensure that you have plenty of food.  In cold weather these calories are the fuel for keeping your internal “fires” going.  Eat often and a little at a time so that your body has a steady supply of energy and does not get bogged down trying to digest a large meal.  Be sure to have an emergency stash of food in case you have to spend the night out.  The emergency food should be a little high sugar food, followed by a high calorie food that consists of complex carbohydrates and fat.
b) Water is the essence of life.  We need to drink plenty of water to enhance our bodies abilities to deal with temperature extremes, digest food properly, maintain our circulatory system (prevent frost bite).  Drinks such as coffees and caffeinated teas, energy drinks and the like are diuretics and actually steal water from your body.  These should be avoided in general.  In the summer drink a minimum of 2-3 quarts of water and in the winter drink a minimum of 3-4 quarts of water.

5) Weather related issues and injuries
a) What type of weather is expected during your outing?  What is the most extreme type of weather possible during your outing?  Be prepared.
b) Prevention through clothing, equipment, proper food and water
c) Types of heat loss

  • Conductive through touching something, ex) sitting on a cold rock.
  • Convective the chimney effect
  • Radiant  the scientific principle of heat moving towards a cooler area
  • Evaporative water on you clothing or skin evaporating and cooling you off.
  • The wind will whisk heat away from you at an alarming rate

d) Hypothermia and frost bite
e) Hyperthermia, heat exhaustion and heat stroke

6) Judgment  and Experience
a) Know thyself!  Strive for an astute knowledge of your skills and preparedness and define what you can do safely.   Do not let your ambitions push you outside of you safe zone.
b) Develop and practice your outdoor skills routinely.
c) Acknowledge and study the risks involved with your outdoor activities.  Develop ways of lessening your exposure to the risks, minimizing the consequences of those rises where possible, and have plans to deal with the worst case scenario.
d) First aid training
e) When trying something new, minimize the risks by go with someone who is more experienced or take a class.

7) Preparedness
a) Prepare for the trip while still at home.  Research your destination, expected weather, read guide books and look at the maps, collect your equipment and, buy food and prepare it for the trip.
b) Physical fitness will go a long way towards a more enjoyable experience and will potentially reduce the riskiness of your outdoor activities.
c) Emotional and mental stability are critical for safety, when venturing out into the wilderness.  You will be making decisions and choices that affect your safety, the safety of your group and the safety of other hikers and the rescue community.

8) Wilderness Travel
a) Pace yourself for the distance you anticipate walking.  You don’t want to walk to fast and then get tired and “crash”.  Don’t walk to slow or that will also tire you out pre-maturely.  Set a pace that the entire group can follow.  Consider putting the slowest hiker in front to set the pace.
b) Rests;  It is a good idea to stop after the first half hour and tighten straps and laces etc. Make your rest stops short so that lactic acid doesn’t have a chance to build up in your muscles.  You should be able to take your pack off, to pee, eat and drink a little and then continue.   It is recommended to take a 10 minute break every hour or so.  The longer your breaks, the more painful it will be when you start hiking again
c) Hiking downhill is easier on your muscles, but can be a hazard to your joints and bones.  More accidents happen while descending.  Trekking poles will aid your balance.  Tighten your boot laces so that your feet don’t jamb against the front of the boot
d) Group Hiking

  • Avoid following too closely so that you don’t get hit by the person’s boots or branches that were pushed aside.
  • Avoid lagging too far behind, so that you don’t get separated from the group.

e) Stream Crossings consider special thought.  You don’t want wet feet, but you it’s too dangerous to walk through a river bed barefoot with a pack.  One solution is to carry sandals just for that purpose (this would be a part of your preparedness).  Another solution is to look for a log to walk across or straddle.

9) Leave No Trace Principles from the Center For Outdoor Ethics
a) Plan Ahead and Prepare

  • Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you’ll visit.
  • Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
  • Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
  • Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
  • Repackage food to minimize waste.
  • Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.

b) Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

  • Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
  • Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
  • Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
  • In popular areas: Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
  • Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
  • Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
  • In pristine areas: Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails. Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.

c) Dispose of Waste Properly

  • Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
  • Deposit solid human waste in cat holes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cat hole when finished.
  • Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
  • To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

d) Leave What You Find

  • Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
  • Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
  • Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
  • Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.

e) Minimize Campfire Impacts

  • Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
  • Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
  • Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
  • Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, and then scatter cool ashes.

f) Respect Wildlife

  • Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
  • Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
  • Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
  • Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
  • Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.

g) Be Considerate of Other Visitors

  • Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
  • Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
  • Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
  • Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
  • Let nature’s sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises

10) Recommended Literature and Websites
a) Back Country First Aid and Extended Care, 4th edition, Buck Tilton, The Globe Pequot Press
b) The NOLS Cookery; Experience the Art of Outdoor Cooking, National Outdoor Leadership School, Stackpole Books
c) Leave no Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics:  www.lnt.org
d) Mountaineering: The Freedom Of The Hills, Published by The Mountaineers Books
e) Wilderness Navigation: Finding Your Way Using Map, Compass, Altimeter, GPS, 2nd Edition, Bob Burns, The Mountaineers Books

Comments are closed.