Being Safe And As Secure As Possible Is Important
No Such Thing As Too Careful When In The Backcountry
Taking security measures when backpacking in the backcountry or even just on the trails hiking is always important. Some things you will not be able to do anything to prevent while other things can mitigate risk and improve your chances of reducing personal danger. You need to make smart choices if you choose to be a place 10 miles away from the nearest road and 15 miles from anyone who can help with no cell service. Luckily, we have the power to influence many of these factors.
1- Know The Area
This is starting at the basics. Knowing the area you will be in, where help is located, how you can reach it in an emergency and what to do if you cannot is key. This can easily be the difference between life and death. Knowing the area is more than where things are, it is also what threats are there and resources you may need to access. Before going to an area do some research on the animal, plant and weather conditions. Know what animals pose a threat to you, what plants to look for or avoid and the weather forecast you can expect. If you know where bears will be when they wake from hibernation you will be helping yourself and those around you reduce predatory risk. Information like this is not always constant through time. Some seasons are different than others and you will need to know what to do or avoid when you are out there.
2- Formulate A Plan
After you know more about the area’s specific features and habitants you begin to design a plan. The plan you make should encompass the animal life, plants and geographical characteristics. You need to know if an area will be impassable or if there is a speedier route to get to help if needed. The best route to the closest water source is valuable information. Everyone in your groups should have at least one directional device. They also should know the general direction to reach certain landmarks if they become lost or separated. In the event that the group is split in anyway, there should be a plan to head to a certain spot as soon as that happens. The sun rises and sets in the same places daily, your group can use this to your advantage. Designate an obvious land feature as a rally point before leaving the house.
3- Aquire Emergency Skills
Knowing what to do when the unexpected rears its ugly head is a set of skills you will eventually utilize. You should develop these skills before the situation demands their use. Being able to handle medical emergencies or dire situations can make you a survivor, not knowing can be death. Even something as simple as knowing how to dress a wound or when to use a tourniquet is extremely important. A basic first aid class will put you at step 1, further learning will only make you better. This should be the first thing you do after deciding you are interested in trekking outdoors.
4- Carry Emergency Supplies
An extra day of food, bandages, tape and a whistle are some examples of emergency gear. You will need to have all of this on your when the emergencies occur, they will do no good at home. Making sure that your gear is still good and hasn’t deteriorated or expired is also important. Going along with acquiring emergency skills you will need to know how to use your gear properly and effectively. Test everything out before leaving. Know how to apply the bandage or how to maintain pressure to a wound if need be. Prevent infections through the use of antiseptics and latex gloves. Keeping note of time and injury duration are all key factors to keep track of. Bringing a permanent marker makes this easier. Don’t skimp on this gear, get quality supplies that will hold up and perform as designed.
5- Separation Of Camp & Kitchen
This one is pretty obvious to me but in case it needs to be stated: cook away from your camp. By away I mean about a mile or so. If you are cooking almost any type of food by fire, the scent will travel far on an average day. Delicious campfire chicken and veggies or steak and potatoes is not what I want to be smelling like in the backcountry. Animals will pick up the smell and head that way. This is also a good reason to keep your food up high and away from where you sleep. Think of it as insurance, you hope you never need it but when you do it is worth every penny. It may be an extra effort or pain but you don’t want to risk the alternative. Cook far away from the camp and keep food high above the ground surface. Do not keep an extra candy bar or left overs in your pack over night. It may seem like a good idea but what a risk!
Be Smart & Use Your Head
In the end, most of this is general knowledge. I guess the best piece of advice is don’t rush out to the woods without preparing or thinking ahead. Know what you are doing and pay attention to your actions plus their implications. When in doubt do research, take classes, gain knowledge and overcome challenges. You can learn much more than you think and are stronger than you know now.
