Safety in the Outdoors

How To Stay Safe In The Great Outdoors

The great outdoors are full of ways to enjoy yourself and get a kick out of life, but there are also dangers you need to watch out for when venturing into the wilderness. Staying safe while getting the most out of what nature has to offer is important, and there a few simple ways that you can protect yourself against the risks.  This is true whether you’re deer hunting, bass fishing or bowhunting.

Checking your accommodation for hidden dangers

If you’re checking into a hostel or mountain hut that is old and worn down, you should really check with the owner or operator that the relevant asbestos surveys have been carried out. It is also worth checking appliances for their gas safety record, especially if rooms are equipped with old gas heaters instead of radiators or traditional log fires. Just doing these two things could save your life, and save the lives of other people that stay at the property. It is the landlords responsibility of ensure all precautions and safety measures are taken, so if in doubt ask.

Things to pack

You need to pack the right equipment and gather some information every time you leave the comfort of your home and take on the wilderness. The first thing you need to do is get a reliable weather report and print it out so you have a copy. What the weather is doing can determine whether or not you venture out on any given day, so don’t take unnecessary risks. If the weather is going to be bad just wait until it calms down. If you go out into bad weather it’s more likely that something could go wrong, and the conditions could make it difficult for emergency services to reach you.

Other things you must pack include a compass and map, because you need to rely on yourself as much as possible to get out of any bad situations you find yourself in. A torch and first aid kit are also essentials to put in your backpack, if case someone does get hurt and your find yourself out after dark. Also make sure you pack plenty of water, more than you think you will need is always a good idea. Keeping hydrated will keep your body working well and help you to keep focused if an emergency does arise.

What to wear

Good quality footwear is always a must when going on long walks and hikes, so forget flimsy trainers or fancy leather shoes. You need to wear boots that provide sufficient ankle support to prevent you from inuring yourself, and make sure they have a think treaded sole to give you more traction when travelling across rough terrain. Waterproof hiking boots are a great option if you want to keep your feet dry.

Colourful clothing may not be the most fashionable look, but it’s important that you don’t blend into your surroundings. Wear bright colours so that people can see you in the case that you need to be rescued. Also make sure you pack waterproofs even if rain is not forecast, because sometimes the weather report isn’t always right. Packing a hat and gloves are also a good idea in case you find yourself stuck outside overnight.

Getting assistance in an emergency

Making sure you can request help while out in the great outdoors is one of the most important aspects of preparation before a trip. Make sure you mobile phone is fully charged and take an extra battery if you can. Accidents can often happen near to the end of a day out, at a time when you could be low on energy, so make sure your phone is not.

There is a great new app available for smartphone users that lets you contact emergency services, relatives, and friends in the case on an emergency. It is called Guardly, and allows you to contact people through voice calls, email, text messaging, and even through video chat. You can send out a group alert and then connect with multiple people to get the advice and assistance you need as fast as possible. The app will also make it much easier for and emergency medical response to reach you because it pinpoints your exact location so they can find you quickly.