Before You Go Out In The Wild

Before You Go Out In The Wild

by Bill Knell

Before you or your children venture into wilderness exploration or camping situations, be aware that there are many dangers you will have to face. These include environments, animals and people. Most of these dangers are random and it's almost impossible to avoid them. Large mammals like bears, steers, wild hogs, moose and big cats are a constant threat and can attack in a stealthy mode that you probably cannot defend against in a timely manner. Weapons or bear spray may or may not help you. If a grizzly bear decides to attack, it's unlikely that you would have enough time to use firepower or spray to stop them before they shred you into pieces even if they die in the process. Not all dangers come in extra large sizes. Mosquitoes can carry diseases that can cause lifelong illness or even death. Rodents carry the fleas that spread Plague and Hanta. Avoid them at all costs and make plans to keep them away from your tent in advance.

Ticks are your ultimate nightmare. Some of the best suggestions on how to avoid tick bites are located in the Center For Disease Control guide on the subject: “To prevent tick bites, stay on the center of trails to prevent tick bites. Avoid tall grass, brush, or leaf litter. Wear light-colored clothing with long sleeves and pants; tuck pants into socks and shirts into pants. Use an EPA-approved repellent (like DEET) on skin and treat clothing with permethrin.

Follow these core prevention steps for ultimate safety: Treat your gear with products containing (0.5\%\) permethrin on clothing, boots, and camping gear, or buy pre-treated clothing. Apply EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 on exposed skin and camping gear. Take a shower within two hours of coming indoors to wash away unattached ticks. Put dry clothes in the dryer on high heat for 10-15 minutes immediately after returning home to kill any lingering ticks. Perform a thorough tick check on yourself, your children, and your pets every time you come inside from wooded or grassy areas. Check your armpits, behind your knees, in and around your ears, inside your belly button, and your groin. Wear light-colored clothing with long sleeves and pants; tuck pants into socks and shirts into pants.

Dangerous flora in the form of poison ivy, poison oak, inedible berries and some mushrooms represent life threatening problems for those who go on casual strolls through the forest or decide to taste test various things that might look good to eat, but are not. For those who decide to try Caving or Rock Climbing without any training, lessons, the right equipment or experienced guides, their first try might be their last. The same is true about abandoned homes, buildings or vehicles. There are any number of groups that chaperone these kinds of adventures giving newbies a chance to learn and gain the experience needed to keep themselves and their fellow travelers safe while on wild adventures.

Buy and learn to use a compass. Believe it or not, they are sometimes more reliable than direction finding devices. Either way, they make a good back up. Teach your family how to use one. Always know which direction you are traveling in and where your car, truck, RV or trail head are located. Be sure to bring extra socks, clothes, water, snacks, high calorie health bars and snacks. Avoid alcohol or choose one or more designated (non drinking) safety persons who can watch for dangers others might miss.

It is extremely easy to get turned around in areas that are forested or wide open and flat (without mountains or specific points to use as markers). Traveling alone is never a good idea. Try to organize and stay in an armed group of three or more. This may be especially helpful if you are going through an area for the first time that's mostly unfamiliar to you. It is also helpful in case you run across feral individuals or groups of people out to rob, do harm or kill people. There have been increasing numbers of people reported missing or found dead in many federal, state and local parks and on open lands.

Do your homework before you plan any excursion into the wild. Gather all the information you can and bring an experienced guide with you. Don't sign off on school trips for your children to join their class or school on wild outings unless you can go with them. Kids can easily get lost or turned around in seconds. Teachers and chaperones are not generally qualified to watch children in wild environments. They are in as much danger as the kids they are watching.

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