The wilderness has many possible dangers, which are a part of the "wilderness experience." When visitors or locals enter the forest or backcountry, they need to be prepared to take care of themselves. As a general rule, it is wise to travel with another person, and to tell a friend or family member where you plan to be and when you plan to return.
Know the basics of first aid, and carry a kit. Even the simplest of items, like aspirin and Band-aids, can be valuable to an injured person. Pay attention to the weather; even in midsummer it can change very rapidly and catch the unwary in a snowstorm or flash flood.
In the event someone is seriously injured, treat the person to the extent of your abilities and send for help. Leave a person with the victim. Take immediate steps to notify the sheriff or local authorities; they will take the next steps to activate the local search and rescue organization.
Hypothermia is the number one killer of outdoor recreationists. When the body temperature is lowered, and unable to produce heat, hypothermia begins. Most everyone has suffered from mild hypothermia, but if the process is not stopped, death can occur.
It is caused by cool to cold temperatures, wind, lack of sunshine, and mainly wet or damp clothing. Signs of hypothermia include shivering, slow or slurred speech, fumbling or immobile fingers, stumbling, sleepiness, and exhaustion.
Take precautions by checking the weather, utilizing layering techniques to carry moisture away from body heat, carrying a spare set of clothing and rain gear, and drinking water and eating snacks.
If someone begins to develop signs of hypothermia, replace wet clothing with dry if possible. Wrap up in a blanket or sleeping bag, and do not sleep until all signs of hypothermia are gone.
Altitude Sickness - Traveling at high altitudes can be dangerous. High altitude illness is a real danger for travelers not accustomed to the very high mountains. Illness can be avoided with acclimatization, but few take advantage of this opportunity.
A classic scenario for developing high altitude illness goes like this. The visitors fly in from New York City to Reno, Nev., at about 5,000 feet. That afternoon, they rent a car, and drive to a trailhead at 8,000 feet. Off they go on a hike to the first camp at 9,000 feet. The next morning, they hike up to 10,500 feet, and they begin to get headaches, feel nauseous, and weak. The conditions worsen, and they begin to have difficulty hiking.
This scenario is not uncommon. So, it's essential to understand the physiological effects of high altitude. The concentration of oxygen decreases as the elevation rises. The number of oxygen molecules per breath is reduced. The body must adjust to having less oxygen. Also, for reasons not exactly known yet, high altitude and lower air pressure causes fluid to leak from the capillaries. This can cause fluid to build-up in both the lungs and the brain.
The major cause of altitude sickness is going too high too fast. Given some time, the body can adapt to the decrease of oxygen. Acclimatization generally takes one to three days. "Climb high and sleep low." This is the maxim used by climbers - it means if you climb more than 1,000 feet in a day, sleep at a lower altitude. If symptoms show up, do down, down, down.
Giardia - The water in the Sierra looks clean and pure, particularly when you are hot and thirsty. It may not be as pure as it looks. Waters throughout the country have a variety of organisms, some which are not harmful, and some of which are! One which can cause extreme discomfort is the parasite Giardia, an organism present in a cyst in the feces of infected animals and humans.
It is widely believed (and promoted by the Forest Service and National Park Service) that this parasite is most commonly spread through water. You are directed to treat your water for Giardia, and boil it for one minute, or use a filter with a pore size less than one-half micron. The types of iodine specified for water treatment may work if directions are followed carefully.
NOTE: The above statement about Giardia is not necessarily correct.
There is convincing evidence that the water in the Sierra is safe and not a source of Giardia infections. There is evidence that people are more likely to be infected with Giardia because of failure to wash hands before handling food - failing to maintain proper cleanliness.
Read this article for a full understanding of the Giardia question and how to use water in the Sierra safely.
Storms - Lightning - A beautiful summer day frequently brings thunderstorms. Beware of big, white, puffy clouds that later may turn into thunderstorms. Check weather reports before going into the wilderness. Watch for changing weather conditions.
If caught in a thunderstorm, stay off of high ridges. Seek cover in the valley or a ravine, but watch for flash flooding there! Stay away from the tallest trees or anything else with height. If in a group, stay apart from each other, and get down in a crouching position with only feet touching the ground.
Read this article for more about Lightning safety. This document - NOLS Backcountry Lightning Safety Guidelines in Acrobat PDF format is also excellent information.
Heat affects everyone. When you don't drink enough water, your body is unable to cool itself, and as a result, heat exhaustion begins. Muscle cramping, and heat stroke may set in. During heat stroke, the body temperature can rise as high as 105 degrees. Death quickly results if the core temperature is not rapidly reduced.
Watch for signs of heat related illness. These signs may include muscle cramps, nausea, dizziness, weakness, and exhaustion. At the first signs of dehydration or heat related illness, take steps to: remove the person from the hot environment; cool with wet towels or clothing; REST, and give small amounts of water every half hour. Forget the salt tablets, sodas, juices or anything containing caffeine or alcohol.
To avoid heat related illness, drink at least three quarts of water per day, and monitor activity during hot times of the day.
Wildlife - Feeding wildlife is not in the best interests of anyone. Bears, squirrels, deer, mountain lions, and other animals are not designed to eat people food, and most animals become aggressive when they realize humans provide food. Pack food with animals in mind, and store foods in proper canisters (available at many Forest Service and Park Service Visitor Centers and sporting goods stores).
Read this article for information about protecting food from bears.
Read this article for information about food canisters.
Getting Lost - Some keys to preventing a hiker from getting lost are found in this article. The article also tells you what to do if you do get lost.
P.S. Be a good parent or guardian, and pass this wisdom on to your kids. Someday, they'll not only thank you for them, but they might live longer knowing these survival skills.