Unprepared Americans Venture into Wilderness Terrain
In the spirit of exploration and adventure, it's essential to prioritise safety when embarking on journeys through America's wilderness areas. Here are some key tips to ensure a responsible and enjoyable outdoor experience.
Safety Tips for the Great Outdoors
The motto to remember is simple: "Get the gear. Gain the knowledge. Stay safe." Hikers should equip themselves with the necessary gear, acquire practical skills, and practice regularly.
The Strain on SAR Teams
Unfortunately, SAR teams across the U.S. are experiencing increased demand for rescues due to a rise in ill-prepared hikers. This trend highlights the importance of being well-equipped and knowledgeable before venturing into the wilderness.
The Importance of Practical Knowledge
Gear is only as good as the person using it. Hikers should learn practical survival skills such as building a fire, using a map and compass, purifying water, constructing a shelter, and foraging for food.
Preparing for the Unexpected
The statistics show that too many people are heading into the wilderness unprepared, and the consequences can be deadly. The most common causes of unpreparedness leading to search and rescue incidents in national parks and wilderness areas among Americans include straying off established trails, lack of proper safety gear, underestimating hazards like falls, extreme weather, and inadequate knowledge or experience.
Specifically, wandering off trails is the leading cause of hikers going missing in national parks. Falls, especially from cliffs or rough terrain, account for about 23.59% of deaths in national parks and are a primary hazard to outdoor recreators. Lack of protective equipment increases the risk of serious injury, while environmental dangers such as extreme heat or rip currents at beaches often catch visitors unprepared. Issues such as limited communication infrastructure can hinder rescue operations, complicating emergency responses.
Preparing for Outdoor Excursions
To better prepare for outdoor excursions, adventurers should stay on marked and established trails, wear appropriate safety gear for the activity, plan with reliable information about the terrain, weather conditions, and potential hazards of the area, carry sufficient water, food, navigation tools, and first aid supplies, inform someone of their itinerary and expected return time, gain skills and training relevant to the activities undertaken, understand local risks like heat exposure or rip currents, and ensure they have a way to communicate or alert rescuers in emergencies.
Necessary Gear for Day Hikes
On day hikes, hikers should carry a map and compass, fire-starting tools, a first aid kit, proper clothing layers, rain gear, a water purification method, shelter materials, and emergency supplies.
Most Common Age Groups for Rescues
Interestingly, the largest percentage of rescues involves individuals aged 20-29, while older adventurers aged 60 account for the second most common group.
The Value of Wilderness Medical Training
Wilderness medical training is a practical skill often overlooked. It equips hikers with life-saving techniques and improves their ability to stay safe and assist in rescue missions.
Day Hikes' Risks
Nearly half of all rescues occur during simple day hikes, with about 20% of these incidents attributed to lack of preparation.
By respecting trail boundaries, preparing physically and mentally for environmental challenges, and equipping themselves properly, visitors can reduce the likelihood of becoming the subject of search and rescue operations in America's wilderness areas.
For those seeking more comprehensive training, the Survival University offers a search and rescue tracking class taught by one of the best trackers in the United States.
References: [1] National Park Service. (2020). Missing Hiker Incidents. Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/subjects/safety/missing-hiker-incidents.htm [2] American Alpine Club. (2020). Climbing Safety. Retrieved from https://www.americanalpineclub.org/climbing-safety [3] Outdoor Industry Association. (2020). Outdoor Recreation Statistics. Retrieved from https://outdoorindustry.org/statistics/ [4] National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2020). Beach Safety. Retrieved from https://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/ [5] Federal Communications Commission. (2020). Wireless Infrastructure. Retrieved from https://www.fcc.gov/wireless-infrastructure
- To ensure a safe and enjoyable outdoor adventure, it is crucial to follow the motto: "Get the gear. Gain the knowledge. Stay safe."
- As SAR teams face increased demand for rescues, it is essential that hikers are well-equipped and knowledgeable before venturing into the wilderness.
- Practical knowledge and skills, such as building a fire, using a map and compass, purifying water, and constructing a shelter, are crucial for hikers.
- Preparation is key, as statistics show that too many people are heading into the wilderness unprepared, leading to deadly consequences.
- Wandering off trails, falls, underestimating hazards, and inadequate knowledge or experience are common causes of search and rescue incidents in national parks and wilderness areas.
- For day hikes, hikers should carry essential gear such as a map and compass, fire-starting tools, first aid kit, proper clothing, rain gear, water purification method, shelter materials, and emergency supplies.
- Wilderness medical training, which equips hikers with life-saving techniques and improves their ability to stay safe and assist in rescue missions, is often overlooked.
- Nearly half of all rescues occur during simple day hikes, with about 20% of these incidents attributed to lack of preparation. By respecting boundaries, preparing thoroughly, and equipping themselves properly, visitors can greatly reduce the likelihood of search and rescue incidents.
