Hiking Safety
From WikiHike
Contents |
First Aid
Avoiding Insect and Tick Bites
Step 1: Use an insect repellent that is 20% to 30% DEET.
Step 2: Purchase clothing that is pre-treated with Permethrin, or buy a Permethrin spray as a further deterrent to ticks.
Step 3: Wear long pants and long sleeves. The clothing does not have to be heavy, but the length will provide an addition way of keeping ticks from getting to your skin.
Step 4: Tuck your pant legs into your socks. This creates an additional barrier that makes it harder for ticks to get in.
Step 5: Avoid wooded areas with tall grass. If you are going for a hike, stay in the center of the trail to better avoid leaves, tree branches and tall grass.
Bee Stings
You will need tweezers, soap and water, alcohol, cold water or ice, aloe vera gel or calamine lotion. Follow the steps below.
Step 1: Pull the bee’s stinger out as soon as possible with your fingers or tweezers.
Step 2: Clean the wound site with soap and warm water or alcohol.
Step 3: Cool down the area to prevent inflammation and swelling. Apply ice cubes, an ice pack or a cold, wet compress to the bite.
Step 4: Apply aloe vera gel or lotion, lanolin or calamine lotion to the infected area to reduce inflammation and pain, and to relieve mild to moderate burning and itching.
Blisters
The most common hiking ailment is blisters. Blisters are caused primarily by heat and friction. The best way to prevent blisters is to have good footwear and allow your feet ample rest. Your hiking shoes should be waterproof and breathable, this will allow the moisture from your feet to escape and prevent water from coming in. often times you will be able to feel a blister coming on. It will be a hot spot usually where there is some sort of irritation. This could be a place the shoes rub on your foot or a foreign object such as sand in your shoes. As soon as any signs of a blister appear remove your shoes and check for any particles, allow your feet to cool down, change your socks. If there is already a red spot you can protect it with a band aid or moleskin. When you stop for the night remove all bandages and allow your feet to completely dry out. If a blister has already formed with fluid in it near the surface take a sterilized needle and puncture the blister. Allow the fluid to drain and then apply a band aid or gauze covered with moleskin. If the blister has broken on its own clean with an antiseptic. If the blister is deep in your foot, even with fluid, do not puncture it. Protect the area and allow it plenty of time to rest.
Treating Mosquito Bites
- Adhesive bandage
- A dry towel
- Soap
- Washcloth
- Topical bite relief medication (optional)
- Baking soda
- Water
- Bag of ice
Step 1: Wash the bite as soon as you discover it.
Step 2: Make a paste from baking soda and a tiny bit of water.
Step 3: Apply baking soda paste to the bite. Alternatively, you could use an over-the-counter cream made for mosquito bites.
Step 4: Apply an adhesive bandage to the bite to cover in and prevent you from scratching.
Step 5: Wrap a bag of ice in a washcloth and apply to the site if it swells or hurts.
Step 6: Avoid rubbing the area dry after showering. Instead, pat the area.
Step 7: Call a doctor if the mosquito bite does not go away within a week or if it makes you feel ill.
Sore Knees
This is a common hiking issue caused by hiking long distances or on steep grades. Using a walking stick will help take some of the pressure off of your knees and therefore prevent some of this soreness. It will also help to slowly work up the difficulty of your hikes. Allowing ample time to rest after exertion will also help reduce the strain.
Spider Bites
You will need soap and water, ice or cold water, ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Seek medical help if it could be a poisonous spider.
Step 1: Identify the spider, if it is possible to do so safely. Some spider bites require more extensive treatment, including antivenom. If you are able to identify the spider, it will be helpful in determining the appropriate treatment.
Step 2: Wash the site of the spider bite with soap and water. Regardless of whether it is a harmless spider or a poisonous one, wash the area as soon as possible.
Step 3: Care for a regular spider bite with cold compresses or ice. Use over the counter medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, for pain relief. Monitor for allergic reactions, rash, fever and signs of infection. If any of these occur, seek medical attention.
Sprained Ankle
This is a common hiking injury especially on steep or terrain that is unstable such as loose rocks.
Signs
The common symptoms of a sprained ankle are pain with bruising and swelling either on the inside or outside of the ankle depending on the way the ankle twisted.
Causes
A sprain is caused by the twisting of the ankle either in an inverted or everted manner thus giving rise to the names inversion and eversion ankle sprains. Twisting is most common after jumping (as hikers sometime do when coming down steep hills) or on loose footing (as is common on many hiking trails).
Treatment
Since a sprain is either a stress or tare of a ligament in the ankle, it needs time to heal. The treatment and length of time for healing will depend on how much damage was done. A grade one ankle sprain will have pain and swelling but the person will most likely be able to walk without crutches. Alternate heat and cold along with ibuprofen or your pain killer of choice. If the sprain is a grade two there is more tearing of the ligaments and usually significant bruising. The person will still most likely be able to take a few steps but will do so with significant pain. With this level of a sprain it is best to see a doctor to rule out the possibility of a fracture in which the bone is damaged, until you can get there keep your foot elevated and iced to help with the swelling. The final level of a sprain is when the ligament is completely torn. The person will have intense significant pain, swelling and bruising. They may also complain that the ankle feels like its "giving way" or unstable. Its important to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Ticks
You should follow these steps when returning from any outdoor excursion as ticks are potential carriers of many diseases!
Step 1: Check your naked body from head to toe for ticks ' small black, brown, reddish or tan disklike arachnids (having eight legs), from the size of a pinhead to almost the size of a thumbtack. Pay special attention to the backs of your knees, your groin area and your torso.
Step 2: Ask a friend or family member for help if you find a tick in a hard-to-reach spot. Removing ticks As Soon As possible is a must as it takes 12-24 hours to transmit Lyme disease.
Step 3: Hold (or have the other person hold) a pair of tweezers in one hand and grasp the tick with the tweezers close to the surface of your skin. Also avoid grabbing the body of the tick with your fingers and trying to pull it out. This method may cause you to leave some parts of the tick under your skin and will also expose your hands to any disease the tick is carrying.
Step 4: Gently but firmly pull the tick straight out, working for several seconds if necessary until it loosens and comes free. Occasionally, parts of the tick's mouth become separated from the rest of the tick; if they do, pull them out separately.
Step 5: Dispose of the tick by throwing it into a fire or by squishing it using a tissue and then flushing it down the toilet. Don't smash it with your foot or your bare hands.
Step 6: Clean the bite site thoroughly with soap and water or Betadine, and thoroughly wash your hands.
Pet Safety
Basic Tips
Condition your dog before you set out on a long trip. Dogs can get out of shape just as fast as we can so start slow and help them build up there muscles, plus it will help be sure you are in shape for your trek as well.
Be sure to check the rules and regulations of the area you intend to hike before you arrive. some allow dogs and others don't. some have leash restrictions other places dogs are free to roam.
Make sure your dog is well behaved around other dogs, people and wild animals. You are responsible for your pet's behavior.
Carry extra food and water for your dog just as you would for yourself. Don't forget the collapsible bowl.
Pay attention to any signs of distress from your dog. If they are seeking shade and sitting at every possible opportunity allow them to rest. Since your dog can't talk to you and say how they are feeling its important to make these observations since dogs can suffer from the same heat stroke and exhaustion we can.
Pet First Aid Kit
Make sure your kit includes the numbers of you home veterinarian, a local veterinarian, numbers for poison control, a copy of your proof of rabies shots, and other vaccinations.
It's also important to carry tweezers or pliers to remove ticks or porcupine quills, gauze both in squares and on a roll, antiseptic for cuts and band aids. A razor is helpful to remove hair from around an injured area. An extra sock will help protect your pets paw if its injured.
Use the same common sense when treating your pet as you would yourself.
What if you need help
STOP
First and foremost S.T.O.P. S= Stop T= Think O= Observe P= Plan
If you are lost or injured use this acronym to prevent panic.
Before you head out to your desired hiking location be sure to have the number for the local ranger station. They will be the best to call if you are lost or need help. You can also always call 911.
For injuries begin treatment as best you can with your first aid supplies. Stop any bleeding, split any breaks. If you are alone and in an area without cell phone reception without much chance of someone coming along the trail make sure you are as stable as possible before trying to move to a location with reception. DO NOT LEAVE THE TRAIL. Trails will be the best and easiest way to get to you.
