Hiking Safety

There are dozens of options for portable satellite communicators so which one is right for you? Iv’e checked out some of the most popular ones for hiking, bushwalking and trail running; the Garmin inReach, SPOT and ZOLEO.

If you ever find yourself needing help, knowing the different ways you can signal for help and choosing the most appropriate ones for the circumstances can be the difference between life and death.

The rule of threes allows you to prepare for emergencies and determine decision-making in case of injury or danger posed by the environment.

When lost in the bush, most people panic through fear they will run out of food. Did you know you can survive three weeks without food provided you have water and shelter? Knowing how to construct a survival shelter is an important skill.

Hypothermia and Cold Weather Injuries can occur any time that cool (not necessarily cold), wet and windy conditions are prevalent.

Water, warmth, signals, shelter and food are the top 5 priorities in a survival situation, according to survival expert Bob Cooper. Regardless of where you are in the wilderness, water is your most valuable commodity.

Fatal hyponatremia in hikers is rare, but it has claimed the lives of some. Overhydration should be something that all hikers are aware of and take seriously but it’s important to keep the risk of ‘overhydration’ in perspective.

Trekking at high altitude can be intimidating. If you have been considering one of these adventures for a while, you have probably heard all the horror stories already. Here’s some of the most common mistakes first-time altitude trekkers make and what to do instead.

Before venturing off the beaten track, it is important to ensure you are well prepared with a hike safety plan and are carrying the correct safety equipment for all possible emergency situations.

With a few tips on how to prevent and treat common hiking injuries, you can keep doing what you love and hiking towards your goal. Some hiking injuries are preventable; others are easily treatable on your own.

You or a hiking buddy get hurt. Sit back, relax and call 000. It wont be long before help arrives. The reality is, help could be hours or days away before a recovery team can get to you so be prepared to manage the situation.

Insect repellents help in keeping pesky blood suckers at bay. They prevent and control the outbreak of insect-borne diseases such as Malaria, Yellow Fever, Dengue Fever, Bubonic Plague and West Nile Fever.

Want to know how to prevent and treat some of the common injuries and problems that may occur when you’re out on the trail? Here’s some advice from Rich Hungerford, a Senior Survival and Bushcraft Instructor at Bushlore Australia.

What’s your approach to blister treatment? Do you prefer to cover your blisters or let the air get to them? What kind of antiseptic do you use, if any? What’s your go-to treatment to take the pain out of your blister so you can keep hiking?

Blistered feet, pain and suffering through each step is not the way you want to remember your adventure. Foot care & blister prevention is far better than cure take steps to avoid blisters and enjoy your trip for what it is.

Leading a hike is not always as simple as strapping on your pack and expecting the rest of the group to follow. There are different levels of fitness, capabilities, experience, skills, personalities and pace of individuals to consider when keeping your hiking group together.

Snakes are not naturally aggressive and always prefer to retreat. They will only attack humans if hurt or provoked – most bites occur when people try to kill or capture snakes. If you come across a snake in the bush, just calmly walk the other way.

Stretching before, during and after a hike is often something that people overlook. Whatever your beliefs, don’t start or end a hike without paying attention to your muscles.

Are you planning a hike, going somewhere remote or where the weather can be extreme and terrain challenging? It’s important to tell other people about your trip and leave a map, so they can contact Police if something goes wrong.

When you leave an item on the trail at the point where you left, others know where you left the trail and will have a better chance of finding you.

When planning a hike, most most of us think about the things we need to take such as backpack, boots, clothing, feed and water. But a lot don’t think about protecting themselves in case of accident or emergency.

Dehydration occurs when you don’t have enough fluids in your body. If severe, dehydration can cause serious problems. If you suspect you are (or someone else is) dehydrated, stop, get out of the heat and re-hydrate.

Swelling can be caused by several factors, but the most common causes are gravity and the way the body distributes heat during exercise. The problem is not serious and will go away soon after you stop hiking.

Many hikers, backpackers, and climbers who are participating in activities in the desert, high temperatures, and high humidity levels will be more susceptible to heat exhaustion.

Are you prepared if your become lost or injured and your life is in danger when hiking in the Australian bush? What is the Difference Between an EPIRB, ELT and PLB?

There are a handful of water purification methods available, and after reading this article, you’ll understand the pros and cons of each method. But remember, you stake your life on your water sources, so never take chances that you can avoid, and always use the absolute best purification method available to you under the circumstances.

The Aussie bush contains a bounty of wild edible plants that runs into the thousands, ranging from starchy seeds and tangy fruits to mushrooms, tubers, leaves and seaweed. However, knowing how to identify edible plants is not easy so taste testing food is important.

I personally carry and highly recommend that you always have a personal survival kit, even on day hikes. Your survival kit should contain all the necessary items for survival in the widerness.

Even if you are going for a short hike, there is always a small possibility you could break a limb, cut yourself or get bitten by insects or snakes, so you need to be prepared for the worst. Most first aid kits are compact and contain all the essential items you’ll need.

I recommend not starting a hike that takes you more than a kilometre from the trail head without a bottle of water along. It’s recommended you have at least one litre with you and try to consume 250ml every time you need a drink.

The underlying philosophy is that to WALK SAFE means to be armed with sufficient knowledge to avoid encountering unnecessary problems in the bush. It means to plan in advance a suitable route, clothing, equipment and food for your walking party.

Plan your hike like your life depends on it – because it does. Correct planning, and the right navigation aids, will help you avoid getting lost. What do you do if you can’t find your way home safely?