The dangers of the outdoors
by The Outdoor Master on 2007-09-23
If you ever decide to go hiking, even for a short period of time, I can't
express how important it is to be smart, and know that no matter how short of
a time you plan on spending out there, anything can happen to you.
It's the really small things that people don't even think about that gets
them into trouble. I am a very good example of this. I decided to go trail
running a few years back, and I was feeling really energetic that particular
day. Of course I planned on running in, and running out before the sun went
down. So the sun started to go down, and I decided it was time to run back.
Now the trail markers crossed at grey and blue and consequently, they looked
exactly the same, with just a little less sunlight. I was lost until the next
morning because before I knew it, there was no sun, and no moon what so ever.
I was lucky in fact. What I didn't know was that in any direction it was only
a matter of miles in any direction to find a way out. I didn't know that of
course and i went in circles a bit, but imagine if it was a large park, and I
could have been lost for weeks. That's potential death for many reasons I can
name and all i needed... was a flashlight and it would never have happened.
Stupid right? Well its really not, in all honesty, its something so simple,
especially with my background, I figured it couldn't happen to me. And it
happens to a lot of people and some aren't so lucky. You need to be educated
at least a little bit before you go out there, and bring some emergency
supplies just in case.
Every time I tell people that moose are dangerous they look at me funny like "
wha"? Those are people that may try and pet the creature that can trample you
to death. Or they think because they are packing a knife, they're going to
fend off a bear. The chances are slim I hate to say. In fact in almost all
cases people run from bears, and then what good is that knife? But if you
knew that running downhill is your best chance against a bear you'd come out
unscathed (most people think playing dead is best).
Just don't make the mistake of thinking that accidents, and unfortunate
incidents can't happen to you. If you do your research, and bring the
essential, you can always be assured that you'll have nothing but a fun, safe
time.
express how important it is to be smart, and know that no matter how short of
a time you plan on spending out there, anything can happen to you.
It's the really small things that people don't even think about that gets
them into trouble. I am a very good example of this. I decided to go trail
running a few years back, and I was feeling really energetic that particular
day. Of course I planned on running in, and running out before the sun went
down. So the sun started to go down, and I decided it was time to run back.
Now the trail markers crossed at grey and blue and consequently, they looked
exactly the same, with just a little less sunlight. I was lost until the next
morning because before I knew it, there was no sun, and no moon what so ever.
I was lucky in fact. What I didn't know was that in any direction it was only
a matter of miles in any direction to find a way out. I didn't know that of
course and i went in circles a bit, but imagine if it was a large park, and I
could have been lost for weeks. That's potential death for many reasons I can
name and all i needed... was a flashlight and it would never have happened.
Stupid right? Well its really not, in all honesty, its something so simple,
especially with my background, I figured it couldn't happen to me. And it
happens to a lot of people and some aren't so lucky. You need to be educated
at least a little bit before you go out there, and bring some emergency
supplies just in case.
Every time I tell people that moose are dangerous they look at me funny like "
wha"? Those are people that may try and pet the creature that can trample you
to death. Or they think because they are packing a knife, they're going to
fend off a bear. The chances are slim I hate to say. In fact in almost all
cases people run from bears, and then what good is that knife? But if you
knew that running downhill is your best chance against a bear you'd come out
unscathed (most people think playing dead is best).
Just don't make the mistake of thinking that accidents, and unfortunate
incidents can't happen to you. If you do your research, and bring the
essential, you can always be assured that you'll have nothing but a fun, safe
time.
About The Author: Ryan Hills is a survival expert in many fields of the outdoors. As an an ex-marine Ryan's training has taken him from the land, the air and the sea. If you plan on going on a hike, you should consider visiting the ten essentials to surviving the wild at the Wilderness survival page.