TRAIL SAFETY S.T.O.P.

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Kenneth Thomas
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1 TRAIL SAFETY S.T.O.P. (Stp, Think, Observe, Plan). Yur brain is yur #1 survival tl. Safety begins BEFORE yu hit the trail. Part f this is in the preparatin. Yu can be cnfident that yur persnal well-being will be prtected by chsing hikes that are within yur range f ability, ding sme advance research n what the hike will entail, knwing abut water surces n the trail, and making sure t carry plenty f water and ther essential equipment. It s als imprtant t knw sme basic first aid and emergency prcedures (mre n that later). Let s start ut with a few basic cmmn sense pinters: 1. Dn t hike alne. But if yu must, dn t appear t be alne while hiking. If yu are hiking alne, and encunter an uncmfrtable situatin with ther hikers n the trail, let them think yu re waiting fr smene t catch up. Trust yur instincts. If smene n the trail makes yu feel uncmfrtable, keep mving quickly. Dn t engage in trail cnversatins that reveal persnal infrmatin abut where yu re parked r where yu re ging. 2. If yu insist n hiking alne, dn t select a hike that may put yu in a precarius psitin that will make yu wish yu had a hiking partner t send fr help. Instead, pick a trail that yu expect will have sme traffic in an area where smene will be able t see r hear yur signal fr help. 3. Always let smene knw where yu re ging and when yu plan t return. Sign in at trailhead registers when they re available. 4. Dn t leave valuables in yur car and dn t leave belngings unattended n the trail. 5. T avid injuries, watch yur fting at all times. Keep cntrl f yur pace n the dwnhills; ging t fast can lead t yur face being planted in the dirt. 6. Stay n trails (unless yu are prficient in back cuntry navigatin skills); it s easier than yu realize t get lst. 7. Each hiking venue has its wn safety issues, which can change dramatically in different seasns r under different weather cnditins. Fr example, in the desert there are flash flds & lightening strms; in the muntains there is hypthermia r severe wind. Knw what t expect in the area that yu re hiking, and prepare fr anything that might cme up. 8. Knwing and fllwing the rules in the particular area where yu re hiking will always make yur visit mre enjyable. It s really a drag t get back t where yu left yur vehicle and find that it has been twed because it was illegally parked. (Especially when yu were lking frward t ne f thse cld brews yu left in the ice chest!) 9. Check the weather frecast befre hitting the trail. Yu dn t want t get caught up n the San Francisc Peaks in the middle f a lightning strm, r stuck n the wrng side f a raging flash fld which is tearing thrugh that dry wash yu crssed earlier. 10. Always carry sme emergency equipment with yu (see belw). Hpefully yu ll never need t use it, but if yu d end up needing it, nt having it culd make a big difference. 11. D nt rll r thrw rcks and ther items frm high places; ther visitrs may be belw yu. 12. Wildlife may appear t be tame, but may attack if threatened. Stay a safe distance away while bserving animals. 13. Sme peple are mre affected by altitude than thers. If yu begin t feel light headed r queasy due t altitude, slw dwn and take frequent breaks, drink lts f water, and turn back. One can usually acclimate t a higher altitude within a day r Cnserve yur energy. This is especially imprtant n a lng hike. Yu dn t want t get several miles ut int the wilderness and find that yu dn t have the stamina t get back. 15. If yu can talk while yu are walking, yu are walking the perfect speed. When yu huff and puff, yur bdy des nt get enugh xygen t functin efficiently. Yur energy reserves get

2 used up very quickly, and it creates a lt f waste prducts that make yur legs feel heavy and may make yu feel sick. Walking at a pace that allws yu t be able t walk and talk will help guarantee that yur legs and yur bdy are getting the xygen that they need t functin efficiently. Yu will be better able t enjy yur hike, and yu will feel much better when yu reach its end. It may seem like yu are walking t slw, but at an aerbic pace (smetimes baby sized steps when the trail is steep) yur energy reserves will last many times lnger, and yu will reach yur destinatin feeling well. 16. Dn t drink grund water. It can make yu really sick. If yu dn t want t carry as much water as yu ll need fr the entire trip, then carry a filter r purifying tablets. 17. Watch and listen fr rck falls and slides, especially during and after dwnpurs. D nt stand at places where rcks have bviusly fallen there befre. 18. If hiking near a stream and it is necessary t crss, fllw these steps: Wait fr everyne in the grup t arrive at the stream befre making a determinatin t crss. D nt walk thrugh a flwing stream n ft where water is abve yur ankles. When walking thrugh r n rcks r lgs ver a stream, lsen pack buckles s if yu fall yu can easily get away frm yur pack and it will nt drag yu under Wait fr everyne t crss befre cntinuing (in case the last persn needs assistance). Use a stick r ple fr stability If this is t much t remember, just fllw this simple frmula: FOLLOW THE A, B, C s OF BACK COUNTRY TRAVEL A. ALWAYS TELL SOMEONE WHERE YOU ARE GOING (SPECIFICALLY WHERE) AND WHEN YOU WILL RETURN. B. BE PREPARED FOR THE UNEXPECTED. C. CARRY A SURVIVAL KIT. Emergency Kit At least ne persn in a hiking grup shuld carry an emergency kit. Yu may want t divide it up between several hikers s ne persn is nt stuck carrying all the extra weight. What yu take will depend n where yu re ging and hw lng yu plan t be away, but here are sme essentials: Besides carrying plenty f water, take alng sme purificatin tablets r a filter in case yu run ut r get stranded smewhere Basic first aid kit (mleskin, wund disinfectant, ace bandage, ice pack, anti-inflammatry medicatin, band aids, tweezers, etc.) Whistle pcket knife signal mirrr candles and matches in a waterprf cntainer Flashlight insect repellant cmpass magnifying glass extra fd nyln filament extra prescriptin medicatin if required space blanket trash bags, which can be used as pnchs r grund cver cell phne (be aware that there are many places that a cell phne wn t d yu ne bit f gd!)

Under these circumstances, the emergency kit can be fairly nminal.

3 Fr this class, we will be hiking near ppulated areas, and will never be t far frm help. We als have a large enugh grup s that if smene were t get injured, sme culd stay behind with the victim while anther grup went t get help. Under these circumstances, the emergency kit can be fairly nminal. Hwever, if yur hiking destinatin is in a mre remte area, and yu re nly hiking with ne r tw thers, yu will want t make adjustments accrdingly and bring mre emergency supplies with yu. Think f what can g wrng and bring supplies and equipment that will allw yu t address that situatin. Critters Every envirnment has its share f critters, and the Arizna muntains and deserts are hme t quite a variety f stinging and biting nes, sme f which can be pisnus: msquits, ticks, bees, wasps, scrpins, tarantulas, black widws, muntain lins, bbcats, black bears, rattlesnakes, gila mnsters, chuckwallas, centipedes & giant millipedes t name a few. Rabies can als be a prblem. S avid cntact with the lcal inhabitants f the areas where yu hike. It s a gd idea t inspect yurself after a hike t make sure yu haven t picked up any hitch-hikers (such as ticks). Mst critters prefer t avid cnfrntatins with humans, s usually if yu back ff, they will g their separate way. It s always fun and interesting t see these creatures in their natural envirnment, but yu dn t want t startle a skunk r rattler! The cnsequences culd be at the least, unpleasant, r pse a serius medical threat. S be alert while n the trail, and make sure yu knw hw t react. Dn t tempt animals with fd. Even a cute little squirrel can turn int a dangerus animal under the right set f circumstances. Bug bites can be an annyance, but are usually just that and nt dangerus. Hwever, sme insects can d sme damage. The bugs t be mst aware f are scrpins, black widws, Africanized bees & brwn recluse spiders. Scrpins sting rather than bite. Mst scrpin stings are nt dangerus; hwever the Bark scrpin can be. Treat like a rattlesnake bite (see belw). Bites r stings frm the ther insects mentined are rarely fatal in adults, but may cause yu sme discmfrt fr a time. Plants Arizna is als full f prickly plants, as well as sme that are pisnus t the tuch r t ingest. S NEVER NEVER NEVER EVER eat anything ut n the trail unless yu re sure yu knw what it is, and that it is safe. Cactus spines can d sme serius damage if yu happen t land in the center f ne. Yu ll want t have sme tweezers handy fr pulling ut all thse prickers befre they have a chance t cause an infectin. Other plants are prne t cause allergic reactins in the frm f skin rashes: pisn ak, pisn ivy (pht), and sumac. There are prducts available t prevent the ils frm their leaves frm penetrating yur skin, and ther prducts that will cleanse yur skin t mitigate their effect. It s gd t have these prducts handy if yu ll be hiking in an area where these plants grw. Pisn ivy enjys riparian envirnments, s be especially cautius when hiking alng water surces such as Oak Creek. Temperature Extremes and Related Cnditins Hiking in the ht, dry envirnment f the desert creates sme special cnsideratins. When ding especially difficult hikes which invlve climbing, the exertin required accelerates the effects f fatigue. When hiking during the summer when temperatures are high, dehydratin can lead t heat exhaustin.

4 Early symptms f heat exhaustin are minimal r n urinatin, lss f appetite, and lss f thirst. These symptms can quickly prgress t extreme fatigue, headache, fainting, nausea, and vmiting. While this cnditin is best prevented by resting, eating, and drinking during ne's hike, a hiker can slwly recver by fllwing this same advice nce symptms develp. Full recvery, hwever, can take days. It is nt advisable t hike during mid day heat. Always carry a flashlight s that hiking after dark is a reasnable alternative if it becmes necessary. Mre serius illnesses assciated with desert hiking are water intxicatin and heat strke. Water intxicatin (hypnatremia) is an illness that mimics the early symptms f heat exhaustin, except that urinatin is frequent, a higher vlume than nrmal, and clear. If left untreated, advanced symptms include behaviral changes, diarrhea, and uncnsciusness; these symptms ften require hspitalizatin. Water intxicatin can ccur when a persn drinks excessive amunts f water and eats very little r nt at all, creating an electrlyte imbalance. T prevent and treat early stages f water intxicatin, eat! Cnsider using ne f the many electrlyte drink mixes, such as Gatrade t supplement yur water supply. Heat strke is a life threatening emergency which can ccur when a persn hikes thrugh the mid day heat withut taking the time t rest and cl their bdy. Early symptms include unusual r illgical behavir, elevated temperature, flushed appearance, and weak, rapid pulse. The cnditin can rapidly prgress t uncnsciusness, seizures, and death. The heat strke victim must be cled immediately! Cntinuusly pur water n victim's head and trs, fan t create an evaprative cling effect, mve victim t shade, and remve excessive clthing. The victim needs evacuatin t a hspital. Smene shuld g fr help while attempts t cl the victim cntinue. It is far better t prevent this situatin: avid the mid day sun and cl ff in shade r near water surces when available. Use yur water supply t wet yur hat and shirt during yur hike. Avid direct expsure f yur head and trs t the sun. Hypthermia can als develp in a desert hiking envirnment, particularly if a hiker is fatigued. While hypthermia is mst ften a cncern during the winter seasn, it can ccur at almst any time f year at higher elevatins. Night time temperatures at higher elevatins can drp significantly, even in summer. Hypthermia can ccur at temperatures in the 50º range, especially when a tired hiker is als experiencing wet, windy cnditins. Symptms include uncntrllable shivering, pr muscle cntrl, and careless r illgical behavir. T prevent hypthermia, wear wind and water resistant uter clthing and synthetics capable f wicking misture away frm yur skin. It is imprtant t eat high energy fds and drink warm fluids t increase yur bdy's resistance t the effects f cl temperatures. Yur bdy spends an enrmus amunt f energy (gd calries) keeping yu cl while hiking in the heat. Eating is yur mst imprtant defense against exhaustin and water intxicatin. Fd plays an imprtant rle in keeping yur bdy cl: Eat twice as much as yu nrmally d. Eat befre, during and after yu hike. Eat befre yu are hungry. Eating small amunts f cmplex carbhydrates (breads, fruits, crackers, grains, energy bars, etc) thrughut the day (every minutes n a lng hike) will help keep yu energized. The bdy's cling system needs adequate water. Drink apprpriate amunts f water; electrlyte supplements are helpful. At the same time d nt ver drink. Mnitr yu urine utput.

5 Hiking in higher temperatures causes ne t sweat arund.5 t 1 quart f water and electrlytes every hur while walking in the heat. This fluid/electrlyte lss can even exceed 2 quarts per hur if yu hike uphill in the direct sunlight, and during the httest time f the day. Because desert air is s dry and ht, sweat evaprates instantly making its lss almst imperceptible. This evapratin allws ur bdies t lse heat and keep cl. D nt wait until yu start feeling thirsty t start replacing these fluids and electrlytes. By the time yu feel thirsty, yu are already dehydrated. Even this mild level f dehydratin can make yu apprximately 10% t 20% less efficient, and this makes hiking a lt less fun. The mre dehydrated yu becme, the less efficient yur bdy becmes at walking and cling. Yur bdy can nly absrb abut 1 quart f fluid per hur, s drink.5 t 1 quart f sme type f electrlyte replacement drink each and every hur that yu are hiking in the heat. Carry yur water bttle in yur hand and drink small amunts ften. The average adult shuld drink apprximately 4 quarts f electrlyte replacement drink fr every 8 hurs spent hiking in the heat. Hike wet! Sak dwn yur cttn clthing (hat and tee shirts) at every water surce pprtunity. This is ne f the best things that yu can d fr yurself. Whenever yu are near water, make sure that yu wet (actually sak) yurself dwn. If yu hike while saking wet - yu will stay reasnably cl. This will make a wnderful difference in hw well yu feel, especially at the end f the day! Other Cmmn Cnditins r Occurrences t Prepare Fr Here are a few ther things that are imprtant t be aware f hw t deal with: Cnditin Hw t Recgnize It What t D Blisters Muscle cramping Snake bite Sreness frm chafing; redness r bubble n the skin Sharp pain in muscles; hardening f the muscular tissue in the affected area Yu ll knw when yu get bitten by a snake. If the bite site swells and changes clr, it was prbably a venmus bite. Befre a blister develps, adjust equipment t minimize the rubbing, r apply mleskin. If a blister has already develped & yu have mre walking t d, stp, pp, & bandage. If the blister has brken, cleanse thrughly and bandage. Stp hiking. Drink sme water and eat smething salty. Massage the muscle until cramping ceases. Immbilize the bite area (use a splint if pssible); remve jewelry r cnstricting items. Keep bite area lwer than heart and seek medical attentin immediately. DO NOT use ice t cl the bite. DO NOT cut pen the wund and try t suck ut the venm. DO NOT use a turniquet. This will cut ff bld flw and the limb may be lst. Avid rattlesnakes altgether. If yu see ne, dn't try t get clser t it r catch it. Keep yur hands and feet away frm areas where yu cannt see, like between rcks r in tall grass where rattlesnakes like t rest.

6 Flash Flds There are many beautiful canyns t hike in Arizna, but canyn hiking presents its wn dangers. One f these is flash flds. Flash flds ccur when a large amunt f water drains int cnstricted channels. As the water travels dwnhill, it picks up mmentum, mre water, and large amunts f debris. Mre peple lse their LIVES in flds than in any ther weather-related event. Eighty percent f fld deaths ccur in vehicles, and mst happen when drivers make a single, fatal mistake - trying t navigate thrugh fld waters. Here are sme things t keep in mind: 1. Watch fr these warning signs: Unusually hard rain ver several hurs Steady substantial rain ver several days Rains in cnjunctin with a spring thaw A mnsn r ther trpical system affecting yur area Water rising rapidly in streams and rivers 2. In a terrain that is cut with canyns and drainages, flash flds can strike with little r n advance warning. Distant rain may be channeled int gullies and ravines, turning a dry wash r quiet stream int a rampaging trrent in minutes, even thugh the sun may be shining where yu are. 3. DO NOT DRIVE OR WALK THROUGH FLOODED AREAS, even if it lks shallw enugh t crss. The large majrity f deaths due t flash flding ccur with peple driving thrugh flded areas. Water nly a ft deep can displace a 1500 lb. vehicle! Tw feet f water can easily carry mst autmbiles. Rads cncealed by water may nt be intact, and the water may be much deeper than it appears. 4. If the vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and seek higher grund. Rapidly rising water may engulf the vehicle and its ccupants and sweep them away. Remember it's better t be wet than dead! 5. Dn't try t utrace a flash fld n ft. If yu see r hear it cming, mve t higher grund immediately. By the way, if yu hear a train cming and yu re nwhere near a track, it s prbably a flash fld. Get rid f any encumbrances (trekking ples, backpacks, etc.) and quickly start climbing t higher grund, n the same side f the water as yur vehicle if pssible! 6. The Natinal Weather Service will issue a Flash Fld Watch when heavy rains may result in flash flding in a specific area. In this case yu shuld be alert and prepare fr the pssibility f a fld emergency which will require immediate actin. A Flash Fld Warning will be issued when flash flding is ccurring r is imminent in a specified area. If yur lcale is placed under a warning, yu shuld mve t safe grund immediately. 7. Campers/hikers shuld always determine if lcal fficials, such as park rangers, pst lcal cautins and warnings. This ges alng with -- in thse areas where it's required -- cmpleting any lcal tur/entrance/trip plan. If yu want t see sme vide f flash flds, check ut

Safety Guideline Packet University of Colorado Mountain Research Station 818 County Road 116, Nederland, CO /

Safety Guideline Packet University f Clrad Muntain Research Statin 818 Cunty Rad 116, Nederland, CO 80466 / 303-492-8842 WHAT IS AN EMERGENCY? Life r limb? Are yu r an injured persn in danger f lsing a