On May 18, 2010 Gerald Marois was walking in the woods alone in southern Ontario (Canada) when he was attacked by a bear. Although he was a local resident this is a region where many people including this author hike as well.
Gerald heard the bear first before he saw it, which was 50 feet away. He immediately started to climb a nearby oak tree as the bear charged and then followed him up the tree. The bear bite him on the leg and pulled off boot before knocking him to the ground. Staff from the Ministry of Natural Resources belief that as he was bending over and wearing hip waders the bear may have thought he was prey, we don’t know. And to date they have been unable to trap the suspect bear.
Although he was not hiking there are some important lessons to learn about safety from this event:
Bear Spray
Mobile (cell) phone – after he was knocked to the ground he called his wife for help. When hiking alone always carry a mobile phone in case of any emergency.
GPS receiver for hiking
In this situation an air ambulance flew him to a hospital in Toronto where stitches to his face and plastic surgery on his leg will be required.
While there are a number of things you should do when hiking in bear country consider at least carrying the above three for a safe hike. Other suggestions may be found in book highly rated in Amazon, Living With Bears: A Practical Guide to Bear Country
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A walking holiday may take you to a different country. While hiking is a safe activity situations can happen and it is essential you protect yourself with travel insurance.
While on a walking holiday in Zermatt, Switzerland last year, I had a minor accident hurting my ankle to the extent where I could barely walk. I saw a doctor and paid the bill for the X-rays and the small cast. I had travel insurance and was reimbursed by the insurance company upon my return.
Travel Insurance coverage you need:
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Medical coverage – when hiking outside your home country and have an accident medical costs can add up. It is important that you have a plan with a worldwide emergency contact which can advance funds to pay upfront if necessary. Most travel insurance plans require you to call the insurance company immediately if you have an accident.
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Baggage coverage – some of your hiking gear can be expensive and if lost while traveling can ruin your walking holiday. Baggage coverage, although usually limited can help.
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Cancellation coverage – While in Germany in September 2001 our group had our flights unexpectedly delayed for four days and incurred hotel, train, meal and phone call bills. Our insurance plan covered 50% of the cost upon presentation of receipts.
Important lessons regarding travel insurance when on a walking holiday:
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Always have travel insurance when leaving the country
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Report any medical situations immediately
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Always ensure you have a worldwide contact will advance funds if necessary
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Coverage should include at least medical and cancellation coverage
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Do not judge the coverage by price alone
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Check with the insurance company or travel agent regarding pre-existing conditions if applicable
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Nondisclosure of medical information can void your coverage even if the non-disclosed conditions or symptoms have nothing to do with the conditions causing your claim
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Carry the policy number and contact information with you during your holiday
A lot of people when traveling assume they are covered office plans or their credit card plans. Review these carefully as there may be limitations and exclusions on the coverage.
Interesting reading on hiking safety is The Worst Case Scenario Almanac: The Great Outdoors
The best benefit of travel insurance when hiking is the peace of mind it provides, knowing that you are protected if something unforeseen does happen.
Crescent Moon Trekking Poles
Price: $71.95
Recommended for hikers, snowshoers, and even backcountry skiers between 4’6″ and 6’4″ tall. The3 section poles collapse to 24″ long and make them ideal to store or toput in a backpack. The spring loaded mechanism inside the pole can betwist adjusted to absorb shock or not, making it ideal for climbing(shock off) or descending (shock on) and all terrain. Carbide tungstentips, removable rubber tip covers, 2 baskets for both winter and summerand a sweat-resistant polyurethane handle-grip and strap are alsofeatured. The trekking poles are an excellent value and makesnowshoeing or hiking more enjoyable improving balance and reducingfatigue. Lightweight, durable, replaceable baskets for all season use.
Brand: Crescent Moon
Originally posted 2009-11-20 12:54:59.
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If you’re outdoors in the warmer months there are some important things you need to know about hiking safety concerning ticks. In the United States the tick is even more common than the mosquito and a leading disease carrier in humans.
Ticks are tiny arthropods that live in grasslands, trees, leaf litter, hayfields, swamp and marshlands which is where most people will be hiking. They may also be found on some animals and birds. They cannot fly or jump instead as you rub against the bushes, plants and grass, the tick attaches you. For reasons of hiking safety many wear long pants and long sleeve shirts to help protect themselves.
Ticks may move slowly on your skin for up to one hour before biting you. Ticks move warm and moist locations as your head, neck, armpits, ankles, or groin. A tick once attached to a hiker, will burrow into the skin without detection and feed its by biting you and drawing blood.
There are different types of ticks with the soft-bodied ticks usually have their fill after a few hours but the hard-bodied ticks may stay on the host’s skin for up to 2 weeks.
Have fun and hike safely. A majority of tick bites are harmless, however some can lead to diseases so if you discover a tick attached to the skin, remove it immediately. Lyme disease is what most hikers are concerned about from ticks. Typically the symptoms include an oval rash that gets larger over several days and can develop a clear spot in the middle, but not everyone reaction is the same and some people do not get a rash.
Other signs range from body aches and fever to much more serious ones like temporary paralysis, fatigue, weakness and joint swelling. For some people there is a Lyme disease itching symptom, but others report no itchy sensations. These symptoms can emerge anytime between one day and thirty days following the tick bite, depending upon the infection passed on by the tick.
There are two steps involved in tick bite treatment:
· Firstly the tick must be removed without it regurgitating its contents into the wound. It is not necessarily the actual bite that causes the problem, more the transfer of saliva and bacteria from the tick through the skin of the host.
Often when removing a tick a portion of the head remains in the skin as it has a barbed mouth to help secure it while feeding. So the tick must be pulled using tweezers and pulled out straight and not twisted. Use a sterilized needle to remove the head if necessary. Remember a tick has infectious saliva on it so once removed dispose of it carefully.
· Secondly the remaining crater type wound cleaned and disinfected.
As a further reference see Everything You Need to Know About Lyme Disease
Ticks and What You Can Do about Them
Price: $5.99
Learn how to avoid and remove ticks. This book describes the biology and distribution of important North American ticks and the symptoms of Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other tick-carried diseases.
Brand: Wilderness Press
Originally posted 2009-08-27 11:54:59.
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Hiking safety is to be considered on every walk. On a day hike recently we had to stop as one of our group had a blister. It was uncomfortable for the hiker as we were only about 5 kilometers into our 16 km hike and it would not have been enjoyable for the individual. Fortunately I always carry a first aid kit.
Hiking is usually a pretty safe activity, provides great exercise, and is fun and very socialable. You do need to follow some basic hiking safety tips:
1. Always carry Adventure Medical Kits
many hikers do not even carry the basic minimum which should
include:
– Moleskin, band aids (plasters), blister treatment
- Tensor bandage, gauze pads
– Tweezers and needl
– Pain medication
– Disinfectant or antibiotic cream (such as Polysporin)
2. Hydration & food – Carry plenty of water or sports drinks and
snacks such as energy bars, nuts, and bananas. Lack of energy
leads to making poor decisions and frankly you will not have a good
time.
3. Map & compass – carry a map of the route and understand how the
trail is blazed. For example the colours in Switzerland indicate the
level of the trail, understand that prior to starting. Also carry and
know how to use a compass or GPS. A great resource is The Essential Wilderness Navigator: How to Find Your Way in the Great Outdoors
4. Cellular phone – to have in case of an emergency is another hiking
safety tip. While hiking in the Lake Como area of Italy one of our
group slipped on a rock and could not walk. A quick call on the
cell phone meant a car was waiting when we arrived at the
nearby road to take the person to hospital.
5. Always tell someone where you are hiking. If for some unforeseen
reason you do not return they know where to start looking. It is
not a good idea to hike alone. If you do keep to popular hiking
trails with lots of people in case you run into problems.
6. Hiking clothes – good hiking boots and socks to prevent scrapes
and blisters. Hike for the weather; in layers if it is cold, sun
protection if required. Always at least a windbreaker as weather
can change quickly, particularly in mountains. Also hiking poles can
help.
7. Whistle to signal to others if in trouble, particularly when hiking in
a group.
Destination specific items may include bear spray, flashlight, rope.
Follow these seven hiking safety tips and have an enjoyable walk.
Adventure Medical Weekender First Aid Kit
Price: $49.99
The Adventure(r) Medical Kits Weekender first aid kit is designed especially for the weekend adventurer. It can be easily carried by everyone from the family that going car-camping to the backcountry skier.
Brand: Adventure Medical Kits
The Essential Wilderness Navigator: How to Find Your Way in the Great Outdoors, Second Edition
Price: $13.22
Pages: 173, Edition: 2, Paperback, International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press
Originally posted 2009-10-27 12:56:59.
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One thing you always need to carry with you while hiking is sunscreen, whether in the winter or summer season. All part of a good sun protection plan while hiking.
First if using a bottled sunscreen shake the sunscreen container to mix all the contents of the lotion that may have settled on the bottom.
Apply the sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes prior to starting your hike.
Then reapply at least every two hours. I find that the wind tends to dry out the skin quickly, particularly in high terrain. Even if your sunscreen is waterproof or sweat resistant you need to reapply it as only that feature only works for a limited time.
Be very generous with your application and apply a thick layer of sunscreen, especially on your hands, feet, neck and of course your face. Many people often miss areas such as your ears, shoulders and the back of your hands and knees so you see them walking around with a small sunburnt patches.
Consider using Eco-friendly sunscreen both UVA and UVB protection and an SPF of 15 or higher that is waterproof.
Your clothing with the best sun protection is made with fabrics that have an ultraviolet protection rating of UPF 50+, which is the maximum rating. While hiking consider a long-sleeved shirt that is buttoned up, a hat with a wide brim, slacks or jogging pants instead of shorts to cover up as much skin as possible.
Fabrics for clothing are internationally rated for UPF protection as follows:
- UPF15-24 offers good protection blocking 93.3 to 95.9% UV radiation
- UPF 25-39 offers very good protection blocking 9.60 to 97.5% of UV radiation
- UPF 40-50+ offers excellent protection blocking 97.5% UV radiation
Have a great time hiking and do not forget about sun protection.
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