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Safety in the Great Outdoors |
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“It’s HOW far to the top?” Be sure to get good information about your hike or other outdoor activity before you start—and make sure your have the necessary equipment, time and stamina to complete your trip safely. (Photo courtesy of National Park Service, Grand Canyon National Park.) |
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(NPS Photo) |
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Legal Disclaimer: OK, in today’s world I have to say it. This site provides links to good suggestions about how to have a safer trip to the Great Outdoors. However, none of this information will guarantee you a risk-free trip or activity, and the above lists are far from comprehensive. Just keep in mind that surfing the web, reading a book or watching a video or is no substitute for the right gear, experience, know-how and good judgment. Since I won’t be along on your trip, I’ll have to disclaim any legal responsibility for the outcome. So, go have fun out there, but do so safely, so you don’t end up in the sequel to this book. |
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Whether your visit to a park or other natural area includes a short hike on a nature trail or a serious backcountry expedition, just click on the following links for some excellent tips about essential equipment and other information to make your trip both safer and more enjoyable.
“Visitor Safety Tips” – Grand Teton National Park is an excellent site with tips ranging from biking, climbing, boating, driving, viewing wildlife, lightning safety and other information.
“Hiker Essentials” – Rocky Mountain National Park. Includes a list of the “ten essentials” for hikers and information about the “Leave No Trace” program, which teaches minimum impact hiking and camping skills and wildland ethics and builds awareness, appreciation, and respect for our public recreation places |
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“Hiking Tips” – Grand Canyon National Park includes excellent tips for any hikes, along with some specific information for the unique environment at the Grand Canyon. A link from this page provides outstanding information for summer hiking which are applicable to trips in any area during hot weather.
“Lost and Found—Safe and Sound” is designed to show children, ages 4-12, what to do if they become lost in remote areas such as parks or forests. Produced by the non-profit Association of National Park Rangers, this award-winning program is available at a very reasonable cost in DVD, VHS or CD-ROM format.
“Wilderness Travel” – Olympic National Park. Includes a list of the “ten essentials,” suggestions for clothing and equipment, tips for river crossings and travel on snow and glaciers and more.
“The Ten Essentials” – Yosemite National Park also includes suggested equipment for overnight trips in the backcountry.
Water safety – Great Smoky Mountains National Park includes tips about hazards to avoid around rivers and waterfalls.
Whitewater safety—Canyonlands National Park has tips for safety on rivers, especially those with serious whitewater.
“Safety Concerns” – Everglades National Park includes good information for a warmer climate from the famous park in Florida, including tips about poisonous plants and snakes and those ever-popular mosquitoes.
“Cave Safety Tips – Ozark National Scenic Riverways has good basic information on this subject if you plan to venture underground.
Water Purification Tips—How to make your drinking water safe in the backcountry.
Food Safety & Sanitation Tips for a river trip or other backcountry expedition.
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