Hiking MUST HAVES!!
Always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back. This is not always easy because you may be in an area where there is no cell phone reception but do the best you can. Tell a Ranger, tell the campground, just tell someone.
You must know what to do in bear country. The worst thing you can do is come between a mom and her cubs. The best thing you can do is not surprise a bear. Singing and making noise helps. If you encounter a bear get out of its way. They are not normally aggressive. However you want to stop and slowly back away while watching Smokey and wait for him to leave. Don't run! Make sure Smokey can get away and while backing up start yelling and waving your arms. The point is to make yourself look bigger. If you are with someone stay close to look even bigger. This is a good time to use the whistle we are going to make sure you have. Hopefully the bear is still afraid of humans. We've been in many Parks where they aren't and it is our fault that they come so close. We leave food where we shouldn't. If you are back country camping hang your food up high.
Black bears climb trees really well so don't think that's your way out. Rarely are people killed by bears but it does happen so use caution please!
1. A mouth barrier to use in case you have to perform CPR. These are disposable and can be purchased through the Red Cross. A word of caution: These are for CPR trained individuals only but we highly urge everyone to become CPR trained. It is an easy training and may save a life.
2. Latex or non-latex disposable gloves. You may be in a situation where someone you don't know has been hurt and you want to help. You shouldn't touch anyone's blood unless they are family members without gloves on.
3. Bandages of all sizes and shapes. I recommend ¾ inch flexible fabric strips; 2 inch elastic bandage; triangular bandages; sterile 4 inch by 4 inch pads and medium butterfly closures. You should have a stretch bandage 2 inches by 4 yards.
4. Rolled gauze which is best used to wrap around non-stick pads. Rolled gauze is especially good for hard to cover areas such as an elbow or knee. I'm sure you've put a bandage on your knee only to have it fall off as soon as you bend it!
5. Gauze pads that can be used to clean and cover wounds or even better are cleansing towelettes.
6. Cloth tape that you can use to help keep gauze and bandages in place.
7. An elastic bandage for support and compression (In case you need to use the RICE method: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) for strains and sprains.
8. Pain medication
9. Personal medication
10. A scissors which can be used for many purposes. You may use them to cut the cloth tape or to cut clothing if necessary.
11. Antibiotic ointment that you will use to prevent infection in cuts, scrapes and burns.
12. A disposable ice pack
13. Waterproof matches
14. Tweezers to get out splinters and other foreign items.
15. A small flashlight
16. Whistle
17. Folding knife
18. One use rain ponchos
19. Emergency blanket 20.
20. Mosquito repellent
21. Anti-itch cream
22. Layers of clothes
23. Sunblock
The whistle, knife, ponchos and basic first aid equipment are vital but you never know what the weather will be. It can change in an instant. Make sure you can take off a layer or two.
You must have good, waterproof hiking boots. Buy hiking socks and try the boots on with the socks.
You never have enough water when hiking. The rule of thumb is to drink at least 20-ounces of water two hours before your hike to allow time for adequate hydration and excretion of excess water. You should drink at least 16 ounces of water every hour you are out and even more in warm weather. Obviously you will need a pack with a bladder. These are not that expensive but are essential. Even with 100-ounces of water each (6 hours) we bring extra bottles just in case. If you are back country camping make sure you have water purifiers.
Finally if nature calls dig (That requires a shovel, which many people bring back country camping.) a hole 6-inches deep as far away from any kind of water or stream and cover it.
© Jo Levy
You must know what to do in bear country. The worst thing you can do is come between a mom and her cubs. The best thing you can do is not surprise a bear. Singing and making noise helps. If you encounter a bear get out of its way. They are not normally aggressive. However you want to stop and slowly back away while watching Smokey and wait for him to leave. Don't run! Make sure Smokey can get away and while backing up start yelling and waving your arms. The point is to make yourself look bigger. If you are with someone stay close to look even bigger. This is a good time to use the whistle we are going to make sure you have. Hopefully the bear is still afraid of humans. We've been in many Parks where they aren't and it is our fault that they come so close. We leave food where we shouldn't. If you are back country camping hang your food up high.
Black bears climb trees really well so don't think that's your way out. Rarely are people killed by bears but it does happen so use caution please!
What you want to have in your first aid kit for hiking.
2. Latex or non-latex disposable gloves. You may be in a situation where someone you don't know has been hurt and you want to help. You shouldn't touch anyone's blood unless they are family members without gloves on.
3. Bandages of all sizes and shapes. I recommend ¾ inch flexible fabric strips; 2 inch elastic bandage; triangular bandages; sterile 4 inch by 4 inch pads and medium butterfly closures. You should have a stretch bandage 2 inches by 4 yards.
4. Rolled gauze which is best used to wrap around non-stick pads. Rolled gauze is especially good for hard to cover areas such as an elbow or knee. I'm sure you've put a bandage on your knee only to have it fall off as soon as you bend it!
5. Gauze pads that can be used to clean and cover wounds or even better are cleansing towelettes.
6. Cloth tape that you can use to help keep gauze and bandages in place.
7. An elastic bandage for support and compression (In case you need to use the RICE method: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) for strains and sprains.
8. Pain medication
9. Personal medication
10. A scissors which can be used for many purposes. You may use them to cut the cloth tape or to cut clothing if necessary.
11. Antibiotic ointment that you will use to prevent infection in cuts, scrapes and burns.
12. A disposable ice pack
13. Waterproof matches
14. Tweezers to get out splinters and other foreign items.
15. A small flashlight
16. Whistle
17. Folding knife
18. One use rain ponchos
19. Emergency blanket 20.
20. Mosquito repellent
21. Anti-itch cream
22. Layers of clothes
23. Sunblock
You must have good, waterproof hiking boots. Buy hiking socks and try the boots on with the socks.
You never have enough water when hiking. The rule of thumb is to drink at least 20-ounces of water two hours before your hike to allow time for adequate hydration and excretion of excess water. You should drink at least 16 ounces of water every hour you are out and even more in warm weather. Obviously you will need a pack with a bladder. These are not that expensive but are essential. Even with 100-ounces of water each (6 hours) we bring extra bottles just in case. If you are back country camping make sure you have water purifiers.
Finally if nature calls dig (That requires a shovel, which many people bring back country camping.) a hole 6-inches deep as far away from any kind of water or stream and cover it.
Comments