Safety In The Woods Safety In The Woods Chapter 4.1Chapter 4.1

Preparation For The WoodsPreparation For The Woods

Preparation & common sense are the keys to having an Preparation & common sense are the keys to having an enjoyable outdoor activity and returning safelyenjoyable outdoor activity and returning safely

Always tell someoneAlways tell someone where you are going where you are going Use the Buddy systemUse the Buddy system …never go alone …never go alone Check equipmentCheck equipment before you leave before you leave Choose proper clothingChoose proper clothing and footwear and footwear FootprintFootprint all members of your party. Place a sheet of all members of your party. Place a sheet of

tinfoil on soft material such as a towel and have each tinfoil on soft material such as a towel and have each person step on it to make an impression, with shoes on.person step on it to make an impression, with shoes on.

Preparation For The WoodsPreparation For The Woods

Bring along a Bring along a garbage baggarbage bag for each member. Can be for each member. Can be used to keep you dry and helps conserve body heat in used to keep you dry and helps conserve body heat in cool weather. An orange or yellow bag is preferred as cool weather. An orange or yellow bag is preferred as this would make you easier to spot if you become lost.this would make you easier to spot if you become lost.

A garbage bag may protect you from hypothermia.A garbage bag may protect you from hypothermia.

Safety TipsSafety Tips

Wool vs Cotton.Wool vs Cotton. In warm dry conditions cotton clothes In warm dry conditions cotton clothes are fine but wool is best for cool wet conditions.are fine but wool is best for cool wet conditions.

Fires.Fires. Build fires on sand, earth or gravel. Never leave it Build fires on sand, earth or gravel. Never leave it unattended and be sure it is extinguished when you are unattended and be sure it is extinguished when you are finishedfinished

Set BoundariesSet Boundaries. For such things as hiking, swimming, & . For such things as hiking, swimming, & camping wet boundaries for children and clearly let them camping wet boundaries for children and clearly let them know how far they are permitted to go.know how far they are permitted to go.

Whistle.Whistle. Everyone should carry a whistle. Make each Everyone should carry a whistle. Make each member of your party aware that three blasts is the member of your party aware that three blasts is the standard distress call.standard distress call.

Safety TipsSafety Tips

Poisonous Plants.Poisonous Plants. Depending upon your location all Depending upon your location all members of the group should be aware of poisonous members of the group should be aware of poisonous plants located in your area such as poison ivy. Also is a plants located in your area such as poison ivy. Also is a good idea to be aware of the proper first aid in the event good idea to be aware of the proper first aid in the event of exposure. (wash infected area with strong soap & of exposure. (wash infected area with strong soap & water and then clean with rubbing alcohol)water and then clean with rubbing alcohol)

Wildlife.Wildlife. All wild animals should be avoided All wild animals should be avoided

BearsBears

Never store food in tentsNever store food in tentsDo not cook, eat in or near Do not cook, eat in or near tent. Change clothes after tent. Change clothes after cooking… food smells can cooking… food smells can attractattractStore and carry food in air tight Store and carry food in air tight containerscontainersDo not bury garbageDo not bury garbageHang food packs & toothpaste Hang food packs & toothpaste out of reach of bearsout of reach of bearsStay way from bears, make Stay way from bears, make noise as you walk, avoid noise as you walk, avoid scented cosmeticsscented cosmeticsRecognize bear signs (tracks, Recognize bear signs (tracks, scat, digging…)scat, digging…)

Basic Survival RulesBasic Survival Rules

HypothermiaHypothermia means that the body loses heat faster than it can means that the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. This can happen when a person is exposed to rain, wind produce it. This can happen when a person is exposed to rain, wind and cold weather without adequate clothes and shelter.and cold weather without adequate clothes and shelter.

If you become lost you must guard against hypothermia.If you become lost you must guard against hypothermia.

Don’t PanicDon’t Panic – Fear is a natural reaction, but it must be controlled. – Fear is a natural reaction, but it must be controlled. You must accept the reality of your situation and make the best of it. You must accept the reality of your situation and make the best of it. Your main job it to put yourself in a better situation by making Your main job it to put yourself in a better situation by making positive decisions.positive decisions.

Avoid FatigueAvoid Fatigue – slow down and do not over exert yourself. Exertion – slow down and do not over exert yourself. Exertion will use us valuable calories and create perspiration… when this will use us valuable calories and create perspiration… when this happens you become susceptible to hypothermiahappens you become susceptible to hypothermia

Basic Survival RulesBasic Survival Rules

Stay where you areStay where you are – Don’t try and walk to safety – Don’t try and walk to safety unless you:unless you:

know where you are and where you want to go.know where you are and where you want to go.

Have a means of maintaining and setting direction Have a means of maintaining and setting direction (compass/GPS)(compass/GPS)

Have clothing suitable to stand up to any weatherHave clothing suitable to stand up to any weather

Have sufficient food, fuel and shelter that you can Have sufficient food, fuel and shelter that you can carry with you.carry with you.

Basic Survival RulesBasic Survival Rules

ShelterShelter can be found in caves and fallen trees. Tree can be found in caves and fallen trees. Tree branches can be used to give warmth and shelter. If branches can be used to give warmth and shelter. If possible stay visible so a searcher can find you.possible stay visible so a searcher can find you.

WaterWater is more important than food for survival. is more important than food for survival. Dehydration can cause fatigue and hypothermia. Dehydration can cause fatigue and hypothermia. Sources of water are lakes, streams, plants, and melted Sources of water are lakes, streams, plants, and melted snow or ice.snow or ice.

FireFire is one of the best survival tools. Keeps you warm, is one of the best survival tools. Keeps you warm, dries clothes and signals for help. Matches should be dries clothes and signals for help. Matches should be kept in a waterproof container. Fires can be started with kept in a waterproof container. Fires can be started with a bottle bottom, non-plastic eyeglasses or a camera a bottle bottom, non-plastic eyeglasses or a camera lens.lens.

Basic Survival First Aid KitBasic Survival First Aid Kit

Matches in waterproof Matches in waterproof containercontainerPlastic food bagsPlastic food bagsOrange/yellow garbage Orange/yellow garbage bagbagHigh energy snackHigh energy snackWhistleWhistlePocket knifePocket knifeCompass/GPSCompass/GPSLight weight space Light weight space blanketblanket

Reflector/hand mirror for Reflector/hand mirror for signalingsignalingInsect repellentInsect repellentAntibiotic ointmentAntibiotic ointmentPlastic bandage stripPlastic bandage strip

Survival Tips For ChildrenSurvival Tips For Children

StayStay in one place (near a tree or in a clearing will in one place (near a tree or in a clearing will increase chances of being found)increase chances of being found)

YellYell at scary noises to scare animals and help searchers at scary noises to scare animals and help searchers

Look BigLook Big – Lie down in a clearing, wearing a bright – Lie down in a clearing, wearing a bright coloured garbage bag or jacketcoloured garbage bag or jacket

No PunishmentNo Punishment – Reassure children that no one will – Reassure children that no one will punish them if they get lost. Sometimes children hide punish them if they get lost. Sometimes children hide from searchers if they are afraid.from searchers if they are afraid.

Safety In The WoodsSafety In The Woods