If you're new to exploring nature, here are some essential outdoor safety tips you should know to make sure you have a comfortable trip and get home safely. This is a guide for anyone new to the outdoors. The degree of preparation involved in an outdoor adventure, is dependent upon the duration of the trip, and how remote the destination.
One of the many things I do is volunteer for Search and Rescue. Our job is to look for people that get lost in the woods, and you would be surprised how often that happens, especially in a place like Nova Scotia with lots of wilderness.
Just because you are physically fit doesn't mean you can't run into problems in the forest. One mis-step could lead to a twisted ankle and an unexpected night in the woods, so it's always a best to be prepared, even if you're just going out for a few yours on a sunny afternoon.
These outdoor safety guidelines are especially important when your'e going out in the woods alone, and possibly off-trail to do some of the rewilding rituals and practices found at Wonder & Wilder. I highly recommend solitary communion with nature, but the last thing I want is for you to have to call Search and Rescue!
How to Prepare for the Outdoors
The amount of preparation to make and gear to bring is proportional to the duration of the trip, and especially the remoteness of the location, i.e. how long it will take for rescue to arrive. These guidelines are intended for day-trips, like "forest commuting," forest bathing, ritual, or foraging.
Research
Look at where you'll be going. Check a map, the distance of the hike, and the difficulty or terrain.
For known trails I use:
- Google Maps to look at reviews, and satellite view
- All Trails app for reviews, distance, and difficulty
On the day of, check the conditions, including:
- weather conditions
- sunset time
- the tides if you're taking a coastal walk - this is especially important along the Bay of Fundy where there are the lowest tides in the world. It's too easy to get trapped on the ocean floor when the tide comes in.
Tell Someone
Even if you're going to an urban forest, and it's only a short walk back to civilization, if nobody knows you're gone, it could take a long time for rescuers to find you if something goes wrong. Tell someone where you're going, and what time you plan to return.
On Arrival
If there’s a trail map at the trail head, take a photo. This way, if you don't have data, you can still reference the photo. Sometimes the trail-head map is more accurate than an online map as well.
You cant rely on a compass if you don’t know how to use it, but you do know that the needle points north, so you can follow a specific direction.
If you have a little compass, look at the map and make note of your "safety bearings."
A safety bearing is the direction you should travel if you get completely lost. For example, if you know there is a highway or a river running East to West, north of your hiking area, you can always head North and you will cross the road or river eventually and then follow it to safety. Of course, this only works if you bring a compass.
In Halifax, Subtract 18 when switching from map to the real world to adjust for the difference between magnetic and true north.
Recommended Resources:
- The Nature Instinct by Tristan Gooley
- take a Map and Compass course (Halifax Search and Rescue offers them for the public)
Outdoor Safety Hazards
Ticks
Everywhere in Nova Scotia, ticks are a concern. Lyme disease is so prevalent now that they don’t test for ticks anymore because they are assumed to carry lyme.
Prevent tick bites by wearing light-colored clothing, tucking your pants into your socks, wearing tick repellant spray, and brushing yourself off regularly.
If you do get a tick bite, to remove ticks, use tweezers or a tick pick to gently and slowly pull them off . Don’t squeeze their bodies! Make sure to grab them close to the skin. Don’t burn them, smother them, vaseline, etc. Lyme is spread when the contents of the tick's stomach is regurgitated into your skin, so shocking the tick by smothering, fire, etc, can cause them to upchuck. YUCK! Just gently pull them out with tweezers.
Keep the tick if you can. Even thought they no longer test, pharmacists can tell you whether it is the type of tick that transmits lyme, and can now prescribe antibiotics.
When you get home after being in tick territory, quarantine your clothes, and do a thorough tick check - include behind your ears, your hairline, underarms, behind your knees. Ticks like to bite in protected, warm, damp areas, so check all your crevices!
Wildlife
Make noise, don’t run. Carry bear spray if you’re in bear territory.
Moose are unpredictable. Give them as much space as possible.
Injury
Take first aid. training, carry a basic first aid kit. A first aid kit is useless if you don’t know how to use it. One thing you might want to bring are blister pads, gauze, band-aids
Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)
Poison ivy is a hazard in Nova Scotia.
Unlike the instant sting of stinging nettle, it takes 24-72 hours for a poison ivy rash to develop, so being able to identify it is the best way to avoid it.
Clothes will protect your skin, but if you touch infected clothes, you can get the oil on your skin. You can also get it from touching pets who have gotten the oils on their fur.
If you or your pets are contaminated, wash with soap immediately.
GETTING LOST OR STRANDED
Nova Scotia was the ‘being lost’ capital of North America
During the pandemic, it has been surpassed by British Columbia, as people ventured into the Rockies.
Getting lost is a serious hazard that can lead to a series of unfortunate events.
What happens when you get lost or stranded? Why does getting lost make you unsafe?
Example: Dehydration > Heat Stroke > poor decision making, stumbling
Heat Stress
Heat stress is a very serious problem, that can become fatal even faster than hypotehermia. It causes the blood to become sluggish, and and when blood in the brain becomes sluggish, it causes mental impairment that can lead to poor decision-making, loss of motor control, and eventually death.
This is one reason why it is essential to bring enough water. If you are experiencing heat stress, find shade, stay hydrated, get in cool water if possible, and call for help.
Cold
Preparation depends on conditions. If you’re going out when frostbite could be a potential concern, then you need to prepare accordingly. If it’s cold you should consider bringing ways to make fire.
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Essential Outdoor Gear, even if you're only going for a day trip
You never know when a sprained ankle or an early sunset can turn into an overnight in the woods, so bringing a few survival essentials will make sure you survive the night.
One common reason why people have to call Search and Rescue is because of a lack of light. They may be right on the trail, but the trail was longer than they thought and sun set sooner than expected. It can be dangerous to stumble around on uneven terrain, and it's very dark in the forest, especially around the New Moon. You'll need to shelter in place if you don't have a light source, so pack a flashlight. At least if you have a light, you can keep going as long as you're not lost.
Bring water and food. If your trip lasts longer than anticipated, you'll be glad you did. Water is especially important, so bring more than you think you'll need in case you are delayed, and even on a short trip, at least bring a couple of energy bars in your pack. This is always necessary, but especially important in hot weather. The minimum amount of water recommended is a half-litre of water per hour if you're doing moderate activity. Bring more in case of emergency, and more if the weather is hot.
If you are stranded overnight, or waiting for rescue, you'll need to keep warm. Temperatures can drop drastically after the sun goes down, so even if you're out in shorts on a hot day, night could be very unpleasant. Bringing warm clothes is ideal, but at the very least bring a small reflective emergency blanket or bivy. These are very small, lightweight foil sheets that are inexpensive and easy to pack. There's no excuse for not bringing one with you every time you head into the woods.
If you do get stranded and are awaiting rescue, having a way to signal help is essential. A whistle is the best way to signal help in the forest - the sound reaches much farther than your voice. A small mirror is also useful to signal a helicopter from a clearing.
This is a very brief list of essentials, that I would even bring into an urban forest, or busy hiking trails.. If you're going farther into the wilderness, you'll need to plan accordingly.
GETTING FOUND
If for whatever reason you're doubting your ability to get out of the woods safely, or back to your car, call 911.
Rescue is free. Searchers would much rather go and not be needed than be called too late. Don't change your voicemail message like that stupid meme that went around last year. Just call 911.
SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL OUTDOOR SAFETY GEAR FOR DAY TRIPS
- small flashlight
- plenty of water and snacks
- emergency blanket
- whistle, mirror
- a sweater, even if you're heading out on a hot day