Health and Safety When Out Hiking

Health and safety are very important considerations before you plan your hiking trip. Make sure you do your homework, prepare as much as you can, and don’t take on more than you can handle. Here are some tips for you.

Awareness 

Be aware of changes in the weather, terrain, and your own physical and emotional state at all times.

Adaptation

Adapt to the circumstances you’re in. Mother Nature does not have a copy of your itinerary, and forecasts aren’t always accurate. It’s preferable to finish the hike a bit late than to risk catastrophic injury. The same logic holds true for your personal health. Learn to distinguish between mild discomfort and severe pain that could result in a crippling injury. Your own life experiences will be your finest instructor in the end. 

Consider Food Safety

Consider bringing a filter or UV purifier with you when trekking or traveling in countries that do not have access to safe drinking water or recycling infrastructure. It also helps to bring along a water treatment device so you can save on the cost of buying bottled water. What’s more, a chemical treatment like iodine or chlorine dioxide on hand in case the filter or UV purifiers fail or break.

Do Your Homework

It is important that you find as much information as you can about the physical or even emotional hazards that you should expect when going for a hike. Take the time to gather information about the specific place that you plan to go for a hike.