Top 10 Outdoor Safety Tips

Know the area
Thoroughly research the area where you are planning to go, or go with someone who knows the area and may have camped there before.

Leave an itinerary
Leave an itinerary with family or friends detailing where you are going, when you are leaving, and when you will return.

Hike with a buddy
Always hike with a buddy or in a group of four to ten. Should a problem arise, such as illness or injury, one can stay with the injured party, and two can go to seek help.

Prepare for changing weather
by selecting clothing that can be layered; temperatures fluctuate at different elevations and times of day. Wear comfortable shoes and loose-fitting clothes, and don't forget the sunscreen and insect repellent.

Know basic first aid
Check your supplies before leaving, making sure that you have adequate supplies to treat bug bites, blisters, or bleeding. Know basic first aid procedures.

Have a compass
Know how to use a compass and map and have them with you. If you take a GPS unit, recognize that it may not always work.

Take plenty of water
Pack plenty of water for drinking, as well as for cooking and cleanup. Allow at least one gallon per person per day. Don't forget you need to purify water taken from streams, rivers, or lakes.

Pack it in/Pack it out
Scouts call it Leave No Trace. The environment belongs to everyone; protect and preserve it.

Care for campfires
It is best to use a lightweight stove; however, if a fire is needed, take care when lighting or putting it out. Use the "cold test" after thoroughly extinguishing the fire, by having an adult run a bare hand through the extinguished coals and ashes.

S. T. O. P.
Make sure each member of the outing knows and understands the procedure and will employ it should they become lost or separated from the party.

• Stay put (It is easier for rescuers to find a stationary person than one who is moving.)
• Think (Consider what resources you have should the situation extend into overnight.)
• Observe (Take note of your surroundings; is there shelter from the cold or storms?)
• Plan (Determine what you can to do to conserve energy and be as comfortable as possible.)

For more information about Scouting, particularly its Leave No Trace and camping programs, visit www.scouting.org.

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