Brandon Currin

HOW TO AVOID INJURIES ON THE TRAIL

Think you’re as prepared as it gets when it comes to hiking? Even the most experienced and prepared hikers can get injured on the trail.

Always expect the unexpected when hiking and know how to take care of yourself if you were to get injured or sick. The good thing about knowing how to rescue yourself is that you’ll also be prepared to help out another hiker, too.

Check out these tips that’ll help you prepare for when life happens out on the trail.

Falls can take you by surprise, especially in mountainous terrain. Falls can lead to extreme injuries and even fatalities. Would you know what to do if you fell and got injured? Try these simple tips:

Carry a hiking pole. Hiking and trekking poles are good tools to keep stability on the trail and give you that extra bit of balance you need.

Avoid wet rocks and leaves, which lead to many ankle injuries.

Be extra cautious when going downhill. This isn’t the time to test your agility or “spidey skills”. Just take your time and approach it step by step.

Be leery of hiking alone. If you do decide to take this route, make sure you have a plan on how you would contact someone if you are miles or hours from help.

Hypothermia, the lowering of your body’s core temperature below normal, is something you should definitely know how to avoid, especially in cold weather. It can be extremely dangerous, causing poor judgement and confusion, loss of consciousness, and even death. Here’s how you can prevent hypothermia:

Have warm clothes and dress in layers so you can adjust your body temperature as needed.

Be prepared with quality wind and rain gear. Your body tends to lose more heat when it’s wet.

Stay hydrated. Keep plenty of water with you and make sure you’re eating throughout the day. Staying away from alcohol and caffeine on your hike will also help from exhaustion.

Be prepared for various terrain, situations, and weather to keep you calm and collected if you’re faced with an injury or illness while hiking. Work on those rescue skills and always pay attention to your surroundings, folks. Got some rescue tips for hiking? Head on over to our forum and share.

CURRIN First-Aid Hiking Survival

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