SOLO WILDERNESS TRAVEL: EMERGENCY PREVENTION AND RESPONSE

Anil Mitra

Home   |   Detailed version

Preparation

Knowledge. The area visited and its conditions; personal limitations and health as well as medications for already existing conditions; wilderness experience that enables knowledge of strategies-needs-risks; adequate knowledge of emergency response and medicine.

Physical. Conditioning (incl. teeth), gear-food-fluids appropriate to anticipated conditions; adequate medical supplies.

Communication. Consider a communications device.

Hiking

Precaution. Most important in solo hiking. Emergency. Be aware of threats; avoid / take precautions.

Repair kits—stove; tent—tape and spare pole connector; needle and thread; duct tape; needle nose pliers.

Attitude. Acknowledge the greater risk of solo. Anticipate risks. Practice meditation.

Water. Adequate intake for conditions. Kill parasites—iodine, boiling… (or filter).

Shelter, clothing, footwear—adequate for circumstances; gear in good condition. A four weather tent for winter conditions.

Hypothermia. Know early signs of (shivering, then mild confusion), avoid, take precaution against it (1) continuous exposure even in moderate 50-60 F (2) cold streams. Adequate shelter-clothing (water jacket, wet suit for water travel), rain gear food, and water are important in prevention and response.

Sunburn and overheating can be avoided by early / late travel, umbrella, hat.

Food should be adequate for duration and conditions.

Medicine

First aid and emergency kit—(1) Band aids, medical tape (to cover small wounds and to prevent blisters), sterile gauze pads, and bandaging material. (2) Ace bandage for sprains. (3) Needle and blade which can be sterilized in boiling water or an open flame. (4) Inflatable splint. (5) Narcotic / pain, allergy / anaphylaxis meds, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory steroids, salt tabs. (6) Bear spray option.

Fractures and wounds. Apply pressure to prevent excess blood loss; use a tourniquet only in emergency. Clean and dress. Improvise a splint. Take pain medication during hike out.

Altitude sickness. Prevent by increasing altitude no more than 1000m a day, above 2,500 metres. Symptoms—headache, tiredness, nausea. Recognize and move to lower elevation.

Heat stroke. Prevent by avoiding extended hiking in extreme heat.

Sprains. Rest, cold, compression (bandage), and elevation.

Cramps. Restore water and electrolytes—two salt tabs.

Poison oak. Recognize / avoid.

Bites and stings. Understand snake behaviors peculiar to common species where you hike (rattlesnakes in desert and mountain western US). Have anaphylaxis kit; use it if there is swelling away from the bite, hives, difficulty breathing. Sit down; be calm; remove watches, bracelets etc. Be prepared for a long walk if bitten. Bands and kits don’t work. Rabid animals are strange / aggressive. Wash bites with copious water, walk out, seek treatment.

Animal threat and attack

Black bear. Avoid by knowing habitat, making noise; current advice: if approached behave aggressively, shout, make noise, throw small rocks, wave arms. Grizzly bear. Avoid by knowing habitat, making noise; there is no consistent advice; be calm, slowly back out, do not run or challenge the bear, stand ground, use spray if available

Mountain lion. Threaten, look tall, yell; if attacked fight back; don’t run.