Category: Hiking Safety

Hiking Accident Prevention: Trail Marking Tape Can Save Your Life

June 12, 2021

A Simple and Inexpensive Way To Prepare For Trail Emergencies

Trail Marking Tape

Coghlan’s Orange Trail Tape. Price: Around $7.50. Sold on Amazon and local sporting goods stores.

No one plans on getting lost, but things happen. Hikers of every level need to be prepared for the unexpected. A roll of this tape is an inexpensive life-saver on wilderness trips.

If you intentionally leave the trail, and don’t want to get lost on the way back, use non-adhesive Trail Marking Tape to indicate your path. On your return, remove the tape, and continue your journey.

Striped Trail Marking Tape

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KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Trip Planning Resources For Hikers and Backpackers

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Irene Pastore, is a Certified Personal Trainer, fitness blogger, health educator, and speaker. She has 25 years experience teaching exercise in New York City.  To read her complete bio, visit the About Page.

Hiking Accident Prevention: An Emergency Shelter Can Save Your Life

May 28, 2021

Day Hikers Have Died Preventable Deaths Because They Weren’t Prepared For Getting Lost In Bad Weather

EMERGENCY SURVIVAL TENT

Carry an emergency shelter in your pack for your next day trip. You may not think you’ll ever need it, but your life will depend on it if you get lost, or there’s an unexpected change in the weather. It’s worth the extra weight in your pack.

Emergency survival tents are sold in sporting goods stores, Walmart, REI.com, and Amazon.

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KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Trip Planning Resources For Hikers and Backpackers

Irene Pastore, is a Certified Personal Trainer, fitness blogger, health educator, and speaker. She has 25 years experience teaching exercise in New York City.  To read her complete bio, visit the About Page.

Hiking Accident Prevention: Problems You Can’t Handle

May 23, 2021

Repeat These Four Words “Better Safe Than Sorry” – Then Turn Around And Head Back

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Trip Planning Resources For Hikers and Backpackers

Irene Pastore, is a Certified Personal Trainer, fitness blogger, health educator,
and speaker. She has 25 years experience teaching exercise in New York City.
To read her complete bio, visit the About Page.

Hiking Accident Prevention: Seven Risks Of Solo Hiking

May 22, 2021

Hiking Alone While Sick or Injured May Prove Fatal

RISK #1 ISOLATION – If you’re in pain or badly injured there’s no one to help you.

RISK #2 TECHNOLOGY FAIL – Battery malfunction, or the absence of cell phone signal, increases exposure to weather conditions, while you attempt to get help.

RISK #3 – HELP TAKES TIME – A rescue team may be hours away. In the meanwhile, your injury or illness can get worse.

RISK #4 MEDICAL EMERGENCY – You may find yourself completely immobilized, due to a pre-existing health condition, that requires immediate medical attention.

RISK #5 BLOOD LOSS – You’re unable to care for a wound that causes significant blood loss.

RISK #6 LOSING THE TRAIL – Losing the trail can throw you into a panic. It’s even worse if you’re sick or injured. In this scenario, two heads are better than one.

RISK #7 ACUTE PAIN – You become incapacitated from acute pain, subsequently faint, and then fatally succumb to hypothermia, or heatstroke. Your family will never see you again.

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KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Trip Planning Resources For Hikers and Backpackers

Irene Pastore, is a Certified Personal Trainer, fitness blogger, health educator, and speaker. She has 25 years experience teaching exercise in New York City.  Visit the About Page to read her bio.

Hiking Accident Prevention: Risky Mistakes That May Cost You Your Life

May 20, 2021

14 Deadly Fails

  • YOU DIDN’T RESEARCH CURRENT TRAIL CONDITIONS
  • YOU DISREGARDED THE WEATHER REPORT
  • YOU DIDN’T BRING ENOUGH FOOD OR WATER
  • YOU DIDN’T REALIZE THAT HIKING IN EXTREME HEAT CAN KILL YOU
  • YOU’RE NOT AWARE THAT A TRAIL MAP AND COMPASS CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE

  • YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD MAKE IT THROUGH A BLIZZARD WEARING SWEATPANTS AND SNEAKERS

  • YOU HAVE AN INACCURATE ASSESSMENT OF YOUR OUTDOOR SKILLS AND FITNESS ABILITY
  • YOU RELY ON ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY INSTEAD OF TRAIL SKILLS
  • YOU’RE UNPREPARED FOR GETTING LOST
  • YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND THAT SOLO HIKING IS A LIFE-THREATENING RISK IF YOU BECOME INJURED OR SICK
  • YOU HAVE LITTLE OR NO TRAIL KNOWLEDGE
  • YOU’RE UNPREPARED FOR AN ABRUPT WEATHER CHANGE
  • YOU WENT ON YOUR JOURNEY REGARDLESS OF WARNINGS FROM THE PARK SERVICE
  • YOU IGNORE TRAIL SIGNS THAT ARE THERE TO KEEP YOU SAFE

MORE INFORMATION

Backpacker Magazine 2/14/17 A Dozen Ways To Die: How Do Hikers Meet Their Maker In The Backcountry?, By Steve Howe

The National Park Service 6/14/18 Trails And Hiking – Staying Safe

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Trip Planning Resources For Hikers and Backpackers

Irene Pastore, is a Certified Personal Trainer, fitness blogger, health educator, and speaker. She has 23 years experience teaching exercise in New York City.  For her complete bio, visit the About Page.