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Safety
Suggestions from The McCall Hiking Club
1.
Take your time. While hiking, take your time. Start
hiking with short low elevation gain hikes and work up to longer, higher
elevation gains. STOP if you feel out of breath. Never push
yourself. Remember you are climbing, sometimes at great
elevations. Enjoy the beauty that surrounds you.
Altitude
sickness can cause headache, nausea and
even
life-threatening pulmonary edema. Hike at your own pace.
Never
try to "keep up" with faster hikers.
2.
Never hike alone. Always leave word with someone, even for a
day hike, where you are going and what time you should return. Even
the most experienced in the backcountry have been lost and their friends,
loved ones and search professionals do not know where to begin to search,
losing valuable time.
3.
Know the symptoms of hypothermia. Hypothermia is a lowering
of body temperature in cold and wet conditions, which can cause
death. An uncovered head can lose up to 50 percent of the body's
heat at 40 degrees fahrenheit and up to 75 percent at 5 degrees fahrenheit.
Persistent shivering is the first danger sign. Confusion and
stumbling are more serious signs. Dress in layers for hiking.
Be prepared for cold weather. Be aware that weather in the mountains
can change quickly.
4.
Know the symptons of dehydration. A lack of water kills much
sooner than starvation. If you plan on doing a lot of hiking, invest
in a water filter such as a Micro Lite. To purify water, boil at a
full rolling boil for five minutes. Using iodine drops kills
bacteria but takes 30 minutes and will not kill Giardia Lamblia.
Giardia is not serious but will make you miserable. Diarrhea is the
symptom. Never drink from streams or lakes no matter how clear they
look. Dehydration will cause delirium. Symptoms are thirst,
slow motion, lack of appetite, drowsiness and a high temperature.
Carry extra water in your vehicle.
5.
Check for ticks. Ticks look like small watermelon
seeds. Examine yourself after every hike, even if it is a short
one. Ticks usually crawl around for several hours before they start
to bite. When they do bite, they burrow painlessly into the skin.
Pull gently with tweezers, using care to prevent breaking off the
head. If you find a large patch of red skin, a few days after a
hike, consult a doctor. Ticks carry Lyme disease, which can be a
serious disease if not diagnosed quickly; however, only a few known cases
have occurred in Idaho.
6.
Watch for mine shafts and tunnels. There are old mine shafts
and tunnels in Idaho's back country -- watch for them. Some shafts
may be hidden in the ruins of old cabins.
7.
Be aware of poison ivy and poison oak. Poison ivy appears
mainly in the desert climates of Idaho (eg near Riggins). Poison oak
grows only along the Pacific Coast.
8.
Know how to address sunstroke. Sunstroke is
life-threatening. Immerse the person in cold water or cover with
cool, wet cloths. Symptoms are lack of sweating, temperature over
105 degrees, hot dry skin and possible unconsciousness. To prevent
sunstroke, drink plenty of water (even before feeling thirsty) and wear a
hat.
9.
Know how to address heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion symptoms
are: pale, moist cool skin, low body temperature, faintness and even
vomiting. Drink lightly salted water and lie down and rest.
10.
Be bear aware. We do have bears in the Payette national
Forest. If you see a bear: give it room, walk slowly and talk
calmly to it. Avoid confrontation. Odors attract bears.
Keep food sealed in bags. In certain situations, dropping your fanny
or back pack and backing away slowly may save you from attack by a bear
since they are frequently more interested in the lunch in your pack than in
you. LEAVE YOUR PETS AT HOME. Dogs can antagonize wild animals
and even bring the bear back to you.
11.
Snakes. Snakes are not found often in the mountains,
typically only in the desert at elevations lower than 5.200 feet.
12.
Make noise while hiking. Whistle, sing, talk to your
partner. Animals don't like to be surprised by us any more than we
like to be surprised by them and your noise is a good warning signal.
13.
Water crossings. When crossing a stream keep your boots and
socks on your feet. Use two sticks to help you with balance.
Rocks can be very slippery. Never cross a river.
14.
Use the buddy system. Never leave a hiker alone on a
trail. Use the buddy system.
17.
Fork drops. At a fork in the trail have someone stay to show
the slow hikers which way the group has gone.
Hike
sensibly in the mountains and return safely!
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