If you are planning a trip outdoors, there are a few things you need to do before you go and it has nothing to do with packing your gear. Too often we hear about people who met with unfortunate circumstances and did not live to tell about it. Please don’t become one of those people. The following precautions should be used if you are traveling with a group of people and most especially if you are planning a solo trip.
Before you head out, inform a responsible person where you are going and when you are expected to be back. Do not tell the 5-year-old neighbour. Tell an adult who cares enough about you to follow up and make sure you made it back. Do not assume because you have a cell phone and a GPS device that this precaution is unnecessary. If you have ever dealt with technology, you must know it can fail from time to time. Do this anytime you go out, even if it is for a short hike.
Please keep in mind, a message posted to Facebook or Twitter is not exactly telling a responsible person. This is your safety. Please take it seriously. You want somebody who doesn’t forget you never checked in.
This person should also be given a map of where you plan on being. Okay, I know maps are not exactly what you were hoping for when you planned your little adventure, but you have got to make sure somebody knows where to start looking for you if you do not come home. Imagine if something did happen, say you broke your leg, but fortunately your cell phone works. You call for help, but how will rescuers know where to find you? You can simply sketch a map for the designated responsible person to hold onto until you return safely.
If the above scenario happens and your phone is not in range, you will have to wait for rescuers to come to you. How will they know you need help? Because that responsible person will be checking in to see if you have returned, when you have not, that person is going to send help to the location you indicated you would be in. See how nice it is to have a backup plan?
These are precautions every person should take, no matter how experienced they are in survival. Please keep in mind you owe your responsible friend the courtesy of knowing you have made it back in one piece. So make it a point to thank them when you are home safely.You must be responsible as well.
Craig Caudill is an outdoors expert giving survival tips both online at Dan’s Depot and also offline at his Nature Reliance School.
