Key Concepts
Vocabulary: personal flotation device (PFD)
Outdoor Safety
Outdoor Recreation
Planning ahead can protect you from injury during outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and winter sports.
The most important general rule for all outdoor activities is to plan ahead. Here are some specific ways to do just that:
Know your limits. Stick with tasks that match your level of ability. Brush up on necessary skills ahead of time.
Bring supplies. Take plenty of safe drinking water. Never I drink the water from lakes, rivers, or streams. Plan l simple meals and store the food safely. Don’t forget first-
aid supplies and any medications you normally take.
Plan for the weather. Check the local weather forecast and plan for expected conditions.
Wear appropriate clothing. Choose clothes that are right for the weather and will protect you from poisonous plants and insects. Dress in layers.
Tell people your plans. Let your family know where you’re going and when you’ll be back. If possible, carry a cell phone for emergencies. A sports whistle can also be useful as a way to signal for help.
Camping and Hiking
There’s nothing like a day out on the trails or a night sleeping under the stars. Just make sure you steer clear of bears, poison ivy, and sprained ankles! To enjoy your stay in the woods and reduce your risk of injury, follow these tips:
Camp with a group. Having at least one other person with you means one person can go get help if the other is ill or injured.
Stick to well-marked trails. In case you do get lost, bring a map and a compass, and know how to use them.
Be cautious around wildlife. Don’t feed wild animals. Avoid keeping food in or near sleeping areas, where wild animals may come looking for it.
Take care with fires. Before starting a campfire, make sure it’s legal. Keep fires at least 10 feet away from the tent. Put your fire out completely before going to bed.
Winter Sports
When you take part in cold-weather activities, wear warm, layered clothing to protect you from frostbite (skin and tissue damage) and hypothermia (dangerously low body tempera- ture). To avoid sunburn, you should also apply sunscreen to all exposed skin. The sunscreen should have an SPF of at least 50. Make sure you have a buddy with you to help out in an emergency.
Tips for specific winter activities include the following:
Sledding. Make sure your equipment is in good condi- tion. Choose safe spots to sled in: gently sloped hills with plenty of space and a level area to come to a stop at
the bottom. Don’t sled on or near frozen lakes because the ice may not be solid.
Ice skating. Skate only in designated areas. Never skate where you don’t know the thickness of the ice. Wear skates that fit comfortably and support your ankles.
Skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling. Wear an approved, properly fitting ski helmet. Make sure that your other equipment, such as your snowmobile boots and bindings, are in good condition. Stick to marked trails that are appropriate for your level of ability. Remember to look both ways and uphill before crossing or merging onto a trail. When heading downhill, give the people ahead of you the right of way, since they may not be able to see you coming from behind. If you need to stop, get to the side of the trail, out of the path of others.
Water Safety
Main Idea: Following safety precautions can prevent drowning and other water-related injuries.
Swimming, boating, and other water sports are great ways to beat the summer heat. However, it’s important not to lose sight of water safety. Every year, nearly 3,000 people die from drowning. Although most drowning incidents involve young children, people of all age groups need to pay attention to water safety guidelines.
Swimming and Diving
The most important rule for safety in the water is to know how to swim. Know your limits as a swimmer. If you’re just learning, don’t try to keep up with skilled swimmers. Instead, stick to shallow areas where your feet can touch the bottom. If you are a strong swimmer, keep an eye on friends who aren’t as skilled as you are. No matter how good a swimmer you are, never swim alone. Even experienced swimmers can suffer a muscle cramp or other medical emergency.
Here are additional rules for safe swimming and diving:
Figure 26.10 Proper clothing and equipment are two of the keys to outdoor winter safety. What kind o f clothing should you choose for cold-weather activities?
Swim only in designated areas where a lifeguard is pres- ent. Obey “No Swimming” and “No Diving” signs.
Dive only into water that you know is deep enough. Diving into shallow water could result in permanent spinal cord damage or death.
When swimming, always enter the water feet first. Check for hidden rocks and other hazards.
Avoid swimming near piers and reefs. These areas are subject to rip currents that can drag you into open water.
If you get caught in a current, swim with the current until it releases you, then swim back to the shore.
Pay attention to the weather. When it’s hot, drink plenty offluids and reapply sunscreen frequently. Ifyou start to shiver, it’s time to get out ofthe water.
Be prepared for emergencies. Knowing first aid can help you save a life.
Boating
Every year, more people die in boating accidents than in airplane crashes or train wrecks. Following a few common- sense guidelines can help you stay safe while boating:
Make sure the person handling the boat is experienced. Never get into a boat with an operator who has been using alcohol or other drugs.
Always wear a personal flotation device (PFD), better known as a life jacket, when you go out in a boat. PFDs come in a wide variety of types and styles for boaters of different ages and levels of swimming ability. Inflat- able toys or “water wings” are not a substitute for an approved PFD.
Plan ahead and check weather reports. If a storm is pre- dicted, do not go out onto the water. If you are already on the boat, head back to shore immediately.
Make sure someone on land knows where you are and when you expect to be back.
When canoeing or kayaking, be prepared to fall into the water. Because the water is likely to be cold, dress in layers and choose synthetic fabrics that will wick moisture away from your body. Figure 26.11 shows some survival techniques you can use ifyou fall into deep water. Know your limits when canoeing or kayaking, and don’t attempt rivers or rapids that are beyond your abilities. Make sure you know how to handle a boat properly and recognize river hazards before heading out on the water.
The same safety rules that apply to boating also apply to personal watercraft. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, 60 percent of all accidents involving personal watercraft occur because of a lack of experience and speeding. Some states have additional laws governing the use of personal watercraft devices. For example, there may be an age limit for operating one or a test you have to pass before you can use one.
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