TREKKING
Safety & first aid

Get to know the basics

A basic knowledge of Safety and first aid while trekking should be high on a trekker's priority list especially if you plan on going to remote wilderness areas. Completing a recognised course in first aid is something that all trekkers should at least consider.

It's never about being reckless

The taking of calculated risks goes with the territory when you enter a remote wilderness area. You are, afterall 'in the jungle' so to speak. Not only is there a greater chance of injury due to the often rugged and unpredictable terrain, but there will be nowhere nearby to get help in a hurry if you need it. For this reason any risks that are taken should only be taken when absolutely necessary. This is particularly important for solo trekkers. Being in the outdoors is often about taking calculated risks. It is NEVER about being reckless.

Minimising the chance of an accident

There are lots of ways to minimise the risk of having an accident. Probably too many to mention but just about all accidents can be minimised by applying commonsense to all that you do outdoors.

When trekking, always watch where you are placing your feet. This will minimise the chance of stepping on a loose rock and spraining an ankle or stepping on a snake that's too lazy to get out of your way - It happens!
Avoid walking close to cliff edges if there is another way around.
Use commonsense when crossing rivers. There is more about this subject on our skills & techniques page.
The use liquid fuel to kick-start your camp fire can be extremely dangerous and therefore it is not recommended. Some of this stuff is highly volatile. A serious accident can happen in the blink of an eye.

Personal hygiene

Personal hygiene is of the utmost importance when trekking. Regardless of whether you're trekking through a third world country or through remote pristine wilderness you are going to be exposed to many more germs, microbes and bacteria than you will in an urban environment. The products that you use to keep clean will vary depending on the environment that you are in but the aim of the game is to keep your hands, face and cooking utensils as clean as possible, particularly at meal times so as to avoid infection and illness.

A word about snakes

Snakes will usually attack only when cornered or threatened. Some experts claim that this puts snakebite well down the ladder in terms of risk to the average trekker since trekkers don't normally go around provoking snakes. While this may be true in theory, the reality is that you may startle or step on a snake by accident. This will have a tendency to make the snake feel very threatened indeed, to the point of striking out in self defense.

Snakes are not normally a problem to trekking groups as the vibrations from multiple feet will sent most snakes scurrying for cover long before you see them. It is the lone trekker who is most at risk. Some snakes like Tiger Snakes and Death Adders have been known not to move at all with trekkers being forced to make an alternative route around the snake.

Many people are unaware that snakes are actually deaf. They can tell that something is coming their way by the amount of vibration that they feel through the ground. If you are in an area where you think that snakes might be active, do them the courtesy of letting them know you're coming by walking a little heavier. Just as a safety precaution a snakebight bandage should be carried in a pocket for quick access. You know what they say about Murphy's Law - The day you haven't got it is the day that you'll need it.

Recognised first aid courses teach the correct methods for treating snakebight.