Hiking Tips

When you go camping, you have to be prepared for the worst thing that could happen. You need to prepare and bring along a first aid kit. However, bringing along the first aid kit is not enough. You also need to know how to apply first aid for the different injuries that you might have while on the camp.

Know basic first aid and outdoor safety tips.

It is important that you learn about the different first aid and outdoor safety tips. Keep in mind that the outdoor is a place where tiny and large critters reside. Insect bites and the bites of poisonous animals can pose danger to your life. This is why you need to be well-practiced when it comes to first aid application. You will find various first aid application methods for different injuries, insect bites, and emergency situations.

Know the camping/hiking area well.

It also pays to know the camping area well enough. In this way, you will be able to know where to go if emergency occurs. You also have to make sure that the area is not infested with poisonous insects and reptiles. If it is your first time to go camping on that certain place, you should have a map to guide you. You can also do am online research to get info about the place.

Camping can be more fun and safer if you know what to expect and how to respond to emergencies.

One of the hikers' worse enemies is dehydration. Dehydration can lead to serious and fatal cases. If you are dehydrated, you have to remember that heatstroke is just around the corner. Read on to know the symptoms and the remedy for dehydration.

Symptoms of dehydration

When the body loses about 2% of its fluid, one will experience mild dehydration. The symptoms include thirst, drying of skin and mouth, skin flushing, fatigue and weakness among others. For the loss of 5% body fluid, one can experience muscle cramps, headaches, increased body temperature, and decreased urination. Severe dehydration's symptoms include muscle spasms, vomiting, shriveled skin, seizures, and even unconsciousness. Dehydration needs immediate attention. You have to be aware of the symptoms of dehydration in order for you to give first aid to someone suffering from it.

Treatment for dehydration

When a person is dehydrated, he or she loses electrolytes. In order to rehydrate the body, one has to replenish the lost electrolytes. Sipping water is a remedy. You can also take replenishing drinks such as gatorade. After drinking, you have to eat salty snacks for these contain electrolytes. Do not replace water with soda and sweetened juice drinks. If the dehydration is severe, you have to call an ambulance immediately.

This might be a cliche, but I must still say that prevention is better than cure. This is why you have to prevent getting dehydrated as much as possible. You must drink enough water everyday. Drinking eight glasses a day can help you avoid getting dehydrated especially now that summer is fast approaching.

Why are we too paranoid about wild animals attacking us ferociously or about a poison ivy causing an irritating itch? We, humans, are the ultimate weapons of our own destruction! We put people in danger with our mindless wreck and reckless mischief. Yet, ironically, our body can also be our ultimate tool for defense. An experienced hiker should know his body as much as, or even more than, the hiking trail.

Listen to what your own sensitive body has to say; it makes sense more than your silly brain. You might be a little cold or hot, or you're just about to pass out because of dehydration or perhaps starvation. But before any of these happen, respond to your body and its needs. Take good care of your feet, 'coz they lead you to the best scenery and places. Protect them with socks and hiking boots and pamper them with powder and other stress-alleviating solutions.

Aside from your body, take full responsibility for your hiking buddy! In the wild, your group is one big family. Don't lose companions out of your sight and like what scouts use to say, "Always be ready!" Be a cool lifesaver; wear hats, sunglasses, lip balms, and sunblock. But when it's chilling, you'll find gloves, scarfs, and beanies as good clothing add-ons for your hiking get-up.

Looks can be deceiving and we always fall prey to this adage! Little do we imagine that the most innocent-looking creature can suddenly be a venomous enemy. It can strike us when we least expect it and we are left unaware and unprepared for the next step. Plants are not just ornamental sights in hiking. They can be deadly serious in posing threats to your recreational activity.

Yes, plants can be silent but deadly. Poison oaks and stinging nettles -- they can offer you the worst hiking nightmare. But the fault of every hiker is how he turns oblivious to it all. All eyes should be open wide when entering an unknown turf. Remember that plant life dominates most of the wildnerness. So before you go hiking or camping, acquaint yourself with the enemy. Know where they hide, what they can do, and how you can fight back against their ill wills.

We always toy with danger and get caught with our defenses down. Plants have their tricks, too; it's not easy to distinguish between an amiable and insidious kind. So if I were you, I'll take it easy with the vegetation. Some plants you've been feasting your eyes on can be toxic and poisionous. Don't flirt with them nor fanstasize about eating one. Pack your own food supply if you want to have another day for adventure.

When you're off the road to trek on the wild, give your family a peck on their cheeks and please, do check with the weatherman. He can be your lifesaver and a good person to give you the best advice. Believe me, you don't want to toy around with weather. It can be a friend or a foe but most of the time, it'll betray you when you least expect it. Is it going to rain? Or will it be bright and warm? A wise hiker knows how to weather the storms and shine right up even with a blistering sun. Don't take your chances on a hiking and camping trip!

What can be the worst case weather scenario? My friend, John, who'd recently been to Mt. Gorgonio, had the scariest hiking tale of his life. He was trapped in a hale storm near the summit and all he's wearing were shorts, t-shirt, and light windbreaker! Thank God that he lived to warn his hiking buddies of his personal near-death experience. I definitely won't be caught dead with my knickers on. However, the sun can also smirk at you and play a sinister role in hiking. I remember one time when there's too much heat on high elevation and there's not enough water. Man, weather can really play its tricks.

A mother can do some spanking on naughty boys, but Mother Nature can be ruthless to hikers who don't heed her calls. Like a good son, a wise hiker consults with Mother Nature. He takes note of the weather condition, altitude, and the actual hiking trail. When he leaves the comfort of concrete pavements and modern living in the city, he can only expect a wild experience. So if I were you, I won't dare wish to be on the next headline of the 6 o' clock TV news. I'll cherish life with the right clothing, gear equipment, and ample amount of fluid to rejuvenate my energy. Hiking can be fun, if you'll live to enjoy it!

When you think of dangers lurking in the wild, I know you'd be quick to assume that those are wild boars, big bears, slithering snakes, and ferocious lions. That's what we get from watching Alice in Wonderland and Wizard of Oz! The truth is, these creatures rarely cross our path. They're not big fans of humans, who can be obnoxious and downright nasty! So stop obsessing a scene with the Lion King. Chances are, you won't even meet in person. But beware of those we hardly ever see. They can be more dangerous than they ought to be.

We used to stamp on them but once we enter their turf, it's payback time! Time to get even from people who belittle their life and power because they're weak and small. When hiking, you should watch your back or bees may feast on you and leave you with gritting in pain from their sting. Ants and ticks on the other hand may flock on your flesh and sip blood out of you. And do you know that mosquitoes can leave you with a deadly virus and infection such as Dengue Fever or Malaria? There is no refugee camp and your only antidote from these menacing creatures is safety.

Don't underestimate your hiking nemesis. Arm yourself with protective gears and bug repellents. To ward off the threats of the wild, have a keen eye and prepare well. Ignorance is never an excuse while knowledge can always come as handy weapon. If you think ants and bees can turn life to hell, think of microorganisms in the water such as Giardia Lamblia and Cryptosporidium. They can make you feel really sick to your stomach and make you suffer from unexplainable ill experiences. So never drink unfamiliar water even if it looks pure and clean. Drink only from treated water because looks can be truly deceiving.

By reading the newspaper, I get a daily dose of the recent happening in the city. And lately, I usually find lots of hikers on the headlines but there's nothing to be proud of. They haven't set a new world record nor conquered the stupendous Everest or Great Wall of China. Instead, they have fallen off the cliff and injured themselves badly. Some are lucky to be rescued while others are like pin in a haystack, lost and never to be found. There are many wonderful experiences that hiking has to offer but you certainly don't have to risk your own life in indulging in such recreational activity. What all hikers need is a mindset for safety without compromising the actual thrill and adventure.

What could possibly go wrong when you have a comprehensive map of the hiking trail? A lot! Remember, you're not in the city. There are no conspicuous towers or landmark, no stoplights and pedestrian lanes and you're not walking on a concrete pavement. The map specifies the location but not the actual route conditions. You have to be cautious of the weather, the land, the soil, in short, the whole surrounding. You're in the wild and your foremost survival kit is not your trekking pole and hiking gears, it's your own instincts and intuition. You are invading nature's territory so pay respect and navigate safely.

One step can make a big difference, you'll either slip or make a giant leap. So always have the benefit of your own consciousness because you're not walking on the street, you're trudging on the wild. Look at potential hazards glaring right at you. A rock, dirt or even a tree branch can be harmful especially when you're reckless, tired and mindless of your path. They can be treacherous at times when you least expect to stub your toe and get stuck with your foot. Most of the time, hikers can be in a hurry to reach the next trail but it doesn't mean that they should always trust the shortcuts for the longer route may be a lot safer.

Ruthless and cruel, Al Pacino is a good actor. If you've seen him in the "Devil's Advocate", "Scarface" and "Scent of a Woman", well that's Al. He attacks a character with precision. He's silent but deadly, and you'll never dare say that he's old, only mature. And for that, Al Pacino is a good actor. On the other hand, Tiger Woods swings it like a real tiger. He's ferocious when on the green and grassy fields. He won a lot of golf tours and he's a great golfer. Okay, but what about a good hiker? What precedes the reputation of a so-called good hiker?

I always believe that I'm a hiker at birth, that hiking is the fuming hot blood that runs through my veins. I'm destined to hike and conquer, and even climb atop the mountains to relish on my personal freedom and domination. I was a good scout and an even better hiker even past the middle age. So for my share of conceit and vanity, I dare say that I'm a good hiker because I've won my own challenges and feat in every hiking adventure I have taken. I hike and observe. Women are not always behind any man's success, but instincts work on a man's quest to triumph. Everytime I hike, I would listen only to my instincts. I observe every details and I get a vivid spree to the wildlife and nature.

Don't worry, it's not Da Vinci's code. It means Safety, Navigation, Appreciation, and Knowledge. These are important mind tools to start with if you want to get the most out of your camping and hiking trips. A good hiker always peg for his own safety. You get a taste of life in the wild, but you certainly don't want to risk your own, right? Look around you and observe the imminent dangers. That's the only way to even see a great escape from harm. But next to saving your life, you don't wish to get lost like a boy. Hiking is for men not wimps, so always explore the idea of a good navigation. Don't be damn stupid, study the map and the trails before you even walk a mile in confusion. We all have our hiking gears and guides, but only one heart to appreciate nature. That's the energy and passion for every step and hike you make. Now that you have the heart, don't leave your brains out. Have you ever considered the hiking trail as a long stretch for a learning experience? Knowledge is the best gift a hiker can get from his bold adventures!

When you hike, walking is a pleasurable experience for the eyes, but an excruciating torture to your soles. So to take your journey with ease, take this with you to the memory lane of hiking. Give your feet and tired body a 10-15 minute break every hour. Take off your shoes and your socks, place your feet on an elevated position above your heart. After a relaxing break, you may now proceed on your trail. Don't exhaust all your energy, walk slowly and enjoy nature at its best. Tie your boots just right, not too tight that you're clogging up the blood flow nor too lose that you'll lose a pair. Always breathe through your nose, and don't poison nature with your bad breath. It will also save you enough internal water. Carry just enough water, you don't need to carry a gallon. Don't you leave anything behind. Check on your items or leave an open pocket until everything's back on place. In case you forgot something, walk a few yards back to look for the missing item.

When on a hike trail, it's not the best time to be all rumpled up. This not your home sweet home, it is a foreign turf so organize your things all the time. When hanging wet socks, use alligator clips. To avoid dirt inside your boots, use gaiters to keep debris and rain off your boots. You can also come up with your own version by being resourceful. It's your choice whether a trekking pole will help or not. If it does, bring one to alleviate stress off your knees or if not, just don't even waste time and effort into carrying it through your pace.

You hike for a taste of life and not for the contagion of death. Always be ready with your safety kits. Filter your water supply or add solutions to cleanse your bottle of survival. It will also be wise for you to use a drinking tube, so you'll be able to control your drinking spree enough to last for the whole journey. Baking powder and baby powder will also help resist infection or friction while bug repellents are also handy to ward off the insidious mosquitoes and parasites. They may be small but they can do a lot of harm to health.

Remember than when you hike or camp, you're using up every bit of energy and power while you exhaust yourself to numerous activities. Hiking has its perks, but it also entails sacrifices. In able to climb atop or to complete the tracks, you should be prepared to face any imminent danger or precautionary measures, that way, you'll have a taste of life with nature without risking your own. Remember that water is important to any hiker. You can nix off gourmet cooking, but always ensure a clean water supply. It is another source of life, another way for you to survive the wild.

When you pee and you're urine is darker than how it's suppossed to be, then you're not drinking enough water. You don't want to slump down like a camel in the middle of the desert, so hydrate yourself with lots of water especially at the start of your day. Have at least 1 liter of drinking water before you leave the camp. To ensure that it's safe and germ free, always pack an iodine or Aquamira and mix it with vitamin C, 100 mg per liter, so you can guzzle it up minus the iodine taste. Aquamira eliminates unwanted water components, and for hikers or campers on uncharted turf, it's a lifesaver to avoid getting infected with diseases. But even with ample water reserved in hand, add flavor to its taste with powdered juice. It will taste better and will replenish electrolytes that you lost in walking. Water is life, take this friendly advice with you.

When hiking or camping for the great beyond, we are always aware of safety gears and kits. We prepare for one of the most exciting adventure in our life. We even follow tips and guidelines to ensure that the trip to wilderness will be worthwhile. But don't you forget one thing! You won't need to scoot back to a hiking store. Pack your journey with common sense.

The web, the books, and expert advises tell us what we should do for a good hiking experience, when all we need is just a little common sense. You don't have to crack up your brain like Einstein. You'll just have to be one with nature and one with yourself. What are the facets of a good common sense?

Avail of your senses, especially your common sense (anyway it's common). All of it even the sixth sense. When you embark on an uncharted turf, you are predisposed to danger. Use your sense of sight in observing the surroundings before you get lost on your track. Eavesdrop on every sound. Ferocious animals may just be lurking by your side (aside from your drunken buddy), ready to pounce on you any minute now. Touch your grounds and look for hints (be careful on animal shit, though). It's one way to understand climate and temperature. Breathe on fresh air, but also learn to smell on fear, triumph, and defeat. Bring an impeccable taste for a wandering spree but leave your tongue for gourmets. You're not getting one in the wild.

Now, for your sixth sense, it's time to be practical. What you read on as theories are only half of what you'll experience in the trail. Learn to evaluate the rap of your actions and be pragmatic. Feel from within and listen to your intuitions while you act with instinctive reflexes. You'll always be in command of your own destiny. Each feat will always vary from the other. You are the master of your own freewill.

To go hiking or camping in the wild, you do not wish to leave your etiquettes behind. Though far from civilization, don't be such a slack. Aside from your safety gears, bring along the enthusiasm and courtesy of a real man.

Here are some of the basic Don'ts: Don't use your hand in picking up pine cones instead of kicking up dirt with your feet. Do not dig trenches surrounding your tent if you want to be free of accidents or loopholes. Love the water by keeping it clean, for it bathes you and quenches your thirst. It's not a huge jacuzzi to froth and bubble with your foamy soap. Be more friendly to nature, so don't be stupid enough to burn plastics.

Now, what to do: Keep your area clean and do not leave your shit behind. You are not an animal to make a toilet out of the entire wild. Bring a trowel to bury solid waste. Use toilet papers or paper towels and please, no trace of your waste!

You definitely have to observe these rules. The world is a big hiking and camping trek only if everyone knows how to care for the environment. Just a little etiquette for the price of adventure you get.