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​Outdoor Safety
The more you know, the safer you are.

11 Items You Should Never Go Into The Wilderness Without

10/16/2017

7 Comments

 
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There are a few items that you should always carry if you are adventuring in the outdoors, even if it’s just a short day trip. These items are commonly known as the 10 essentials and were proposed originally by the Mountaineers. These recommendations should be seen more as categories, making it much more customized and flexible.

Some of these items may be used regularly on each adventure, while others may be needed only rarely or in an emergency. But when they are needed, they are invaluable.  

In no particular order, here are the essential categories for items that should be carried in the wilderness:
  1. Light Source
  2. Medical Kit
  3. Hydration
  4. Food
  5. Insulation
  6. Navigation
  7. Sun Protection
  8. Repair Items
  9. Fire Starting Items
  10. Shelter
  11. Communication

Wait, there’s more than 10 listed here, why is that? Base Medical has added Communication as the 11th item (or category) to the list as it is crucial for emergency situations and is important in everyday life. But before we dive into that, let’s go over each component of the list.

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1. Light Source
A light source can be a lantern, a flashlight, a headlamp, a candle, etc. Even if you will just be out for the day, it’s always good to have a light source. If things do not go as planned, darkness can make things whole lot worse. A simple hike out can prove to be nearly impossible in the dark and increase the odds of injury or getting lost.  

We prefer a headlamp as opposed to the other light source options. Headlamps are lightweight and much more compact with more illumination power. Plus, they are hands free, which is very useful if you have to navigate difficult terrain or carry other things.


2. Medical Kit
A first aid kit is helpful for minor but common issues experienced in the wilderness. This may include small cuts, poison ivy contact, headaches, or rolled ankles. It’s also useful in more serious situations like heavy bleeding, hypothermia, or broken bones. Help is often farther away than you think. Even locations near the trailhead or close to the city can be difficult to access by rescue teams.

Unfortunately, many who carry a first aid kit do not know how to fully use it or are using it improperly. Furthermore, many premade, store bought first aid kits could be better tailored to be more suitable for wilderness adventures. We always recommend customizing your first aid kit to meet the needs of each adventure. Learn more about doing that here: 3 Things to Consider When Customizing a Wilderness First Aid Kit

And to learn more about what you should have in your wilderness first aid kit and their uses, see this post: Top 10 Items to Have in a Wilderness First Aid Kit

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3. Hydration
Not only should you always have at least 1 liter of water, but you should also have the capability to carry more water or treat water to make it drinkable. This is very true for longer outings, like a multi-day backpacking trip.

In addition to a 1 liter hard plastic water bottle, we love flexible, foldable water bottles. When not in use, these bottles no take up very little space and weigh next to nothing. They are handy when you need to fill up with more water if your next water source is far away or uncertain. They are also great while at camp to store extra water that you have already boiled or melted. Or they can be filled with warm water, and tucked into the foot of your sleeping bag on cold winter nights. And if you lose your other water bottle, at least you have a back up. Of course, a water bladder system is also in option. It all depends on the activity.

On longer trips, be sure to have a way of making water drinkable. This could be a stove, sterilight, filtration system, tablets, etc.

Speaking of hydration...should you drink your own pee to survive? Gross but...we answer that here.


4. Food
In addition to the food you plan to eat, have extra nonperishable, easy to prepare calories with you. Preferably a half day or a day’s worth. This can be as simple as packing an extra freeze dried meal, energy bars, or trail mix. Dried potato soup, couscous, ramen noodles, and oatmeal are all possible nonperishable options that can be easily carried as an extra meal and do not absolutely require hot water for cooking.

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5. Insulation
Weather and temperature can quickly change in the backcountry. Always carry warm, insulating clothes. Depending on the environment, this may include a jacket, gloves, and a warm hat. A large amount of heat is lost through the head, a minimalist windproof skull cap can really make a big difference.

Down or synthetic jackets are a fantastically warm, lightweight, and compact option. “My Patagonia down sweater packs down to the size of an apple. I never adventure without it. Even on a recent climbing trip in the Moroccan desert, I was happy to have it when the sun dipped below the horizon”, explains Teal Brooks, a Base Medical wilderness paramedic and instructor.

To learn more about how the body loses heat in the wilderness and how to prevent it, see this article: 4 Ways The Body Loses Heat in the Wilderness

6. Navigation
A topographic map of the area you are travelling in and a compass are basic old school components of a backcountry navigation system. But in today’s world of GPS technology that can fit in our pocket or on our wrist, is the old school map and compass a thing of the past?  It most certainly is not. Technology can fail. On trips longer than a day, it’s a good idea to carry at least a topo map. It’s as simple as pressing print in a lot of cases.

7. Repair Kit
This category probably gets overlooked the most. Think about it. How much of your outdoor comfort and maybe even survival depends on functional gear and equipment? You will not get a good night’s rest on a deflated sleeping pad or in leaky tent. Or how will you manage when your ski binding needs to be adjusted while backcountry skiing? Repair tools and items are there to get you out of such binds (no pun intended). This may include repair tape (our favorite), duct tape, a multi-tool, a knife, a spare velcro strap, paracord, sewing kit, and the list goes on.  

8. Sun Protection
This may include sunglasses, sunscreen, or protective sun clothing. Sunglasses are invaluable, especially in environments with high sun glare like from snow, ice, sand, or water. Lens with 100% UV protection are ideal. It’s always worthwhile to carry an extra pair. Shoot, you can even buy foldable sunglasses for under 10 bucks to have in your pack as a backup. This is highly recommended for trips where not having eye protection can be crippling.

Sunscreen and sun protective clothing is another necessity. Sunscreen seems to be an easy thing to forget or leave in the car at the trail head. We recommend always carrying a small amount with you. Sunscreen packets are a great lightweight option and take up no space.
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9. Fire Starting Items
At the very least, carry waterproof matches in a waterproof container or bag. Lighters are fine but they can fail. Flint and other sparking fire starters are fine as well, however they may weigh more. Matches are good to have as a backup.

In addition to matches, have some sort of firestarter with you to help you make a fire. This could be old laundry lint and candle wax, dry tinder, or fire priming paste. A reliable firestarter is very useful in wet conditions where dry tinder materials are hard to find. 

But...Fire Starting Items are not just for making a camp fire. Think about that jet boil with the not-so-durable sparker and any other backcountry stove. It is always good to have a back up to get those burners going. Or maybe it's to light a candle in a backcountry hut. 


10. Shelter

If you are on a multi-day trip, then chances, are you have a shelter of some kind, like a tent or a bivy sack. If when you do not have these things, you should still have an emergency shelter.

​An emergency shelter is something that is meant to be carried on a day trip or when away from camp, like when a mountaineering team makes a push for the summit from base camp. As stated earlier, conditions can change quickly in the backcountry. An emergency shelter can offer protection from wet conditions (because staying dry in critical) and can provide warmth by trapping in heat and reducing wind chill and evaporation. An emergency shelter can be a bivvy, a tarp, a space blanket, or even a large trash bag. Unfortunately, ultralight traps can be expensive, so we cut open two large trash bags and then sewed them together. Great alternative!


A quick word about space blankets… these are great in that they are small and weigh only a few ounces but...if you plan to use it as an emergency shelter, please be sure it is durable enough and large enough. Some are very flimsy and tear easily or are just too small to be functional. Stay tuned for a future blog post from us comparing the different space blankets available on the market.

Learn how to treat hypothermia, how to splint broken bones, stop heavy bleeding, and so much more here. 

11. Communication  
Base Medical has added one more item to the list, a communication device. This may be a cell phone, radio, signalling mirror, or personal locator beacon. In the most minimal form, it could be a whistle. If you experience an emergency, the chances are that you will need outside help because it will be beyond your capability. Having a means of communication can mean the difference between life and death, but it should also not be heavily relied upon, creating a false sense of security.


This list should not be translated into thoughts of “bulk” or added weight. The 11 essential items can be tailored down to a lightweight system and is necessary for responsible outdoor recreation. Most of these items are already in your pack anyway, like a water bottle, sunglasses, a jacket, or your cell phone. You may just need to add a few things to complete your list.

But please remember, having these 11 essential items does not mean you will be able to avoid or fully handle an emergency in the wilderness setting. These items can only do so much, it ultimately comes down to your knowledge and skills. A first aid kit, a map and compass, and repair kits are useless if you do not know how to use them. They would just be extra, unnecessary weight.

We are not saying that if you do not know how to use a first aid kit or compass then just leave it at home. No, that is irresponsible. Instead, learn how to use them. Prepare yourself.  Take an orientation course or a wilderness first aid course. Or sign up for our Online Outdoor Safety course. Knowledge is the foundation of safety.
7 Comments

BE SAFER: A Guide to Handling Wilderness Emergencies for Non-Medical Adventurers

10/2/2017

3 Comments

 
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Do you think you can stay calm and think clearly in the midst of an emergency? Even for the most experienced individuals, handling an emergency can be a challenge, especially when it’s in a remote backcountry setting far from help. In these situations, you will have to be self reliant. And if help is on the way, it still may be hours or days before they reach you. Using the “BE SAFER” approach will help guide you on what to do if you are in an emergency situation on your next outdoor adventure.

B - Be Prepared
E - Evaluate Risks

S- Safety
A - Activate Help  
F - First Aid
E - Evacuate
​R - Rescue

The BE SAFER acronym was made to provide a loose framework for handling a wilderness emergency for those who are not professionally trained in medicine or rescue. This BE SAFER acronym may not apply to every situation because every situation is unique. However, it is flexible enough for it to be used for any outdoor sport. And while safety should always be first, other aspects of BE SAFER may occur out of order. For instance, you may need to perform first aid before activating help. Or you may have to rescue a victim before first aid.

The “BE” in BE SAFER refers to actions that should be done before an emergency occurs.

B - Be Prepared
There are many things you can do to completely prevent or better prepare for a wilderness emergency. Much of it should be done before your adventure begins. Take a wilderness first aid course or an outdoor skills and safety course. Get the hands on training. Learn more about your equipment, route, your partner, etc. Practice survival skills or rescue techniques. Learn, practice, repeat. Consider of Outdoor Safety Online course.  

There are a few items that you should always carry if you are adventuring in the outdoors. These items are commonly known as the  10 essentials  and include: Head lamp (or other light source), first aid kit, water, food, warm clothes, map or GPS, fire starting tools, sun protection, repair kit, and emergency shelter.

Base Medical likes to add one more item to the list, a communication device . This may be a cell phone, radio, or personal locator beacon. In the most minimal form, it could be a whistle. If you experience an emergency, the chances are that you will need outside help because it will be beyond your capability. Having a means of communication can mean the difference between life and death, but it should also not be heavily relied upon, creating a false sense of security.  And while we are on the topic of communication...always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return, even if it’s just a short day trip.


E - Evaluate Risks
Before each outing, even a short one, evaluate the risk that may be present from the environment, the terrain, and the activity. Plan for these appropriately.
  • Environmental Risks - This may be foul weather like a snow storm or temperature extremes.
  • Terrain Risks -This could include falling ice or rock, avalanches, steep slopes, or dangerous river crossings.
  • Activity Risks - The risk from each given outdoor activity can be very different. Rock climbing has a higher risk of falls. Mountaineering would include HACE and HAPE. Kayaking can see higher shoulder dislocations and the threat of drowning.

After evaluating the environmental, terrain, and activity risks, prepare for them as much as possible. Consider what knowledge and resources you will need to handle such risks. This may mean adding an extra insulating layer, a helmet, or crampons to your pack, or bringing a personal locator beacon if you know you may not have service. We also suggest tailoring your first aid kit for each adventure. You can learn more about that here: How to Customize Your Wilderness First Aid Kit 


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The “SAFER” in BE SAFER refers to the actions that should be considered or performed once an emergency occurs. 
​

S - Safety
First and always first is safety. This includes your safety, the victims safety, and the safety of anyone else present. We do not want to create more victims. Evaluate the environment for safety hazards like falling or loose rock, hanging ice, lightning, angry mountain goats and so forth. Consider relocating to a safer location if it’s possible.

A - Activate Help
This is where that 11th essential item comes into play. Early communication and activation of a rescue response team can really make a difference for a person that has suffered a serious injury or illness.

This step may not be required if you think you are capable of handling the situation on your own. Self evacuation and self rescue is the best option if it can be done so safely and without causing further harm. This does not mean that you should never call for rescue or you should try to handle situations that are beyond your capability. However, there are many situations that you can handle, you just need to be ready and knowledgeable.  
F -First Aid
Next is to perform immediate first aid treatments on the victim if they are with you. You need to rapidly find and fix serious life threats if any. The airway, breathing, and circulation (commonly referred to as the ABC’s) are essential for sustaining life. Any problem directly affecting the ABC’s is considered an immediate threat to life and must be corrected. Try not to move the victim too much if you think there is a chance of a neck injury.

Ideally, you should already know how to do this. This is where the skills and knowledge from a wilderness first aid class are invaluable. It really can save a life. Again, consider a hands on training class or at the very least, our Outdoor Safety course. 
​

After the ABC’s are treated, keeping the patient warm and protected from the environment should be considered. In severe trauma emergencies, a drop in body temperature can accelerate a dangerous and deadly condition known as shock. If possible place some sort of insulation between the victim and the ground, and over the victim. Learn more about keeping a victim warm here: 4 Ways the Body Loses Heat in the Wilderness 

Other not as threatening  problems, like a wrist fracture, can be addressed later.

​E - Evacuate
After treating all life threats to the best of your ability, perform the needed rescue techniques, start to self evacuate, or wait for outside rescue (the R in SAFER).  

Again, s
elf evacuation and self rescue is the best option only if it can be done so safely and without causing further harm.  If this is the case, then begin to self evacuate. Be aware that the situation can change, and may require outside help. 
If you were not able to activate help, or if the situation is too dangerous, you might need to make the difficult decision to leave the victim to go get help. This may be especially true if you are with one other person, and it is that person who is hurt. Before leaving, make sure the patient is in a safe location with food and water. Attempt to keep them warm and isolated from the environment. 

If they are semi conscious or unconscious, put them in recovery position before you leave, even if there is a potential spine or neck injury. Try to be gentle on the neck! The recovery position helps maintain a good passageway for air to move in and out of the lungs. This is very important.  

To place a patient in recovery position, lay the patient onto their side with the ground arm extended. The other arm should be positioned so that the patient’s cheek rests on the back of the hand. This is to keep the head in position. The head should be positioned so that it's tilted slightly back to ensure an open airway. Finally, the right leg should be bent to prevent the patient from rolling forward onto their face. The recovery position is meant to maintain an open airway and prevent aspiration of stomach contents.
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The Recovery Position

R - Rescue
Sometimes, you may have to wait many hours or days for outside help to arrive. While you are waiting for rescue, there things you can do to be proactive. Think of what you will need to stay warm and protected while you wait. It’s important to know that trauma injuries and the cold do not play well together. These two factors can lead to or worsen shock. So do your best to keep the victim (and yourself) warm and insulated from the ground and the outside environment. Just a simple space blanket laid over the victim will not cut it. You may need to improvise insulation out of rope, a tarp, extra jackets, etc. 

A shelter should also be considered, especially if the environment is very cold and wet. This could be a tent or you may have to build one out of a tarp, branches, etc. Or dig a snow cave. But of course, you may also find yourself in a situation where there is little you can do to shelter yourself, like if you are on a belay ledge half way up a climbing route. 

This is also a great time to do the other not so urgent medical treatments, like splinting a broken wrist. Learn how to splint broken bones in this free online mini-course: Wilderness Splints.  

As you may have noticed by now, BE SAFER is not as straight forward and easy to understand. Emergencies are complex and unpredictable. A generic check list can not be applied to an emergency with a one size fits all mentality, especially in the wilderness. However, BE SAFER should be used as a guide to navigate wilderness emergencies if you have no medical or rescue training. Each of it's components must be considered.


    To receive a free print out version of the BE SAFER acronym to carry with you on your next adventure, enter your email below. 

BE SAFER
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