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Thousands of people
enjoy the beautiful mountains and deserts of the southwest every
year. Some of these people become needlessly injured, crippled, or
even die. Deserts and and mountains can be very unforgiving
environments and are not places to be careless or unprepared when
visiting. In addition, if you plan to engage in technical or
specialty sports such as climbing, mountain biking, or backwoods
hiking, then you need to seek competent instruction before
to setting out on your adventure.
Table of Contents
Prepare For The Unexpected And
Emergencies
Carry Plenty Of Water And Drink It
Beware Of Flash Floods
Do Not Hike Alone
Tell Someone Where You Are Going
Avoid Cliffs And Waterfalls
Be Prepared For Cold Weather
Carry Proper Equipment And Use It
Learn Key Outdoor Skills
Prepare For The Unexpected And
Emergencies
There is an old saying: "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail."
and it holds especially true in the environments of the desert
southwest. Pleasant conditions and clear trails can lead to
overconfidence and danger when the situation or weather suddenly
changes. Think about possible emergencies before you
leave home and take positive steps to prepare for them:
How far do you plan to go and how will you know when you get there?
What if someone gets hurt?
What if the weather changes unexpectedly?
What if you are caught out after dark?
What will you drink?
What will you eat?
How will you stay warm?
Although cell phones are a great emergency asset, they are often
unreliable in primitive areas and should never be
considered a substitute for emergency preparedness and common sense!
If you find yourself
in an emergency situation, do not panic! If possible, sit down,
think things through before you take action, and consider all of
your alternatives. Allow yourself to rest if you become fatigued,
don't press on to the point of collapse - this can be very
dangerous. Plan an extra margin of safety into your activities and
you'll enjoy them even more!
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Carry Plenty Of Water And Drink It
The desert environment can be extremely hot and dry, and can extract
tremendous amounts of water from your body very quickly. You will
need at least one gallon of water per person per day when
temperatures are above 90 degrees, and even more when they get above
100 degrees. Light cotton clothing covering your body and a hat will
also help to slow evaporation and protect you from sun exposure.
If you are caught without sufficient water, then shade and rest will
be critical for your survival when temperatures soar. Studies have
shown that there is no point trying to ration water; drink what you
have when you get thirsty. More importantly, bring enough in the
first place! Avoid strenuous activity during the day and, if you
must travel, then do so at night or in the early morning when it is
cooler.
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Beware Of Flash Floods
Water actually causes more outdoor deaths in the desert than falls,
heat, or hypothermia. The desert soil absorbs so little water, even
a short rain can produce a massive runoff resulting in widespread
flash flooding. Flash floods strike without warning and can be
caused by rainstorms that occurred hours earlier and many miles
away. Roadways, culvers, and even bridges can be totally submerged
by water in a matter of minutes.
Moving water is very
powerful and a strong adult or even an entire automobile can be
carried away by rushing water that is only shin-deep. Do not try to
drive or wade across a flooded area. Stay out of swiftly flowing
streams and washes and do not stand or allow children to play on the
banks of washes as these can collapse suddenly. If there has been
rain in the mountains, it is best to avoid narrow canyons and
waterfalls until the danger of flooding has passed. If you do become
stranded in a vehicle, try to stay with the vehicle until rescue
personnel arrive to help you.
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Do Not Hike Alone
Although it can be tempting to strike out on your own on the spur of
the moment, this practice leaves you helpless in the event of sudden
illness or injury. Even minor injuries can turn into
life-threatening situations if you have no one else to help you.
Groups of three or more persons provide the best margin of safety if
things go wrong.
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Tell Someone Where You Are Going
No matter how large your party, it is important to tell someone
reliable WHERE you are going and WHEN you plan to leave and return.
This will allow rescuers to be dispatched in the event that an
emergency occurs and you are unable to summon help yourself. A cell
phone is not enough to ensure safety in areas away from cities.
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Avoid Cliffs And Waterfalls
Falls kill and injure thousands of people each year; a vertical fall
of 35 feet or more is usually fatal. Loose rocks and boulders can
also cause fatal accidents. Hikers frequently do not realize that
scaling a cliff or waterfall is often more dangerous and
time-consuming than simply going around. The easiest and fastest
routes through the mountains are on trails even if they do seem to
be longer. If you climb or scramble on rocks, then carry appropriate
ropes and technical equipment and learn how to use
them properly. Needless to say, alcohol or drugs reduce coordination
and judgment and make falling easier.
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Be Prepared For Cold Weather
Although southern Arizona is generally mild, hikers should not
underestimate the potential for weather extremes. The combined
effects of wind and cold, (wind chill), can kill in a matter of
minutes, especially if you are wet. The weather in the mountains
contrasts sharply with that of the milder valley climate.
Temperatures at the higher elevations are typically 30 degrees
cooler than those in the valley and windy conditions are common.
Rainfall is normally more than twice as heavy in the mountains and
winter snows can slow or trap travelers and hide trails.
Some winters are mild, but do not let pleasant conditions make you
forget that severe storms can strike suddenly. Listen to weather
reports before setting out and carry extra warm clothing and rain
gear even if good weather is forecast. If caught in a storm, do not
wander and struggle aimlessly. Seek or make shelter and stay warm
and dry. Wet clothing acts as a heat drain on the body and should be
removed and dried out as soon as possible. Eat plenty of high
calorie foods to generate heat and energy. Always know where you are
so that you can pick the quickest route out of the mountains during
a storm.
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Carry Proper Equipment And Use It
Carry equipment to support you in the event of an emergency. Each
person should carry at least two independent sources of light, a
whistle, a small first aid kit, plenty of water and food, (what you
think you'll need plus extra), and a jacket or other warm
clothing. Comfortable, properly fitted shoes or boots are a must and
should be selected with your intended activity in mind. Your
backpack or rucksack should be large enough to hold all of your
supplies and should fit comfortably for extended periods. A sleeping
bag, stove, and tent or bivvy sack are needed for longer trips.
Never discard your equipment if you become tired of carrying it.
Instead, rest until you are able to continue.
If you are a climber, wear a properly fitted helmet at all times and
inspect technical equipment frequently in accordance with the
manufacturer's recommendations. Discard broken or damaged ropes and
technical devices regardless of their cost; your life and safety are
always worth more! Specialized training is always essential before
you engage in climbing and rappelling sports.
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Learn Key Outdoor Skills
Knowledge doesn't weigh an ounce and is always there when you need
it. The conveniences of modern life allow us to live day-to-day
without many of the basic skills that were well known to earlier
generations. Instructional courses in first aid and outdoor skills
are available from many community colleges as well as local
recreation clubs. Take the time to learn the following outdoor
skills:
How to read and use a topographic map.
How to apply first aid to injured or ill persons.
How to use a signal mirror effectively.
How to improvise shelter.
How to start and control a fire in any weather.
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