Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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N??OT V& SPr|HG B?t? Ml ODD IMC iintiini * PER PERSON DEPENDING ON DESTINATION / BREAK DATES / LENGTH OF STAY. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & RESERVATIONS 11 *800 5UNCHA5E1 Omtd< Preparedness by CHRIS MULDROW Tabloid Editor No matter what the weather is, many people are drawn outdoors to hike, camp and take advantage of the solitude and excitement of the wilderness. Unfortunately, however, solitude and excitement can combine as a formula for danger; if someone is injured in the outdoors it's much more difficult to find help and trancnnrl rhp nprcnn tn safpjv Thf old Boy Scout motto "Be Prepared" comes into play if outdoor adventurers want to stay safe. It's important to tell someone where you're going before you leave for any outdoors trips. Leave an itinerary with a friend or family member; make sure it tells your route and when you expect to come back. Many state and national parks have hiking registration boards at ranger stations. If rangers know where you are and what you're doing, they'll have a better idea how to plan a rescue attempt if needed. It sounds childish, but the buddy system is essential to safety in outdoors activities. It's great to have someone around to help if you get injured or lost. Many people.like the idea of soloing their way through the woods, but most aren't prepared to deal with problems | ? Good first aid I Every outdoor adventurer should problems as varied as blisters anc great things to carry in your first; Box of assorted size adhesive I and scrapes. Sterile adhesive strips for pulli uuaze paus ior targe uaiiuagca Soap for cleaning wounds. Medical tape for attaching ban Rubber gloves for keeping yoi handling blood. Benadryl tablets for allergic re Tylenol or ibuprofen for pain, ibuprofen, so check with your d medicines.) Triangular bandages for slings Eye drops for eye irritation. Tongue depressors for finger s A flashlight for lighting up the Sharp scissors for cutting clotl Chris Muldrow/The Gamecock afc 5 key to safe o ? !? flKjjr Jm 1 jgy.l Chris Muldrow TABLOID EDITOR cilnnp Most outdoor travelers take a first aid kit along with them on trips. Having a kit and knowing how to use it are two different matters, however; a basic first aid course and even CPR training can come in handy in the backcountry. The American Red Cross has many classes in different levels of first aid, and your doctor may be able to give you suggestions on specific precautions you should take. Health considerations are essential to enjoyment on outdoor trips. A 50-mile canoe trip will be a failure if noone on the trip has ever paddled a boat before, and a hiking trip with five couch potatoes will turn into a DacKwooas oucnrest. Many activities in the outdoors are very physical, and you need to get ready like you would for a sporting event. Make sure everyone knows the techniques and special considerations of the activity; in mergency Preparedness kit is valuable ou have a first aid kit stashed away in his < I broken arms can be stocked in a fairly aid kit: bandages for cuts, blisters ng wounds closed. and cleaning wounds. dages. \ it hands clean and tor \ \ actions. Y/~ (Some people are allergic to Jf octor before taking , splints and large blindages. plints and tongue depressing, mouth or a wound. ring or bandages. ^ I+U utdoor fun minor cases of people being "in the dark" the trip won't be much fun, and major cases can be deadly. High-risk sports like rock climbing, Whitewater rafting and canoeing and deep woods hiking demand a high level of training before they're really safe. You should be especially aware of any special health problems people on the trip with you might have. A bee sting can kill if a person's allergic, so other people need to know where an allergic person keeps his medicine. Asthma attacks and epileptic seizures can scare fel low campers" tr cney aori i kjiow me situation. Make sure the group you're going with discusses any problems that might come up so you can all be ready. When you plan your outing, make sure you have a plan for getting help, too. It's usually not wise to move an injured person: it's best to keep them and yourself calm while someone gets help. Make sure everyone knows where the nearest phone is and who to contact in case of problems. A radio or even a cellular phone are relatively inexpensive ways or Keeping in touch with the outside world. The trick to planning a successful outdoor adventure is planning, and the best planners prepare for the worst as well as the best. 0 1 tdoors tool 3r her backpack; supplies for small space. Here are some