While traveling in the outdoors is appealing for those with a yen for visiting foreign places, it is in keeping with good judgment that certain necessary precautions be kept in mind.
Travel tips for those venturing in the outdoors: safety and smartness
Most state government departments keep updated bulletins on travel destinations, covering factors that every tourist needs to be aware of when visiting a strange land; this includes vital information on issues like political unrest or criminal activities that target tourists, areas that are safe for day and night visits and which are best avoided.
- Consulting with a reputed travel agent, talking with friends who have already visited the intended destination and checking the Internet for more information about necessary security measures and comfortable stay in a new place are good ways to ensure a great holiday. Knowing as much as possible is the best way to prevent mishaps in any area, weather, terrain with a bit of common sense and forethought.
- It is prudent to keep travel plans and accommodation details to yourself and desisting making any change in plans/day’s timetable by hitch hiking or opting for cheaper, local options to reach a destination. These can be deceptively inexpensive but costly to life and limb, as many tourists have encountered.
- Avoid travel at night and stay in a group as far as possible. Opt for a ‘buddy system’ wherein there is always someone to venture out into the woods, if need be, with you.
- If entering a remote area, keep to a group of a minimum of four people; this ensures that if someone is hurt, another can stay with the victim while two go for help. Never go seeking for help alone in a strange place.
- If the area is unfamiliar to you, take a local along who knows the area or can at the very least, act as a translator for you.
- Be aware of the time of sunsets in a new place as you can be caught off guard in the outdoors when setting up camp or repairing a car by sudden loss of daylight. Also keep the location of the nearest telephone or ranger station handy in case an emergency occurs on your trip.
- If planning travel in the outdoors, one of the necessary precautions is to ensure that your body is in top gear to combat uncertain weather and terrain, not to mention local food. However, it is best to set a comfortable pace if planning on hiking, carrying necessary emergency medication to combat sudden illness, like diarrhea; and take along adequate supply of energy foods like hi-protein/carbohydrate bars to replenish lost energy.
- Try and take wilderness survival training so that you are equipped physically, mentally and emotionally to survive the wilds. Essential skills may include learning how to read a compass, erect a temporary shelter or give first aid and practicing these skills in advance will put you in a better position to handle life in the outdoors.