Safety Tips
Hiking and camping with your children can build memories that will last a lifetime. Utah is one of the best places in the country to experience the outdoors. Whether is it a simple campout at a local campground, or a backpacking trip up in the mountains, the rule of “Safety First” is still the most important aspect of any outdoor activity.
Children love the outdoors. It gives them the chance to explore, experience, learn, and enjoy freedom that they wouldn’t normally have at home. With these new adventures come whole set of potential hazards. Getting lost is one of the most common mishaps that can happen to children when camping or hiking. By observing the following safety tips most of these hazards can be completely avoided.
Use the buddy system
The old adage, “Two heads are better than one,” perfectly describes the importance of the buddy system. Whether it’s just to walk down to the lake or to the bathroom, always make sure that each child has a buddy with them.
Carry a whistle
Something as small as whistle could be one of the most important things you have children carry with them on a hike. Have them wear it around their neck at all times or fasten it to their backpack. Instruct your children that they are for emergency only. Whistles can be found at any sporting good stores. Many survival whistles are 3 in 1 and come with a thermometer and a compass. The sound of a whistle can travel for up to a mile, much farther than the human voice. Tell your children that if they are separated and don’t know the way back to you, they should blow their whistle three times pausing between each one. Then listen carefully for a return whistle. They should do this every few minutes until they are reunited with the group.
First Aid Kit/Snacks/Backpack
Each child should have a small backpack. It doesn’t need to have a lot of things in it. A small first aid kit, some snacks, water, and a sweatshirt is a good start.
Never play “Hide and Seek” while hiking/backpacking/camping
While the great outdoors can make for some great hiding spots for “Hide and Seek,” in this instance, it could lead to a not so fun game called “Lost and Alone.” Kids get lost easy enough as it is, they don’t need to be encouraged to hide.
Always keep your children in view
This is another one of those common sense rules, that believe it or not, parents don’t follow as much as the should. Just because it’s a well-marked trail doesn’t mean children can’t get lost. Keep younger children close to you, always in view. An arm’s length away is even better. For older children, parents may feel comfortable keeping them within sight or sound.
Stay on marked trails
Not only is this a good way to stay safe, it’s also a good principle to follow. Ghost trails are faint trails that are started by only a few people who break off the main trail. Not only do they not lead to your destination, they typically lead to nothing in particular, and only confuse hikers. Ghost trails also cause unnecessary damage to plants along the trail.
Always Wait at Trail Forks and Junctions
In Utah’s backcounty it is common to have trails fork in different directions or to have completely different trails intersect the one you’re on. Hopefully you’ve done your research before the hike, so you know whether to expect to have other trails intersecting with yours. Always wait at the trail junction for everyone in your group to catch up and make sure they take the correct trail.
Never Climb Around Waterfalls
Utah has a surprising number of waterfalls, and many are readily accessible to the public. Never allow your children or even adults in your group to climb waterfalls. Loose rocks, slippery rocks, the force of the water, and the height of the falls combine to make an often tragic combination. Besides, the best pictures of waterfalls are taken from a distance anyways.
Wear Bright Colors and not Camouflage
I love to wear bright colors when I hike, and so will your children. Even better, the neon yellows, oranges, and greens, are in style. So not only will your children be more visible, but they’ll feel cool too. And, in the case that they do get lost, they will be easily seen. Camouflage is fine for responsible adults to wear. I typically wear a bright-colored shirt with camo shorts, the best of both worlds.
What to do if Lost
Now, despite following all these tips, your children may get separated from the group. If they do, having taught your children beforehand can make all the difference. Teach your children the following tips if they get lost.
Use the STOP acronym
STOP
THINK
OBSERVE
PLAN
Teach your children that as soon as they realize that they are lost, they need to STOP and stay put. No wandering around. Most likely they will not head in the right direction and only delay being found.
The next step you teach your children is to THINK. Hopefully, this is when they remember about the whistle around their neck. Teach them that it is only to be used in an emergency situation, and this is the time to use it. Blow it three times, pausing briefly between each one. Instruct your children to do this every few minutes.
Next, teach your children to OBSERVE their surroundings. Are they near a clearing? Are they next to a lake? Are they on a trail? Do they see fresh footprints on the trail other than theirs? Do they see a mountain or a strange tree or a big rock? Seeing something that looks familiar to them can help them relax and feel a little better about their situation.
The last part of the STOP acronym is PLAN. Teach them that they’ll most likely be found before it is dark. But if not, to find or make a place that provides shelter, whether it’s up against a rock, or beside a fallen tree. Fallen leaves make for a softer place to sit, and piling up rocks and sticks will block the wind. Remind them to keep using their whistle.
By following these steps, chances are the will be found in no time at all. But if not, you will have taught them the important basics. Something as a simple as a whistle could make the difference.
*Disclaimer and Warning – Use of these techniques and tips are at your own risk. Regardless of all the preparation, all situations can be dangerous and life-threatening. Your Hike Guide cannot address all survival situations prevent injuries or guarantee your survival. It is your responsibility to have the proper training, equipment, information, and experience when exploring the backcountry. Survival situations can expose you to unexpected and unpredictable challenges, risks, and hazards. Adam Provance and Your Hike Guide are not responsible for any injury, death, or the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided in this guide. Please do not suggest or guarantee that the use of this guide will prevent these risks. The reader or user assumes all risks for any use or misuse of the instructions of this guide.
