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WILDERNESS
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BE PREPARED
Preparing to visit the
Wilderness
1. Leave
word where you are going and when you will be back:
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Give complete route details of where you are
going
to close relatives/friends.
-
Tell them about anyone's special medical
conditions
e.g. diabetes, asthma.
-
Tell them when you plan to return and have
them
call authorities if overdue.
-
Leave a note 'inside' your car or truck
outlining
your hiking plans. For security reasons, it is not necessary to place
the note so it can be read through the windshield. If you're missing
and we find your car, we will get inside to read your note.
2. Take the correct
map and a compass. Know how to use them.
3. Take
appropriate clothing and footwear.
-
In the Wisconsin North woods it is especially
important to avoid hypothermia. Weather changes rapidly in all seasons.
-
Always take a waterproof wind breaker,
and
clothing that can keep you warm when wet, e.g. wool.
-
Avoid cotton which absorbs perspiration and
rain
and becomes cold when wet.
-
Avoid cotton jeans.
-
Even in warm weather in the woods, be
prepared for
rains and night cold if stranded. Large plastic trash bags can
substitute for rain gear in an emergency.
-
Take drinking water, take drinking water,
take
drinking water! Water is much more important to your survival
than food.
-
Take high calorie/high protein snacks to
maintain
energy.
-
Don't overestimate your abilities.
-
Always allow time for the unexpected, e.g.
thick
scrub, rock lines, streams, swamps.
-
Don't go faster than the slowest member of
your
group.
-
At regular intervals do a head count of your
group.
-
Don't split up your group during a hike.
There is
safety in numbers.
-
Don't leave an injured person alone. A group
of
three or more will allow one to look after the injured while the other
goes for help. If there are only two of you, do not leave the injured
person alone unless you know exactly the route to get help. Stay on
trails, roads, etc.!
4. Stay put when lost.
-
Find a campsite (with nearby water, if
practical)
and that will be visible from a helicopter.
-
Wave vigorously (a bright or white shirt,
jacket,
etc.) at any helicopters - they are probably looking for you!
-
Don't
forget if you are overdue to phone home from the
first phone you come to. Make sure, if you are overdue, that you notify
local authorities that you are safe.
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