Hints, tricks, and stories to help outdoor enthusiasts have more fun and be more safe if there comes an unexpected event that could leave you injured, in the presence of an unfriendly animal, or stranded–among other things.
DISCLAIMER: None of the information on this site is meant to advise or be professional survival techniques. Ultimately, the responsibility relies solely on each individual to do their own research to determine what is best for them in certain situations.
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STEPS TO TAKE BEFORE A TRIP
- Pray for safety and/or whatever else you feel necessary.
- Never go on a trip alone. Whenever possible, postpone a trip until someone can go with you.
- Tell Someone. Give someone who is not going with you as much detailed information about where you are going and the routes you plan to take.
- Pack sufficiently for the planned trip and then some for the unexpected. Always have what you’ll need to start a fire, a jacket even if it’s going to be warm (tie it around your waste and you’ll barely notice it), a knife, a first aid kit, and a way to purify water. A fire is useful for soooo many things. It can help you be found, keep you warm, heat up water and food, keep critters away and much more so, if nothing else, put a lighter in your pocket. A fanny packed already loaded with these things is nice to have for those last minute hikes. Bring a walking stick or pole. It doesn’t seem like a need but if you twist your ankle or encounter a cougar or wolf, you will be glad you brought one.
- Know the animals in the area and know what will scare them away and what will upset them. For instance, loud noise might scare a bear away but can make a moose attack. Also, know which plants are edible, poisonous, and medicinal. Know how to use them.
- Check the weather forecast and make sure you prepare for weather that is one day past the end of your trip schedule just in case a storm comes in early, etc.
- Some people like to take a dog and a gun but it’s not crucial. A dog can alert you to most threats but it’s not always the case.
ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS
While nothing is fool proof, research and experiences have led some to believe these hints for specific wild animals will help lessen the damage if one should attack or stalk.
- Mountain Lion – Cougars typically jump on top of their prey so it’s a good idea to pay attention to what’s above you. Make it a habit to look up as often as possible. Secondly, your chances of getting attacked in the first place is less if you’re with other people but in the case you’re alone or the cougar attacks or looks like it’s going to anyway, the action to take is controversial. Some say to stay still and face the cat while others say running is best. Each of these actions are circumstantial. If there’s a clear path with no rocks and other obstacles that might make it look like you’re limping, then running might work. My personal preference, having not experienced for myself, would be to face the animal and back up slowly while appearing to be as big as I can by outstretching my hands and being as loud and ferocious sounding as I can. If the cougar ends up attacking, fight hard. They don’t like being hit in the face or ribs. If you do have a friend with you, the best thing for them to do if they choose to help you is to poke the cougar in the ribs with a big stick (walking stick would be handy here). I know of one instance where this worked. Try to keep something between your neck and the cougar’s mouth as best you can. Holding a backpack up as high on the neck as possible will reduce the cougar’s ability to get a hold of you the way instinct wants to.
- Bear – Bears will usually scare with noise but most of the time, they will run away when they see you. However, if they attack, noise might help. In the olden days they had what they called “bear bells”. They hate bells, apparently. A can of fog horn used at graduations and other celebrations might help but people have had success by simply playing dead. Black bears like the smell of black licorice and chocolate but it’s a good idea to either consume any food a bear might smell or put it in a tight container. The weak spot on a bear is the jugular notch (the soft spot at the base of the neck near the trachea). A Montana town had a grizzly bear that kept coming into town tormenting and killing people. Many tried to kill it but it wouldn’t die and it had been shot dozens of times. The town set a prize and one really old gentlemen said he could kill it with just a 22 rifle. He shot the bear one time at the base of the front of the neck where the jugular notch was and killed it immediately. So, if you do manage to get a knife out while being attacked, that would the area to go for, if possible. The jugular, airway, and spinal column are all susceptible at that spot.
- Wolf and/or Coyote – They usually travel in packs. They can be small or large packs but you know when you see one, there are probably more. While facing the canine and not making eye contact, back away slowly. If that doesn’t work and it attacks anyway, fight back. They hate to be hit in the snout and over the head and back with a stick. This is where the walking stick would come in handy.
- Rattlesnake – First, let’s talk about prevention. Snake chaps and/or cowboy boots have been said to help if a rattler strikes and would be a good idea to wear if you know you’re going to be where snakes are prevalent. Don’t step over rocks, always step on top and then off to give enough distance if something is underneath. Snakes usually wait by the trail of it’s prey so walk loudly or pound a walking stick as you go. If you do get bit, keep the wound below heart level and get to a hospital to be treated as soon as possible. If the EMT’s can meet you half way that would be best. One old gentleman told us they were taught by some Native Americans that laying in a cold stream would slow down the poison and, hopefully, prevent it from getting to the heart all at once. I, personally, would only try this if I was way deep in the mountain and getting out and to a hospital in time seemed hopeless. And, I had someone with me that could go for help and get treatment to come to me. Soldiers have been known to carry Activated Charcoal which is said to absorb poison. It has been used internally and put directly on the bite in poultice form.
