(Editor’s Note: This is the first of a two-part series presented by Butch Meriwether, a Mohave County resident and photojournalist, about lifesaving hiking and desert driving/exploring preparedness.)
Many people are anxiously anticipating those picnics, camping and hikes with their families and friends since the temperatures in Mohave County have soared into the triple digits.
The great outdoors is “calling their names” and people, for the most part, are in the process of making plans to ensure their outings are hopefully safe and a fun-filled time.
Even if they are only driving for a short distance or planning a short hike, the two optimal words are “be prepared.” Before heading out on their treks and/or an adventure, it would behoove people to make a list of everything needed in addition to those essentials normally not thought of.
The problem is the vast majority of people believe they will be safe without taking needed essentials/items with them. There are numerous examples of motorists, campers and hikers not being prepared, who got lost or stranded and needed help from rescuers. Those numbers of rescue incidents could be lessened or alleviated if only people took time to think and prepare for their trailblazing adventures.
When getting everything ready for an outing, the first and foremost thing is to ensure your vehicle is good operating order, has a full tank of fuel, a bag of various tools for minor repairs, a roll of duck tape and five gallons of water for the radiator. People probably wonder why duck tape. It can be used for emergency repair if a small leak occurs in the radiator hose.
Even if people are only planning a short trip, they must always prepare for the worst. Take supplies for at least a 24-hour period even if they plan on only being gone for a few hours. A good rule of thumb is always having at least a gallon of water for each individual, snacks and a blanket to keep warm at night. One never knows if their vehicle will break down in the middle of nowhere.
Not everyone takes everything needed to ensure a safe time. There are few items people normally don’t think about taking with them, but are essential. They include: toilet paper and a lightweight collapsible shovel to dig a hole for those bathroom breaks in the middle of nowhere; a walking stick to help maneuver those uneven trails; a GPS or compass to plot their trek; a comfortable wide-brimmed hat and protective clothing for protection from the harsh sun; snacks and adequate amount of water (in their pack) in unbreakable containers to sustain a person for 24 hours is a must. There isn’t anything worse than having water in one of those pre-packaged-lightweight bottles purchased from a store and a fall crushing it and losing all of their water.
“Day packs” should only weigh only about 15 at the most and should contain items needed in case of an emergency. The items are: cellular telephone (hopefully there is cellular service available); a whistle and a signal mirror to attract the attention of possible rescuers; first aid kit; hand sanitizer to kill the germs after a bathroom break or prior to eating; waterproof matches and a container just in case there is a need to make a fire to keep warm at night if stranded (remember the days during the summer may be extremely hot, but the nights can get very cold); flashlight with extra batteries; a poncho to keep dry if the monsoon rains happen to occur; mosquito netting just in case of a bee attack; and an extra pair of prescription glasses just in case the ones they are wearing are broken during a fall.
The one thing hikers must never do is hike alone or even drive into the outback with just one vehicle – two are better than one. Always bring a friend along on hikes because if injured, the other hiker can either administer first aid or go for help. Another important tidbit to follow is always tell someone when they are heading out, where they are going, what route they are taking and when they plan on returning. That way, if they’re over do on their return trip, authorities can be notified so a possible organized search can be initiated.
-Butch Meriwether
