Staying Safe on Your Next Hike: Tips from a Search & Rescue Expert
I’m on a busy search and rescue (SAR) team in the mountains of western North Carolina and we see it all: lifelong hikers, newbies, young, old, etc. While most of our operations end well, not everyone lives through their ordeal, even on the most popular trails and sometimes shockingly close to trailheads. As an avid hiker myself, my involvement with search and rescue has opened my own eyes, very widely, to the importance of preparedness.
The majority of our missions stem from unpreparedness. Far and away, the most common things we hear after rescuing someone who is lost or injured is that they didn’t realize how quickly things could go wrong and/or how little they had to mitigate their situation safely. Because of my involvement with SAR, I have an enduring passion to teach hikers how to stay ‘safe and found.
Planning for a Hike
Even if you are hiking with a group of experienced hikers, it’s important to maintain the mindset of being your own first responder. Much of that amounts to what you do before even leaving home.
The following are steps that should be taken and gear that should be packed before every hike.
Route Planning: All Trails is great for researching hikes and gathering recent information about trail conditions. Facebook Groups that pertain to a specific trail network or national park/forest are also a good source of information about trail conditions. Guidebooks, as long as the information isn’t outdated, are also a great resource.
Always leave a safety plan with a family member or friend. If you don’t live with this person, make sure you let them know you’re off the trail safely and set a designated time for them to call authorities if they don’t hear from you. Your safety plan should including the following information:
Your route and the direction you’ll hike it if it’s a loop or a one-way route with a shuttle; if backpacking, campsite locations should be added also
What time you think you’ll be on and off trail
Make/model/color of your car
What time to call authorities if you don’t check in by your planned exit time
“Survival selfie” (photo with what you’re wearing and your backpack)
This safety plan template was created by a SAR team is an excellent resource that you can print off and fill out each time you plan to hike.
Check the weather forecast for the day of your hike and a day or two further out. If you’re caught out longer than expected due to an injury or being lost, make sure you bring appropriate clothing to prepare for the upcoming forecast, not just what’s happening the day of your hike.
Research the area you’ll be hiking in and make sure there aren’t any trail closures, seasonal obstacles such as high water crossings, etc. Discovering these before you’re on the trail could save countless hours and miles of backtracking or rerouting your trip.
Put your phone in “airplane mode” or turn it off completely before you start hiking. Navigation apps still work in airplane mode, so there’s no need to leave them searching for a signal in a remote area.
Always pack the 10 Essentials.
The 10 Essentials
The 10 Essentials
The following is a list of items that should always be in your backpack, even on a short day hike.
Appropriate Clothing
While there are some environments where wearing cotton is beneficial (dry deserts, primarily), synthetic materials or wool are much better choices. Layering your clothing is the best way to regulate your temperature on the trail. A three-layer system is typically the best approach:
Your first layer (often referred to as a base layer) should be a synthetic, moisture-wicking material or a wool blend. Since this layer is closest to your body, it's most important that it “wick” moisture.
Your second layer’s purpose is to keep you warm. A puffy jacket filled with either down or a synthetic material is a great choice. Synthetic material outperforms down in wet/humid conditions, so keep your environment in min when deciding which is best. Fleece is also suitable for many conditions. Sometimes both are needed to stay warm.
The third and final layer’s focus is keeping you dry from precipitation as well as blocking wind. A rain jacket or even a poncho is an excellent choice. For your lower body, rain pants are sometimes good options, but they can be hot to hike in when putting in long miles. Rain skirts provide more ventilation than pants and are popular amongst long-distance, thru-hikers.
Emergency Shelter
If you’re out longer than expected and dealing with inclement weather, nothing will feel more like a safety net than having an emergency shelter. A shelter can be as simple as a lightweight emergency bivy. The SOL Bivy is what I carry for this purpose, but there are a variety of similar brands and styles on the market.
A tarp is another good option for shelter. Tarps made out of lightweight fabrics such as silnylon or carbon fiber (aka Dyneema) make carrying a tarp a breeze.
Finally, a large trash bag will make do in a pinch.You can easily convert one into a makeshift poncho by cutting a slit in the side of it for your face, or use it like a bivy.
Illumination
Imagine for a moment how much more difficult it would be to find your way safely off a trail at night without some form of light. A headlamp is the easiest light source to use on trail, but a small flashlight works, too. Extra batteries are also a must if your headlamp isn’t rechargeable. And don’t not rely on a cell phone as your light source since it will drain your battery faster.
An external battery charger for your electronic devices is also highly recommended. If you are using a navigation app such as Gaia GPS, Far Out or All Trails, even in airplane mode it will drain your battery more quickly. Cold weather will do the same, so it’s important to keep your phone as warm as possible.
“Make sure to learn the basics of map and compass navigation before hitting the trail. Without that knowledge, it’s dead weight in your pack.”
Navigation
It’s easier than ever to navigate on trails thanks to phone apps such as Gaia GPS (my personal favorite). While these apps are a wonderful resource for hikers, they are not meant to replace carrying a topographical map of the area you’re hiking in, along with a compass. Your compass need not be expensive or fancy, and a basic model from a reputable brand like Suunto is sufficient.
Make sure to learn the basics of map and compass navigation before hitting the trail. Without that knowledge, it’s dead weight in your pack. Many outdoor retailers such as REI teach navigation courses, and local hiking clubs may offer something similar for free. There is no shortage of videos on the internet to teach you the basics as well.
Fire Making Materials
Having waterproof matches, a lighter, and some form of flammable tinder (DIY vaseline soaked cotton balls are great, but there are also commercially available lightweight fire starters) is always recommended, no matter the season.
Just as importantly, educate yourself on how to make a fire. While it may seem easy in theory, starting a fire with damp wood or limited resources is more challenging. There are many videos on the internet to show you various methods in an experiential, hands- on learning style.
First Aid Supplies
Your first aid kit can be as elaborate as you’d like, but make sure you have the basics. Here’s what’s always in my pack, at a minimum:
A small supply of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as Advil
Something for GI upset, such as Pepto Bismol tablets
Benadryl (and an Epi-Pen if you or someone in your group is allergic),
Light bandaging materials
Blister care such as moleskin or leukotape, as well as a small tube of antibiotic ointment
A short supply of any time-sensitive prescription medications you may be on, in case you’re out longer than anticipated.
A pair of tweezers
There are many prepackaged first aid kits you can purchase online at outdoor retailers such as REI or even on Amazon. These are often more affordable ways of putting together a supply for the trail, since it eliminates the need to purchase larger quantities of individual items, which you may not have a need for at home.
Repair Kit and Emergency Tools
Along with your first aid supplies, carry materials to use for light gear repairs and items that might be beneficial if you become lost or injured. The following are recommended:
A small pocket knife or multitool
Duct tape can be used for many repairs. There’s no need to bring an entire roll though. Wrap a small amount around a hiking pole or golf pencil.
A small sewing kit can come in handy for many things. Some hikers carry dental floss as thread, but make sure you carry a needle with an eye large enough to thread floss through.
A whistle is an invaluable piece of gear if you are lost. Three bursts is the universal signal if you need help.
A safety mirror can also be helpful if you are lost.
Sun Protection
If you are hiking in an exposed area or where you may encounter snow, sun protection should always be in your pack as well. This should take the form of sunglasses, sunscreen, sun protective clothing (e.g. sun hoody), and a hat.
Nutrition
Bring enough snacks for your hike, but pack a little extra in case you’re out longer than expected or waiting on a search and rescue team to find or rescue you.
Hydration
If you’re in an area with limited water resources, make sure to carry enough extra water to see you through an extended period, beyond what you need for your hike.
If you’re fortunate enough to have plentiful water sources along your route, always carry something to filter your water. You may get lucky 99 out of 100 times without filtering water; however, that one time you’re not won’t be pleasant or short lived!
Water filtration devices are incredibly inexpensive and easy to carry. The Sawyer Squeeze Filter is my top choice, along with Aquamira tablets as a backup method in case my filter gets clogged.
Aside from the 10 essentials, a personal locator beacon such as the ResQLink or a satellite device such as a Garmin InReach is recommended if it works within your budget. These small and portable devices are invaluable in areas without cell reception, to alert SAR teams that you’re in need of help. There are pros and cons to each type and brand of device on the market. Do your research and choose wisely, according to both your budget and the area you’ll use it in the most. I highly recommend these devices for anyone hiking solo, especially.
If you can’t afford one of these devices, consider upgrading your phone if it’s older. Many of the newer generation phones are able to alert nearby emergency services of your location and that you need help, even if you don’t have a signal.
“Mother Nature is a school-of-hard-knocks kind of mom, and she’s not gonna cut you any slack if you’re in a bind.”
What to do if You’re Lost or Injured
Stop hiking as soon as you realize you’re off course.
Remember the acronym STOP which stands for: Stop, Think, Observe, and Plan.
If you’re fairly certain you know the point where you got off track, backtrack to that point and reassess your situation.
If you’re unsure when you strayed from your intended route, STOP MOVING.
Check for a cell phone signal.
If you have a cell signal, call 911 and relay the following to the operator since cell phones don’t always “ping” towers accurately if you’re in an area with a low signal:
Tell them you are lost with as many specifics as you know at this point (trail name, wilderness area, national park, etc.)
Share your location with the dispatcher.
Apple Maps: Touch and hold the blue dot that appears on the map - this signifies your location. Scroll down to the set of latitudinal/longitudinal coordinates found at the bottom of the page. Read them to the dispatcher.
Google Maps: Do the same as above - touch and hold the blue dot that appears when you open the app, then scroll down the page and read the “Plus Code” the dispatcher.
If your signal is too weak to make a call, try texting 911 instead. Make sure to relay the coordinates from your phone app in the text. Yes, you can send texts to 911!
Remember to stay calm and keep your Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) in check.
While waiting for SAR, consider activities that will keep you busy (and safer) such as building a makeshift shelter, or making a fire. Also, remember to eat and drink which will help you stay warmer. Have your whistle close by at all times in case you hear SAR teams approaching.
Mother Nature is a school-of-hard-knocks kind of mom, and she’s not gonna cut you any slack if you’re in a bind. Your life could truly depend on this information, no matter how short, easy or well traveled your hike may be. If you’re still not convinced of the importance of this information or you’d simply like to learn more, the documentary film ‘Safe and Found’ dives deep into the world of search and rescue, highlighting three real-life search and rescue operations.
Stay safe out there and happy trails!
