trail safety & etiquette

Trail Safety & Etiquette

Trail Etiquette

• Stay on the trails! Do not cut switchbacks or take shortcuts!

• Bikers yield to Hikers and Horses, Hikers yield to Horses

• When you encounter a Horse step off the trail to the downhill side (horses run up hill when spooked), stand quietly while horse passes

• Person going up hill has the right-of-way• Stay to the right, pass on the left

• If stopping, make sure trail is clear for others• When in a group, take up as little of the trail as

possible (single file, take up no more than half of the trail)

• Enjoy the quiet…don’t take it away!• Pack it in – Pack it out!!!• Take a picture, don’t take it with you!

Basic First-Aid

• Assess the situation!!!– Stay calm & don’t panic!– ABC’s – Airway open, Breathing restored,

Circulation Maintained– Check for bleeding – apply direct pressure and

elevate injured limb– Look for signs of shock and broken bones– Check for emergency medical identification

– Get professional medical help quickly• Know emergency numbers (911) call them and describe

the problem• Be sure to give your name, location, number of persons

involved and what the problem seems to be– Loosen clothing that may restrict breathing and/or

circulation– DO NOT move injured persons unless situation is

life threatening!• Keep victim still, quiet and warm (except heat

exhaustion and sun stroke)• Victims with broken bones should not be moved until a

splint has been applied

Bleeding

• Act Quickly – have victim lie down, elevate injured limb higher than heart (unless you suspect a broken bone)

• Control Bleeding – apply direct pressure on the wound with a sterile pad or clean cloth

• If direct pressure controls bleeding, apply a bandage firmly to protect wound.– Check pulse to be sure bandage is not too tight

Broken Bone

• Symptoms – the victim hearing or feeling the bone break, area tender to the touch with pain in one spot, swelling in that area, limb in an unnatural position, painful movement, abnormal motion, loss of function, grinding sensation, discoloration of the affected area

Treatment• Keep victim still, DO NOT move victim until a

splint has been applied (unless there is danger of a life-threatening emergency

• If bone is suspected broken but does not pierce the skin – splint the limb, immobilizing the joint above and below the suspected fracture site.

• If bone pierces skin apply pressure to appropriate pressure point to control bleeding. DO NOT straighten limb!!! DO NOT clean the wound!!!

• Get professional help immediately!!!

Sun/Heat Related Issues• Sunburn – apply cool, wet cloth…DO NOT use

ice!!!• Heat Exhaustion – Fatigue, irritability, headache, faintness, weak rapid

pulse, shallow breathing, cold clammy skin profuse perspiration

– Have victim lie down in a cool, shaded area, give them cool water/electrolyte solutions

– Use caution when they first sit up (even when they feel ok)

• Sun/Heat stroke (LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY!!!)– High body temp (106 +), hot red dry skin, absence

of sweating, rapid pulse, convulsions, unconsciousness

– Get professional medical help immediately!– Lower body temp quickly, do not give them

stimulation beverages (coffee, tea, soda)

Cold Related Issues• Cold Exposure– Move victim into warm area as soon as possible, be alert

for breathing difficulties, remove wet clothing and rewarm them with warm blankets/clothing, give victim warm liquids (no alcohol)

• Frostbite– DO NOT break blisters, rub area, or apply heat lamps/hot

water bottles!– Warm area as quickly as possible by covering with clothing

and blankets or by using warm water– Elevate frostbitten areas– Get Professional Medical Help!!!

Splinters

• Sterilize needle and/or tweezers by heating tips in a flame, wipe off with a sterile pad

• Loosen skin around splinter with needle, use tweezers to remove splinter

• If splinter breaks or is deeply lodged consult professional help

• Cover with bandage or sterile pad to avoid infection

Stings

• In highly sensitive persons, do not wait for symptoms to appear…Get professional help immediately!

• For mild or moderate symptoms, wash with soap and cold water, remove stinger with tweezers or by gently scraping with fingernail (DO NOT SQUEEZE)

Blisters

• Avoid them with proper gear!!!• Try to avoid popping blisters if at all possible!• If blister has popped or torn DO NOT remove excess

skin from blister!• Using a clean cloth wipe away excess fluid from area• Place the torn skin back over the raw area• Apply antiseptic cream and a blister pad (if

available) or bandage.• Never intentionally remove the skin from a blister