Posted by Alice Moon on Mar.06, 2009

©iStockphoto.com - gbh007

The time is rapidly approaching when we will once again be able to venture outside to greet the green shoots of spring. As we anticipate spending more time outside and away from home, it is a good occasion to give attention to some basic rules of safety. None of us like to think about the worst that could happen, and with a bit of planning, we may never have to experience it firsthand.

First, Know Yourself

Heading out into nice weather after a prolonged period of being housebound, it can be tempting to push too hard or do more than our bodies are ready to handle. Start off with short trips, whether you run, hike or explore. Work your way back into an outdoor exercise regime. Give your skin the chance to acclimate to greater sun exposure.

Be aware of changing conditions and the potential for severe weather. Check the forecast and check the sky before you head out. Roads may still have patchy ice or snow and melting can make these even more slippery than usual. Flooding, including flash floods, can also accompany spring melting. Stay away from flood prone areas if there have been heavy rains or extremes in temperature. Wear or carry with you the proper gear to face rapid weather fluctuations.

Know Your Area

If you are planning to be out in the city, note a few stores along your route that are open at the time you expect to be passing through. These could be potential safe havens in an emergency. You may also want to locate any pay phones along the route you take. A one time survey is enough, just to give you an idea of what options you may have if you need them.
If you expect to be in a rural area, familiarize yourself with the roads and landmarks nearby. Wear bright colors so that you can be seen by motorists and hunters.

If you visit a park regularly, note the various entrance and exit points and locations where staff may be available. State parks have personnel who patrol the grounds along with staff who monitor the entrance and camp stores. City parks may offer emergency call boxes. Be wary of areas where there are tunnels, overpasses, or places where you could be singled out away from the sight of other visitors. Use extra caution at dawn and dusk, when there are typically less visitors and more cover available for would-be attackers. Consider taking along a pet, a partner, or pairing with a friend so that you aren’t alone on isolated paths.

Friendliness on the trail is common and the expected social exchange involves brief hellos or a nod, perhaps a mention of the weather. Upon meeting a stranger in a remote area, even if it is only within a local park, a chance encounter may be more than it appears. Beware of anyone who seems overly friendly or who asks to accompany you. Keep your distance, be cautious and prepared to protect yourself.

If you’re running on local roads, acknowledge drivers as they pass. A curt wave can ensure their attention is not distracted. Eye contact lets them understand you are alert and aware of them. You’ll be more likely to notice if someone circles the block or doubles back and you’ll have more time to react to any dangerous situation. Err on the side of safety. If the same car continues to travel the area around you, try to move to a more populated location or have your phone at the ready.

Keep Emergency Supplies On Hand

If you drive to your destination, keep a few extras in the car: a bottle of water, a snack or an energy gel, a blanket and maybe even a change of clothes. You should also have a travel first aid kit with a few more items than you would carry on the trail. Even if you never leave the concrete and asphalt of town, be prepared for possible emergencies. If you have car trouble, a fall, or low blood sugar, you may be dependent on what you have at hand to help yourself. Be sure you keep plenty of gas in the car, especially if you visit more remote locations or do so during changing weather.

Items you may want to carry with you include a cell phone, small first aid kit, loud air horn or whistle. I don’t happen to own a cell phone, but most people do, so let me remind all of you to know at least one person’s phone number by heart. If you should happen to lose your bars or your battery dies, you may need to use a landline or borrowed phone. Also know the limits of 911 service in the area you’ll be traveling. There are some places where such service doesn’t function well or there is no coverage. You’ll need an alternate number in those cases if you have to call for help. If you’re out on the road or trail, limit your time on the phone. Being engaged in conversation limits your awareness and could lead to a fall or cause you to miss an important sign of danger.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

When you first enter the parking lot, take a few moments to sit and look around at the other vehicles present. If you have a minor concern about a car, make a note of the license plate number and description. If any of the people give you cause to worry, consider postponing your visit or alerting a park ranger, attendant, or local police. In more wild locations, consider leaving word of your plans in your car. This will give potential rescuers a focus for their efforts, as often if you go missing from the trail, your vehicle will be noticed before any search begins. In cases where time is a factor, this may get help to you faster.

There are online databases of sexual predators available for most communities. While research like this may be scary, it can be a good wake up call for those of us who become complacent about the dangers in our surroundings. Even if your area is relatively free of convicted violent offenders, it isn’t possible to know from where a potential threat may come. A slightly heightened level of awareness will work in your favor.

Vary Your Route, But Let Someone Know Where You Are

While having a regular route you run or walk may make locating you easier in the event of an accident, traveling the same path each time out gives anyone looking for a victim a way to plan ahead and ambush. Vary your route by day or time. Choose multiple routes and keep them loose, rotate through them. You can leave a note at your home listing your possible routes or create and save a unique one for each route, then leave the matching note out on the day you use it. This is more important if you live alone and tend to venture out alone. Should you go missing, authorities will have a place to start their investigation.

If you can, it’s best to let someone know directly that you’ll be out, where you’re going, and when you expect to return. People do go missing on a simple walk down the lane. They aren’t always lost to foul play. Sometimes a simple fall or sudden illness can leave you unexpectedly helpless. It may seem a bit extreme, but a brief call, note or email with basic information may be what saves your life. Leave your note in a visible location on your computer, a table or desk, not on your front door where strangers may have access.

Be Mindful of Dangers

If you are approached by a person on foot or in their car, stay well away from their grasp. If you offer help or information, do so from a safe distance and remain aware of their actions. It is ok to simply walk away if you are uncomfortable. Keep your phone, whistle, or air horn at the ready. People who are up to no good usually do not want to draw attention to themselves. Head toward a more populated area or inside a store. Keep as many obstacles and as much distance as you can between yourself and anyone who makes you feel nervous. Trust your instincts above all else. If you have a bad feeling about a person or an area, treat it as vital information. Don’t second-guess yourself.

If you happen to get lost, stop walking. People tend to make their situations worse by wandering further from the road or trail attempting to find their way out. Hurry and fear can cause mistakes or hasty decisions. Only attempt to retrace your steps once you have taken time to calmly assess your situation. If you don’t believe you can find your way on your own, wait for help or another person to pass by. In the meantime, you can listen and look for cues which may show you the proper direction to travel.

It’s sad that we have to be wary of others, but we’re far more likely to encounter a human foe than an animal attacker under most circumstances. We’re more likely to have an accident than be set upon by a wild beast. While we do have a brave and capable system of professionals in this country to call upon in times of need, we have a responsibility to act as our own resource and rescue when we can. With a little planning, knowledge, and forethought, you can be your own first responder.

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Posted under Fitness For Body & Mind, Health & Fitness.