Wilderness Safety

Food
When in the wilderness, it is better to be over prepared! Always bring along extra food, but DO NOT feed the animals! Human food is unhealthy for wildlife, and feeding wild animals can encourage them to become aggressive. Store any food you have in a scent-proof container, your car, or suspended between two trees. Unless you enjoy finding a skunk, raccoon, or bear in your tent in the middle of the night, it is not a good idea to store food in your tent.

Do not eat wild plants or mushrooms unless you are with an expert! Many poisonous plants look like edible plants.

Fire
Check with your Ranger before building any fire -- they may not be allowed in high risk areas. Keep campfires small, and reduce impact on the environment by bringing in your own wood. Use a fire ring if one is available. Always make sure your fire is completely extinguished before leaving your campsite: douse it thoroughly with water, stir the coals, and douse again until there are no hot coals remaining.
NEVER LEAVE A FIRE UNATTENDED!

Water
It is very important to drink at least 2 liters of water per day, especially if you are hiking or engaged in other strenuous activity. Signs of dehydration include headache, fatigue, and nausea; dehydration can lead to other problems such as hypothermia, heat exhaustion and frostbite.

Even if the water outside looks clean, it must always be treated to avoid giardia and other infections. Use a good water filter or water treatment tablets. You can treat water by boiling it for at least five minutes; when in high altitudes, boil water for at least ten minutes for safety.

Shelter
Before you leave for your camping trip, make sure your tent is complete and in good condition! It is a good idea to carry a small reflective space blanket or tube tent with you to provide shelter in an emergency

Clothing
Always take extra clothing on any trip outdoors as weather conditions can change very quickly. Dress in layers, plan to encounter wet weather, and bring a warm hat and gloves; remember, up to 60% of your body heat is lost through your head and extremities.

Emergency Kit
Its a good idea to carry an emergency kit when camping or hiking. A complete emergency kit should include:

• Flashlight
• Waterproof Matches/Lighter
• Space Blanket/Tube Tent
• Whistle
• Signal Mirror/Flares
• Swiss Army Knife/Leatherman Tool
• Complete First Aid Kit
• Water Treatment Tablets
• Compass
• Snakebite Kit
• 10' Lightweight Utility Cord
• Sports Energy Bars

You can easily carry all the above in a fanny pack while day hiking, or in a stuff sack or in your backpack.

If you are car camping, these items may be god to have in an emergency:

• Extra Blankets
• Tent Repair Kit
• Cellular Phone or CB Radio
• Deluxe First-Aid Kit
• Battery or Solar powered Am/Fm Radio

Trip Planning
With Murphy's Law in mind, you can be prepared for anything! A few things to keep in mind when planning for your camping trip are:

• Check the weather forecast for your destination and pack accordingly.
• Make sure a friend or neighbor has your itinerary, and notify your ranger of any hiking plans.
• Call the ranger station  at your destination to make sure you have any necessary permits or reservations.
• Know the level of experience of everybody in your camping party. Consider their level of fitness when hiking; pace any hiking trips according to the ability of your slowest hiker.
• Check all your equipment before you leave. Always be prepared for equipment failure, and carry repair kits.
• Develop outdoor skills by camping with an experienced outdoors person, reading guides, or joining outdoor clubs. It is also a good idea to be certified in first aid and CPR; some branches of the Red Cross offer first aid courses designed for wilderness safety.