Grab your energy bars, extra water, sunblock and adventure gear. It’s time to embark on an adventure!
Whether you’re trekking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, paddling, rock climbing, snorkeling, underwater diving, kayaking or canoeing, you should never forget the basic tips and guidelines to help you face challenges in the environment you choose and survive this gauntlet of physical and mental tests that come with any adventure.
Here are a few of these guidelines that will help you remain safe and healthy.
- PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE TRIP
Get all the details of the place you will be visiting on your adventure. Search for advice and tips on lodging, best restaurants, sightseeing, safe routes, favorable campsites, climatic patterns, wild animals and other such basic information. You should also preview the route and obstacles in the route map and plan accordingly to overcome them.
- BEWARE OF ANY POTENTIAL HEALTH RISK
Before heading for any kind of adventure trip, make sure you consider all the health risks you may have to face. Collect up to date information on recommended vaccinations to be taken before going to adventure trip anywhere in the world. You may also look for a history of recurring diseases of that area and take vaccinations or medications accordingly. Always carry first aid box and other allergy medications along with you.
- RESEARCH YOUR DESTINATION
It is very important to do a research on the destination before embarking on any journey. That is especially if the culture of the country you’re visiting is vastly different from yours. Research on customs, taboo behavior, and notorious scams, among others.
- TALK TO SOMEONE ABOUT YOUR PLANS
The standard safety tip in adventuring is to never go alone. However, if you do embark on an alone adventure, it’s best to hire a local guide and inform trusted people of your whereabouts or leave them a copy of your itinerary before you go. You could also ask that person to start looking for you if you fail to contact them again after a certain number of hours. As much as possible, let someone know where you are; this would help the rescuers determine a starting point for their search in case something goes wrong.
- TRUST YOUR GUTS AND FEELINGS
Listen to your intuition and also pay attention to what your body is telling you. If you find yourself in a situation where you feel uncomfortable, don’t bother analyzing why, but immediately leave the situation and seek a safer place. The nervous feeling you have is your body’s way of telling you there’s something wrong.
- IMPORTANT STUFF TO CARRY
If you are heading for an adventure tour, carry several basic things in your dry bag for safe journey including first aid box, sunscreen lotion, sun protection hat, comfortable clothes, sunglasses, sneakers or sports shoes, money belts or hidden pouches & drinking water. Do carry mobile phones if possible.
- PACK LIGHT, BRING LESS STUFF
Traveling light allows you to make better on-the-ground choices. Be brutal. Do you really need it? Pack clothes or gear that you can gift. You may be going for two weeks, but pack like you are going for one. The extras will only weigh you down, especially if your adventure consists of a significant amount of foot travel.
- ENJOY YOUR ADVENTURES WITH RESPONSIBILITY
There’s a simple way of doing this: don’t drink too much and dress appropriately.
OTHER ADVENTURE TIPS
- Trekking: carry a sleeping bag and a rope of about 50 meters of length for safe climbing.
- White water rafting: arrange life jackets, rafts, paddles, and wetsuits for safe travel.
- Snorkeling: wear snorkeling gadgets such as snorkeling mask, snorkel, and fins. Never go for snorkeling adventure amidst water currents, waves or complex entries inside the water.
- Skiing: always use poles or skiing gadgets to balance you. To be safe, do not stop or halt yourself in a blind curve or beneath the hill crest.
- Mountain climbing: always check safety knots before starting. Also, check that the ropes are properly tied through both the harness leg loops and waist loop and whether the harnesses of both the bilayers’ and climber's buckles are doubled back.
- Wildlife Adventure / Night Safari: never land off your vehicle to watch wild animals from too close or to click their snaps. It could turn out to be very dangerous as you may get attacked by wild animals. It can endanger your life as well.
It’s important to be prepared for your journeys, be aware of the risks you are opening yourself to, and decide how you will deal with them ahead of time, for your own safety.