The prevention tag has no wiki summary.
18
votes
1answer
280 views
Why do shin splints happen?
I've gotten shin splints on long hikes - once 2 weeks into a hike, and another time 2 months. I wasn't able to determine how I got them though, which has really annoyed me! I get that I could ...
12
votes
2answers
895 views
How do I avoid leeches?
The last time I was attacked by leeches I thought I'd taken enough precautions such as pulling my socks over my trousers and avoiding walking through particularly wet areas or long grass but I still ...
11
votes
5answers
424 views
What do I do to prevent and treat frostbite?
I'm going to be winter camping, and I'm concerned about getting frostbite. What can I do to protect myself?
11
votes
2answers
363 views
How harmful is the rising/setting sun?
Often, while hiking, my companions and I treat the very early/late sun as being less harmful (as far as skin cancer and UV radiation are concerned). For example, we might not apply sunscreen ...
9
votes
3answers
2k views
Prevent mosquito bites: insect repellent patch or just eat vitamin B1?
I'd like to use natural malaria prevention. Insect repellent patch seems to be very promising. One patch contains 75 mg of B1 and covers 36 hours. However, it's not very cheap. Many other travellers ...
8
votes
5answers
568 views
How do I treat a blister? How can I prevent getting them in the first place?
When hiking with a new pair of boots or if I haven't been hiking in a while, my feet might get blisters.
How can I treat a blister and keep hiking? Are there things I can do to prevent getting ...
8
votes
2answers
349 views
How should I treat hypothermia?
When I recognize the symptoms of hypothermia, how should I treat it? And what are the dangers if the symptoms are ignored?
7
votes
1answer
170 views
How can I prevent plantar fasciitis?
Every year or so I'll end up with plantar fasciitis after periods of time where I've walked a lot. In general my walking shoes are fine and have arch support but occasionally I'll need to use sturdier ...
6
votes
1answer
383 views
Probability of Being Struck by Lightning
I just moved to a new place (Edmonton, Alberta) and I wasn't really prepared for the strange weather here. My room is really hot right now and I want to sit outside for a bit in the rain where it's ...
6
votes
3answers
253 views
What can I do to prevent getting poison ivy?
I have a very bad reaction to poison ivy. I take extraordinary measures to avoid any and all contact with it. I wear long socks and full pants in the middle of summer but I still end up getting it ...
5
votes
2answers
161 views
Does a red headscarf or hat provide better protection from the sun?
I read in an old tourist guide (from the beginning of the 20th century) that during mountain walks on sunny days one should wear a red headscarf or a hat with red lining to avoid heat stroke, because ...
4
votes
5answers
167 views
How to prevent skin cracks?
So every winter working in the dry cold, my skin, on my hands and feet, cracks. Particularly between my fingers and toes. What can I do to prevent this?
3
votes
2answers
419 views
Eating Matches?
I have heard that eating the tips off a few match heads can help keep the bugs off of you. Supposedly you sweat out the sulfur and it repels the bugs. Has anyone else heard this or is there any truth ...
