Questions tagged [prevention]
Questions that require possible options to prevent something from happening.
28
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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 ...
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28
votes
1
answer
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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 ...
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Are there any tips for preventing a vehicle from being broken into while parked at a trailhead?
It is fairly common practice to drive to a trailhead, park your vehicle and then go backpacking for a while. It would be a real bummer to come back from a trip and find that your vehicle has been ...
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3
answers
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How to apply duct tape and mole skin to prevent blisters?
In response to a question that was asked regarding preventing/treating blisters, a reputed and a respectable climber (DavidR) said:
"Having 'duct tape', 'mole skin', or other adhesive products, and
...
- 31.7k
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5
answers
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How can I vet a hiking partner without potential hard feelings?
I'm planning a backpacking trip with a well-established partner. I would like to invite a third person along, but he has not met the second, and I do not want to extend an invitation to the third ...
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5
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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?
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5
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Eating Matches to repel insects?
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 ...
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3
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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 ...
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1
answer
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Can a Finger Pulley injury be predicted / anticipated?
I resumed climbing a couple of months back after a gap of a couple of years.
After spending a month of quality time at the wall regularly in order to get back in touch, I have started to try different ...
- 31.7k
14
votes
2
answers
5k
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In kayaking how would you escape an underwater whirlpool current if you were trapped in one?
In kayaking I've heard a term called the 'washing machine'. Apparently as a river is flowing over terrain it can create whirlpools and currents that swirl in all manner. Occasionally a condition can ...
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14
votes
3
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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 ...
- 989
13
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5
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12k
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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 ...
- 1,824
13
votes
6
answers
6k
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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 ...
- 7,249
13
votes
1
answer
435
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How to determine the thickness of ice?
Thinking about going ice fishing this winter but I am worried about falling through thin ice. I know that ice should be at least 4 inches (10 cm) if clear and 8 inches (20 cm) if cloudy, but how can ...
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5
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Preventing "heat rash" around ankles and shins?
I'm currently hitchhiking in South East Asia where it's of course always hot. I'm getting a rash around my ankles that I've had in the past but never looked into.
(The same rash, but on a different ...
- 969
10
votes
3
answers
5k
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Hypothermia Prevention - Post Ice Water Fall
I've read many of the posts that are related to this and believe it to be a be a snowflake of a question on the site.
If you have fallen into icy water and the temperature is very challenging, what ...
- 873
10
votes
5
answers
2k
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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?
- 6,232
10
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2
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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 ...
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2
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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 ...
- 9,507
10
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1
answer
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How do you keep rodents out of your vehicle when it's parked at the trailhead?
On some backpacking trips a car could be left for a couple of weeks, what can I do to ensure that when I return the mice aren't inside and the squirrels are leaving the wiring alone?
- 69.3k
10
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Can I mix the contents of a cigarette with Odomos to prevent leech bites?
I read tobacco leaves can be used to prevent leech bites. I'm unable to find tobacco leaves so can I use cigarettes instead?
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10
votes
1
answer
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What are the most common stinging plants to be aware of in North America?
What are the most common plants that can cause rashes when touched in North America? What are the most important ones to be aware of and avoid?
Before coming to the US I was only familiar with the ...
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8
votes
3
answers
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How do I prevent soreness due to friction when swimming?
When swimming in the ocean I often get rashes where I have skin to skin contact, especially where my arms move against my torso and where my thighs move against each other. What can I do to prevent ...
- 1,684
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votes
2
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5k
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Handling IT-Band Syndrome when hiking
A few weeks ago I was hit by IT-Band syndrome. I know that rest is paramount in healing it but the problem is that you do not know if it has fully healed.
In a few days, I want to go on a 2 day hike. ...
- 153
6
votes
2
answers
154
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What are wildlife hazards/precautions near the treeline at 8200ft on Hearst Lake in Montana?
I want to drive to Hearst Lake (map here) and explore the area on foot, but I am unsure what wildlife precautions I should take at a high altitude. Do grizzly, black bears, mountain lions, elk have a ...
3
votes
3
answers
189
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How do I locate a company that will remove deadfall from my property?
I own about 30 acres of sloping, high desert land at about 8500' near Pine, CO. It is moderately densely forested with 30-60 yr old ponderosa pine, blue spruce, and juniper. When a tree dies and ...
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votes
2
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How well do mosquito clothing patches work?
They are said to be little patches that simply stick onto clothing, lasting for 12 hours. They are made from "natural ingredients" and DEET-free so I have my doubts. How well do they work?
- 4,107
3
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1
answer
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Blister Prevention/ Heel hardening [duplicate]
I work in the outdoor industry and I had never had any issues with blisters whilst hiking for years.
Then one weekend I wore a pair of high heels out for a wedding and got blisters on my heels. Now I ...