Questions tagged [safety]
Questions that discuss about precautions need to be taken for ensuring the safety in various outdoor activities that are in scope of The Great Outdoors should be tagged with this tag.
196
questions
20
votes
3
answers
17k
views
Climbing with a much lighter partner?
Both my fiancee and myself bought some climbing gear recently and we're planning our first trip to an indoor rock gym this weekend. We decided to practice our knots and belay technique before we went ...
- 1,892
19
votes
2
answers
11k
views
For how long afterwards do we benefit from acclimatization?
Consider we are trying to pre-acclimate for an expedition in Himalaya to shorten the actual timespan on site.
As an example, I am expecting a benefit if I go in the Alps for several days above 4000m ...
- 12.1k
18
votes
2
answers
23k
views
Why are tourniquets not recommended as a first aid for a snakebite?
Why are tying the tourniquets or restricting bandages not recommended or in fact to be avoided to treat a snakebite before getting the proper medical attention?
Closely related questions:
Am I able ...
- 31.7k
18
votes
4
answers
6k
views
How to detect a crevasse on a glacier
When you're walking in a roped party over a glacier, how can the leader detect crevasses?
Sometimes it's possible to walk existing tracks, but even then it's possible to have a crevasse fall.
What ...
- 2,652
17
votes
3
answers
15k
views
Is bear spray effective against other animals?
Is bear spray (pepper spray specially formulated to be effective against bear attacks) effective against other animals, especially mountain lions or wolves? Or is there something in it specifically ...
- 3,715
16
votes
3
answers
11k
views
Snake on chest while sleeping?
Now, this is not very common, however I have heard it enough times from people to know that it actually does happen.
When sleeping in the open or in an open tent (yes, i know you shouldn't), snakes ...
- 951
16
votes
5
answers
3k
views
If you are canoeing on a lake when whitecaps start happening, what is the best direction to get off the lake?
If you are canoeing on a lake and the wind suddenly starts blowing to the point where there are whitecaps, what is the best direction to head to get off the lake?
Would it be the shortest way back to ...
- 69.1k
16
votes
2
answers
384
views
Reference request: books on self-rescue while climbing
Can people recommend books or online resources on self-rescue for roped climbing? As a beginning trad leader, I think I should have a basic understanding of topics like how to escape a belay and how ...
user2169
16
votes
2
answers
2k
views
How to prepare for and survive wildfire?
In some areas, such as the western US, wildfires are common during the summer dry season. "Fire safety" advice usually centers on not starting a wildfire, e.g. extinguishing or avoiding campfires. ...
- 899
15
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Toproping with two ropes joined by a double fisherman's
The other day we were waiting in line for a popular 200 foot single pitch climb in the valley and the party in front of us was using two 70 meter ropes they had joined together with a double fisherman'...
- 7,501
15
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Is there a large difference in WFA (Wilderness First Aid) programs?
I am looking at taking a WFA (Wilderness First Aid) class and there are a couple of outfits in my area offering it. Namely, SOLO, NOLS, and The American Red Cross. I have heard nothing but great ...
- 6,222
14
votes
2
answers
5k
views
How to be safe on lake and river ice and what should I do when I fall through?
It's late October and in cold, northern hemisphere climates, winter has arrived, and moderate northern hemisphere climates will follow soon. In my area, small lakes are already frozen and people have ...
- 27k
14
votes
3
answers
11k
views
What to do at the top of a sport climb
I dabble a little at leading trad, but have never led a sport route.
If I do a sport lead, I want to make sure I don't make some stupid mistake when I get to the top. For example, I don't want to ...
user2169
13
votes
5
answers
12k
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 ...
- 1,824
12
votes
4
answers
439
views
What information to leave with your emergency contact?
Coming up with emergency information for a recent trip got me thinking: What information should you leave with your emergency contact?
I imagine the answer depends on the length of the trip, ...
- 6,769
12
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Is it ever necessary to double up locking carabiners?
I see people doing this a lot:
My question is: Why?
When is it necessary to double up locking carabiners? Ever? Doubling up non-locking carabiners with opposite and opposing gates was, and still is ...
- 53.3k
11
votes
2
answers
1k
views
"Used" top rope when bouldering
My friend and I often boulder around my home instead of driving to the local area, and when attempting some more challenging features, such as overhangs and slightly taller cliffs, we would feel ...
- 497
11
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Anchor without cordelette?
I have the John Long book on climbing anchors and also a couple of others that describe the subject more briefly (Pesterfield, Traditional Lead Climbing, and Freedom of the Hills). When it comes to ...
user2169
11
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Any dangerous animals attracted to fire?
While we are out in the wild it's good practice to keep a fire up to hold back several kinds of dangerous animals, isn't it? I wonder if there are any (for humans dangerous) creatures out there which ...
- 23.4k
10
votes
1
answer
418
views
How to get started with packrafts?
I love hiking and I'm starting to love longer cycling trips too. I've done combined cycling/hiking trips (cycling to the trailhead of a hike). Last summer I met someone who carried an inflatable raft ...
- 27k
10
votes
4
answers
432
views
Alligator free Mangrove or Cypress swamps in the US?
I often see Mangrove and Cypress swamps on T.V. and I think it might be fun to explore one in a canoe. My wife thinks we might get eaten by Alligators if we try it. I have no knowledge about ...
- 30.2k
10
votes
7
answers
1k
views
how high does a fence need to be to prevent European brown bear to climb it?
An entrepreneur is planning a campsite-hotel in Romania, with a full outdoor gourmet restaurant attached, with an outdoor kitchen. There will be no cabins or other living structures, only tents and ...
- 484
9
votes
1
answer
511
views
How do you predict weather with an altimeter while mountaineering and or backpacking?
I do know that if your elevation rises while staying in the same position, the pressure is decreasing and that it is a sign of bad weather incoming and a decrease in elevation means that the pressure ...
- 69.1k
9
votes
2
answers
626
views
What are known failure modes of the auto-braking mechanism of Grigris?
Disclaimer first: The brake-hand principle (always hold the braking strand of the rope) always applies to assisted braking belay devices, including the Grigri. This question is in no way targeted at ...
- 21.7k
7
votes
1
answer
8k
views
Frequency of crime/assault on the Appalachian Trail
I don't think of myself as being a paranoid individual, but I am cautious about people I meet when hiking. For example, if I am eating lunch at a site less than a mile from an infrequently used trail ...
- 10.6k
6
votes
1
answer
632
views
Is there a safer way to use a flare in a wooded area?
This answer on another question says that there is a risk of causing a forest fire when using a flare.
Is there a recommended/safer way to use flares that lessens this risk, in the event that someone ...
- 163
4
votes
1
answer
205
views
Have there been any studies done on how fluorescent pink compares to fluorescent orange?
It's extremely common to mandate that rifle hunters in the United States wear fluorescent orange, some states are now changing the laws to also allow fluorescent pink.
The article (April 3, 2018) I ...
- 69.1k
58
votes
10
answers
24k
views
How does water depth affect swimming safety? Why do signs, especially in the UK, say "DANGER: deep water"?
In many UK lakes, I see signs prohibiting swimming with the explanation DANGER: Deep water. This link contains an example. I don't understand those signs. Why is a 30 metre deep lake more dangerous ...
- 27k
52
votes
7
answers
17k
views
How to safely rescue someone drowning as an untrained bystander?
Motivated by a comment thread in this question here. As far as I know the consensus basically boils down to:
It is very hard rescuing someone who is drowning.
It can be very dangerous rescuing a ...
- 12.6k
40
votes
6
answers
3k
views
Backpacking or hiking in areas open to hunting
A lot of areas that are good for hiking or backpacking are also popular hunting grounds. I am an avid backpacker and hiker, but I do not know much about hunting. How do I find out what is the ...
- 2,678
38
votes
9
answers
589k
views
How far would you need to fall for it to be fatal?
A little grim this but I was discussing free soloing with a non-climber in work and I said
"Well once you get over a certain height you're not going to survive a
fall anyway so anything over this ...
user2766
35
votes
10
answers
9k
views
What should I do to avoid ticks other than wear particular clothing?
Today I've learnt that one can't vaccinate against Borreliose, also known as Lyme Disease. I've thought that I can't get that (yeah, that was stupid) and so didn't really care about ticks. However, ...
- 23.4k
32
votes
7
answers
8k
views
When will a rattlesnake strike?
There are a few questions about how to avoid rattlers, and what to do if you're bit, but at what point does a rattler actually strike?
I had my first rattler encounter ever yesterday, just out in ...
- 53.3k
31
votes
13
answers
12k
views
Knife as defense against stray dogs
Some places I travel to have stray dogs in the city. Can a knife be used effectively if attacked by one or more of them? I've had creepy close encounters.
- 4,063
28
votes
1
answer
5k
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 ...
- 6,214
28
votes
7
answers
4k
views
How safe is it for women to hike alone?
Should a woman legitimately fear to be assaulted or raped on popular backpacking trails in the US when hiking by herself? How common are attacks of that nature? How does it compare to residential ...
- 1,694
28
votes
2
answers
6k
views
In a survival situation, should I drink unpurified water?
If I am in a survival situation, is there any reason I shouldn't drink the available water? I am aware of Giardia and cholera. Are these worthy concerns, or are there good enough cures available that ...
- 987
27
votes
14
answers
9k
views
Are there any situations while backpacking that would require a watch?
One of my favorite things about backpacking is the absence of time constraints, you eat when hungry, sleep when tired and sort of track how much time is left until dark.
Would there be any situations ...
- 69.1k
27
votes
7
answers
6k
views
Meeting an unknown snake on the trail; what is the best thing to do?
The newsletter from the Virginia Wildlife Rescue League reported the following incident.
A man, his partner and her 4 year old daughter were walking in Farquier County (a rural county), when they saw ...
- 22.8k
25
votes
7
answers
12k
views
Is it unsafe to ride the chair lift with a backpack?
I like the convenience of having a backpack when I ski.
Last winter one of the lifties at the local ski hill gave me guff about my backpack, claiming that it was unsafe. I wore the same backpack ...
- 432
25
votes
5
answers
4k
views
How can you prevent kids getting lost at night while camping?
When camping in more remote areas with young kids, how can you make sure they don't take a stroll and get lost in the middle of the night?
We won't be near lights, established "bathrooms", etc. The ...
- 32.1k
24
votes
2
answers
30k
views
Is it safe to use denatured alcohol as an antiseptic?
A lot of hikers carry denatured alcohol for cooking. Is there any risk to using it as an antiseptic for cuts and lacerations?
- 32.1k
23
votes
4
answers
11k
views
Are bears attracted by Lotions and Perfumes?
Bears are mostly attracted by smell of food. That is why we are supposed to keep the food items in airtight and sealed packs or preferably finish up all the food (cooking and consuming) far away from ...
- 31.7k
23
votes
2
answers
4k
views
How to "spot" someone who is bouldering?
We have discussed a lot and at length about how to climb and other climbing techniques. I haven't come across a single post that talks about Spotting techniques.
What are the duties of a Spotter? ...
- 31.7k
22
votes
7
answers
13k
views
What are the odds that I stand a chance against Wild Boars?
I have been trekking and camping since last 6 yrs. I have over 600 hikes and about 30 technical rock climbs under my belt. We often tend to camp up in forests, and at our sides, wild boars are pretty ...
- 31.7k
22
votes
3
answers
1k
views
What steps should I take if someone starts sinking?
What are the steps that should be taken if someone you're hiking with starts to sink uncontrollably into say a marsh? What are some good techniques and points that should be used to get them out ...
- 22.5k
22
votes
9
answers
7k
views
Under what conditions does heating a tent artificially make objective sense?
My question is motivated by the earlier question How To Quickly Warm A Tent, which generated a lot of interest, and one of the best comments ever on TGO:
All I could think about after reading your ...
- 22.8k
21
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Micro-Fractures in Climbing Equipments
I have always been very careful while handling climbing gear. Last year while returning from an expedition, I met a group that was returning from a tough-looking climb. They were selling off a few of ...
- 31.7k
21
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Descending a dry grass slope with serious inclination and exposure
This post here mainly talks about Ice slopes I reckon.
The region where I live, we don't have Ice slopes, but we have lots of grass slopes.
Usual threat is a slope, probably a good 100 m, no bolt to ...
- 31.7k
21
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Why does suspension trauma happen?
This question once more brought up the topic of suspension trauma.
I tried to read up on the topic, but found that the Wikipedia page was not as informative as I would have liked. Especially I'm ...
- 12.6k