Warmer weather has pushed more people into remote trails across the United States, and parks and rescue teams report a rise in wilderness emergencies. Those incidents can require complex and expensive search and rescue operations. A stark example came in a single week in April in New Hampshire's White Mountains, when seven hikers were rescued and another person was found dead after a solo backpacking trip.
To measure how prepared day hikers and trail runners are, John Lambert of the Boston University School of Public Health surveyed more than 600 visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. He asked returning visitors about their wilderness experience and the gear they carried. The study appeared in Wilderness & Environmental Medicine. Survey participants were classified as wilderness prepared only if they met all of the following:
- at least one liter of water,
- seven emergency items from the National Park Service’s “Ten Essentials” list,
- a map or equivalent wayfinding device, and
- either two rescue devices or eight of 15 recommended first aid items.
Lambert found that most hikers and trail runners did not carry the necessary emergency gear, and those with less wilderness experience were especially likely to be underprepared. Many visitors were also not prepared for higher altitudes. He concluded that parks could reduce incidents by offering more targeted educational outreach and by using preventative search and rescue (PSAR) as a public health approach to teach visitors what to pack and how to prepare. "From a public health perspective, honestly, anytime outside is great," Lambert said. "That being said, you still have to be smart about it, and being prepared can save your life or someone else’s." The study’s findings could help parks and health officials design clearer safety messages for hikers and trail runners.
Difficult words
- wilderness — large natural area far from towns
- wayfinding — methods or tools for finding direction
- preventative — intended to stop problems before they happen
- underprepared — not having enough gear or experience
- outreach — activities to inform and educate people
- altitude — height measured above sea levelaltitudes
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How could targeted educational outreach change what day hikers and trail runners pack for a trip?
- What are the possible benefits and challenges of using preventative search and rescue as a public health approach?
- Have you or someone you know been underprepared outdoors? Based on the article, what would you do differently next time?
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