As autumn deepens, it’s once again the peak season for outdoor “hiking adventures.” More and more citizens are heading out to hike, climb, and camp in forests and valleys. However, while enjoying close contact with nature, hikers also face unpredictable risks. The Yantai City fire department recently issued a safety alert, reminding hikers to always prioritize safety when going out.
Make these four key preparations before your trip
With the clear and refreshing weather of autumn, many people are packing up and heading out during holidays and weekends. To prevent accidents, the Yantai Fire Department reminds hikers that in case of emergencies outdoors, they should quickly move away from danger zones and use nearby items for self-rescue. If self-rescue isn’t possible, send out a distress signal promptly. While waiting for rescue, stay calm—avoid shouting blindly and wasting energy. Rescue teams will arrive as quickly as possible. At the same time, make sure to prepare in the following four areas:
First, understand the weather conditions for your trip. Before setting out, pay attention to travel and meteorological advisories issued by relevant departments to learn about the weather, health, transportation, public safety, and emergency contact information at your destination. Avoid traveling alone or taking unnecessary risks.
Second, plan your route realistically. Whether you’re hiking over mountains or walking through low hills, choose well-marked main trails and avoid venturing into unknown paths, which could complicate search and rescue efforts if you get into trouble. Also, arrange transportation and accommodation ahead of time.
Additionally, ensure you’re fully equipped. Besides daily necessities like water and food, bring along emergency supplies such as bandages, anti-inflammatory medicine, and painkillers. When selecting gear like safety ropes, windbreakers, lighters, as well as communication tools like mobile phones, spare batteries, and walkie-talkies, make sure they’re safe, professional, and that you’re familiar with how to use them.
Finally, choose open areas for camping. When setting up camp, avoid wandering into grass or woods away from established trails or open spaces. Pitch your tent with the opening facing perpendicular to the wind direction. Cooking areas should be located upwind from the campsite, and never cook in non-designated areas to prevent fires.
Treat outdoor injuries promptly with cleaning and bandaging
What should you do if you get injured during outdoor activities? The Yantai City fire department advises hikers to handle different types of injuries appropriately.
The most common outdoor injury is skin abrasions. Even if the area is large, these are typically superficial and involve only capillary bleeding—they won’t cause significant blood loss. The main goal of wound care is to prevent infection. Before bandaging, rinse the wound thoroughly with running tap water until no debris remains. In the wild, use other clean water sources, such as boiled water from a thermos. Disinfect the area around the bleeding site with iodine or 75% alcohol, apply antibiotic ointment or cream locally, and then cover the wound with a clean towel or soft cloth. Secure it with a clean cloth, bandage, or triangular bandage.
For serious injuries with large wounds, heavy bleeding, or lacerations that may need stitches, immediately apply pressure to stop the bleeding. As with the above, clean the wound first—but never apply dirt, flour, or any unclean substance to the wound, as this can worsen contamination and complicate later cleaning and suturing.
If you sprain a joint during outdoor activities, never rub or massage it immediately, nor should you apply a hot towel. Instead, apply cold water or ice for 15 minutes, then gently rub in turpentine oil or apply Sanqi powder or Yunnan Baiyao. Alternatively, use blood-activating, bruise-dispersing, and swelling-reducing traditional Chinese herbs such as dandelion or purslane—crush them and apply as a poultice before bandaging. —Mou Xiaoyan