In natural environments such as mountainous areas
Various complex risk factors lurk
At any time
They may pose threats and injuries
To hikers, thereby causing various mountaineering accidents
Let’s work together on prevention!

To avoid accidents, fundamentally speaking, one must have the ability to foresee risks, two must appropriately assess the ability of oneself and the team to handle risks, and three, outdoor sports participants must have a spirit of teamwork.
Most novice hikers lack experience and the ability to foresee various risks; some experienced hikers, though able to foresee risks, may be overconfident and underestimate difficulties; others may lack a team spirit, ignore the guide’s advice, and prefer to act on their own. All these can become hidden hazards for accidents.
I. Altitude Sickness
The standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is 760 mmHg, with the oxygen content in the air being about 21%. Generally, altitudes above 3,000 meters are considered high-altitude areas, where most people begin to experience altitude sickness.

Altitude sickness occurs because as altitude increases, atmospheric pressure decreases, and the oxygen content in the air also drops accordingly, preventing sufficient oxygen from entering the human bloodstream, thus leading to altitude sickness.
Different individuals and different climatic environments produce varying reactions. The key lies in individual adaptability. Just because you didn’t experience altitude sickness at 6,000 meters before doesn’t mean you won’t at 4,000 meters this time.

Main symptoms include: dizziness, tinnitus, vomiting, poor taste, loss of appetite, drowsiness, mild fever. Severe cases may involve delayed reactions, rapid breathing, emotional instability, mental excitement, memory decline, and hallucinations.
Prevention:
(1) Control daily ascent height, keeping it around 700 meters per day if possible.
(2) Plan a reasonable itinerary and avoid excessive fatigue. (Editor’s note: Many hikers have noted that managing load weight is very important.)
(3) Drink plenty of water and maintain a balanced diet.
(4) Avoid sleeping too early, minimize brain activity, engage in light movement, and proactively adapt.
(5) Get adequate sleep. Unless absolutely necessary, try not to take medications.
Crisis Management:
(1) Provide oxygen, descend quickly, and get to lower altitudes as soon as possible to leave high-altitude areas.
(2) In case of patient shock, prioritize treatment and watch for complications such as hypothermia.
II. Getting Separated from the Group
Getting separated from the group in the wild is extremely dangerous. To prevent this, discipline should be emphasized repeatedly before departure, and an assistant leader should be assigned to bring up the rear.

When an individual temporarily leaves the group due to physical exhaustion or other reasons (such as stopping to use the toilet along the way), they should immediately inform the front of the group to stop and rest. A designated person should accompany the individual who has left the group. Under any circumstances, groups of at least two must move together; traveling alone is strictly prohibited.

At the same time, be prepared for the possibility of getting separated from the group:
1. All members must clearly understand the daily route and arrival time at the destination. Do not blindly follow the leader without independent judgment.
2. Everyone must carry essential personal gear such as maps, compasses, water bottles, food, lights, and survival kits. Absolutely no sharing of equipment among multiple people is allowed.
3. In case of separation from the group, if you are certain you can continue to the destination, proceed forward until you reunite with your teammates (Editor's note: not recommended); if your physical strength is limited or you are overly panicked, stay put first, then find a way back to the group’s route or the previous campsite to seek shelter and wait for rescue.
4. The team leader should constantly check the headcount. If someone is found to be missing, immediately arrange for the entire group to either wait in place or send someone to search.
III. Getting Lost
In rarely visited wilderness environments—especially in dense thickets or areas covered with large rocks—it’s easy to lose track of footprints and unknowingly get lost. Sometimes, poor visibility due to rain, fog, or evening hours can also lead to disorientation.

When lost, never panic and wander aimlessly, as this will only make it harder to find your way. First, calm down and rest for a while. Then, try to retrace your steps to a location you’re confident about. Mark your path along the way and record the locations of these markers in a notebook.

To avoid getting lost again, after returning to a familiar spot, choose a direction and try moving forward once more. Keep marking your path and observe the surrounding terrain, landforms, or natural features until you find the correct direction, and send out a distress signal when appropriate.
IV. Failing to Reach the Campsite as Planned
During outdoor activities, if you are running late and it gets dark before reaching the destination, take the following measures:

Response:
(1) If the route is clear, your current location is certain, and you are not far from the destination, you may proceed with a light on.
(2) However, if other unfavorable conditions arise—such as rain causing a temperature drop, being unable to return to the original location due to getting lost, a teammate feeling unwell, or moving around in the dark being dangerous—you should decide to set up an overnight camp on-site as a precaution.

If you have a tent and find a suitable spot, you can set up camp as usual. But if no tent is available or the terrain is on a slope where setting up is not feasible, wear extra layers to stay warm. If you have food and cooking gear, prepare a meal.
(3) To prepare for emergencies, make it a habit to carry sufficient water and emergency rations.
V. Encountering Venomous Snakes
Encounters with venomous snakes in the wild often happen in the following situations: accidentally stepping on a snake, brushing against one while grabbing branches, or finding a snake while packing up in the morning.

This is usually because people have entered the snake’s territory. These unexpected encounters can cause extreme panic, and being bitten by a venomous snake in self-defense is very dangerous.
To prevent snakebites, carry a walking stick and use it to rustle through vegetation as you walk—the idea is to scare snakes away, as they rarely attack humans voluntarily and will usually retreat when startled. If you spot a venomous snake, it’s best to avoid it; this is the most effective way to prevent bites.

Additionally, during outdoor activities—especially in areas known for snakes—wear a hat, long-sleeved clothing, pants with sturdy leg protection, and tough boots. Carry anti-snakebite medicine as well.
If you need to capture or kill a venomous snake, try to use a rock or a forked branch to strike or control the snake’s head, and avoid direct hand contact. Place the snake in a cloth bag, as its inward-curving fangs make it less likely to harm anyone inside the bag (Note: snake-catching is very dangerous—do not attempt lightly).
VI. Mosquito Bites, Insect Stings, and Leech Harassment
There are two types of biting insects: bloodsucking ones like mosquitoes, horseflies, and gnats, which cause painful itching and can transmit serious diseases such as malaria and encephalitis. Prevention includes using mosquito repellent sprays or coils, though these can harm the environment.

A more eco-friendly method is to use smoke or natural insect-repellent plants like tuberose or medicinal chrysanthemum. In areas with many mosquitoes or horseflies, wash your skin thoroughly with soap at least once a day, and carry mosquito repellents like oil of menthol or Tiger Balm.

The other type includes bees, wasps, and hornets. When stung by bees, wasps, or hornets, you’ll initially feel pain, followed by swelling and inflammation. Bee stings often leave a stinger in the wound, which should be scraped out with a blade, and the area cleaned with soap and water. Those prone to allergic shock should carry medication and inform others how to administer it in an emergency.
VII. Encountering Wild Predators
Except for hungry carnivores or injured beasts, most animals rarely attack humans voluntarily. As long as we don’t provoke them, they won’t initiate an attack.
However, close encounters or when our food attracts them, the situation becomes quite dangerous.

Talking loudly or whistling while moving can startle some wild animals, prompting them to leave. If you unexpectedly come face-to-face with bears, wild boars, or other fierce animals, don’t panic—slowly maintain eye contact, smile, and back away. Sometimes the animal will leave on its own.

When encountering wolves or stray dogs, never turn and run. Instead, crouch down to pick up stones or sticks, back yourself against a rock or tree to prevent attacks from behind, and look for opportunities to climb a tree for safety.
VIII. Marshes
Marshy terrain is primarily formed by silt accumulation. The confluence line created by the downslopes of mountain ridges channels collected rainwater over a long distance into reservoirs. As the rainwater flows, it carries mud and fine sand, but while the water enters the reservoir, the sediment settles and forms muddy pits—marshes.

When crossing gullies along reservoirs or riverbeds, carefully observe the terrain and choose a suitable, solid section to cross. If possible, go around instead of taking risks. Before crossing, prepare ropes and follow wild group river-crossing tactics.

Prevention:
(1) When traveling in a group, if you encounter swamps or wetlands, observe carefully, assess the risks, and do not rush forward recklessly.
(2) When passing through, tie every five people together with a rope, maintaining a 2–3 meter vertical distance between individuals. If a team member unfortunately falls into a swamp, they can receive prompt assistance from teammates.
Crisis Management:
(1) If you fall into a swamp while traveling alone, do not move around frantically—struggling will only cause you to sink deeper.
(2) You can loosen your backpack straps, place them behind you, lie back on the backpack, and pull one leg out, then the other. Alternatively, place the backpack on your chest, lie back on it, and "swim" out of the swamp.
IX. Heavy Rain
When encountering heavy rain, the team leader should quickly decide whether to continue the journey or take shelter, based on the route, the intensity of the rain, and the physical condition of the team members.

(1) If continuing, due to reduced visibility from the rain, pay extra attention to direction. Wet and slippery roads may require the use of safety ropes to ensure safety.
(2) When taking shelter, focus on keeping warm, avoiding lightning strikes, and preventing flash floods.

(3) If caught in heavy rain during camping:
A. Decide whether to relocate the campsite based on the surrounding terrain and rain intensity, moving the tent to a safe location;
B. Reinforce the tent and dig drainage ditches;
C. Organize and pack unnecessary items inside the tent into your backpack in preparation for evacuation;
D. Take turns keeping watch. If signs of flash floods or landslides are detected, evacuate the tent immediately.
X. Hypothermia

The human body’s core temperature is 36.5–37°C, while surface extremities are around 35°C. Causes of hypothermia generally include wet and cold clothing, exposure to wind, hunger, fatigue, old age, or physical weakness.

Symptoms of hypothermia include feeling cold, icy extremities, persistent shivering, pale complexion, memory loss, slurred speech, uncontrollable muscle movements, delayed reactions, changes in temperament or loss of rationality, slowed pulse, and loss of consciousness.
Crisis Management:
[Remember two words to avoid hypothermia—"diligence": too hot? Remove clothing. Too cold? Add layers. Wet? Change clothes.]
(1) Conserve energy, stop activity or set up an emergency camp, and continuously consume high-calorie food.
(2) Get out of the cold, harsh environment, remove wet and cold clothing promptly, and change into warm, insulated clothing.
(3) Prevent further heat loss, assist in regaining body warmth, and consume warm sugary liquids.
(4) Stay conscious, eat easily digestible warm food, lie flat, place a hot water bottle in the sleeping bag, or use body heat transfer from a rescuer.
(5) For those with confused consciousness or severe conditions, immerse in 40°C warm water.
(6) For those who lose consciousness, perform artificial respiration and administer warm water below 40°C via enema to directly rewarm the core.
(7) Do not drink alcohol or massage extremities.
Safety is the top priority in outdoor activities.
The importance of outdoor safety is well known.
so that you can stay calm and handle the situation properly when facing danger
to save yourself or assist others
May all outdoor enthusiasts find joy in outdoor activities
and avoid getting injured during them!