The following content does not constitute universal guidance or the sole scientific standard. Individuals should have sufficient risk awareness regarding the dangers of outdoor travel, the complexity and unpredictability of potential hazards, and bear full responsibility for any consequences that may arise.
1. Avoiding Thunderstorms in the Wilderness
Weather can be unpredictable, and encountering sudden rain during outdoor travel is common. If you're in open fields, remote areas, or extreme outdoor environments, seek the safest possible shelter from the thunderstorm.
1. Mountainous Areas with Buildings
First, choose buildings that are relatively far from slopes, small rivers, high-voltage towers (or power lines), or other structures that might cause additional hazards. If only isolated buildings are available without alternatives, always face toward the more open terrain, stay alert, observe carefully, and listen attentively to detect any unusual sounds early so you can evacuate quickly if needed.
2. Complex Mountainous Wilderness Environments
Stay away from high-risk areas such as under tall, isolated trees; under eroded cliffs or rock faces; on higher or steep earthen slopes; near rivers, streams, or seasonal riverbeds; or in relatively low-lying depressions.
Instead, opt for areas such as clusters of shrubs, small groves, or large rocks.
2. Anti-Slip Tips
Walking on wet and slippery surfaces such as rainy, icy, stone-paved, or mossy paths can easily lead to sprains or falls and other accidental injuries. Therefore, taking anti-slip measures is essential.
1. Collect long-stemmed grasses with leaf stems, rub them vigorously into a rope-like shape, then crisscross them between the shoe upper and sole in a V-shape, wrap tightly, and tie a knot.
2. Use flexible vines or thorny branches about the thickness of a finger, crisscross them between the shoe upper and sole in a V-shape, wrap tightly, and tie a knot.
3. Split thin bamboo into strips about 2 cm wide, place the smooth side against the shoe upper and sole, crisscross in a V-shape, wrap tightly, and tie a knot.
3. Avoiding Wildfires in Forested Areas
Forest fires often occur in dry seasons, typically in late summer and early autumn. Fires can spread rapidly downhill with the wind. The following types of areas are relatively safer during such times.
1. Run quickly uphill, against the wind, across a narrow burning zone to escape. If the wind is light, direction is unclear, or hard to determine, throw dust, fine sand, fallen leaves, or shredded paper to help identify wind direction.
2. Determine the direction and terrain, then move toward the nearest edge of the forest, larger clearings within the woods, rocky areas with sparse vegetation, or riverbanks to take shelter.
3. Soak cotton fabric (from your own drinking water or urine) and cover your mouth and nose to prevent inhaling ash and smoke. If your clothes catch fire, roll on the ground in a fire-free area to extinguish the flames.
4. Carefully observe the terrain for safe spots. For example, valley floors are usually damper, dense tree cover is often thinner below higher ridges, and shaded slopes generally have shorter trees.
4. Emergency Treatment for Accidental Injuries
In case of accidental injuries, immediate emergency treatment is necessary. The general steps are as follows:
1. First, carefully assess and correctly identify the type and severity of the injury before deciding on treatment methods.
2. For minor abrasions, shallow cuts, or puncture wounds, clean off any adhered skin based on the wound’s severity and size, squeeze the surrounding area firmly to expel as much contaminated blood or fluid as possible, then disinfect the wound and surrounding skin with alcohol swabs.
3. For deep cuts or puncture wounds, remove any adhered skin, squeeze the area around the wound (you may also suck out fluid if necessary) to expel as much contaminated blood or fluid as possible, disinfect the wound and surrounding skin with alcohol swabs, place medical tape horizontally across the wound surface (increase density based on wound depth), sprinkle Yunnan Baiyao powder evenly, and finally wrap with medical bandages.
4. If bleeding is heavy, apply necessary hemostasis measures immediately, such as using a medical tourniquet or shoelaces to tie off the area above the wound.
5. Twisting Injuries and Fractures in the Wilderness
Emergency treatment for accidental twisting injuries or fractures during outdoor travel can be handled according to the following points:
1. First, identify the injured area and assess the severity of the injury to determine appropriate self-rescue measures.
2. For sprains, repeatedly rub the injured area to alleviate pain and reduce swelling. If there is blood stasis, promptly use a knife to make an incision or puncture to drain the blood.
3. For fractures or severe sprains, use a reasonably flexible branch about the thickness of a thumb, such as bamboo, cut to an appropriate length based on the injury site. Split it at intervals of 2–3 cm, then secure it with bandages or shoelaces. Depending on the severity of the injury, you may also find a slightly thicker branch with a Y-shaped fork to use as a makeshift crutch.
6. Self-rescue for snake bites
When accidentally bitten by a snake, it is crucial to quickly detoxify the wound as your first emergency self-rescue measure.
1. Quickly tie a shoelace or thin rope tightly about ten centimeters above the wound to slow down the possible spread of venom through the bloodstream.
2. Use a small knife or similar sharp object to quickly make a cross-shaped cut at the wound site, then vigorously squeeze to drain and detoxify the blood. If the area can be reached by mouth, it’s best to suck out the venom in addition to squeezing.
3. Send out a distress signal as soon as possible to get more professional snakebite medical assistance quickly.
7. Dealing with heatstroke
In hot summer conditions, if you experience heatstroke while hiking, first find a shaded or cool place nearby. Sit or lie down quietly and take appropriate medication as soon as possible. If no suitable medication is available, alternately and firmly massage the Hegu (LI4), Renzhong (GV26), and Taiyang (EX-HN5) acupoints with your hands. You may also apply some mentholated oil, mint ointment, or toilet water to these acupoints before massaging them firmly in alternation.
8. Treating frostbite
If your hands, feet, or skin suffer frostbite, do not apply fire or soak in hot water. It is best to repeatedly rub the affected area with snow until the swelling and hardened flesh disappear.
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