As autumn deepens, it's once again the peak season for annual outdoor "trekking" adventures, with more and more citizens heading out to hike, climb, and camp in forests and canyons. However, while enjoying an intimate connection with nature, "travelers" also face unpredictable risks. Recently, the Yantai City fire department issued a safety alert, reminding travelers to always prioritize safety when going out.
Do these four preparations before heading out
With the crisp autumn air, many people are packing up and heading out during holidays and weekends. To avoid accidents, the Yantai Fire Department reminds travelers that when engaging in outdoor activities, if an accident occurs, you should quickly move away from the danger zone and use nearby items for self-rescue. If self-rescue isn't possible, issue a distress signal promptly. While waiting for rescue, stay calm, avoid shouting blindly, and conserve energy — rescuers will arrive as quickly as possible. At the same time, be sure to complete these four preparations:
First, check the weather conditions for your trip. Before setting out, pay attention to travel advisories and meteorological warnings issued by relevant departments to understand the weather, hygiene, transportation, public safety, and emergency contact information of your destination. Avoid traveling alone, and never take unnecessary risks.
Second, plan your route realistically. Whether you decide to trek over mountains or explore low hills, choose well-marked main trails and avoid venturing into unknown paths, which could make search and rescue efforts more difficult if you get into trouble. Also, make transportation and accommodation arrangements in advance.
Additionally, prepare your gear adequately. In addition to everyday items like water and food, bring along emergency supplies such as bandages, anti-inflammatory medicine, and painkillers. When selecting tools like safety ropes, windbreakers, and lighters, as well as communication devices like phones, spare batteries, and walkie-talkies, ensure they are safe, professional, and that you’re familiar with how to use them.
Finally, choose open areas for camping. When setting up camp in the outdoors, don’t wander off established trails or open spaces into grass or woods at random. Pitch your tent with the opening facing perpendicular to the wind direction. The cooking area should be placed upwind of the campsite, and avoid cooking in non-designated areas to prevent fires.
Treat outdoor injuries with prompt cleaning and bandaging
What should you do if you’re injured during outdoor activities? The Yantai City fire department reminds all travelers to handle different types of injuries appropriately.
The most common skin abrasions in outdoor activities, even if extensive, are typically superficial and involve only capillary bleeding, so they won’t cause major blood loss. Wound care mainly aims to prevent infection. Before bandaging, rinse the wound under running tap water until no foreign matter remains. In field conditions, use other clean water sources, such as boiled water from a thermos. Disinfect the skin around the bleeding area with iodine or 75% alcohol, apply topical antibiotic ointment or cream, and then cover the wound with a clean towel or soft cloth dressing. Secure it with clean cloth, bandages, or triangular bandages made of cotton fabric.
For serious wounds with significant bleeding or lacerations requiring stitches, immediately apply pressure to stop the bleeding. Before bandaging, follow the same cleaning steps above. Never apply unclean substances like dirt or flour to the wound, as this can worsen contamination and complicate future wound 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. Gently rub in turpentine oil or apply powdered notoginseng or Yunnan Baiyao, or use bruise-relieving, stasis-dispersing, and swelling-reducing herbs such as dandelion or purslane — crush them and apply as a poultice before bandaging. — Mou Xiaoyan