Hiking is an activity that gets you far away from the hustle and bustle of the city and your daily life. Feeling trapped by the noise from your bust surroundings, long work hours, personal responsibilities, and technology? Luckily, there's more to life, and it offers a respite for your mind, body, and soul.

Peace seeps in when you are on the trail, and your shoulders relax. Time stands still in nature, and the following bliss is incomparable.

All you need to do for your trip is make a plan and shop ultralight hiking gear.

Hiking’s peaceful isolation is usually offset by an emergency you may or may not encounter on your trek. Even if this is your third time going on the same trail, you must be prepared with the right essentials. Hiking emergencies can be anything from getting lost to a snake bite or something unexpected and weird.

Before we talk about this, let's take a look at the few precautions you must take to ensure your safety:

Talk to a Park Ranger

When deciding on your hiking trail, choose a well-known route in a state or national park. The rangers stagged here have a wealth of information regarding particular locations’ safety. You can also call the park office, visit the National Park Service (NPS) website or stop by their office to get information in person.

The park department will tell you about things you might encounter on your trail, including little and big critters, recent terrain changes, like rockslides or fallen trees, and toxic flora and fauna. Moreover, they will also offer guidance on how to protect the environment from human damage.

Preparation – Always Check In

Some people plan their hikes in advance, while others make impulsive decisions. Whatever you decide, check the weather forecast before heading out. Next, check in with your body to see if it is up to the task. The latter might sound a little weird but imagine this: You have been planning your hike for a week now. You get sick on Friday and are supposed to leave on Saturday. You decide to go anyway because it’s just a light fever. By the time you are done with the packing, your body feels drained.

Here's what might happen if you still go on the hike: You will push your body to reach your destination, and all this exertion will likely make your trip.

If you won’t be able to cope with the weather physically – reschedule.

Your body is the most important hiking equipment. So, it makes sense to give it rest if the slightest bit is damaged.

Hiking Emergencies

Getting Lost

This is every hiker’s worst nightmare! When hiking by yourself, a convenient and popular acronym that the US Forest Service recommends everyone should remember if they get lost is: STOP.

• Stop when you realize you don’t know where you are going.
• Think about the path you took that led you here. (Are there any familiar landmarks nearby?)
• Observe your surroundings. (Use a compass to determine whether you are heading south, west, east, or north. Stay on the trail until you find a marker.)
• Plan your next route

If you are confused about what to do, stay put and call 911 using your satellite phone.

Rock Slides

When hiking in a mountainous area, small rock slides are common. Some might look quite frightening, but quick action can save you from getting pinned. However, in extreme cases, there's little you can do.

To avoid rock slides, always create your own path. Never walk on the trail another hiker used. Always steer clear of hanging rocks. When boulder hopping, take your time. If you find yourself in the path of a rock slide and can’t outrun it, crouch down and cover your head. Protect yourself with a tarp, which will save you from getting buried. Never hide behind a tree, no matter how strong it looks. Sliding rocks will evict it, as well as you.

Sprains and Strains

Sprains involve pain in the tendons and ligaments, and strains affect muscles. An injury involving these body parts can cause difficulty in moving knees and ankles. You can expect restricted motion, swelling, or pain. In some cases, if you still push yourself, you will hear your muscles pop or snap. Sprains and strains are trip-enders because they are hard to deal with and require rest to heal.

• Essentials to Pack: Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen
• To Prevent Sprains and Strains: Stretch and warm up before hiking, and stay fit. Wear sturdy boots, step carefully, and use trekking poles
• Treatment: Reduce swelling in any way possible

In case the pain increase beyond the point you can handle, take the following steps:

• Soak the injury in cold water
• To control pain, wrap it in a damp cloth
• Massage the area gently and wrap it in an elastic bandage
• Raise the limb above your heart and let it rest for 20 minutes

Flesh Wounds

Some of the most common soft tissue injuries you will likely get while hiking include blisters, burns, cuts, and scrapes. Since hiking involves hours and hours of walking and climbing hilly terrains, here’s what you should be prepared for:

Blisters

• Essentials to Pack: Antibiotic ointment, moleskin, bandages, and duct tape
• To Prevent Blisters: Keep feet dry, break in footwear, address hot spots and change socks immediately if your feet get wet (no matter how bright the sun is shining)
• Treatment: Apply medical tape or duct tape

In case the blister has grown in size and become painful, take the following steps:

• Clear the pus bubble with water and soap
• If the pus bubble feels like it might pop at any moment, use a flame-sterilized knife or needle to do it yourself
• Apply antibiotic ointment
• Place a donut-shaped moleskin on the blister and bandage it
• Cover in tape

Getting lost on the trail is similar to obtaining an injury. The only difference is that you can find your way to civilization without pain and wounds. On the other hand, when you are hurt, time seems to stop. You lose energy and track of time because it feels like you can’t do anything.

Whether hiking alone or with your partner, it’s important to have some rescue beacon that signals nearby searchers or other hikers about your whereabouts. As mentioned earlier, having a satellite phone will allow you to call 911. An operator will respond to your call and notify the local authorities ASAP.

We could offer plenty of other advice, but each emergency situation is different, with no perfect solution. You might feel your action was appropriate at the moment, but there's no way of knowing. Stay calm, treat your injuries as best as you can, and find shelter.

In hiking emergencies, to stay tension-free, carry a comfortable hiking backpack. Light Hiking Gear offers quality camping and hiking equipment, such as trekking poles, portable stoves, tents, etc., for outdoor enthusiasts. The company claims to have the world's most comfortable, naturally balanced, body-friendly packs. They have won numerous awards for their exceptional service and products. For information, call (801) 971-0007.