Safety Tips

We hope the following information will help to ensure that your next outdoor adventure is safe and enjoyable. Please take a few moments to be prepared. We'd rather see you on the trail than on a stretcher!

Avalanche Awareness

The 2007/2008 avalanche season has been especially deadly, due to a very dangerous snow pack. This season's snowpack is not allowing for mistakes this year. Slopes that have been crossed in the past are not allowing for the same chance this year, due to high avalanche danger. They are more likely to slide, with either human triggered or natural slides and have been trapping or killing more people this year. Avalanche Awareness Flyers have been developed and distributed to all major outdoor retailer and rental locations in King County.

The Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center(NWAC), is the only major resource in the Northwest for current avalanche danger reports. Every year NWAC is in danger of having to shut down before the avalanche season is over due to lack of funding. For current information on their funding situation go to the Friends of the Avalanche center at http://www.avalanchenw.org.

The 10+ Essentials

Always carry the 10 essentials and check to make sure they are all in working order. If necessary, are you prepared to spend the night outdoors?

Extra clothing layers (synthetic or wool)
Map of the area (in a waterproof case)
Drinking water and extra food
Compass
Plastic emergency shelter
First-aid kit
Pocket knife
Sunscreen and sunglasses
Lighter or water-proof matches and fire starter
Headlamp or flashlight w/extra batteries & bulb

Ethics for Wilderness Travel

Plan ahead and prepare
Avoid camping in fragile areas
Dispose of waste properly
Leave what you find
Minimize campfire impact
Respect wildlife
Be considerate of others

Before You Leave Home

Make sure you have all the equipment, food and clothing you'll need for your trip. Use a checklist to make sure you haven't forgotten anything. Before you leave, give someone you trust a written copy of your trip plan. This plan should include:

Your estimated time of departure
The names, addresses, and phone numbers of all group members
Any relevant medical conditions
Your vehicle's make, model, and license number
Your expected route of travel (including trailhead information and camp sites)
Your final destination and expected time of return

Agree on a procedure for contacting the authorities if you do not report-in by a certain time. Leave a photocopy of your itinerary in your vehicle. If you change your plans, call your contact before you start and give them the update.

While Traveling in the Backcountry

Check your map regularly, even if you are walking on an obvious trail. Get acquainted with how markings on your map depict the topography around you. Keep your group together. Hiking separately can lead to someone getting separated or lost at a trail junction. If you do get lost, remember:

STOP (Stop, Think, Observe, and Plan)

Stop: If you feel lost, stop, count to 10, drink some water, eat a snack and assess your situation. Young backcountry travelers should be taught to stop and "hug a tree" if they feel lost.

Think: Where were you when you were last certain of your location? Can you navigate back to an obvious landmark that appears on the map? If so, carefully return to that spot and reevaluate your options.

Observe: Can you return to a known trail or location? If not, stay put. It's easier for rescuers to find you near your original path

Plan: If you are with others, discuss a plan. If you are alone, it can be helpful to say your plan out loud. If the situation changes as you follow that plan, use "STOP" again to work through the solution.

Carry a whistle within easy reach. A whistle lasts longer and its sound carries farther than your voice. Make sure every child has their own whistle. Three blasts of a whistle is the universal signal for help.

Cell Phones and Rescue

If you have a cell phone and can contact authorities, describe your position and route of travel as best you can. Request help, then stay put. Start your trip with a fully charged battery and treat your phone as emergency equipment.

When you request a rescue, it could take some time for rescuers reach you. Make use of your 10+ Essentials. Position yourself in a clearing, away from trees, so you are visible from the air. If you make camp, stay away from rushing water that could obscure the voices of rescuers calling to you.

Hydration - Drink Water!

Dehydration is caused by the loss of water and electrolytes. Most backcountry explorers succumb to dehydration due to overexertion, but vomiting or diarrhea can also make a person vulnerable.

Dehydration is a serious condition that demands immediate attention.

Drink water before you feel thirsty. Your body needs water before the sensation of thirst kicks in. Drink more at higher elevations and avoid alcohol and caffeine, as they speed dehydration.

Encourage a seriously dehydrated person to drink at least a few sips every 10 to 15 minutes, even though he or she may not feel thirsty.

Temperature Extremes

Hypothermia is a significant drop in the body's core temperature caused by prolonged or sudden exposure to cold. This potentially life-threatening condition is surprisingly common among backcountry travelers, especially those who are not familiar with its early warning signs.

A person can become hypothermic even in mild temperatures Wind and wetness can cause the rapid onset of hypothermia. Symptoms include shivering, slurred speech, and apathy. To prevent hypothermia, stay warm, dry, and well hydrated. Replace wet clothing with warm items, including a hat, and consume warm food and beverages.

Frostbite is the freezing of skin and tissue. When afflicted, the skin will have an ashen appearance and exhibit an odd discoloration and hard texture. Treat frostbite by soaking the damaged area in very warm (not hot) water. Do not use a fire to thaw the damaged area. Do not massage the afflicted area, and do not allow treated areas to refreeze.

Heat Fatigue is usually characterized by muscle cramps, strong thirst and sudden, extreme fatigue. Heat Exhaustion occurs when heat fatigue worsens. Symptoms include excessive sweating, dizziness, headache, nausea and rapid heart rate.

Heat Stroke is the most severe kind of heat-related illness. is an extremely serious condition involving the total breakdown of the body heat control system. Heat stroke victims usually suffer from severe confusion, can not sweat, and in some cases complete nervous system failure. Heat stroke can be fatal!

If the situation is serious, have the affected person lie down with their feet elevated to keep sufficient blood flowing to the brain. Place anything cold in places where major arteries are located: armpits, groin, neck. Add a wet bandanna on the forehead and fan the person.

Seattle Mountain Rescue has developed a brochure which contains these safety tips. For copies, write to:

Seattle Mountain Rescue
P.O. Box 67
Seattle, WA 98111

Call 911 to request the emergency services of Seattle Mountain Rescue


*An organization dedicated to saving lives through rescue and mountain safety education.*
Home Officers Safety Tips >> History Newsletters Join SMR Links Contact Donations Members Only	Safety Tips We hope the following information will help to ensure that your next outdoor adventure is safe and enjoyable. Please take a few moments to be prepared. We'd rather see you on the trail than on a stretcher! Avalanche Awareness The 2007/2008 avalanche season has been especially deadly, due to a very dangerous snow pack. This season's snowpack is not allowing for mistakes this year. Slopes that have been crossed in the past are not allowing for the same chance this year, due to high avalanche danger. They are more likely to slide, with either human triggered or natural slides and have been trapping or killing more people this year. Avalanche Awareness Flyers have been developed and distributed to all major outdoor retailer and rental locations in King County. The Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center(NWAC), is the only major resource in the Northwest for current avalanche danger reports. Every year NWAC is in danger of having to shut down before the avalanche season is over due to lack of funding. For current information on their funding situation go to the Friends of the Avalanche center at http://www.avalanchenw.org. The 10+ Essentials Always carry the 10 essentials and check to make sure they are all in working order. If necessary, are you prepared to spend the night outdoors? Extra clothing layers (synthetic or wool) Map of the area (in a waterproof case) Drinking water and extra food Compass Plastic emergency shelter First-aid kit Pocket knife Sunscreen and sunglasses Lighter or water-proof matches and fire starter Headlamp or flashlight w/extra batteries & bulb Ethics for Wilderness Travel Plan ahead and prepare Avoid camping in fragile areas Dispose of waste properly Leave what you find Minimize campfire impact Respect wildlife Be considerate of others Before You Leave Home Make sure you have all the equipment, food and clothing you'll need for your trip. Use a checklist to make sure you haven't forgotten anything. Before you leave, give someone you trust a written copy of your trip plan. This plan should include: Your estimated time of departure The names, addresses, and phone numbers of all group members Any relevant medical conditions Your vehicle's make, model, and license number Your expected route of travel (including trailhead information and camp sites) Your final destination and expected time of return Agree on a procedure for contacting the authorities if you do not report-in by a certain time. Leave a photocopy of your itinerary in your vehicle. If you change your plans, call your contact before you start and give them the update. While Traveling in the Backcountry Check your map regularly, even if you are walking on an obvious trail. Get acquainted with how markings on your map depict the topography around you. Keep your group together. Hiking separately can lead to someone getting separated or lost at a trail junction. If you do get lost, remember: STOP (Stop, Think, Observe, and Plan) Stop: If you feel lost, stop, count to 10, drink some water, eat a snack and assess your situation. Young backcountry travelers should be taught to stop and "hug a tree" if they feel lost. Think: Where were you when you were last certain of your location? Can you navigate back to an obvious landmark that appears on the map? If so, carefully return to that spot and reevaluate your options. Observe: Can you return to a known trail or location? If not, stay put. It's easier for rescuers to find you near your original path Plan: If you are with others, discuss a plan. If you are alone, it can be helpful to say your plan out loud. If the situation changes as you follow that plan, use "STOP" again to work through the solution. Carry a whistle within easy reach. A whistle lasts longer and its sound carries farther than your voice. Make sure every child has their own whistle. Three blasts of a whistle is the universal signal for help. Cell Phones and Rescue If you have a cell phone and can contact authorities, describe your position and route of travel as best you can. Request help, then stay put. Start your trip with a fully charged battery and treat your phone as emergency equipment. When you request a rescue, it could take some time for rescuers reach you. Make use of your 10+ Essentials. Position yourself in a clearing, away from trees, so you are visible from the air. If you make camp, stay away from rushing water that could obscure the voices of rescuers calling to you. Hydration - Drink Water! Dehydration is caused by the loss of water and electrolytes. Most backcountry explorers succumb to dehydration due to overexertion, but vomiting or diarrhea can also make a person vulnerable. Dehydration is a serious condition that demands immediate attention. Drink water before you feel thirsty. Your body needs water before the sensation of thirst kicks in. Drink more at higher elevations and avoid alcohol and caffeine, as they speed dehydration. Encourage a seriously dehydrated person to drink at least a few sips every 10 to 15 minutes, even though he or she may not feel thirsty. Temperature Extremes Hypothermia is a significant drop in the body's core temperature caused by prolonged or sudden exposure to cold. This potentially life-threatening condition is surprisingly common among backcountry travelers, especially those who are not familiar with its early warning signs. A person can become hypothermic even in mild temperatures Wind and wetness can cause the rapid onset of hypothermia. Symptoms include shivering, slurred speech, and apathy. To prevent hypothermia, stay warm, dry, and well hydrated. Replace wet clothing with warm items, including a hat, and consume warm food and beverages. Frostbite is the freezing of skin and tissue. When afflicted, the skin will have an ashen appearance and exhibit an odd discoloration and hard texture. Treat frostbite by soaking the damaged area in very warm (not hot) water. Do not use a fire to thaw the damaged area. Do not massage the afflicted area, and do not allow treated areas to refreeze. Heat Fatigue is usually characterized by muscle cramps, strong thirst and sudden, extreme fatigue. Heat Exhaustion occurs when heat fatigue worsens. Symptoms include excessive sweating, dizziness, headache, nausea and rapid heart rate. Heat Stroke is the most severe kind of heat-related illness. is an extremely serious condition involving the total breakdown of the body heat control system. Heat stroke victims usually suffer from severe confusion, can not sweat, and in some cases complete nervous system failure. Heat stroke can be fatal! If the situation is serious, have the affected person lie down with their feet elevated to keep sufficient blood flowing to the brain. Place anything cold in places where major arteries are located: armpits, groin, neck. Add a wet bandanna on the forehead and fan the person. Seattle Mountain Rescue has developed a brochure which contains these safety tips. For copies, write to: Seattle Mountain Rescue P.O. Box 67 Seattle, WA 98111 Call 911 to request the emergency services of Seattle Mountain Rescue
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