Safety in the mountains: basic rules of conduct
The Carpathians have become the main place for a good rest in our sad realities today. Here, without making any effort, you can get bright emotions and pleasure from rest, magical landscapes, interesting time spent with friends and family, feel harmony with the world and with yourself.
But for a successful and bright vacation in the Carpathians, you should not forget about the rules of conduct in the mountains and in no case neglect the danger to yourself and your loved ones.
What you need to know before going to the mountains
Despite the seemingly lovely beauty, tranquility and grandeur, mountains can be dangerous and pose a threat if basic safety rules are not followed. No one is safe from getting lost in the mountains or forest, stumbling, taking the wrong turn, falling and getting injured, and other unpleasant situations. This is especially true for those who are going to the mountains for the first time, but even the most experienced travelers are not immune from this.
So, what you need to know to protect yourself from unpleasant situations:
- The most important condition is the principle – never go to the mountains alone. No matter how experienced a tourist you are and no matter how many times you have already walked the route. You should always take into account that weather conditions can change, unforeseen situations can occur, and your health can suddenly deteriorate.
- If you suffer from high blood pressure, heart failure, diabetes, or joint problems, it is better to avoid traveling high in the mountains. In such cases, it is better to spend your vacation in picturesque valleys and at the foot of the mountains.
- If you are going on a hike in the Carpathians and do not have the appropriate experience, it is better to take an experienced instructor with you. And the journey itself will be more interesting, as in addition to the role of a guide, such a person will tell you about the area, lead you along safe paths, and reveal many secrets of a successful hike in the mountains.
It is also important not to neglect the following rules:
- always follow the pre-designed hiking route, do not deviate from it and do not go into forest thickets or thickets of tall grass more than 10 meters on your own, especially if there is no trail. This can be dangerous. Do not forget that the Carpathians are a habitat for wild animals;
- always look under your feet. This will help you avoid tripping, stumbling on sharp branches, and will protect you from injuries and unpleasant encounters, such as with snakes;
- do not try to cover long distances at once, calculate your strength correctly in order to return safely;
- Do not take alcohol with you on the route. This will be inappropriate in the mountains. It is better to take enough water and food;
- be sure to monitor the weather forecast and in case of a sudden change, try to return as soon as possible;
- Be careful and do not climb to places that may be dangerous. These include boulders and slopes, snowdrifts on the edge of a cliff, cliffs, isolated snowdrifts in spring, snow cornices, slippery areas, etc.;
- avoid collecting and consuming unfamiliar mushrooms and berries, especially if you are new to this;
- Take care of comfortable clothes and closed shoes, sunscreen (cream, glasses, hat). A raincoat will also come in handy.
What to do if you get lost in the mountains or forest
If you do happen to get lost, the first thing you need to do is calm down, pull yourself together, and don't panic.
If you have a connection, contact the group you have fallen behind, call your loved ones, the hotel administration where you are staying, or the rescuers. Then it is better to keep in touch using short SMS messages to keep your phone charged for as long as possible.
If there is no connection and you are left alone, do not rush to extremes, do not try to catch up with the group as quickly as possible. You may become disoriented and go in a completely different direction. It is better to wait, stay in place, the group will notice your absence and will definitely return.
If this does not happen, try to orient yourself and plan a return route. You can determine the coordinates using your smartphone. Look for traces on the ground, they can help you determine the direction and return to the route.
Pay attention to landmarks. This is, of course, advisable to do before you get lost. Pay attention to notable trees, streams, rocks, take photos periodically, keep track of time. As a result, such observations can be used for orientation in the area.
If you find a stream, follow the current. This way you can reach the river and follow it to reach people's homes.
Leave marks along the entire route. If you are unsure of the correctness of your route, you can easily return back using the marks.
According to statistics, skiers, mushroom pickers, and day hikers are the most likely to get lost in the forest. As a rule, they do not have the necessary equipment, food, and water. Therefore, when going on a hike in the mountains or picking mushrooms and berries, you need to have a set of necessary things with you for the hike, a supply of water and food, charged gadgets, be able to navigate the terrain and not deviate from the planned route. The Carpathians do not like frivolity.