On January 22, 2025, I hiked to the top of the Chief, a 2,303-foot granite monolith in Squamish, British Columbia for what I thought would be a casual BASE jump. I鈥檝e done it over 100 times. It鈥檚 one of those jumps where you take off, open, fly to the parking lot, and land. There鈥檚 only one tricky spot: a corner ledge about 30 meters to the left after you jump鈥攖hat鈥檚 the main hazard to worry about. You don鈥檛 want to make a 90-degree turn into that corner.

After two months of traveling and BASE jumping in Patagonia, these would be my first jumps back in British Columbia. The day that I was leaving Chile, I packed my BASE rig in a rush. It was a messy pack job, and I was distracted on the phone with another jumper.

The wind calmed, but with the cross-breeze blowing I thought I should static line鈥攖hat’s the type of BASE jump where you tie the line that opens your parachute to an anchor on the rock so the action of jumping opens your chute. A static line is a safe way to jump for a windy day or a low jump.

I remembered that this was the pack job from Patagonia and made up my mind. I suggested my friend and I do a two-way jump, where we both leave the cliff at the same time. Since my parachute would open immediately as I jumped, the two of us wouldn鈥檛 collide.

We counted down, and, one after the other, we took off. My parachute opened in a 180-degree line twist to the left, and suddenly I was facing the cliff. Because of the twist, any input into the parachute with my control lines was useless.

I don’t know what ultimately went wrong. I assume it was some combination of my hasty pack job and the cross breeze. Maybe I’ll never know.

I reached for my lines but didn鈥檛 have time to look up because the wall was so close. I tried to fight it, but there was nothing to fight. I smashed into the wall with my whole body. The rest happened in five seconds. I smashed into the wall, trying to fight the parachute to fix my lines because I had some clearing air-wise. The parachute continued collapsing as I slid down the wall. Then the chute caught air again and I smashed into the wall once more. The crashing and sliding went on for a few seconds as I waited for the final impact. In those moments I knew I was ready to die or get really badly hurt. There was nothing below me but hundreds of meters of air.

Then my parachute caught a tree. I was left hanging鈥攁ir below me, air around me, nowhere to grab, nowhere to step. My first thought after the chaos died down and I caught my breath was, What am I hanging onto and how long is this going to take? I was in a panic for the next 20 minutes because I didn鈥檛 know if my tangled chute was going to hold. I called my boyfriend鈥攈e鈥檚 a jumper as well鈥攁nd said he needed to call 911 and get the search and rescue process going. I didn鈥檛 know how long I was going to be hanging, I might have gone at any moment.

I heard people above me screaming, and they probably had called for a rescue as well. Within five minutes, I saw cops and firemen below, but they couldn鈥檛 get to me from above. I waited鈥攄angling on the line.

I鈥檝e been part of rescues like this before with other jumpers and I knew that it was going to take a long time. I tried to assess my body. I had hurt my knee crashing into the wall and it was swelling up. My next problem was suspension trauma鈥攅xtended periods in a harness can restrict your blood flow and cause an injury鈥攂ecause I was fully hanging on one leg. I didn鈥檛 want to move an inch, because I was scared that if I moved, my parachute could give in and I would fall. I tried to look up at the parachute, but I couldn鈥檛 see what it was hanging on. I tried to look at the ledge below me, which was about 100 meters down, and I thought that at least I would have a very clean death if I fell.

After half an hour, my leg started going numb. I knew I had to take the weight off it to get blood flowing. After that much time, I felt better about the stability of whatever I was hanging on, so I pulled up on my risers to put the weight on my arms for a few seconds and immediately felt the blood rush into my leg. Some friends came up to rescue me with ropes on their own, but they decided to wait because they didn鈥檛 want to throw a rope that messed with the parachute and could cause me to fall.

It was the longest four hours of my life.

I was just trying to keep my mind occupied counting to 60 slowly ten times, trying to count minutes. Ten minutes of counting was 30 minutes in real time. Words came into my head, something like With the power in my mind I am pushing forward. I probably repeated that line a thousand times. I have no idea where it came from.

I thought of Toma啪 Humar, the great Slovenian alpinist and soloist who had a very bad, very famous rescue on Nanga Parbat that took six days. He was wet, cold, and stuck in a snow cave at 21,000 feet. My situation wasn鈥檛 even that bad, and he survived with the power of his mind. That鈥檚 all I could think of.

Two hours in, my body started to shut down. I just wanted to conserve the energy I needed. I was running out, and then all of a sudden I heard this voice: James, one of the SAR team members.

鈥淗ey Alenka, I know your dad.鈥� He was a few meters away from me. The moment he clipped me in, I felt everything I didn鈥檛 feel before. I felt cold. I felt my knee really hurting to the point where I was screaming. I just felt everything. I felt safe.

Alenka Mali walked away from her crash with nothing but a bruised knee. She told听国产吃瓜黑料 that she doesn’t know why she is still alive, but that she believes there must be a reason. 鈥擡d.

The post My BASE Jumping Parachute Malfunctioned, But I Survived appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Dogs love hiking, backpacking, and camping just as much as their human counterparts (maybe even more). Keeping your pup safe and healthy in the backcountry is part of your responsibility as a pet owner. That includes having a good dog first-aid kit ready to go in case of medical issues.

We consulted with Heather Berst, MA, VMD, Medical Lead with , on what first-aid items to carry for your dog on your adventures. Dr. Berst, her husband, Rich Puchalski, and their 10-lb Chinese Crested dog Dottie are avid hikers. The trio鈥檚 home turf is Asheville, North Carolina, but they鈥檝e left bootprints and pawprints on trails across the country.

What Should Be in a Basic Dog First-Aid Kit?

鈥淒ogs are our best hiking friends,鈥� says Dr. Berst. 鈥淭hey love it, and we love to have them with us. Plan ahead and make sure you have a first-aid kit, leash, water bowl, treats, and water before you set out with your pup.鈥�

Beyond those staples, here are her suggestions to build a solid, all-around first-aid kit for your pup.

Essential Items For a Basic Dog First-Aid Kit:

• 听Tweezers and/or forceps
• Pet wrap
• Bandages
• 3% Hydrogen peroxide solution
• Ice pack
• Alcohol wipes
• Benedryl (Diphenhydramine)
• Bandana
• Safety gloves
• Non-medicated saline rinse
• Medical scissors
• Activated charcoal
• Muzzle
• Towel
• Slip leash (a lead that doesn鈥檛 require a collar)
• Extra treats
• Sling or dog-specific emergency harness

Dog First-Aid Kit Specifics: The Expert Explanation

Below, Dr. Berst shares her thoughts on a few specific items, and why they’re important to bring with you, whether you think you’ll need them or not:

Why Bring a Muzzle?

“Even a nice dog may bite if in pain, such as when bitten by a snake,” she says. “I recommend a cage muzzle that allows them to pant but prevents them from biting you if you must pick up or carry a very fearful or painful dog.”

Why Carry Towels?

“Towels can be used for fractures instead of a splint,” Dr. Berst says. “You can create a splint by using a towel and duct tape. Splints may not shape well to a dog鈥檚 limb, so towels are great for mobilizing injuries. They can also be used as a damp wrap if your dog is overheating.”

Why Pack Slings?

“For small dogs like my 10 lb Dottie, I have a backpack I can put her in if she has a problem,” she says. “Even mid-sized dogs can be carried in some of the newer dog packs where you carry a dog in the front. An emergency dog harness for mid-to-large dogs is essential for evacuating larger pups.”

Note: come in specific sizes for dogs. That includes small dogs whose injuries may prevent them from sitting safely in a backpack.

Helpful Medications and Tools

A few items in this list also have specific uses, which can make or break your backcountry adventures:

3% Hydrogen peroxide induces vomiting but should be used cautiously. Do not induce vomiting if your dog has ingested corrosive chemicals (usually items like toilet bowl cleaner or bleach sprays) or sharp items like glass or plastic. These kinds of things could cause severe damage to the esophagus if regurgitated. But in the outdoors, you can induce vomiting if your dog has eaten mushrooms, human feces, or foods dogs are allergic to, such as grapes or raisins. You should only administer 1 – 3 teaspoons (3 tsp max for dogs 45 lbs. and over). Check out this 鈥攁 helpful resource in dire situations. And even if your dog vomits on his or her own, call your veterinarian when you get off the trail and let them know what happened to see if they need to do more.

Activated Charcoal binds toxic substances and prevents your dog from being poisoned. This is a good product to ask your vet about. Activated charcoal powder can be bought over the counter, but vets can prescribe tablets that will be much easier to have your dog ingest. Here’s a so you can study up on various uses.

Non-medicated saline rinse can flush wounds or dislodge an irritant in a dog鈥檚 eye. Do not use medicated eyedrops for humans, as these can harm dogs.

Benedryl (Diphenhydramine) is used to counteract an allergic reaction or to help with anxiety. Write the dosage your dog may need on the package, so you don鈥檛 have to guess while in the field. And be sure to check out this Benedryl usage for dogs before you give your pup the pills.

Note: If your dog is on prescription medications, be sure to consult your veterinarian before adding other medications to your dog first-aid kit and before administering them in the field.

Additionally, a small amount of is wise to carry to rub on sensitive areas around the nose and ears in high UV conditions. For hairless dogs like Dottie, a jacket offers better sun protection.

What Should NOT Be in a Dog First Aid Kit?

鈥淒ogs can not take many common human drugs, and it is best to confirm with your veterinarian before giving your dog meds or adding them to your first aid kit,鈥� says Dr. Berst.听鈥淔or example, Tylenol is toxic. The one drug I would say to have in the first-aid kit is Benadryl (diphenhydramine). It can be given for an allergic reaction, swelling, or to keep the dog quiet. Confirm the dosage for your dog with your vet. There are several excellent dog NSAIDs available you can get from your veterinarian if you think your dog has pain or arthritis.鈥�

> Bug spray should not be used for dogs
Note: DEET is poisonous to most animals, including dogs. There are several decent prescription flea and tick medications out there. Ask your veterinarian which is best for your pet’s size and weight, and the common insects in your area.
> Human Pain Relievers
> Human antacids, especially those with xylitol, which is poisonous to dogs
> Human eye drops

Backcountry Dog-Injury Situations: How You Should Respond

Dogs play hard, they’re curious, and they often leap before they look. As the owner, it’s crucial to know how to respond if they get into a pinch. Below, Dr. Berst offers advice on a few common backcountry medical situations that dogs tend to face, and how to deal with them if they happen to your pup.

Broken Nail(s)

“Broken nails can be painful but relatively easy to fix hiking,” she says. “You will want to restrain the dog before working on the nail and consider using the muzzle. Use a nail clipper to remove any hanging piece that could get caught on something.”

PRO VET TIP: If the nail is gushing blood, you can use Styptic powder or, in a pinch, corn starch to stop the bleeding. Apply it directly to the nail and hold it for a minute or so until the bleeding stops. It can be challenging to bandage a regular toe, but you can wrap a declaw. After the hike, if you notice swelling or discharge, take your pup to a veterinarian as soon as possible to avoid infection.

Porcupine Quills

“Removing porcupine quills is very painful, and if you attempt to remove them yourself, you could push them further in or break them off,” says Dr. Berst. “Do not attempt to remove them yourself. Cut your hike short and take your dog to the veterinarian immediately. Your pup will need to be sedated and examined for removal, by a licenced veterinarian.”

PRO VET TIP: The best thing you can do if this happens is prevent the dog from rolling, or rubbing or scratching the quills. All these actions could push the spikes into their skin further, causing more problems. While Dr. Berst is not a fan of e-collars in general, if your pup gets stuck with porcupine quills, that would be a case where a shock collar might come in handy to hike out safely, and fast, she says.

Overheating in Dogs

“Most people think about a dog panting when they overheat, and while this is a sign of overheating, they can show other signs too,” she says. “If you notice your dog breathing heavily, lying down, acting confused, tripping, or drooling-these can also be signs of overheating. Prevention is your best bet.”

PRO VET TIP: If it’s a hot day, try and hike in shady areas, provide your dog with plenty of water, and take more breaks. You can put bandanas, towels, or other soft products in the freezer before you go, and drape on the dog on a hot day. If your dog is getting overheated, consider it an emergency situation鈥攖oo much heat for too long can be fatal. Put them in the shade on a wet towel.

Additionally, know the biggest mistake people make is cooling their dog off too fast, which can cause serious issues or even death, she says. “You will want to use room-temperature water on them. In a hiking situation, this would be the water in your water bottle and not cool stream water,” warns Dr. Berst. “You must get your dog to a veterinarian if you think they are overheating.”

Bee Sting or Snake Bite

“You must get your dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible for a snake bite, especially if it is poisonous,” she says. “If possible, try and get a photo of the snake if you don鈥檛 know if it is poisonous or not to show your veterinarian. Do not try and wrap it, and do not use a tourniquet.”

PRO VET TIP: Bee stings can be managed very similarly to a human bee sting. Try and use tweezers to remove the stinger and apply cool water to the area. “I would keep them quiet for a few minutes and head back towards the car,” she says. “You could give the dog Benadryl (diphenhydramine) if you notice swelling. Dogs can have allergic reactions to stings like people, and if they bite a bee, it can cause breathing complications. Look for heavy breathing, face swelling, and acting disoriented. If you see any of these, get them to a veterinarian.”

Giardia

“Dogs can get Giardia from contaminated streams, ponds, or puddles,” says Dr. Berst. “If you are doing a day hike, they won鈥檛 show any signs of illness during the hike, but you will see signs later. Some dogs will show signs of GI upset-loose stools, diarrhea, or vomiting, but many dogs may not show any signs when infected. Your veterinarian can test for Giardia and treat it.”

PRO VET TIP: To prevent Giardia, your best bet is to carry water for your dog鈥攁nd make sure they drink what you brought, not what’s around outdoors. There are a variety of dog backpacks, if you want to have your dog carry its own water.

Altitude Sickness

“Yes, dogs can get altitude sickness,” she says. “They can鈥檛 tell you they have a headache, but they may seem lethargic and not eat as well the first few days at altitude. More severe signs could occur, such as pulmonary edema or heart problems. So, I would not recommend taking a dog with breathing or heart problems to altitude if they live at sea level.”

PRO VET TIP: If you notice your dog breathing heavily or coughing and wheezing, get them to a veterinarian immediately. “When I take my dog to Colorado, I take it easy with her the first few days to allow her to acclimatize鈥攏o long or strenuous hikes the first few days. It is very similar to what you would do for yourself.”

Snowblindness

“Technically [dogs] can [get experience this], but very few cases are reported in the academic literature,” says Dr. Berst.

PRO VET TIP: Dog goggles can be used if your dog has specific eye sensitivities, but snowblindness is generally not a concern for most dogs. If you plan to head out on a trip with cold temperatures and snowy conditions, be sure to ask your veterinarian if there are extra precautions you should take.

Signs of Discomfort

“Most people think about a dog crying and limping when they are in pain,” she says. “These signs certainly occur, but sometimes the signs may be more subtle. Dogs will try and mask pain. Sometimes a dog lagging on a hike may indicate pain. You may not see them limping, but notice them walking differently up rocks and hills. Panting and breathing heavily can be another sign of pain.”

PRO VET TIP:听Pay close attention to your dog’s body language and monitor changes that seem out of the ordinary. Sure, it’s fun to explore and enjoy where you are, but keeping tabs on your pup and remaining vigilant may help you identify if they’re in pain鈥攁nd earlier is always better.

3 Injury-Prevention Tips to Hiking with Your Dog

Always Be Aware of the Condition of Your Dog鈥檚 Paws

Dog paws need to develop thicker pads over time. If you have a younger or less-trail experienced dog, start with short hikes (three miles or less) and check the paws after each hike. If cracking, bleeding, or splitting occurs, it鈥檚 time to rest or turn around. Remember: dogs hide pain very well, so it’s crucial to catch paw damage before it becomes too severe. In the field, having balm or wax like Musher鈥檚 Miracle and a bandage can be a temporary fix.

Never Push Your Dog Hard in the Backcountry

Not all dogs love summit ridges or jumping into lakes. Breeds like huskies wilt in even mild temperatures, creating a dangerous opportunity for overheating. Dogs that don鈥檛 have a lot of trail miles under their paws are prone to cracked pads and sore joints. Bottom line: take it easy on them, so you can get out tomorrow, and the next day, and beyond.

Remember: Dogs Have Fun Sniffing Around, Too

Dogs have as much fun sniffing in a meadow as they do hiking a mountain. Pay attention to your dog鈥檚 needs and respect what they enjoy in an adventure. Some dogs can ramble for hours with energy to spare, while others are happy to roll around in whatever gross pile they can find on the forest floor. They love to be outside, and your job is to keep them fit for it.

Knowing your dog鈥檚 personality can help you understand when they’re not feeling well. Always watch out for your best friend and keep a stocked dog first-aid kit ready in case of injury or illness in the field. This ensures both your pup and you will make it home after each adventure.

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Is going camping dangerous? I鈥檝e been doing it for 40 years, and it hasn鈥檛 killed me yet鈥攂ut that doesn鈥檛 mean it鈥檚 always smooth sailing. Here鈥檚 everything major that鈥檚 gone wrong on one of my trips. Hopefully my experiences can help you avoid something similar.

My Puppy Ate a听Toad!

What happened:听My wife and I听saw Bowie, our middle child, playing with something in the grass. I went over to make sure it wasn鈥檛 a rattlesnake, and came back to inform my wife it was just a frog听or toad. 鈥淒on鈥檛 let him eat that!鈥� she shouted. It was almost too late鈥擨 was able to pry his jaws open and pull it out of his throat. A few minutes later, he started foaming from the mouth听and become more and more lethargic as the hours passed.

What I did about it: As soon as he started showing signs of a reaction, I rinsed Bowie鈥檚听mouth out with fresh water, then threw two 25-milligram Benadryls down his throat, lifted his snout into the air, and pinched his nose closed until he swallowed them. Benadryl is amazingly effective for dogs, counteracting allergic reactions they may have to stings, bites, and stuff they shouldn鈥檛 eat. is one milligram per pound of body weight; Bowie was six months old and about 50 pounds at the time. (Consult your vet before administering any medicines to your dog.)听I then sat up all night, holding Bowie in my lap听while his heart rate fell, became irregular, and then听returned to normal. By the morning, he had fully recovered.

What I learned:听Humans听can be听really bad at assessing risk. We spend too much time worrying about dramatic situations,听like encountering mountain lions, and not nearly enough worrying about more mundane,听common things, like poisonous amphibians. When I got home, I familiarized myself with poisonous toads鈥攊t turns out this one was a 鈥攁nd brushed up on the first aid procedures associated with exposure to them. I got it right this time by happenstance, but now I鈥檓 confident in the appropriate steps to take should one of our dogs ever eat a poisonous toad听again.

I Forgot My Tent Poles!

What happened: Arriving in camp one evening, I tried to set up my tent, only to discover that the poles were thousands of miles away听at my apartment in Brooklyn.

What I did about it: I rigged a support structure that suspended the tent from overhanging trees. It worked, but had it rained, it wouldn鈥檛 have.

What I learned: Always lay your gear out听to听check for missing or broken parts听before packing everything听up for a trip.

My Sleeping Pad Got 17 Punctures!

What happened: On the first night of the infamous听puppy-toad trip, we slept on an expanse of sand close enough to the trailhead that it seemed to be a popular spot, judging by the litter hiding in the bushes. We woke up the next morning to find our brand-new, ultralight two-person听sleeping pad partially deflated. The next night, after hiking much farther into truly remote backcountry, I inflated the pad but听it wouldn鈥檛 hold air. I found one hole, patched it, and blew it back up, only to have it deflate again. That continued until I was out of patch material. I eventually counted 17 pinholes, but there could have been more. My conclusion:听there must have been tiny shards of broken glass in the sand we slept on that first night, and they听they got rolled up in the pad when we packed up camp.

What I did about it: I pulled out my first aid kit and tried creating patches using duct tape, superglue, and nitrile gloves. None of that worked, and we slept on the ground. It was miserable.

What I learned:听When it comes to comfort, nothing matches the packed size and weight of an air pad, but care must be taken to protect them from damage. I鈥檇 pulled the pad out of the tent and laid it on the bare sand to deflate it and roll it up. From here on out, I鈥檒l do that inside the tent and ensure that outside debris stays out of the tent.

My Dog Fights Bears!

What happened: I once arrived听at a campground well after midnight, opened the car door to let out Wiley, my oldest dog,听only to have him get into a fight with a black bear five seconds later. And that was only the start of Wiley鈥檚 bear-fighting career. He鈥檚 since scrapped with them in our yard at home, on backpacking trips, and at our cabin.

What I did about it: Well, I yelled and swore a fair bit, but that was pretty ineffective. In the end, the bear听ran away, and I managed to grab Wiley before he could give chase. Since the areas where I live听and recreate outdoors are all home to bears, my solution was to find听Wiley a bear-fighting assistant. I guess two big dogs barking and making smells just scares bears, as听we haven鈥檛 had an encounter since bringing Teddy, a rescue dog, home two and a half years ago.

What I learned:听People听are terrible about leaving attractants around popular camping areas, and this quickly habituates bears to treating those areas as food sources. Dogs may be the best tool we have to haze bears, keeping them away听from those places.

All My Raingear Failed at Once!

What happened: A rainstorm turned worse than expected while hiking an exposed ridgeline. My rainjacket and pants wetted out instantly, soaking me to the bone and filling my waterproof hiking boots.

What I did about it: I trekked听out to a paved road and hitched a ride back to my car.

What I learned: Even the best gear can sometimes prove inadequate.听Always take the time to read the forecast, look at historic extremes in a given area, and make a plan B.

This Baguette Is Terrible!

What happened: My wife and I visited 脡crins National Park in France for a backpacking trip. Because we听intended to be the first people to cross its听high alpine pass that season, I wanted to pack light. And since my wife has听celiac, I decided to pack a single gluten-free baguette听rather than one bad baguette for her听and a good听one for me. That was a mistake.

What I did about it: For two days, I听suffered through tasteless, grainy mouthfuls of something that definitely wasn鈥檛 real bread, in a nation听famous for its bread.

What I learned: While weight is the single biggest factor in determining your ability to enjoy a backpacking trip, it鈥檚 not the only factor. I swore never to sacrifice flavor for ounces again. Nowadays听you might spot me struggling up a mountainside loaded down by a Platypus bottle听full of wine听and听a nice hunk of meat, but once I reach camp, it鈥檚 going to be worth it.

My Friends Got Lost in Death Valley!

What happened: For a big group camping trip, I gave everyone detailed instructions on听how to find our site in a very remote part of the park. One truckful of friends spent听an entire day wandering around dirt roads, unable to find us, before they gave up and went home.

What I did about it: I worried that they鈥檇 suffered a breakdown听or gotten stuck somewhere, so I听went looking for them. But with no radios or satellite communicators in their car, I was unable to do much.

What I learned:听Now for group trips, I make custom geospatial PDF maps, then load them onto my friends鈥� phones听and show them how to use them. And I do that whether I plan to travel with them or not. Since then I鈥檝e had no problems adopting that approach, even with first-time campers.

I Was Eaten Alive by Sand Fleas!

What happened: It was a warm night on a beach down in Baja, Mexico, so I slept right听on the sand. In the morning, I woke up covered听head to toe in painful, itchy sand flea bites.

What I did about it: I scratched them, which was also a mistake. Cortisone provided some temporary relief, but it took the bites months to totally heal.

What I learned: Don鈥檛 underestimate how bad bug bites can be. (I know, I know, sand fleas are technically tiny crustaceans.)听It鈥檚 always worth taking the time to set up a tent. And never forget the bug spray.

All the Kids Got Seasick!

What happened: I took my youth group out听to Santa Cruz Island, off the California coast, to go camping. The sea was rougher than expected, and every single one of them got seasick.

What I did about it: I grabbed onto their belts听so they could vomit overboard, and generally tried to be sympathetic.

What I learned: Always make sure your destinations are worth it. That island is positively carpeted in cute little foxes, so the kids forgot how miserable the journey was once the first fox walked over to say hi.

I Lost My Canoe Paddle!

What happened:听During听a 14-day Boy Scout canoe trip through Minnesota鈥檚 Boundary Waters, I tried showing听off to the other kids by throwing my paddle down into the water听so it鈥檇 bounce back up and听right into my hand. It did not come back up.

What I did about it: One of the parents was smart enough to pack an extra paddle. I鈥檇 have been dead weight for the rest of the trip without it.

What I learned: Never take inappropriate risks with your equipment听or treat it carelessly.

All of My Jeep鈥檚 Tires Went Flat!

What happened:听I borrowed one of the new Cherokees from Jeep for an off-road camping trip with friends. The tires that come standard听on most cars are designed for highways, not trails, and so these tires听got one puncture after another. We eventually had to abandon the Jeep听in a safe spot听and return for it on our way out. Once back in town, we visited a tire-repair shop and had to buy two new tires just to make it home.

What I did about it: Between my friends and I, we鈥檇 all brought more than enough tire-repair gear. When we got to camp, I borrowed a more capable vehicle, went back to the Jeep, and pulled the wheels off, then all of us got creative trying to fix them around the campfire that evening.

What I learned: Nothing on your vehicle is as prone to damage as a tire, and nothing will strand you faster. Always run appropriate tires for the conditions you鈥檒l face, and never forget your tire-repair kit and air compressor. Getting stuck听in a remote area can have real consequences.

I Lost My Friend!

What happened: On a backpacking trip, a friend and I decided to split up. He didn鈥檛 show听at our destination.

What I did about it: I got the local fire chief out of bed at midnight on Christmas Eve to initiate a search and rescue operation. My friend ended up making it out on his own after getting badly lost听but suffered听mild hypothermia.

What I learned: Never split up. This situation got so extreme so fast that it鈥檚 also what prompted me to start carrying a satellite communicator.

I Crashed a听Motorcycle!

What happened: About halfway through a dirt-bike trip across Labrador, in Canada, I hit a giant pothole and flipped my bike while moving at about 50 miles per hour, landing on my head.

What I did about it: I don鈥檛 remember the next two or three days of the trip due to the concussion, but my friend and I managed to repair the bike enough that it got me all the way home to Brooklyn鈥攐r nearly. It gave up a few miles from my apartment.

What I learned: Quality safety gear is worth it. I wouldn鈥檛 have survived the crash without it. No matter who you are, how good you are at something, or how careful you鈥檙e being, accidents can and will happen.

The post Everything That鈥檚 Ever Gone Wrong on My Camping Trips appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Self-supported weekend kayak trips are magical: you can paddle to a gorgeous spot鈥攁 remote island, a hidden beach, a secluded cove鈥攚ith enough luxury items to stay comfortable and full while you鈥檙e out there. But packing sea听or recreational kayaks the most efficient way and with the right gear can be overwhelming. To help you get to that perfect location with the best听setup, I spoke with Saylor Flett, who runs the听听of California鈥檚 Feather River College and has been teaching sea kayaking for 13 years. (He鈥檚 also an old friend.)听These are the topics and tips he discusses with first-timers.

Safety

If you are a beginner, Flett suggests going with a guide or staying within eyesight of shore in protected waters (bays, inlets, etc.) until you feel confident using all of your safety equipment to self-rescue in a kayak. It鈥檚听really easy to get yourself into big trouble quickly in open water, and the all the gear in the world is worthless without the skills to use it. If you want to head听out on your own, start with proper training. American Canoe Association鈥揳ccredited are where you should look first.

Type of Boat

The vessel that will best serve you听is going to vary dramatically based on your objective, trip location, and skill set. We don鈥檛 recommend buying a very expensive boat for your first weekend trip (or your first few trips for that matter). Instead, rent a boat from a shop that鈥檚 close to the place you plan to kayak. Ask questions of employees there when you do so: I鈥檝e gotten great insider tips鈥攅verything from campsites, to routes, to gear鈥攆or trips that way. As an added bonus, many rental businesses will drop your boat at the put-in for you.

How to Pack

Compartmentalize

Sea kayaks can be particularly tricky to pack, because you have to get your gear through the boat鈥檚 hatches. Flett recommends taking between five and seven 12-to-15-liter drybags (I have tested myriad and have never been let down), depending on your objective and the length of the boat. He usually puts three or four of those bags in the back and two or three in the front.

Balance Your Packed Weight

Flett suggests packing the heaviest items closest to your seat and the lightest items farthest away. This balances the boat in such a way that it actually adds stability. A good method is to place听insulating layers and sleeping gear in the far front or back of your boat, thicker clothing a little closer, then heavy food bags and kitchen necessities closest to your person.

Organize in Order of Necessity

In addition to finding a good weight balance for your boat, you should also keep frequently used items close to you. 鈥淵our sleeping pad and sleeping bag are often the least likely things you are going to need access to until you get to camp for the night,鈥� Flett says. Snacks, water, and emergency items like a first aid kit should be right in the cockpit with you.

What to Pack

鈥淭he nice thing about sea kayaking is that it鈥檚 basically backpacking in its ethos, but you aren鈥檛 physically carrying the weight,鈥� Flett says. 鈥淚f that weight is packed properly, once your听momentum is going, it can kind of work in your favor by carrying you along in the water.鈥� You鈥檙e still packing your whole camping kit, clothing, and gear into small 12-to-15-liter bags, though, so you鈥檒l need to keep things听tight.

Food

Unlike with backpacking, the good news is you don鈥檛 have to worry too much about the heft听of your grub. I have been on more boating trips with Flett than I can count, and I am pretty sure I gain weight on each one. 鈥淚 have the backpacker鈥檚 mindset toward听clothing and gear and the standard American-diet approach to the food I want to eat,鈥� Flett says. He cooks on a fire if it鈥檚 legal to have one in the area, bringing tinfoil to wrap calorie-dense foods like potatoes and sausages together so they can be thrown on the driftwood coals. If you can鈥檛 make a fire, you鈥檙e听going to have to stick with what you make on a backpacking stove like a Jetboil or an MSR WhisperLite.

Water

Water is heavy. The amount you鈥檒l need to carry will depend on your access to fresh water. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e on a lake, then I would bring a filtration pump,鈥� he says. 鈥淚f you were on the ocean, say听navigating around 听in San Francisco听Bay, I would plan my camps around where potable water would be available.鈥� If you need to carry a few liters of water per day, we recommended which roll up to nothing when they鈥檙e empty and sit low in your boat when they鈥檙e full.

Shelter

Flett is an advocate of sleeping听alfresco but notes that large bodies of water tend to produce lots of condensation, which can lead to听less than pleasant mornings. 鈥淚f you鈥檝e got nice weather and are concerned about condensation, then there are some great little lightweight you can set up using your break-apart sea-kayaking paddle as poles,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hey give you protection from condensation, but you can look out to see the ocean and the stars.鈥� If you鈥檙e planning a trip where there could be inclement weather, ditch the tarp and pack your favorite two-person backpacking tent.

Clothing

Flett goes a bit more plush with his wardrobe. He brings lightweight base layers听and lightweight puffy pants听or a comfortable synthetic camp pant. For tops听he packs a sun hoodie, a synthetic thermal layer, and a rain shell. He also stows a solid pair of sneakers and some flip-flops. The sneakers鈥攚hich should live in a drybag during the day鈥攁re good for camp, day hikes, or in an emergency.

Safety Gear

The most critical safety item for a boater is a good personal floatation device, like the from Kokotat. While the knife that should live in your vest is a very personal decision, Flett likes his because it can be used to tinker with screws on kayaks. If you haven鈥檛 already built your own first aid kit, a watertight, premade medical kit like 听is your best bet. A personal locator beacon may help you get out of a tight spot, and both Flett and I prefer the . A map and compass are critical for obvious reasons, and a backup is always good to have along. Flett suggests packing a sponge, a bilge pump, and a paddle float under the bungees integrated on the outside of most sea kayaks so they鈥檙e within easy reach. (The sponge and bilge are for bailing water, and the paddle float can help you self-rescue if you capsize.) 鈥淚f you鈥檙e having an out-of-boat experience, you do not want to have to find those items in some corner of your boat,鈥� he says.

Pro Tips

Trash Compactor Bags Are Your Best Friend

A trash-compactor bag is an inexpensive way to significantly lessen your chances of your gear getting wet, even in a brand-new drybag. They are听cheap, light,听sturdier听than regular trash bags, and a great way to compartmentalize your bag inside larger drybags. Flett lines each of his drybags with one听and brings an extra just in case.

Be Transparent

鈥淚f you are buying new drybags, buy the clear ones so you can see the contents,鈥� Flett says.

Bring Tyvek

Flett is a proponent of buying a few feet of inexpensive Tyvek鈥攁 light, synthetic sheet material used in construction鈥攆rom a hardware store to use as a sleeping and changing tarp. 鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to change into dry clothes on a Tyvek tarp when you get out of your boat and are wet and sandy,鈥� he says. 鈥淢ake sure it鈥檚 big enough to sleep on but still has a few extra feet to have your drybags live on it.鈥� Flett packs it last so it鈥檚 the first thing out and he can unload his gear onto it.

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As a female travel writer, I鈥檓 always looking for ways to be self-sufficient, especially when I鈥檓 on the road鈥攄oubly so during the current pandemic.听

Regardless of whether I鈥檓 taking a weekend road trip or a two-week car adventure, these six pieces of gear go with me. They provide reassurance, confidence, and the knowledge that I鈥檓 prepared and ready to handle anything that comes my way.听

Uncharted Supply Co. Zeus Power Bank ($150)

It may be small (about the size of a brick), but the听 packs a mighty punch. This portable battery can jump-start even large diesel trucks multiple times on听one charge, limiting contact with others during the pandemic. Just hook the included jumper cables to the charged battery and then your car and鈥攂oom鈥攜ou鈥檝e got power. Thankfully, my car battery has never needed restarting, but the built-in flashlight has come听in handy, and the USB port is a great cell-phone charger.

Leatherman听Wave+ Multitool ($100)

The has a permanent address in my purse. Leatherman鈥檚 most popular multitool, it has 17 implements in one: pliers, wire cutters, knives, scissors, a saw, files, drivers, a ruler, a can and bottle opener, an electrical crimper, and a wire stripper. I mostly use the knives, often听to slice food or cut paracord for a tarp setup, but also frequently the听scissors, to听cut duct tape, and the can opener,听to access听food. Whether I need to start a fire, fix a motor, or perform first aid, this product has an instrument鈥攊f not two鈥攆or that.

CrazyCap Water Bottle ($69)

Recently, I didn鈥檛 quite pack enough water on a 7.5-mile hike in south Texas, but I wasn鈥檛 too worried, because I had the , a stainless-steel听vessel that sterilizes liquid using an incorporated听UV LED light in the cap. If you鈥檝e filled your bottle at a听questionable pond听or rest-stop fountain, all it takes is two taps on the top of the lid and the UV light kills viruses, pathogens, and bacteria听in a minute鈥攚ithout changing the taste of the water. It doesn鈥檛听filter out sediment, but it鈥檚 a good choice when you鈥檙e in a pinch or in an area where water may not be the most sanitary. Bonus:听the company claims you can unscrew the cap and use it to kill bacteria on your phone, door handles, or steering wheel.

Garmin Women of 国产吃瓜黑料 Fenix 6S听Solar Pro Watch ($800)

The听 is the best companion on a road trip. It tracks my heart rate, pulse oxygen, respiration, sleep, and temperature鈥攚hich all help听me monitor my health while traveling. It also offers detailed maps of remote areas, and the smaller size fits my wrist well. When you start tracking an activity on the watch, like a hike or a run, it sends a live link of your location to loved ones. Unlike other sports watches I鈥檝e used, this one lasts at least four days without charging, thanks to a built-in solar lens.听

Taiga Terra Cooler ($199)

is a lifesaver. I only had to refill it with ice three times during an 11-day road trip, saving听me money and limiting听the number of times I had to make gas-station pit stops. Not too big and not too small, the 27-quart chest fits easily onto the backseat of my car. It held 12 cans, a package of bacon, cheese, and a six-pack of eggs with some room to spare, and it鈥檚 made from 20 percent hemp-filled polypropylene.听

Smart Travel 国产吃瓜黑料 Medical Kit ($50)

Travelers can be prepared for any medical emergency with the . Filled with 69 items, including bandages, dressings, gels, forceps, a thermometer, medication, wound care, and dehydration packets, this tool kit can take care of minor and major injuries or health concerns. I鈥檓 partial to the kit鈥檚 how-to guide, which provides useful information like prescription dosages and tips for assessing the severity of various injuries. But perhaps the best perk is it only weighs just over a pound, so I had no trouble carrying it in my backpack during听a five-hour hike.听

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Kate Baecher and her mountaineering group were being guided over a dangerous traverse in Europe a few years ago when a climber in the party ahead of them fell hundreds of feet to her death. , a Sydney-based psychologist, military veteran, and avid mountaineer with a background helping people perform in high-stress situations, kept her cool while the body was recovered. But Chris, a climber in her group, began showing signs of distress. (The climber鈥檚 name and some of the details of this incident have been changed to protect his privacy.)

Stunned by what he鈥檇 witnessed, Chris stopped speaking and moving, and he appeared disassociated, Baecher recalls. She and a guide had to physically pull him to his feet to get him to continue to camp, which was located at 12,000 feet. When they finally reached it, Chris began crying and couldn鈥檛 stop. Panic, fear, anxiety, shock, distress: he exhibited it all. 鈥淗e completely broke down,鈥� says 37-year-old Baecher.

The guides weren鈥檛 sure what to do. But once everyone was safe, Baecher attempted to coax Chris out of his embattled state. Sitting by his side, she encouraged him to take slow, deep breaths until he stopped hiccuping for air. She suggested discussing what was on the agenda for tomorrow, which gave Chris something concrete to focus on. Baecher stayed with him until he had made a decision: he would descend in the morning and not continue to the summit.

Baecher came off the mountain a few days later, after she was turned around by whiteout conditions. She reached out to Chris, who was still struggling.

Baecher鈥檚 experience was one in a string of events that led to a realization: outdoor guides and athletes often don鈥檛 know what to do when mental health becomes an issue in the field. Drawing on her love of adventure and her psychology background, she saw an opportunity to fill a void.

While a psychological emergency in the outdoors may seem less urgent than a physical one, the consequences can be just as devastating, Baecher says. When you鈥檙e staring down a big wave, a Class V rapid, or an exposed climb, overwhelming anxiety or a panic attack can put lives at risk. On an expedition, an adventurer in the grips of mental distress may be unable to operate at full capacity, may lose focus, and could make dangerous decisions without someone along who鈥檚 been trained to help.

The very nature of some outdoor expeditions鈥攍iving in tight quarters for extended periods of time under high-stress conditions, often while sleep-deprived鈥攃an lead to mental strain. Then there are the harrowing encounters with extreme weather, natural disasters, venomous animals, or, worse, the death of an expedition member, which can be difficult to manage emotionally, especially with a long way still to go on a grueling trip. Baecher points out that the mishandling of extreme wilderness experiences can affect long-term psychological well-being, motivation to return to the outdoors, and the ability to work and to maintain healthy relationships at home.

Whether you鈥檙e an amateur or a professional athlete, mental distress in the wilderness is a common experience. 鈥淓verywhere I go, I see people who are having trouble coping,鈥� Baecher says. 鈥淭hat includes tough climbers on big mountains.鈥�

Yet while guides and outdoor athletes usually learn how to treat physical injuries, they鈥檙e far less likely to be taught what to do when psychological injuries occur in places where hospitals and mental health professionals aren鈥檛 just a 911 call away.

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From the folks at , Oh Hey There with听Jeff: How We Organize Our Medical Kit demonstrates听what kind of safety supplies these travelers听bring along on off-road听adventures.

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I don鈥檛 have a lot of practical skills. I know this because, in a pandemic-fueled fit of panic,听I made a list of things I know how to do in case modern society crumbles: 鈥減retty good at slacklining鈥� and 鈥渃an decipher the precise citrus notes in an IPA鈥� made the cut. But听I realized that nobody will care about pairing the perfect pale ale with chicken wings when society collapses.听People will need practical skills, and I have soft writer hands.听

I don鈥檛 think I鈥檓 alone. We鈥檙e all increasingly specialized in today鈥檚 society, focusing on perfecting one task and letting听skills that used to be common knowledge fall by the wayside. If my lawn mower breaks, I buy a new one. If I want fresh vegetables, I go to the farmers鈥� market. Fewer and fewer of us know to build a fire or navigate without听GPS.听

So听while everyone else was using this state-mandated time at home to binge Tiger King,听I听decided听to听add to my end-of-the-world resume. Was听I buying into the prepper paranoia? Maybe. I鈥檓 not digging a bunker anytime soon, but there鈥檚 nothing wrong with trying to be a capable individual who knows how to start a fire in the rain or clean a fish. Before the pandemic, I could鈥檝e signed up for a series of survival-skills clinics or camps, but that wasn鈥檛听an option. So听I leaned into the internet. Here are the skills I鈥檝e been learning to become more useful.

Key Skill: Start a Fire Without Matches

I don鈥檛 understand how people 鈥渁ccidentally鈥� start forest fires in non-arid places. I can barely start a fire on purpose under ideal conditions with a lighter, lots of newspaper, and wood soaked in gasoline. My lack of pyrotechnic skills has been a source of embarrassment since childhood, and I鈥檓 usually听relegated to the role of gathering wood听while more useful people deal with the actual flame.听

The truly hardcore can start a fire听by rubbing two sticks together, but I have no delusions of being hardcore. So听during my time of learning, I focused on the flint and steel method, where you take a piece of steel (like the back of a fixed-blade knife) and rub it across a piece of flint or a ferro rod听to create sparks. After ordering a , my 11-year-old听son and I set about starting fires in our backyard. Using a ferro rod takes a little practice鈥斕齣s to apply a lot of pressure with the steel鈥攁nd I bloodied several knuckles figuring out听the motion. Eventually, I was able to start fires听using a little bit of dryer lint and some crushed leaves. It was like a magic trick.听

But here鈥檚 the thing about fires: getting a spark and flame is easy, whether you鈥檙e using a lighter or a knife and ferro rod. The real art is figuring out how to keep a fire going, especially when you have wet wood. I live in the southern Appalachians, where it rains constantly, so dry wood is scarce. Fortunately, while researching fire-starting techniques, I stumbled .听In it听a man听uses a Swiss Army knife to create a fire听starter and kindling out of sawdust from a stump and听shavings from the inside of a stick, where the wood is dry. Those wood chips听light up like a can of hairspray. For larger pieces of wet wood, I learned to use a hatchet or large field knife to hack into the dry core. From now on, I鈥檓 definitely going to carry a field knife鈥擨鈥檒l be that weird guy who forages for food and has a Crocodile Dundee鈥搒tyle blade on his hip at all times.听

Confidence Level: High. Let some other chump gather wood; I鈥檓 on fire duty now.听

Key Skill: Forage听for Food听

Growing food is an enviable skill, but why not cut out the middleman and learn how to forage for food that鈥檚 just out there waiting to be eaten?听

Chances are there鈥檚 enough food growing wild within walking distance of your backyard to provide a couple of meals. The key is identifying what鈥檚 safe to eat, because many听wild edible plants have poisonous look-alikes. That makes the whole process fun鈥攂ut risky. The safest way to learn foraging is to find a mentor听or, at the very least, take a series of courses where you鈥檙e guided听in the wild. Because that wasn鈥檛 an option for me over听the past few months,听I used the site听, which has tons of information about common edible plants found throughout the country that are relatively easy to identify. The founders of that blog also contributed to the book听, if you鈥檙e looking for something tangible to carry around.

I started by foraging dandelions; the whole herb听is edible, but I focused on the big, leafy greens, which you cook like collards. Then I moved onto plantain (not the fruit), a听broad-leafed weed that tastes like spinach, and violet leaves, a miracle plant听that has been听used for centuries for all kinds of medicinal purposes. You can even turn it听into lip balm, but is always having Chapstick on hand a valuable end-of-world skill? Maybe. I鈥檓 more concerned with sustenance, so I saut茅ed听my new finds with butter and garlic.听

Once I started learning about the abundance of wild edibles, I couldn鈥檛 stop looking for them. Every trail run听is听a foraging event now鈥擨 spend as much time hunched over the ground looking for microgreens as I do worrying about my heart rate. I鈥檓 also starting to dabble with mushroom hunting, but it scares the shit out of me听because, you know, death. Also, you have to watch out for maggots, which burrow into mushrooms and can ruin any meal if you鈥檙e not careful. Hobbies that involve maggots are out of my comfort zone. But I鈥檓 learning.听

Confidence Level: So-so. I feel like it鈥檚 only a matter of time before I get ahold听of a bad root. Foraging is a skill that takes constant practice. For now听I double-check any food I bring home by using , an app that identifies plant species.听

Key Skill: Clean a Fish

I鈥檝e been fishing for trout in the southern Appalachians and Rocky Mountains for decades, and I鈥檇 still classify my status as a fisherman听as amateur听bordering on hopeless.听Cleaning a fish is a skill that I have avoided completely until now. When I went fishing as a kid, my dad handled the cleaning while I turned away and tried to think pleasant thoughts. As an adult, I鈥檝e stuck to a catch-and-release ethos, so I鈥檝e never cleaned a trout, which feels like a strange thing to say considering I鈥檓 a grown-ass man with kids and a mortgage. I should鈥檝e mastered this skill decades ago, but here I am, having to learn the basics that most Boy Scouts pick up before they hit puberty.听

Cleaning a trout is simple and barbaric at the same time. It involves either cutting the head off the fish or ripping through its jawbone. There are a bunch of different video tutorials out there, but I like this one from the . After practicing on a couple of dead rainbows听I bought from the local fish market, I decided that cutting the head off is the most humane option, but I still find it鈥檚 best to avoid looking directly into the fish鈥檚 eyes. I used my , a Swedish hunting knife that I think is too pretty for regular use but听felt like the right ceremonial blade for my fish sacrifice. (There are dedicated fillet knives out there, but I didn鈥檛 have one, so I just used what was on hand.) Once you make the first puncture, the skin almost peels apart on its own. You have to keep the cut shallow so you don鈥檛 puncture the organs as you cut from the butt of the fish to its gills, but pulling most of the guts out with your fingers isn鈥檛 hard; most of them are connected and come out in a string. The entrails felt听like guilt between my fingers. After that听you have to take your thumbnail and separate the long kidney from the spine of the fish, a bloody job that left me feeling like Lady Macbeth trying to scrub dirty deeds from my hands.听

Cleaning the fish might have tested my morality, but it wasn鈥檛 difficult in a technical sense. The real art and mastery come with filleting the fish, a delicate process that听feels like听performing surgery, because you have to cut away the rib bones without sacrificing much meat. This is where my amateurism reared its ugly head, and I mutilated the first couple of fish I tried this on. The slabs of trout looked like tartar, and I听had to pick through some of the smaller pin bones听when I was eating.听

Still, I was so proud that I called my father to brag. As far as I鈥檓 concerned, cleaning my听first fish is a ceremonial accomplishment that signifies to the world that I鈥檓听finally听a real man, like a messier bar mitzvah.听

Confidence Level: High. My fillets might not be pretty, but this is the end of days we鈥檙e talking about, so food doesn鈥檛 have to be good-looking. Killing a fish with my own bare hands is a different matter. It鈥檚 a process that involves either whipping its head against a rock or bludgeoning it with a thick stick. My son and I had some luck on a recent fishing adventure in , in North Carolina,听landing a couple of rainbows on my Tenkara rod, but I couldn鈥檛 bring myself to off the fish. I鈥檒l maintain a catch-and-release ethos for now鈥攐r until I actually need to kill fish for sustenance.

Key Skill: Tie Knots听

My lack of knot-tying skills has held me back as an adventure athlete. I can muddle my way through a figure eight听during听infrequent climbing trips, but I always feel better if I ask my听partner to double-check my work, like a ten-year-old in summer camp. And it鈥檚 not just climbing; knots are everywhere鈥攖hey keep your hook on your line when you鈥檙e fishing, your boat on your car when you鈥檙e headed to the put-in, your food out of reach of bears when you鈥檙e camping. My father, an aeronautical engineer with a mind for minutiae, tried to teach me various knots throughout my entire childhood. They never stuck.听

Fortunately, knot tying might be the easiest skill to learn at home during a pandemic. There are plenty of kits that come with how-to books and rope, most of which are geared toward听kids, but you can start practicing with a shoestring or some yarn. I tried using a book called , but I found the pictures and instructions weren鈥檛 descriptive enough听and ended up feeling frustrated,听wondering out loud why we don鈥檛 just use more Velcro in the world. Then I found , a website featuring听animated tutorials that walk you through every step of hundreds of useful knots, allowing you to pause and retrace the moves听until you get them听down. There鈥檚 even an for your iPhone.听

The content is organized by activity (climbing, sailing, etc.), but I focused on knots that have plagued me over the past 40 years鈥攖hings like the clove hitch and bowline, two of the most useful knots for securing the end of a line. I cut two pieces of thin rope and worked my way through a few tutorials. I can鈥檛 accurately describe the feeling of satisfaction that comes from successfully tying a clove hitch around a听pen for the first time. But I鈥檒l say that,听on my personal list of accomplishments, it lies somewhere between learning how to parallel park and holding my children for the first time.听

My capacity to screw up the double fisherman鈥檚 knot is astounding. When tied correctly, it鈥檚 a beautiful example of symmetry, two pieces of rope joined together with equal links. I occasionally get it right, but most of the time it looks like a monkey with anger issues attacked the rope. I have the most success when I try not to overthink the process, which means I have to slip into a sort of mellow听Zen state. I find that singing a song helps to keep my mind occupied. 鈥淪loop John B鈥� or 鈥淵ellow Submarine鈥� are good options. I鈥檓 hoping it鈥檚 just a matter of tying and retying the same knot until muscle memory kicks in.听

(For those who are wondering, Grog is a real person and the closest thing the knot-tying world has to a celebrity. His real name is Alan Grogono, he鈥檚 85,听and he comes from a long family of sailors, doctors, and knot enthusiasts. He鈥檚 a retired anesthesiologist who at one time held听a world sailing speed record. He also has a sister website that鈥檚 all about folding napkins for different occasions, which as fascinating as it sounds, probably won鈥檛 come in handy when things go sour.)听

Confidence Level: Low. For some reason, I can learn the knots just fine听but forget them the next day. Maybe I need to spend more time practicing and less time Googling 鈥渇etish knots for beginners.鈥澨�

Key Skill: Learn听Basic First Aid

My wife is a nurse practitioner, so I have the habit of turning to her whenever someone gets stung by a bee, breaks a toe, or starts choking on a pretzel. She can save people鈥檚 lives, but I鈥檓 tall and can reach things on the top shelf, so we鈥檙e sort of even. Still, I want to be useful when someone gets hurt, and I鈥檝e been putting off getting my Wilderness First Responder certificate for far too long. To get moving in the right direction, I signed up for an online first aid听and CPR course with the . It only cost $32 and took a few hours, but I had to spread the lessons out over three days because I have the attention span of an untrained puppy.听

The lessons are a series of slide-show instructions followed by animated 鈥渕issions,鈥� where you respond to real-life scenarios: Karen is having a seizure in a food court, or Barry suffered a severe laceration at the factory, or Diane is a听diabetic who听feels dizzy in the grocery store. There鈥檚 a realistic听aspect to it: you navigate the scene and make decisions on what actions to take. Should you apply pressure to Barry鈥檚 laceration right away听or ask about his medical history first? Should you give Diane milk or orange juice?听Sometimes a bystander in the scenario will offer bad advice, like telling you to put a wallet in Karen鈥檚 mouth while she鈥檚 seizing. Stupid bystander.听

The majority of first aid is knowing the , which basically keeps you from doing anything dumb before a real professional shows up. It鈥檚 been fun reliving some of my own injuries over the years鈥攆rostbite on my toes, a dislocated shoulder on a mountain-bike trail, hypothermia while bushwhacking well into the night鈥攁nd realizing I handled all of them poorly. (Apparently, drinking whiskey is not the proper response to any of those scenarios.)听

I got pretty excited during the tutorial about applying tourniquets, and my favorite scenario was when Zach听cut himself in the gym and went into shock. I felt like a doctor when I applied pressure and dressed his wound, laid him down, covered him with a blanket, and comforted him. I have a wonderful virtual bedside manner. If anyone gets hurt in a video game, I know what to do.听But听I blew it during the Severe External Bleeding: Advanced Skill Practice听mission. I checked the scene for hazards (a bloody knife was on the floor), but I forgot to send the bystander to call 911. Rookie mistake.听

This is the听same class that most teenagers take when they鈥檙e hoping to land babysitting gigs, so it鈥檚 not like I鈥檓 an EMT or anything. But of all of the skills I鈥檓 trying to learn, basic CPR might be the most valuable, and it鈥檚 gotten me stoked to continue my education after the pandemic subsides. Given the amount of time I鈥檓 in the woods doing stupid shit, I should鈥檝e become a Wilderness First Responder decades ago. Now听I鈥檓 determined to make it happen. I鈥檓 probably not going to be a great hunter during the apocalypse (see: my inability to kill a fish). But maybe I can save someone鈥檚 life听or, at the very least, keep a cut from getting infected.听

Confidence Level: So-so. Virtual lessons are fine, but there鈥檚 no substitute for practicing on one of those dummies, and my wife won鈥檛 let me perform CPR or tie tourniquets on our children. But at least I have a sense of听the steps I鈥檇 need to take in a variety of different situations, and I鈥檓 looking forward听to听getting a real first aid education when this is all over.

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Not to overload you with bad news, but it appears as though听the coronavirus pandemic is going to have one more big, unforeseen impact: disaster response. Let鈥檚 try to make this as positive a thing as possible by analyzing the ways听it鈥檚 going to change our responses to stuff like hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires, and arm you with the plans and supplies you need to handle those things happening in the midst of a disease outbreak.

A Disaster for Disasters

鈥淔irst responders, hospitals, government agencies, and NGOs are, in some areas of the country, already stressed to the breaking point,鈥� says听, director of the Center for Global Health Science and Security at Georgetown University Medical Center.

She offers New York City as an example. There, the peak of COVID-19 cases earlier this month left听, , and the city even . Doctors, nurses, and EMTs fell ill with the disease, . Imagine if an event like Hurricane Sandy听occurred in the city听or anywhere else heavily impacted by the pandemic听right now.

And it鈥檚 not just your outright ability to find medical care that鈥檚 tenuous at best. The ways in which federal and local governments, utilities, and charities respond to disasters are also compromised, both because they are already dealing with a major disaster, and because that pandemic will impair their ability to perform their usual functions.

鈥淢utual aid will not be possible right now,鈥� says Katz. That鈥檚 an arrangement by which , temporarily surging the number of firefighters or search and rescue workers. Think of the response to the September 11, 2001, attacks in New York as an example: emergency responders arrived in the city from all over the country to help in the immediate aftermath. Right now, those personnel may already be tasked with COVID-19 related-duties, or may be unable or unwilling to travel to disease hot spots. In a best case scenario, those responders will need to find new ways to perform their work, and that threatens to add stress to already stressful scenarios听and reduce the effectiveness of their work.

COVID-19 is of wildland firefighters in western states to train and prepare for what looks like another bad wildfire season. Spring is the time in which fire crews typically conduct controlled burns听and begin hiring and training firefighters for the rest of the year. Right now, those ,听increasing the risk of fires starting and spreading. Training is being conducted virtually, limiting the team cohesion that is essential to their performance.

And the methods those firefighters will employ when fires do breakout too. In the past, wildland firefighters have slept in large fire camps that provide hot meals, laundry facilities, and fresh supplies, like听batteries for handheld radios. That鈥檚 going to look different听this year, with firefighters moving to smaller spike camps, where services will be limited. In-person briefings will move to radio or digital communications, and hot meals will be replaced by .听Fires are typically fought by crews working shoulder to shoulder, as they dig fire breaks. Those crews may now be required to work at appropriate social distances.

鈥淔rom the added stress of the pandemic and being away from family for an additional quarantine period听to exposure to the virus听to听communication issues, I have no doubt that this will lead to issues,鈥� says , a friend, wild fire photographer, and passionate advocate for the wildland firefighting community. 鈥淪omething is going to slip through the cracks鈥�

Katz asks: 鈥淲hat are these workers going to do once the disaster is over?鈥� Response personnel who travel away from their local community, respond to a disease hot spot, or who come into contact with infected patients will face a significant risk of infection. That means, at best, all of them will need to quarantine for 14 days. At worst, disaster response personnel could be sacrificing their lives to respond to disasters. The potential of all this are sobering.

Potential Problems, and How You Can Prepare for Them

Stressed Healthcare Resources

You don鈥檛 want to go to a hospital right now for two reasons: risk of infection听and to avoid further burdening limited resources. Having said that, you should not hesitate to call 911 or visit an emergency room in the event of a life threatening emergency. Great efforts are being made to separate COVID-19 patients from others, and odds remain good that you will avoid infection.

Palley, the wildfire photographer, provides a good example. He called me two weeks ago when he sliced one of his fingers down to the bone. I tried to coach him through some first aid over the phone, but we were unsuccessful. After half an hour of continuous bleeding, he made the responsible decision:听he went to urgent care, where they used surgical glue to close the wound. Learning his lesson, he picked up some of that glue听and other first aid supplies he was lacking on the way home. Now he鈥檚 better prepared听and playing his part in minimizing the burden healthcare facilities face.

You should evaluate your own first aid materials, medications, and other supplies, and make sure they鈥檙e adequate for the size of your family and their unique needs. Now is also a good time to brush up on first aid skills. offers comprehensive guides to life saving skills on its YouTube channel.

Longterm Utility Outages

Issues with mutual aid听and bringing in additional utility workers from out of state, or even from a neighboring region,听might mean the kind of utility outages that are common in natural disasters may take longer to repair during the pandemic.

For that reason, it鈥檚 probably good to evaluate your home鈥檚 utility supply, and make sure you鈥檙e prepared to provide necessary light, power, heat, water, and the ability to cook for your family听for an extended period of time. This can be as easy as grabbing an extra tank of propane for your grill or camp stove, an emergency home water filter, a handful of lanterns, and some batteries. It鈥檚 probably also a good time to familiarize yourself with your home鈥檚 main water valve, electrical circuit breakers, and gas shutoff, and make sure you have to work the latter.

Infectious Shelters

Now is not the time to find yourself sleeping on a cot inside the Superdome.听Katz explains governments and relief agencies are looking at ways to house evacuees in less crowded circumstances鈥攑otentially even currently underutilized hotels. And, like fire camps, food may no longer be served in chow lines, but instead听offered in the form of individual meals delivered to those hotel rooms听or already stockpiled, already hermetically sealed MREs. But plans to execute such housing on a large scale听in a short period of time do not yet exist.

The way to avoid ending up in a shelter is to make an evacuation plan now, then employ it early. Identify a safe location, such as a relative鈥檚 house in a neighboring state, and make a plan to reach it that includes the need to avoid as much human contact along the way听and self-quarantining for 14 days upon arrival.听Work with your family to identify the factors that will inform your decision to evacuate, monitor the news, and leave once you feel it is prudent to do so. A pandemic is no time to attempt to stay in your home as it鈥檚 threatened by a hurricane, wildfire, or similar. To do so would be to risk exposure to the coronavirus should you end up in a shelter, while further burdening already stressed first responder resources if you need to be rescued.

Uncertain Supply Chains

It鈥檚 already looking as if the nation鈥檚 supply of听 and may be threatened by the pandemic. Goods shipped in from overseas have been experiencing supply difficulties since February. Stockpiled relief goods are already being used, and the staff and logistical resources it takes to deploy them are already employed.

As a result,听 are urging people to expand all homes have on hand in normal circumstances to enough food, water, and medical goods to get your family through at least 14 days of sheltering in place.

Socially Distant Evacuations

鈥淭he time to plan your evacuation is now,鈥� says Katz. Many state governments are already requesting that any travelers arriving from out-of-state self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Any travel between regions risks spreading the disease听to new communities or individuals along the way, or at your destination. So, this risk needs to be factored into your evacuation plans.

In your evacuation plan, include the need to minimize your risk of exposure and transmission as you travel, and a two week quarantine upon your arrival. Using disinfectant wipes, gloves, and face masks at grocery stores and gas stations should be considered essential. The self-quarantine period will look different for everyone. It could mean anything from camping in your parents鈥� yard for two weeks, to living in a garage, or, if nothing else is available, sequestering yourself in an isolated area of a home.

You can help minimize the risk of exposure and transmission by limiting the distance of your evacuation听and avoiding contact with other people along your route to the greatest degree possible.

鈥淚f you plan to evacuate to another person鈥檚 home, you need to communicate with them to make sure a quarantine period is possible,鈥� says Katz.

The Silver Lining

鈥淭he virus can also lead to unexpected outcomes,鈥� says Katz. She points to , saying that while 26 people were killed and 300 were injured, the results could have been much worse had more people been driving during the unexpected storms, rather than staying at home.

Stay-at-home orders have also caused traffic fatalities to 听in California. Ongoing travel restrictions could mean fewer people are exposed to regional disasters like hurricanes or earthquakes. The flexibility offered by unemployment or working from home could allow people to evacuate earlier than they may have in the past.

And, if nothing else, the pool of potential volunteers available to provide relief for disasters in their home regions has never been larger. The Red Cross is even offering , so people can better prepare to volunteer if a disaster strikes their community.

Katz has one final note of encouragement: 鈥淲e鈥檙e already telling people to basically have 14 days of supplies on hand,鈥� she says. Stay home advisories encourage people to limit shopping trips to once every ten days or two weeks, which means you鈥檝e probably already figured out what you need to be self sufficient for an extended period of time. And who knows? Some of us may even get to use all that toilet paper we panic bought, and the pounds upon pounds of rice and beans it seemed smart to stock up on a month ago.

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