Posts Tagged ‘safety’
Snake Bite First Aid
Snakes can pop up anywhere, so know how to treat a snake bite
There are many different types of snakes in North America. Most are harmless but the snakes that are not can really pack a punch, so before travelling in areas where venomous snakes can be found take time to familiarize yourself on how to identify the different types, where they can be found, and how snake’s appearance can change as they age. The wide variety of snakes and places they hide in makes it very difficult to plan for all circumstances so it is up to you to be prepared and know what to do if a bite or attack occurs. Read the rest of this entry »
Copyright 2016 Mike Wilson
Venomous Snakes of North America
Snakes can be found in every part of the world. The majority of snakes are harmless and beneficial creatures that eat insects and mice. Then there are the others-the venomous kinds.
Snakes catch prey in one of three ways, the first is to sneak up on some food and grab the unsuspecting critter in its mouth. This is how the friendly Garter snake in your garden catches bugs or frogs. Snakes don’t chew their food; they can only swallow it whole which leads us to the second type of snake, the constrictor. Read the rest of this entry »
Copyright 2016 Mike Wilson
Treating Sunburn
Always wear sunscreen to protect from sunburns
Sunburn happens when unprotected skin is exposed to sunlight for too long. It can happen to anyone at any time of the year and can be a painful souvenir of a great day in the outdoors. If you have been burnt while on the water, at the beach, working in the garden or even while skiing, here are some tips to help manage the discomfort. Read the rest of this entry »
Copyright 2016 Mike Wilson
Staying Cool on Hot Days
The summer months in North America bring some of the nicest conditions you can find anywhere. Long sunny days, pleasantly cool nights, all make for a great day in the outdoors. All that time in the heat and sun can have an affect on you, simply hiking or paddling in a canoe can become a life or death situation if you are not prepared for it.
On hot days drink as much natural fluids such as water or pure fruit juices as possible. Alcohol, caffeine, and soft drinks should be avoided.
Heat related illnesses can sneak up on you with little warning even on days when it doesn’t seem all that hot; here are some things to watch out for when spending time in the outdoors on a hot and sunny day.
Your body cools itself by sweating, and as the perspiration appears on your skin it evaporates in air that blows by making you cooler. On really hot and humid days or during times of extreme exertion your body can suffer from four main illnesses if it is not given the chance to cool down. These are: Dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and most severely heat stroke. Read the rest of this entry »
Copyright 2016 Mike Wilson
How to Stay Safe in a Thunderstorm
Lightning storms are most common in the spring and summer but can occur at any time of the year
Summer in North America is storm season. Thunderstorms bring lightning, strong winds, heavy rain and of course thunder. Memories of summer storms range from watching the lightning flash across the sky on a hot humid night to children (and even some adults and their pets) hiding under their beds waiting for the storm to pass. There are many different explanations for thunderstorms, like the man in the moon is bowling or the Gods are angry about something, but what really causes a thunderstorm and what can be done to stay safe? Read the rest of this entry »
Copyright 2016 Mike Wilson
Avoiding Cougar Attacks
One of North America’s most elusive yet deadly predators is the Cougar. Also know as the Mountain Lion, an encounter on the trail or backyard with one of these animals is not to be taken lightly.
Cougar encounters are most common in late spring and early summer. Cougars are capable of climbing trees to get a good view of the area
The cougar prefers to live near dense woodlands, close to places with a good view, such as mountain sides. They are common in the Rocky Mountains from the British Columbia interior down through the West of the United States and in the Northern United States through to Northern Ontario. Cougars can grow to sizes of 120lbs and can pounce on prey from distances of 30 feet. Read the rest of this entry »
Copyright 2016 Mike Wilson
Avoiding Bear Attacks
By Terri Paajanen
There are many dangerous creatures lurking in the woods, some of these creatures are big and others so small they can hardly be seen. So, what do you do should one come face to face with you? It depends on the animal and it is a good idea to know what to do before you meet them, rather than try and talk it over with a wild animal that has just been surprised by your presence in his or her woods.
Brown bear and Grizzly Bears can weigh between 400 and 900lbs. They are about 4’ tall on all fours and over 7’ tall when standing on their hind legs
Bears are one of the most common dangerous creatures in the woods, they are large, fast, and have sharp teeth and sharp claws. Some types of bears found in North America include the Black Bear, Grizzly Bear, Brown Bear and Polar Bear. Bears can be found almost anywhere in the wild and they all possess a strong protective instinct over their young. One of the most dangerous situations you can find yourself in is surprising a mother bear while she is looking after her cubs. There is very little she won’t do to protect them, and a human isn’t much of an obstacle. A bear that has become “cornered” is very dangerous as well and will attack without warning. Read the rest of this entry »
Copyright 2016 Mike Wilson
Poison Ivy
This mid-summer poison ivy has rare serrated edges on the leaves and usually grows in large patches
Walking along a trail or through the woods is a great way to spend a sunny afternoon. There are so many different things to see-a nice blue sky overhead, birds singing, and flowers to pick. Unfortunately, one of Mother Nature’s common and poisonous plants is probably growing right along the side of the very trail you are walking on. The next time you are picking flowers while hiking along a woodland trail take a moment and look around.
Copyright 2016 Mike Wilson
