Embarking into the outdoors is a major part of living especially for the people who appreciate nature and the numerous activities it provides. Outdoor adventure sports can be fun, incredibly rewarding, addictive and a transformational experience that will stick on to your memories for years. The outdoors presents a playground for adventurous sports including scuba diving, rock climbing, paintballing, hiking, biking, rafting and many other more fun sports. However, safety must always come first no matter what sports activity it is.
Regardless of your skill level precautions are necessary for the outdoors because not everything always goes as planned. Even for the most seasoned outdoor sports enthusiasts, safety is key since the wilderness and outdoors can be dangerous at times. Outdoor adventures are made much more enjoyable and safe when you have the right safety equipment, follow your instructor, and know the basics of what you’re taking part in. Here are just a few key outdoor safety tips that will help you enjoy your adventure sports as well as ensure your safety.
- Wear protective safety equipment
Dressing appropriately can make a big difference to your adventure out in the wilderness as the weather can always change unexpectedly. Depending on the adventure sport you are partaking will determine what gear or safety equipment to wear. Some sports require safety goggles, ear defenders, or helmets. Others might require boots, warm clothing, and knee pads. Airsoft is just one outdoor activity that requires protective equipment for the whole body. Further information on the basic safety rules of airsoft, safety equipment, and gun maintenance tips, can be found in this Airsoft Safety Guide by Land Warrior Airsoft.
2. Follow the instructor’s guidelines
At VisitEngland.co.uk there are many extreme sports that you can get involved in to have fun new experiences and try something different. From free flying experiences over the North York Moors to mountain biking breaks in Penrith, there are plenty of fun and thrilling activities to get involved in. However, whether you are new to the sport, experienced, or part of a group, you must always follow your instructor if you have one. Instructors are well knowledged and experienced in their practice so you ought to follow their guidelines. Whether you are kayaking, surfing, rock climbing, or abseiling, instructors know exactly what to do to keep you safe.
3. Familiarise yourself with the rules, surroundings, and people
If you are new to an outdoor sport, it’s wise to familiarise yourself with the activity before you get started. If you are part of a hiking group, take care to know where you are heading, what your route is, and what the weather is going to be like. Preparing in advance can help you greatly, particularly if the weather changes or you are separated from your group. Even if you are well-experienced, you might not know the area well enough.Therefore, it’s best to do your research beforehand so that you know some of the basics before heading out. If you’re looking for somewhere new to explore on your hike, some of the most adventurous routes for hiking in the UK include Scafell Pike in the Lake District and the Causeway Coast Way in County Antrim.
4. Pack the essentials
Depending on the sport you are taking part in, you might need to know what essential items you need to pack. If you are heading out on a mountain bike trail, of course your helmet is a must. However, you might also need to take puncture repair kits with you too, just in case. When heading out for a few hours, or most of the day, taking it is also important to pack plenty of food, water, and snacks too. While it can be important to pack light, you still need to take the basic essentials with you. If it’s a hot day outside, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen will be beneficial to take with you.
5. Tell someone where you are
If you are heading out in a small group, or alone, one of the most important safety tips is to tell someone where you are going. For example, if you are heading out surfing, tell your friends/family, or your surf club, where you are going and how long you plan to be out for. Sharing your itinerary with others is an important step that can help keep you safe if anything went wrong. It may also be helpful to turn on your phone location so that in case something goes wrong you can be easily found. While not telling people where you are going might not be first on your list of things to do, it’s an important safety tip that can help others know when to expect you back and know when to call for help.
6. Learn basic first aid, survival skills and repair skills.
For some outdoors adventure sports, there can sometimes be some injuries or unexpected situations along the way. While a sprained ankle might not seem like much, it might become a big problem if you are stuck in the middle of nowhere and it’s starting to get dark. When taking part in outdoor adventure sports, in many activities you might benefit from learning basic first aid, repair skills, or survival skills. For example, when camping alone or in a group, it can be useful to know some of these basics in case you ever need them. Learning how to start a fire and how to read a map are incredibly useful skills to have when you are camping out in the wilderness.
