BASIC SAFETY TIPS FOR HIKERS Brian Gander, Superintendent

Introduction Brian Gander is an experienced superintendent of schools serving

the Reedsport School District as both superintendent and special education director. Away from work, Brian Gander enjoys staying physically active by hiking whenever he has the chance.

Hiking is a great way to exercise and experience the natural beauty of the world, all while spending time with family, friends, and new acquaintances. However, individuals must properly prepare themselves for a hiking expedition in order to minimize the likelihood of getting lost, injured, or experiencing some other misfortune.

Many of the most important safety tips for hikers must be practiced before setting foot on the trail. For example, no hiker, even one taking part in a large hiking group, should leave home without first informing another person of his or her whereabouts.

Safety Tips A person should always try to have at least one hiking partner, but

notifying a family member or friend of your location, leaving time, and expected time of return becomes critical when hiking alone. Similarly, individuals should always check the weather and use online resources to review the condition of hiking trails before starting a hike. When hiking a new area for the first time, hikers should remember to pack maps and other directional tools.

There are several tips hikers can implement on the trail, as well. It may seem obvious to pack food, water, and First Aid equipment on a hike, but some hikers assume a brief 30-minute walk on the trail will always go according to plan. In reality, packing for a hike should be done with the expectation that something might go wrong. With that in mind, each hiker should have their own access to all supplies, rather than having one person carrying the water, one person in charge of the map, and so on. Other important supplies include a whistle or noise-making device, brightly colored clothing, and a flashlight.