Generally, before venturing on a hike with a group, or individually, you ought to be briefed on, or/conceptualize the:
- Plan.
- Hazard(s).
- Risk(s).
- Preparation Opportunities.
To support safety of each individual, and the group as a whole, before embarking on hike(s) or similar excursion(s).
Hiking Hazards Categories
Specifically, hiking-hazards can be grouped into the following categories:
- Humans (blockades, shoot-out, stampede, dangerous drivers, harassment; and adrenaline/anaphylactic shock response of hiker).
- Exercise-Induced Stress Response (asthma attack or other respiratory distress triggered by moderate-high intensity exercise; sprains, strains…)
- Human-Environment Interaction, Stress Response (Pollution; and distress triggered–cardio respiratory; heat-stroke, hypothermia).
- Physical-Environment Stress Response: altitude, degree slope incline or decline; weather–temperature, humidity, wind; vegetation; earth–soil, rock…).
General Human Hazards To Hikers & Mitigation Strategies
As you hike, the human-hazards you come into contact with include:
*Harassment–verbal, touching, walking down, path-blocking. It’s critical to note that at a split second, harassment can switch into an attack (hands-range to gun-range confrontation)*
*Blockade: angry mob/protesters blocking roads or road sections due to a criminal event, economic event, geopolitical event or similar; and security forces maintaining a presence to neutralize/de-escalate the situation. Its important to note that in a split second, a blockade can become a stampede/shootout.
*Dangerous Drivers: as pedestrians, at any moment’s notice, you can experience situations where speeding drivers, can force you to take evasive measures, to avoid being hit–particularly when walking on non-sidewalk, available roads.
General Human-Hazards Mitigation Strategies
Harassment
Don’t walk with excessive valuables. For valuables you must carry, conceal, and/or hold with firm grip. When strangers are near, generally attain & maintain minimum 3ft-6ft distance between self and strangers, where feasible. Ensure clothing and footwear support agile movement. As a group, maintain 1ft-6ft between each other, and maintain single-double file for support protection measures. Listen & Watch for group leader instructions, where applicable. And ensure body language and energy is relaxed (not panicking), yet ready to take evasive or defensive action.
Blockade
Where applicable, get to cover/concealment. Execute evasive emergency plan. Cover is anything you can put between you and the trauma-causing agent (projectile, gases) that can stop or neutralize the said agent(s). Concealment is the usage of elements in your environment that hide/mask you from the view of the attacker, who is the source of the trauma-causing agent.
Dangerous Drivers
Face incoming traffic, especially at non-pavement locations. Have eyes & ears available. Maintain single file as a group (most ideal). Wear bright-colored or reflective (night) clothing.
Listen & Watch for Group Lead Instructions (phone call, verbal commands, hand signals)
Generally, you should not hike alone. With the many hazards you face as a hiker in the environment, you stand a greater chance being safe, hiking in a cohesive–strong understanding and complement of individual strengths & weaknesses–group
Next Post:
Exercise-Induced Hazards To Hikers & Mitigation Strategies.
About The Author
Oshane Bryant: BSc Geology, Geography Minor; ACE CPT since 2012; Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) Accelerator Graduate-2018 cohort; Licensed KUKIBO Martial Arts & Self Defense, Senior Instructor; OB Fitness Founder & Managing Director.