General Travel Information

Staying safe in the great outdoors

Canada's parks, forests and wilderness areas attract hikers, campers,
backpackers, climbers, canoeists, ATV riders, hunters and others who seek
adventure or just want to enjoy nature.

“No one ever expects to get lost or injured when they first set out,” says
Canada Safety Council president Emile Therien. “But the unpredictable can and
does happen. Just a few precautions can prevent a trip into the wild from
turning into a crisis.”

Expect the unexpected

Before you set out, try to imagine what conditions you might face. How would you
survive if something goes wrong? Even on a short trip, you might need to spend
the night— and the weather could deteriorate. How would you get help if you
become lost or injured?

Find out about the area you plan to explore. Bring a good map, and check the
weather forecast. Tell others of your intended route and timetable. Never
travel alone, and always stay with your group. Wear the proper clothes and
footwear. You'll also need enough water and food.

Whenever you go hiking, take along something to protect you from cold, rain or wind. A waterproof reflective survival blanket is ideal; it’s cheap, reusable,
highly functional, and takes very little space in your pack. As well, bring
along a whistle so you can let others know your location, and a flashlight in
case you are still on the trail when the sun goes down.

If you get into trouble, early detection can mean the difference between a safe
return and a life threatening situation. The Canada Safety Council recommends
that anyone who likes to venture into the wilderness, whether on foot, by water
or on a vehicle such as an ATV, should invest in a wilderness survival kit.

They come in different levels, with components suitable for the day hiker up to
the veteran of the outdoors.

There are many suggested equipment checklists, but no single list covers every
circumstance. The Canada Safety Council advises wilderness adventurers to use
common sense and take all appropriate precautions.

Make yourself easy to find

Planning to head into the wilds? Then it’s a good idea to equip yourself with a
Global Positioning System (GPS) unit and a mobile phone. A GPS, used in
conjunction with your map, should enable you to find your way out. With a
mobile phone you can usually call for help.

If you realize you are lost or need help, stop. Staying in one place makes you
easier to find. In case of a serious injury, build a shelter and wait for
rescuers. Trying to transport an injured person may lead to exhaustion or
further injury. If you are stranded because of a broken-down vehicle, such as
an ATV or aircraft, it is usually best to stay where you are. Large objects are
easier to spot than a lone hiker.

If you need to signal, move to higher ground. Aerial flares and signal mirrors
can attract attention. Once help is on the way, smoke flares, whistles and
distress flags can help rescuers identify your exact position and keep them on
course.

Beware of bears

Canada is known around the world for its bears. However, confronting a bear in
the wild can be deadly.

Bear behaviour is complex and there is no single strategy to protect yourself.
First and foremost, take measures to keep bears away. Never prepare, eat or
store food in your tent when camping. If you are hiking in the woods, make
noise to advertise your presence, and stay in a group. Bears are attracted by
scents, so keep food and garbage in airtight containers, and avoid perfumed
toiletries. Before planning a trip in bear country, seek instruction on how to
deal with specific types of bears and confrontations.

What if lightning strikes?

Don't let yourself be caught in the woods in a bad thunder storm. If storms are
in the forecast, postpone your trip until the danger is past.

Take shelter as soon as you see dark storm clouds gathering, feel the wind, or
hear thunder in the distance — but not by standing under a tree. When lightning
strikes a tree, electricity runs down the trunk, through the roots and into the
ground, causing a strong shock.

If possible, head for a house, a large building or your car. Then shut all the
windows and doors and stay inside. In a car, move away from a high location or
trees, turn off the engine, put your hands in your lap (so you don’t touch
anything metallic), and wait out the storm. It’s usually safe to come out after
there has been no thunder or lightning for thirty minutes.

Otherwise, seek shelter in a depressed area such as a ditch, or a cave. Crouch
with your feet close together and your head down, minimizing your contact with
the ground to reduce the chance of being electrocuted.

To figure out how far you are from the lightning, count the seconds between the
flash and the thunderclap. If you count fewer than five seconds, take shelter
immediately.