National parks are made for adventure and exploration. They’re the prime location for pushing limits, whether it’s in a raft, on a mountain face, in the backcountry or on a glacier. There are endless opportunities to get your adrenaline pumping.
But it’s important to remember as you push those limits, there are invariable risks involved. There are risks to yourself, to your group and to the visitor safety staff, who in the case of an emergency, has to put themselves in precarious positions to rescue you.
Summer is an especially busy time for the park’s highly-trained rescuers. They are put to the test time and time again as visitors and locals take risks in the mountains.
They’re called when hikers stray from marked trails and find themselves stranded. They’re called when people go missing. They’re called when rafts capsize or cliff jumpers get injured.
And often, when those calls come in, it requires them to put their lives at risk in order to save the life of another. Our safety specialists dangle from helicopters, climb cliffs, jump into cold water and scramble over unstable rocks.
And, although those are all exciting adventures, they’re not always necessary. If hikers, boaters and climbers were prepared with the right knowledge and tools, chances are those visitor safety specialists could have stayed home.
Now that’s not to say we want to see our rescuers out of work; we just want to make sure that all of the park’s users make it home safely at the end of the day.
That means keeping in mind and preparing for the risks involved with outdoor activities.
Risks can include changing weather, unfamiliar terrain, quick-moving water, waterfalls, glacial crevasses, falling rocks, as well as wild animals.
So before you head out on your next adventure, assess the hazards. Check the weather forecast, and keep in mind weather changes quickly in the mountains. Pack layers, including waterproof clothes, in case of a drastic change.
Wear appropriate footwear that provides ankle support and sufficient grip for mountain terrain.
Carry a first aid kit, survival kit, bear spray, water and extra food.
Know the route you’re taking and carry a map and compass, and know how to use them. Stay on the trail you set out on and let someone know where you’re going and when you should be back.
If you have no one to tell, fill out a safety registration at the information centre; that way if you get lost, Parks staff have a place to start looking. And if you do fill out a registration, don’t forget to go back to the centre to let them know you’re safe and sound.
Keep these guidelines in mind next time you’re packing your day bag or overnight pack and remember this isn’t an exhaustive list, so do some research, prepare yourself and ensure that you and our visitor safety specialists get home safely at the end of the day.
