As families and friends visit trails, campgrounds, and parks, Acadian Ambulance encourages everyone to enjoy the outdoors safely by staying aware of potential wildlife and insect hazards.
Whether you’re hiking in the woods, fishing near a bayou, or spending a day in nature, a few smart precautions can prevent a fun summer outing from turning into a medical emergency.
REI Co-op expert advice offers these safety tips:
- Stay 50 yards from wildlife; 100 yards from bears.
- Never feed wild animals, which puts people and animals at risk.
- Make noise to avoid surprising animals on trails.
- Don’t run if you encounter a bear or large predator; back away slowly.
- Avoid the water’s edge in alligator territory and never approach them.
- Use DEET or picaridin repellent and wear long sleeves and pants.
- Check for ticks after being outdoors; remove with tweezers and watch for symptoms.
- Remove stingers, clean, ice, and use antihistamines for stings.
- For severe reactions like swelling or trouble breathing, use epinephrine if prescribed and call 911
- Clean and ice spider or scorpion bites; seek medical help if worse.
Take these simple steps to ensure your summer in nature is enjoyable and incident-free.
