Don’t let safety slide — 3 ways to adventure safely

Looking to start hammering out your 2015 bucket list of must-do adventures? Don’t forget one vital component—safety. Don’t worry though, it’s super easy to ensure you’ve got your bases covered in the safety department. While you can’t predict everything that you may encounter (like weather, broken or lost equipment, potential for injury, railway tracks, tunnels and bridges etc.), the key is to be prepared and make sure you’ve got everything on lock to the best of your ability.

Let the (safe) adventures begin

1. Have an idea about what, where and how to begin

• If you don’t know how or where to begin, don’t be afraid to take a course, lesson, or go out with people who are experienced.
• Talk to avid enthusiasts. The majority will be eager to share insight and offer helpful tips so that you can get out there and have fun safely.
• Googling specific associations for the activity you’d like to pursue is a great place to start. There are many that are loaded with a ton of good information just waiting for you to tap in to.
• If you’re setting out on your snowmobile, check out these handy tips first. [caption id="attachment_9171" align="alignright" width="277"] Photo credit: everythingfortheoutdoors.blogspot.ca/[/caption]

2. Identify the potential risks and hazards

• It’s vital to do some research ahead of time in order to properly equip yourself, both physically and mentally, for the possibilities of what could go wrong so that you are prepared, and can ultimately decide if this is something you actually want to pursue.
• This can be everything from checking the weather report to knowing what hazards (like railway tracks – don’t know what to look for? Check out our breakdown of the common railway signs to watch out for), you may encounter and the best way to prepare and approach them.

3. Know what not to do

• Being prepared and well informed before you head out is just the start. You also need to know what not to do so you don’t inadvertently spoil your fun.
• Wearing your buddy’s two-sizes-too-big boots is a recipe for aching feet. Your own properly fitted boots will maximize your shred time.
• It’s a no brainer that cracking your head on a tree is an instant showstopper. So put a lid on it!
• There’ll be no moving on to the next bucket list item if you’re snowmobile’s taken out by a train. Choose to make tracks where it won’t kill you.

Whatever you do, don’t go into something new completely blind. You owe it to yourself to have an idea of what you’re in for. It’s not just your safety but also those around you—own it. #ownsafety

Helpful links

http://www.mec.ca/AST/ContentPrimary/Services/EquipmentRentals.jsp http://www.avalanche.ca/ http://www.canadasnowboard.ca/en/ms/membership/ http://www.ucalgary.ca/outdoorcentre/ And of course, bookmark our blog for tips to keep you safe when your adventures take you near the tracks.