7 Ways Leaders Can Prevent a Crisis BEFORE It Happens
Save Yourself (and Your Group) Some Pain...
"An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure"
- Ben Franklin
Most emergency, and wilderness mishaps are preventable. Here's a 7-Step Crisis Prevention Checklist that WILL dramatically REDUCE your risk of injury and keep you clear of a big hot mess!
Crisis Prevention and Stupid Mistakes
Recently, on The SURVIVAL SHOW Podcast (my co-host) Craig Caudill (Author of, Extreme Wilderness Survival) and I discussed how to PREVENT MOST emergency mishaps with a just little pre-planning. *CLICK HERE* to Listen to the FULL Podcast on iTunes - Google Play - Stitcher - Sound Cloud - Podbean
Here a Quick List of a Few Items We Discussed in the Podcast..
1- Know Your Skills
Knowing your skills is also knowing what your limitations are. Do an honest assessment of your fitness level, mindset, skills, gear, and preparedness BEFORE you go so you don't have to react to a crisis. Being realistic and vanquishing our ego could save your life.
2 - Stay Safely Within Your Capabilities
Staying safely within your capabilities will keep you away from the cliff edge. Don’t press your luck, and don’t depend on new gear in the wilderness (when you have no safety net). Try out new gear in your back yard first. That way, if it doesn’t work, you’re not toast.3 - Tell Someone Where You Are Going
ALWAYS, ALWAYS ALWAYS - tell someone where you are going, and when you will return. Leave names and contact info of those you are going with. Instruct the person you leave the information with what to do if you are not back when you said you would be. Make sure you contact them when you get back or return home. I can't emphasize this enough. Many people who end up dying in the wilderness do so simply because no one knew where they were.
Check your paper map often especially in the wilderness to keep a perspective of where you are.
4 - Take a Paper Map
Yep, paper maps sound so old school. But GPS and mobile devices fail much more than the general public knows. So many people die because of blindly following their GPS that first responders often use the phrase, "Death by GPS." SO, take a paper of the area you are traveling to and through. An atlas works great for auto travel and a topography map is fantastic for wilderness adventures. Check your paper map often especially in the wilderness to keep a perspective of where you are. A paper map is your safety net. Don't leave home without one.5 - Drink Lots of Water
You need at least 3 liters of water per day. And your stomach is the best water carrier you have. So use if a make sure you are hydrated BEFORE you head out. Sure, you'll have to pee a lot but that's better than hitting the trail already dehydrated. Dehydration is a catalyst to may other physical issues, so start - and stay hydrated.6 - Check the Weather BEFORE You Go
This almost sounds stupid... but it's amazing how many people head out for a drive, a walk an adventure without being properly clothed or prepared for hot, cold, wet or windy situations. Since hypothermia and heat exhaustion account for the vast majority of outdoor related heath emergencies, HEED the weather. Don't ignore it. And make sure you dress appropriately with layers and additional clothing gear as appropriate. One day you will thank me.7 - Always Carry a Basic EDC Survival Kit & Training Guide
Always carry a basic survival kit, even if it is a small micro kit. Craig and I almost always carry an individual first aid kit also.