Wilderness Safety Tips

Make safety a priority when playing outdoors. Follow these tips on how to handle everything from heat exhaustion to getting lost.
Walking Well: A Guide to First-Aid Preparation for the Trail

Thankfully, major injuries on the trail are rare, but when they do happen it's important to be prepared. Here are some guidelines for building an e...

Safe Backcountry HikingRetired Park Rangers Give Advice

From what to keep in your first-aid kit to knowing when to hug a tree, here's how to stay safe in the backcountry.

Traveler, Heal Thyself

Accidents happen, sometimes far from home. The first step in first aid is having the right tools--and knowing how to use them.

Understanding Heat Exhaustion

A six-mile hike turned desperate for this New Yorker. Now he wants to help you plan ahead, recognize the warning signs of heat exhaustion, and lear...

Encountering Wildlife After Dark

Don't let rustling leaves alarm you. Here's how to turn your evening stroll into a wildlife viewing opportunity.

What You Should Know About Poison Oak, Ivy and Sumac

This trio of nasty and nagging plants can ruin any outdoor adventure. Find out how to identify and avoid the plants, and if necessary, treat an all...

Safety in the California Outdoors

Learn how to handle some of California's naturally occurring hazards: snake and spider bites, scorpion and bee stings, waterborne illnesses, altitu...

Worst-Case Scenarios: How to Handle Them

One thing hinders elite and non-elite athletes alike, and that's Murphy's Law. If anything can go wrong, it will--sometimes calamitously, sometimes...