Summer is a popular time to get out and explore our surroundings. Here in the Four Corners, we are fortunate to have many beautiful and unique places to hike. If you’re planning to go hiking this summer, here are some safety tips from San Juan Regional Medical Center’s Vern Lyautey, who happens to be the President of the New Mexico Badlands Search and Rescue team and a Type 3 Field Coordinator with New Mexico State Police Search and Rescue.
1. Plan your hike
a. Draw your route out on a map
b. Check the weather
c. Stick to your plan
“Most of the time when people don’t stick to their hiking plan is when they get lost and that is what you are trying not to do,” Lyautey said.
2. Share your plan
a. Let somebody know where you are going and when you will be back
b. Leave a copy of your hiking plan and your map with your route drawn on it
“That way if you are not back by the time you said you would be, they can call search and rescue and tell them you are missing,” Lyautey said.
3. Pack properly
a. You need food, water, a first aid kit, fire starter kit, space blanket, a jacket
“Here in New Mexico we can have 80 degree days down to 30 degree nights, so you need something to keep you warm,” Lyautey explained.
b. A spare set of socks
c. A whistle
“If you get lost you can blow the whistle if you hear somebody,” Lyautey said. “It’s a lot easier than having to scream or holler, especially if you are out of water and have a dry throat.”
d. If you’re hiking with dogs, bring food and water for them
e. GPS with extra batteries, a compass, map
f. Flashlight with extra batteries
g. Power pack for your cell phone
“We all use our phones to take pictures, we often use a phone for our GPS for our maps. We trust our phones way too much in my opinion. Take a power pack that will give you at least two full charges for your phone and the proper cord to go from that power pack to charge your phone. That way you have a way to communicate,” Lyautey said.
What to do if you get lost
If you happen to get lost, the first thing you should do is find a place to sit down and calm down, preferably by a tree. Stay hydrated and call or text 911 if you have cell phone service.
“You need to make sure you call 911 before it gets dark. Its easier to find people in the daylight than in the dark,” Lyautey explained. “Be prepared to wait until search and rescue finds you. You may be found by a K9 team, or a helicopter which we use quite a bit, a drone, a ground team or even another hiker passing by you.”
If you are interested in search and rescue, there are many ways you can help. Teams are always looking for people to hide so K9 teams or ground teams can practice searching. You can also join a search and rescue team. If you would like more information call 505-793-4678.
“We have a wonderful world out there with many things to explore, we just need to be safe while we are exploring it. Help others when you find them and be helpful to each other,” Lyautey said.