The outdoors is undeniably awesome. It boosts our creativity, revitalizes us, moderates depression, and allows us to spend some quiet time alone with our thoughts.

But in our fairy tale romance with the outdoors, a key point is often overlooked: nature is an asshole.

People are consumed with the notion of “Mother Nature” as a healing, nurturing, kind-hearted being.

NOPE. Not even close.

Nature is unforgiving, unrelenting, and unrepentant. It doesn’t give a damn whether you make it back home or you don’t, and your lousy “Earth Day Everyday” tie-dyed t-shirt will get you zilch.

Luckily, most of our country’s millions of outdoor enthusiasts are aware of this point, and they remain well-behaved during their outings. However, there’s always someone who fails to abide by the rules and lands themselves in trouble.

Now, let’s be realistic: you can’t possibly foresee every freak occurrence or potentially bizarre encounter you might have outdoors. And sometimes, despite all of your preparation, you may become injured and unable to return to safety without aid. That’s totally understandable.

But unfortunately, most people requiring rescue either did not prepare for their outing properly, overestimated their abilities, or did not follow the rules. THOSE situations are completely avoidable by employing some common sense tips when you head outside.

First and foremost, recognize that the rules apply to you

And yes, I mean YOU.

The rules don’t just apply to every other dumb bastard out there. They apply to everyone. And that includes you.

Because they aren’t only in place to protect the fragile systems, plants, or animals that you encounter. They’re also in place to protect you from yourself.

You won’t always know (or fully appreciate) the dangers that will result from your actions, so they’ve tried to make it easy for you by posting rules and blazing trails. And…expecting you to have common sense.

So unless you encounter some apocalyptic emergency necessitating that you blatantly disregard those rules, please follow them.

Take an honest assessment of your physical fitness

And when I say honest, I mean honest. Just you and yourself. If you kid yourself into tackling something that your body isn’t ready to handle, you may find yourself in a sticky predicament that you could have avoided.

Unlike the treadmill or a walk around the neighborhood, once you are start a hike or canoe trip, you’re committed, and there’s no easy way off that ride. So be sure you feel that you can complete a trip once you start. If have any doubts and genuine uncertainties once you begin, there is no shame in turning around and trying again another time.

If despite your best efforts you find yourself in a challenging position, certainly call for help if you need it. But your best bet to avoid being in that position is to be honest with yourself upfront about what you can handle.

Start simple

If you’ve never spent much time outdoors and aren’t sure what you can handle, maybe don’t tackle Katahdin or a solo canoe trip in the Everglades on your first shot. Try simple, shorter trips to build your confidence and stamina

Bring a friend or tell someone where you are going

Bringing a friend who is more experienced outdoors is a great way to build your confidence and learn some tips and tricks to enjoy outdoor activities. If you don’t bring a friend along, make sure that you leave clear instructions with someone about where you are going, where you parked, how long you expect to be there, and when you expect to return. Also be sure to check in with them when you get home so they know that you are safe.

Check the weather forecast

And by “check the forecast,” I don’t mean look out the window. The weather can change quickly, and it’s important to be aware of the full forecast for the day and evening. Pay special attention to cold fronts approaching with heavy winds, cooler temperatures, and chances of snow or thunderstorms.  Also be aware that if you are climbing to a peak, it’s going to be much cooler and windier there, so be sure to bring extra layers.

Bring a map or grab one at the trailhead

In this age of technology, it’s easy to rely on smartphones and other gear to get us where we need to be with the a priori expectation that we can rely on them to bail us out if needed. But relying on technology can prove challenging when remote areas offer little or no signal, if you lose or damage your phone along the way, or if your battery becomes drained.

Always review a map ahead of time to think about the route you want to take, and print or grab a hard copy so you have it on hand during your trip. Also remember to bring a compass, and be familiar with how to use it.

Also, if rain or drizzle is in the forecast, consider bringing a sheet protector or Ziploc bag to house the map. Once that map gets wet, it’s effectively useless. Housing it under plastic will keep it dry and easy to read when you need it most.

Consider a guided hike, kayak, or canoe ride to get your bearings

If you are new to the outdoors, and you feel wary or uncertain about where to start, you can always join a guided hike or paddling service. The National Park Service offers some guided hikes on some of their properties, as do nonprofit organizations. You can also check with your local outdoor gear shop to see if they offer guided hikes or can recommend a private guide who they trust.

Consider switching out cotton in favor of quick-wicking fabric 

Cotton is one of the most popular fabrics around, but when it gets wet, it stays wet. As a result, any perspiration, rain or other water that it takes on may take hours to dry.

Until it dries, it will be uncomfortable at best, and in the winter it can become downright dangerous by trapping wet clothing against your body. You can find quick-wicking fabric in most shops that sell athletic wear – even at Target and TJMaxx – so you can easily find options that are affordable.

Ditch the earbuds 

First, you’ll miss a huge part of the outdoor experience by blocking out its sounds. Second, you can inadvertently put yourself in danger if you can’t hear someone coming up behind you, a branch crashing through the trees, an impending thunderstorm, or an animal giving you audible warning signals to back off. So do yourself a favor and leave the earbuds at home.

Similarly, even if your phone has the ability to play music, it’s poor form to use it outdoors. It impacts the experience of others around you, who may be watching wildlife, listening to birdsongs, and enjoying the relative quiet.

As a fellow recreationist, I can tell you that it is thoroughly irritating to be assaulted with someone’s thrash metal, hardcore rap, or Rush Limbaugh ranting while I am trying to find a little peace outdoors. So please be considerate and keep the music off while you are sharing space with others.

Hiking or Trekking poles are highly recommended

This point is particularly true if you aren’t certain how your knees will hold up during a hike, as they offer extra leverage both while ascending and descending a mountain. I like the collapsible poles best, because it’s easier to throw them in your pack when you no longer need them, or to travel with them in your luggage.

For the love of all that is holy, please wear appropriate footwear

If you’re planning to hit the trails, be sure to choose sturdy footwear like hiking boots or a cross-training shoe with  solid tread. They not only offer better ankle support, but they also give you better traction when navigating rocky outcrops. Though they are often comfortable, shoes like Tevas, flip-flops or Crocs are not a good choice for the trails.

If you’ll be in a canoe or kayak, you’ll want to choose something sturdy but lightweight. Outdoor gear stores often sell footwear specifically designed with those activities in mind.

Carry in – Carry out

If you are new to the scene, you can familiarize yourself with proper outdoor ethics by with by visiting the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Their seven principles are an important part of minding your manners and maximizing both your experience and the experience of others around you.

Don’t move firewood

If you are planning a camping trip, please do not bring firewood from home. Though you might feel that using your own firewood would save you money, it can have a significant negative impact on local forests.

When you haul wood from one site to another, you take with it the potential to introduce new pathogens and invasive pests to that area. So please be mindful of the impact that you can have on the world around you and plan to purchase firewood on-site.

Always bring extra food and water 

Water is non-negotiable on any hike. I typically bring at least one liter even on a short jaunt, just in case I find myself in trouble. Lack of food can make you cranky, but lack of water can lead to a medical emergency in a much shorter period of time.

When it comes to choosing snacks, foods rich in protein and carbohydrates are best because they pack the most energy to fuel your body. If you’re out for more than an hour, particularly if it’s warm out, consider bringing some salty snacks to maintain your electrolyte levels.

Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal preference, but easily portable options include bananas, apples, oranges, grapes, cherries, carrots, hummus (aseptic-packaging best), pretzels, protein bars, and the ever popular PB&J.

Raw nuts, dried fruit, and trail mix are also an option, and they may be a good choice if you’re on a longer trek. But it’s easy to consume a large amount of them without feeling satisfied, and their high-fat and sugar content can lead to GI upset in some people. So if you’re not used to them, proceed with caution.

That said…beware of new snacks 

When you are packing snacks for your trip, make sure you stick to familiar favorites. Unless you have a cast-iron stomach, now is not the time to be experimenting with something new to your digestive system.

You may recall that similar advice is offered to runners and triathletes before a race – and with good reason. Foods that your body isn’t accustomed to digesting might make for a memorable trip, but not for the reasons you’ll be hoping.

Check for ticks…and do it often 

Lyme disease is no joke, and there are a number of other tick-borne illnesses that can wreak havoc on your body. Ticks are more abundant in some areas than others, and they are most concerning when you have rubbed up against vegetation.

You can’t always avoid ticks, but you can spot them more easily by wearing long pants and light-colored clothing. Also be sure to check for ticks often. You don’t have to be obsessive, but be mindful to stop and check every so often to catch them while they’re still easy to find. And once you get home, be sure to do a final check and shower as soon as possible.

Importantly, you also don’t need to be afraid of “chemicals.” DEET and Permethrin are heavily touted for a reason – and that’s because they’re effective. And in the amounts that you would be using them, they are not a danger to your health. It’s all about the dose, and unless you’re planning to bathe in them daily, or drink a whole canister, the risks are minimal – especially in comparison to the risks associated with an embedded tick.

Keep in mind that DEET is a repellent, and you apply it in a fine mist to your skin and clothing. Permethrin, on the other hand, is an insecticide, and should only be applied to your clothing. If you are not certain how to use it, check out these tips for how to treat your clothing.

Lint rollers to the rescue

Also worth noting, I have learned to keep a lint roller in my pack to swipe for ticks. I wouldn’t rely on it as a guarantee, but if you’re by yourself or wore dark pants, it can be a helpful tool to pick up a straggler that you may not have seen.

Beware of hairy vines and leaves of three 

The old saying “leaves of three, let them be” is sage advice. There are other plants that have leaves of three, or that you might mistake for having leaves of three, but if you can’t identify them yet, it’s best to play it safe.

Also be aware that poison ivy often grows as a “hairy”-looking vine along the trunk of a tree. Again, when in doubt, leave it alone. If you aren’t certain how to identify poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac, visit Virginia Tech’s site to view photos and tips for identifying them.

Don’t be a knucklehead 

If you see a wild animal, always respect its space. You can observe wildlife from a distance, but remember that you are in their house. So mind your manners. Do not approach it. Do not try to pet it. Do not chase it while trying to take a photo to impress your Instagram followers. Whatever it is you might be thinking, just…don’t.

Animals can be unpredictable and dangerous when they are given no other option, so don’t be an asshole by provoking a reaction that you will undoubtedly have an embarrassing or tragic end.

Stay on the trail 

Trails are there for a reason, and they are the best way to get from point A to point B safely. And not only do they keep nature safe from you, but they keep you safe from nature.

Going off-trail also increases your chances of getting lost, which is invariably a bad situation for hikers and rescuers alike. So stick to the trails to enjoy the safest trip possible.

If you have a burning desire to get off-trail, the best option is to contact the nonprofit or agency that owns the land to see if they have opportunities for you to volunteer. In that case, you might help maintain current trails, build new trails, monitor boundaries, or even participate in research or citizen science projects. Opportunities vary, but they are the most responsible way of enjoying the world outside the trails.

Whatever happens, don’t panic

You may see alligators, snakes, bear or moose. You may get disoriented. Whatever happens while you are outdoors, be sure to stay calm and collected. Panicking will only lead you to make desperate or foolish decisions, and it may leave you running in circles. When in doubt, stay put until you can collect yourself. If you feel lost, look for trail markers and note their color and shape – then check them against your map. Listen for traffic or other voices. Use your compass to help you determine direction. If you forgot it, note where the sun is located and remember that it rises in the east and sets in the west.

If despite these actions you still feel hopelessly lost or afraid, you can always call for help. But once you make that decision, you will need to stay put – unless advised otherwise by rescue personnel- so that they aren’t searching for a moving target.

Bottomline

The outdoors undoubtedly presents its share of challenges, but enjoying it can provide substantial benefits. As long as you are smart, honest, and prepared, you will be ready to enjoy all it has to offer.