1. Always keep your distance from bears, you should never try to seek out a bear in the wild doing so could prove deadly.
2. Make noise when hiking can help you to avoid accidentally sneaking up on a bear. Make noise, sing, talk loudly, or wear a bell when hiking in bear country.
3. If you spot a bear and the bear is unaware of you, back away slowly and quietly and get the heck out of there.
4. If you see a bear when hiking and it has noticed you, shouting is usually enough to scare it away. If shouting fails to scare it off, back away slowly. NEVER turn your back to a bear, doing so can kick in the bears natural predator instincts. Bears run faster than 30 mph, you have no chance of outrunning one.
5. Bears have an awesome sense of smell! When camping, use bear resistant containers and make sure you store food away from your campsite. Never leave food in your tent, doing so could attract an unwanted visitor when you are most vulnerable
6. Never come in between a cub and it’s a mother.
7. Carrying pepper spray is a good idea when walking through bear country.
8. Wearing a pack, even when day hiking, can provide some space between you and a bear. (Keep in mind I said space NOT PROTECTION)
9. Throw something onto the ground if the bear pursues you, it may be distracted by what you threw and allow you to escape.
10. Do not cook or store food in or near your tent.
11. Check with the area Ranger Station for current bear sightings, locations, and any tips that they have.
12. Bears are Wild Animals, They can be unpredictable and even the best tips may fail when it comes to dealing with a wild animal. In Bear Country (of course if the law allows) Carrying a Gun may also be a wise option.

These are tips And meant to be treated as that, remember Bears are wild animals and capable of doing serious harm to you, don’t ever go out looking for bears!

So what should you do if you encounter a Mountain Lion?

1. To avoid attack, always keep children and teenagers close by. Mountain Lions are attracted to children so don’t let them wonder of to far away. They see the children as a small prey animal and are sometimes tempted to attack.
2. Make noise when your hiking, this will help to ensure that you don’t walk up on a unsuspecting lion. If a Mountain Lion hears you approaching, more often than not it will slip away into the brush to avoid a confrontation.
3. If you come upon a lion give it plenty of space so it can escape and get away. Make your self look Big and DO NOT RUN. The lion will more that likely leave without any kind of confrontation.
4. If you are attacked FIGHT LIKE HELL! Unlike with bear attacks, experts say that you should fight back when attacked by a Mountain Lion. Kick, Gouge its eyes, Hit it in the face, do anything you can to make the lion rethink its attack. If you try to pretend you are dead a lion will more than likely keep attacking.
5. Try to use Large sticks, rocks or any other weapon you can find to defend yourself.
6. Stand your ground, stand tall, and pick up children that are with you. Don’t ever try to run, doing so will kick in the animals natural hunting response. If you run it will chase!
7. Bear Pepper Spray is also useful against mountain lions. If you have some it can be sprayed at the lions nose and eyes.
8. Never squat or bend over, research shows that when a human bends over that mountain lions can mistake a person for a four legged prey.

What can you do to prevent Heat Exhaustion?

1. Stay Hydrated – Make sure you are drinking enough water. Do NOT drink alcohol. Alcohol can help bring on heat exhaustion or make it worse. Make sure you are drinking fluids every 15 to 20 minutes
2. Dress – Wearing the proper clothes can be a big help. When hiking in the heat make sure you are wearing appropriate clothing for the area. Wide Brim Hats, vented shirts and bandannas can all help to keep you cool. Try to wear lightweight, light colored, loose fitting clothes.
3. Rest – Don’t over do it. Find a cool shady place and take some time to get out of the sun.

What are the Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion?

1. Weakness
2. Raised body temperature
3. Headache and confusion
4. Dizziness
5. Muscle weakness
6. Cramp like pains
7. Nausea and vomiting
8. Fainting
9. Worried feeling
10. Fast heartbeat or weak pulse
11. Dehydration

What to do if you get Heat Exhaustion

1. Have the person drink plenty of fluids, Electrolyte drinks can also help.
2. Reduce the body temperature with a cold compress or a cold wet bandana around the neck. Sitting in cool water can also help
3. Rest until your body temperature goes down.
4. Heat Exhaustion can quickly turn into heat stroke which can be deadly. If your condition does not get better or you are starting to get worse seek emergency medical attention as soon as possible.

A Good kit Should Include:

1. Butterfly sutures.
2. Floss or Fishing String – for emergency suture
3. Sterile needles
4. Gauze
5. Antibiotic Ointments
6. Antibiotics
7. Surgical blades.
8. Aspirin & Ibuprofen
9. First Aid Guide
10. Splints
11. Tweezers
12. Scissors
13. Finger Nail Clipper
14. ovidone-Iodine ampules
15. surgical tape – 1 roll
16. Adhesive dressing
17. Disposable thermometers
18. Disposable gloves
19. Antihistamine cream
20. 1 triangular bandage
21. 100 assorted adhesive plasters
22. 1 eye dressing
23. small bottle sterile eyewash
24. re hydration solution
25. 1 tube sun block
26. Insect repellent
27. Codeine phosphate etc.
28. 1 bottle alcohol
29. 1 burn dressing (large)
30. 1st aid manual

What do you have in your kit?