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Daniel Boone
National Forest
1700 Bypass Road
Winchester, KY 40391
Phone: 859-745-3100
FAX: 859-744-1568
Safety
As a visitor to our national forest, you will find many opportunities to enjoy and explore nature’s creations. Many unforeseen dangers present unpredictable challenges, but you can take steps to make sure your visit is a safe one.
Please remember that your safety is your responsibility.
The following sections will allow you to examine safety challenges and additional links that will offer extended exploration of the topics.
About Wild Animals...
Our national forests provide habitat for wild animals, including dangerous animals like bears and venomous snakes. Wild animals can be upset by human presence and can unexpectedly become aggressive. Do not give them a reason or an opportunity to attack. Always keep your distance. Your safety is your responsibility.
Do not depend on a cell phone to help you in an emergency.
Cell phone coverage is very patchy in parts of the forest. There may be a chance to reach a cell site by climbing to a ridge top. From the backcountry, report only serious emergencies by calling 911.
Make sure to state who you are, your specific location and the other information. Knowledge of one's location is vital to the success of any rescue. Also, provide your cell phone number so you can be called back; don't move if they are planning to return a call. Sometimes just a foot or two makes a difference in getting a call through to a cell phone in the forest.
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
Accidents happen. Knowing where you might need to go in case of an emergency is important in preparing for any trip.
All travel and recreation activities pose a certain degree of risk to the participants. Orienting yourself to local emergency facilities before you travel can help prevent confusion and save precious time in the event of an accident or medical emergency.
Remain Calm. Call 911.
In the case of a medical emergency where immediate help is required, Call 911. Emergency operators will dispatch necessary personnel to assist you. Be prepared to give them the phone number you are calling from, the victim's location, the nature of the injury or accident and information about the victim or victims and their status.
Stay on the line and do not hang up! If possible, have someone help guide emergency personnel to the victim's location by making themselves visible near the entrance or crossroads to the location.
Remember that the Forest is remote. Emergency response times will be longer than those in an urban setting. It is a good idea to always carry First Aid supplies and be certified by your local American Red Cross in Advanced First Aid and CPR.
"When all the dangerous cliffs are fenced off, all the trees that might fall on people are cut down, all of the insects that bite are poisoned...all of the grizzlies are dead because they are occasionally dangerous, the wilderness will not be made safe. Rather, the safety will have destroyed the wilderness."
- R. Yorke Edwards (Canadian environmentalist)
Title: Safety
Last Updated:
August 14, 2008
