Safety
Staying Safe In the Forest
The most effective way to prevent mishaps is to adequately prepare
for the trip. Knowledge of the area, weather, terrain, limitations
of your body, plus a little common sense can help to ensure a safe
and enjoyable trip.
Sudden
Oak Death - An aggressive disease called "Sudden
Oak Death" (SOD) is killing our native oaks in many areas along
the California coast, including Big Sur.
Warning! Dead trees or trees weakened by Sudden Oak Death have
been known to topple suddenly and without warning. Be on the lookout,
when visiting coastal California for trees that for trees that may
be affected!
Beware of Yellow Jackets!
We have had several reports in recent weeks about swarms of stinging/biting
yellow jackets. These flying insects, also called "meat bees"
(and several other less flattering names), are quite common in the
forest. They can be very aggressive toward people, particularly
during the middle of their summer nesting season. They nest in the
ground. Sometimes the vibration from people hiking or riding nearby
is enough to stir them up. They have been known to pick out one
target from among several people. They can bite/sting repeatedly.
It hurts! Watch for concentrations close to the ground and try to
avoid them. The Forest Service does not remove yellow jacket nests
except when they are causing a problem in a highly developed recreation
facility. Otherwise, they are part of the backcountry experience!
Hunter Safety
The following rules apply when hunting in Los Padres National Forest:
- No discharging of a firearm within 150 yards of a dwelling
or other building, campground, recreation site or other occupied
area.
- No discharging of a firearm on or across a National Forest
System Road or a body of water adjacent thereto, or in any manner
or place whereby any person or property is exposed to injury or
damage as a result of such discharge.
- Hunting on private land requires permission from the landowner.
- All Federal, State and local laws apply to hunters on Federal
land.
Year-round Safety
- Please Be Safe Around the Water!·
- If you cannot swim, stay in very shallow water at the river's
edge.
- Always swim with a partner. Never swim alone.
- Supervise children at all times in and near the water. Remember:
there are no designated swimming areas or lifeguards in Los
Padres National Forest.
- Be aware of river hazards including deep pools, shallow
areas, uneven footing, immersed objects such as rocks and
vegetation, and strong currents.
- Never swim after consuming alcohol or using drugs.
- Do not use glass or other breakable containers in or near
the water. · Never jump or dive into the water. The water
may be shallower than it appears; there may be rocks or other
hazards under the surface that you cannot see.
- Do not slide down rocks into the water. You may lose control
and be seriously injured.
- Stay away from waterfalls. The rocks next to and under falls
can be slippery and loose.
- While rafting, tubing, kayaking, or engaging in other water
craft activities always wear a life vest and a helmet.
- Plan Ahead
- Plan your trip from start to finish at home.
- Use topographic map and trail guides.
- Check elevations and total distance to be traveled.
- Talk to people experienced in the area you will be visiting.
- Allow plenty of time for moving over hilly, rugged terrain.
- Carry a map and compass and know how to use them.
- Leave your itinerary with a friend or relative. Include
a full account of who is in your party, where you are going,
when you will be back, where you will exit, and the approximate
location of each overnight campsite.
- Stick to the planned route.
- Essentials :
The following items should be taken on trips into the wildernesses
and on day hikes.
- Sturdy boots, warm jacket and extra clothing
- Canteen and extra food
- Whistle
- Dark glasses, sunscreen and insect repellent
- Pocket knife
- Waterproof matches and candle for fire starter
- First aid kit
- Flashlight
- Map and compass
- Trowel for sanitation and fire
- Toilet paper
- Travel with a companion. You don't want to
be by yourself in case of an emergency. Tell someone where and
when you are going, when you expect to return, and how many individuals
are in your party.
- Be in good physical condition. Set a comfortable
pace as you hike. A group trip should be designed for the weakest
member of the group.
- Think about your footing while traveling near cliffs.
Trees and bushes can't always be trusted to hold you.
- Stay on developed trails or dry, solid rock areas with
good footing. Wear appropriate clothing for the trail
conditions and season.
- Check your equipment. Keep your equipment in
good working order. Inspect it before your trip. Do not wait until
you are at the trailhead.
- Be weather wise. Keep an eye on current and
predicted weather conditions. In this area, weather can change
very quickly. Know the signs for approaching storms or changing
weather conditions. Avoid bare ridge tops, exposed places, lone
trees, streams, and rocks during lightning storms. Find shelter
in a densely forested area at a lower elevation. Even in the summer,
exposure to wind and rain can result in hypothermia. Expect the
unexpected. Be prepared for extremes.
- Lightning. Sudden, unexpected mountain
storms are common during the summer, especially in the afternoons
and evenings. When there is lightening activity, avoid open
areas such as potreros, ridges and mountain tips. Stay away
from isolated trees. Find safe shelter among dense, small
trees at lower elevations, in a boulder field or a cave. If
this is not possible, lie down flat on the ground. In all
cases, remove metal frame backpacks and metal tent poles.
Summer thunderstorms may cause lightning fires. Be on the
lookout for smoke after a storm.
- Stream Crossing. Don't underestimate the
power of moving water. Stream crossings can be dangerous during
periods of high runoff. Even when water levels are low, sure
footing can be a problem on slippery moss and algae-covered
rocks.
- Winter Travel. Harsh winds, cold temperatures,
rain and snow can quickly turn a pleasant outing into a tragedy.
Knowledge of the area, weather and the limitations of your
body and equipment are essential.
- Hypothermia. The rapid loss of heat caused
by fatigue, wetness and exposure to the wind if the number
one killer of outdoor recreationists. It can happen at any
time in the high country. Symptoms include shivering, slurred
speech, memory lapse, fumbling hands lurching walk, drowsiness,
and finally unconsciousness.
Get the victim out of the wind and wet clothing. Restore body
temperature by placing the victim in a dry sleeping bog. Skin
to skin contact is the quickest way to restore temperature
and should be used in extreme cases. If the victim is conscious,
give him/her a warm drink and energy food.
- Learn basic first aid so you will know how
to identify and treat injuries and illnesses. Carry a first aid
kit with you. Learn how to identify the symptoms of heat exhaustion,
heat stroke, hypothermia, and dehydration, and know how to treat
them.
- Make camp before dark. Traveling after darkness
has resulted in many accidents from falls, so travel only during
daylight. Set up camp well away from the edge of cliffs, and learn
the terrain during daylight. If you have to leave camp after dark,
stay in areas you have seen in daylight, go with a friend, and
always use a good flashlight.
- Be alert for slippery areas and take your time
to avoid tripping. Low-hanging branches and variable terrains
make running unsafe, and leaves can hide slippery areas underneath.
- Alcohol and cliffs don't mix! If you drink,
stay away from the cliffs. Judgment, agility, and balance are
all reduced by alcohol consumption.
- Think before you drink! No matter how clean
or pure stream water looks, it's likely to contain water-borne
parasites and microorganisms that can cause discomfort and sometimes
serious illness. Pack your water in, or purify through chemical
treatment.
- Getting Lost. If you are lost, take it easy
and keep calm. Sit down and figure out where you are. Three of
anything(shouts, whistles, gunshots) are a signal of distress.
- Dehydration. Adults require two quarts of water
daily and up to four quarts at high elevations. To avoid dehydration,
simply drink liquids as often as you are thirsty. Water is scarce
in many portions of the Forest, so make sure you take along enough
water.
- Drinking Water. Even though mountain water
appears to be clear, cold an free-running, it should always be
treated before drinking or cooking. The recommended way to purify
water is to bring it to a rolling boil for at least five minutes.
- Keep Water Clean. Use biodegradable soaps and
keep wash water at least 200' from the water source.
- Dispose of human waste properly.
- Select a location 200' or more away from water.
- Dig a hole 8' deep.
- Cover wastes with loose soil then tamp in sod.
- Dig one latrine, even if there are several in your group.
-
Snakes. Several species of snakes inhabit
this area, however only rattlesnakes pose a threat. Although
rarely encountered by visitors, they may appear any time. Be
careful when hiking on rocks during the warmer months. Rocks
are favorite places for rattlesnakes, providing them with a
place to warm up in the sunshine and a quick retreat into the
crevices. If you meet up with a "rattler", give it
plenty of room and allow it to move out of your way.
- Insects. Mosquitoes, ticks and deer flies are
present and can be a nuisance. Ticks are known to transmit Lyme
Disease and rocky mountain Spotted Fever. An insect repellent
(with active ingredient DEET) is definitely a worthwhile addition
to your pack.
- Important Websites. Information on insect and
rodent-borne diseases that might be in our local backcountry.
- Mountain Lions - There have been
recent sitings of mountain lions on Santa Barbara
Front Country trails. Please familiarize yourself
with these safety tips at the California
Fish & Game site.
- Bears. Many black bears make their home in
the forest. They are most often found foraging for berries and
tubers in riparian areas. During the fall they move up to the
oak woodlands looking for acorns. Hungry bears will walk through
camps and pick up packs and food bags, ripping them apart if they
smell food. If the bears become accustomed to obtaining food from
backpackers, they will develop a habit of approaching humans.
In order to avoid confrontations, we urge the following steps.
- Do not approach any bear, especially a cub. Do not feed
bears or try to retrieve food from them.
- Keep your camp clean and and counterbalance everything that
has an odor, including soap, toothpaste and freeze-dried food
- Leave packs empty on the ground with all zippers and flaps
open so that visiting bears can nose through them without
doing any damage.
- If a bear approaches your camp, make noise to try to scare
the bear away. If the bear does not retreat, you should.
- Pack out any trash. Never bury it. Bears will dig up trash,
including empty cans.
- Report any bear damage to the Ranger.
Winter Safety
- Call before your trip to obtain current road and snow conditions.
Call Caltrans at (800) 427-7623 or visit their website http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/hi.htm
for conditions.
- Leave your itinerary with a friend or family member. Don’t
travel alone. Take a good map.
- Wear layered clothing, gloves, a warm hat and footwear
suited to wet and rugged terrain.
- Carry blankets, dry clothing, extra food and water, a flashlight,
first aid kit, matches and a shovel in the trunk of your car.
- Make sure your tire chains fit properly and that you know
how to install them. Make sure your wiper blades work. Fill
up the gas tank.
- Watch for heavy, slow-moving traffic. Don’t pass cars
except in passing lanes. Always park off of the traveled portion
of the road where you are not blocking traffic or other roadways.
- Watch for ice on the road, particularly in late afternoon
shadows. Beware of “black ice” - pavement that
looks clear but is glazed over with ice.
- Be careful when hiking or walking in snow and icy areas.
Watch your footing.
- When sledding or tubing, be sure you have a safe place to
stop with plenty of distance between you and trees, parked
cars and other people.
- If you become lost or injured, stay calm and dry, and shelter
yourself from the elements if you can. Do not wander from
your planned route. Use your cell phone to call 911, but don’t
rely on your cell phone to summon help. Cell phones don’t
work in many areas of the forest.
Other tips for snow play :
- There is a lot of private land inside Los Padres National
Forest in the Mt. Pinos Ranger District near the communities
of Lebec, Frazier Park, Lake-of-the-Woods, Pinyon Pines and
Pine Mountain Club. Respect private property. Do not park
your vehicle or play on private property.
- Figueroa Mountain has less private land, but respect the
private land that is in the area.
- Use the trash receptacles provided; better yet, take your
trash home with you.
- Be sure to display your National Forest Adventure Pass,
Golden Eagle Pass, Golden Age Pass, or Golden Access Pass
on your vehicle if you are parked within the national forest
while recreating. This applies for all types of recreating,
both summer and winter.
|
|