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Tips & Tricks

Frostbite

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We’ve talked about hypothermia before (check that post out on our website) but let’s not forget her sister condition: frostbite. Frostbite, or injury caused by freezing, usually affects the extremities—nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes. It can cause permanent damage and, in severe cases, result in amputation.
When out in the cold, keep an eye out for the symptoms of frostbite: beginning with redness or pain, skin may move to being white or grayish, feeling unusually firm, and feeling numb. The signs are subtle, but important, so watch out for yourself and your companions. If you notice signs of frostbite on yourself or someone else, move to a warm area and heat the skin with body heat (ex putting fingers in armpit) or warm water, but be careful—it’s very easy to accidentally burn areas experience numbness. Avoid distressing affected areas by walking on affected feet/toes or massaging extremities to warm them, which might cause additional damage. Most importantly, seek medical attention and watch out for the even more dangerous condition of hypothermia.
How to prevent frostbite? Be prepared for cold weather! Dress appropriately if you’re heading out, even in your car—you never know if you may break down and need to wait for help to arrive. Limit your time outside in especially cold and wet or windy weather. Protect your vulnerable extremities with hats, headbands, mittens (which hold heat better than gloves), face coverings like masks or scarfs, socks, and shoes with good water resistence.
Stay safe, stay warm, and have a wonderful winter!

Nous avons déjà parlé d’hypothermie (consultez cet article sur notre site Web) mais n’oublions pas la maladie de sa sœur: les engelures. Les engelures, ou blessures causées par le gel, affectent généralement les extrémités – nez, oreilles, joues, menton, doigts et orteils. Cela peut causer des dommages permanents et, dans les cas graves, entraîner une amputation.

Par temps froid, surveillez les symptômes des engelures: en commençant par des rougeurs ou des douleurs, la peau peut devenir blanche ou grisâtre, se sentir anormalement ferme et engourdie. Les signes sont subtils, mais importants, alors faites attention à vous et à vos compagnons. Si vous remarquez des signes de gelure sur vous-même ou sur quelqu’un d’autre, déplacez-vous dans une zone chaude et chauffez la peau avec de la chaleur corporelle (ex. Mettre les doigts dans l’aisselle) ou de l’eau chaude, mais soyez prudent – il est très facile de brûler accidentellement des zones engourdies. Évitez de gêner les zones touchées en marchant sur les pieds / orteils affectés ou en massant les extrémités pour les réchauffer, ce qui pourrait causer des dommages supplémentaires. Plus important encore, consultez un médecin et faites attention à la condition encore plus dangereuse de l’hypothermie.

Comment prévenir les engelures? Soyez prêt pour le froid! Habillez-vous convenablement si vous partez, même dans votre voiture – vous ne savez jamais si vous risquez de tomber en panne et devez attendre que de l’aide arrive. Limitez votre temps à l’extérieur par temps particulièrement froid et humide ou venteux. Protégez vos extrémités vulnérables avec des chapeaux, des bandeaux, des mitaines (qui retiennent mieux la chaleur que des gants), des revêtements faciaux comme des masques ou des écharpes, des chaussettes et des chaussures avec une bonne résistance à l’eau.

Restez en sécurité, restez au chaud et passez un hiver merveilleux!

Trip Planning

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As we try and get outside in these final days before the snow arrives, don’t forget to trip plan! Answer these brief questions and leave the information with someone you trust; this preparation will let us know where to begin a search if you don’t return when you plan to.
WHO? For each person in your party include names, physical description, and clothing description, as well as gear you’re carrying, training and experience, and any medical conditions.
WHEN? Note when you are leaving and when you plan to return.
WHY? Record how you’ll be traveling and what your purpose is; for example, a day hike, ATV trip, or backwoods camping.
WHERE? Include all specific locations you plan visit and your intended route.
WHAT? Make a list of any supplies you’re bringing so searchers know what to look for and can determine what kind of weather and terrain you’re prepared for.
HOW? Don’t forget to note how you are travelling to and from the start and end points of your trip; for example, if you’re leaving your vehicle, or having someone pick you up.
Ideally, your outdoor expedition will go exactly as planned, but in an emergency, a trip plan will help our team find you and bring you home safely. For more information, check out the AdventureSmart trip plan brochure and sample trip plan form at https://www.adventuresmart.ca/land/survive-plan.htm
Alors que nous essayons de sortir ces derniers jours avant l’arrivée de la neige, n’oubliez pas de planifier votre voyage! Répondez à ces brèves questions et laissez l’information à une personne de confiance; cette préparation nous permettra de savoir par où commencer une recherche si vous ne revenez pas au moment prévu.
QUI? Pour chaque personne de votre groupe, incluez les noms, la description physique et la description des vêtements, ainsi que l’équipement que vous portez, la formation et l’expérience, ainsi que toute condition médicale.
QUAND? Notez quand vous partez et quand vous prévoyez de revenir.
POURQUOI? Notez comment vous voyagerez et quel est votre but; par exemple, une randonnée d’une journée, un voyage en VTT ou un camping dans les bois.
OÙ? Incluez tous les endroits spécifiques que vous prévoyez de visiter et votre itinéraire prévu.
QUELLE? Faites une liste de toutes les fournitures que vous apportez afin que les chercheurs sachent quoi rechercher et puissent déterminer le type de temps et de terrain pour lequel vous êtes prêt.
COMMENT? N’oubliez pas de noter comment vous voyagez vers et depuis les points de départ et d’arrivée de votre voyage; par exemple, si vous quittez votre véhicule ou si quelqu’un vient vous chercher.
Idéalement, votre expédition en plein air se déroulera exactement comme prévu, mais en cas d’urgence, un plan de voyage aidera notre équipe à vous trouver et à vous ramener à la maison en toute sécurité. Pour plus d’informations, consultez la brochure de plan de voyage AdventureSmart et un exemple de formulaire de plan de voyage à https://www.adventuresmart.ca/land/survive-plan.htm

Hypothermia Dangers in Transitional Weather

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You may think of hypothermia only occurs in the depths of winter, but the reality is that it’s a true danger in spring and fall as the weather changes. It may be above 20 degrees in the afternoon as you head outside—perfect for shorts and a tee-shirt, but leaving you unprepared for when the temperature drops as the sun goes down.
The majority of hypothermia cases occur when people are working or playing outdoors in any season. In times with transitional weather, hikers may become victim to hypothermia because they neglect to plan for the weather and dress accordingly.
Vous pensez peut-être que l’hypothermie ne se produit que dans les profondeurs de l’hiver, mais la réalité est que c’est un vrai danger au printemps et à l’automne lorsque le temps change. Il peut être au-dessus de 20 degrés dans l’après-midi lorsque vous vous dirigez vers l’extérieur—parfait pour des culottes courtes et chandails manches courtes, mais vous laissant mal préparé lorsque la température baisse au coucher du soleil.
La majorité des cas d’hypothermie surviennent lorsque des personnes travaillent ou jouent à l’extérieur en toute saison. En période de transition, les randonneurs peuvent être victimes d’hypothermie parce qu’ils négligent de prévoir la météo et de s’habiller en conséquence.

MORE Poisonous Plants to Watch Out for in New Brusnwick

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Do you know how to recognize common hazardous plants in New Brusnwick? Our beautiful province is blooming—make sure you know which plants are safe, and which to stay away from. For more information, see: http://www.invadingspecies.com/giant-hogweed/ http://www.invadingspecies.com/wild-parsnip/

Savez-vous comment reconnaître les plantes dangereuses courantes au Nouveau-Brunswick? Notre belle province fleurit—assurez-vous de savoir quelles plantes sont saines et quelles plantes éviter. Pour plus d’informations, voir: http://www.invadingspecies.com/giant-hogweed/ http://www.invadingspecies.com/wild-parsnip/

Hiking Packs

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Last week we shared some recommendations for food to carry with you when you adventure into the woods. This week we’d like to share a little bit more about what our searchers carry in their packs.

We follow the guidelines of the Ten Essentials: map, compass, sunglasses and sunscreen, extra clothing, headlamp or flashlight, first-aid supplies, firestarter, matches, knife, and extra food. The idea behind the Ten Essentials is to ensure hikers can be prepared for the unexpected; to be equipped to spend a night or more outside, and to respond effectively to an emergency.

When searchers go into the woods they are carry these and more in order to take care of themselves and our subject. Each searcher maintains their own pack to suit their needs and skills. Members with advance medical training might have a more elaborate first aid kit, other members have been known to pack in enough food for a week. Regardless, our team always does our best to be prepared to take care of ourselves and our subject when we head out on a search. For more information, stay tuned for later in the week when Dave Northrup shows off the pack he carries with him on searches!

La semaine dernière, nous avons partagé quelques recommandations de nourriture à emporter avec vous lorsque vous vous aventurez dans les bois. Cette semaine, nous aimerions partager un peu plus sur ce que nos chercheurs portent dans leurs sacs à dos.

Nous suivons les directives des Dix Essentiels: carte, boussole, lunettes de soleil et crème solaire, vêtements supplémentaires, lampe frontale ou lampe de poche, fournitures de premiers soins, allume-feu, allumettes, couteau et nourriture supplémentaire. L’idée derrière les Dix Essentiels est de s’assurer que les randonneurs peuvent être préparés à l’inattendu; être équipé pour passer une nuit ou plus à l’extérieur, et pour répondre efficacement à une urgence.

Lorsque les chercheurs vont dans les bois, ils les portent et plus encore pour prendre soin d’eux-mêmes et de notre sujet. Chaque chercheur maintient son propre pack en fonction de ses besoins et de ses compétences. Les membres ayant une formation médicale avancée pourraient avoir une trousse de premiers soins plus élaborée, d’autres membres sont connus pour emballer suffisamment de nourriture pendant une semaine. Quoi qu’il en soit, notre équipe fait toujours de notre mieux pour être prête à prendre soin de nous et de notre sujet lorsque nous partons à la recherche. Pour plus d’informations, restez à l’écoute plus tard dans la semaine lorsque Dave Northrup montrera le sac qu’il porte avec lui lors des recherches!

Hiking Snacks

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When our team is out in the woods we are always sure to take nutrious snacks so that we keep our bodies fueled and our energy up. If you’re planning to head out hiking or camping, you may be wondering what kinds of food to bring with you, and we have some recommendations.

How long you’re planning on being out will determine how much perishable food you bring with you; fresh foods like fruit and vegetables, along with cheese and dried meats, are great snacks, but have a limited period in which they can be safely consumed. Snacks that do not need to be refridgerated and have a longer shelf life, like nuts and nut butters, crackers and granola bars, and dried fruits and trail mixes, are great for longer hikes. If you’ll be camping or spending more than a few hours out in the woods and need to carry your food on you, there are lots of great packaged and DIY options available—”instant” items such as minute rice, freeze-dried beans, and boxed mashed potatoes make great bases for hot meals.

Overall, it’s best to focus on calorie dense and nutritious options so that you can carry enough food to sustain you without adding unnecessary weight to your pack. For more information, check out https://www.adventurealan.com/best-backpacking-food/

Lorsque notre équipe est dans les bois, nous sommes toujours sûrs de prendre des collations nutritives afin de garder notre corps alimenté et notre énergie. Si vous prévoyez de partir en randonnée ou en camping, vous vous demandez peut-être quels types de nourriture apporter, et nous avons quelques recommandations.

Combien de temps vous prévoyez de sortir déterminera la quantité de denrées périssables que vous apportez avec vous; les aliments frais comme les fruits et légumes, ainsi que le fromage et les viandes séchées, sont d’excellentes collations, mais ont une période limitée pendant laquelle ils peuvent être consommés en toute sécurité. Les collations qui n’ont pas besoin d’être réfrigérées et qui ont une durée de conservation plus longue, comme les noix et les beurres de noix, les craquelins et les barres granola, ainsi que les fruits secs et les mélanges montagnards, sont idéales pour les randonnées plus longues. Si vous campez ou passez plus de quelques heures dans les bois et que vous avez besoin de transporter votre nourriture sur vous, il existe de nombreuses options emballées et de bricolage disponibles—des articles “instantanés” tels que du riz minute, du gel- les haricots secs et la purée de pommes de terre en boîte constituent d’excellentes bases pour les repas chauds.

Dans l’ensemble, il est préférable de se concentrer sur des options riches en calories et nutritives afin que vous puissiez transporter suffisamment de nourriture pour vous soutenir sans ajouter de poids inutile à votre sac. Pour plus d’informations, consultez https://www.adventurealan.com/best-backpacking-food/

tick life stages

Blacklegged (Deer) Ticks: What You Need to Know

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With the warm weather, all kinds of critters are coming out to explore the world, and while we’re happy to see the bees and hear the birds singing, there’s one little creature we’re less happy to see: ticks.

There are a few different kinds of ticks in New Brunswick, but the one to watch out for is the blacklegged tick, also known as the deer tick. Blacklegged ticks are common in NB, and can carry Borrelia—the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease—meaning, if you are bit by an infected tick, there’s a chance you could be exposed. Tick season in NB runs from April to November, and are typically found in areas that have long grass, brush, or are wooded. Be sure to wear full-coverage clothing and bug repellent if you’re planning to be out in fields, in the woods, or on trails to prevent exposure. When you come home, check your clothes, yourself, and your pets for any hitchhikers, especially in creases like behind the ears, in armpits, between the legs, and behind the knees, as well as in and around hair.

If you do find a tick, don’t panic! Remove the tick safely and completely, with pointed tweezers, a tick removal kit, or the “straw and string” method (for more information. After that, reach out to your local health authority or https://www.etick.ca/ for testing. With Etick.ca, you can take a photo and upload it to be connected with an expert who will work with you to identify the tick, any possible health risks, and provide guidance on next steps. This is a great resource that provides the public with accessible tick information and assistance, and uses the data submitted to better predict tick numbers and movement.

CanLyme tick kit

Lyme Disease Awareness Month

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May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, a time to spread information on how to prevent Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. In our next post, we’re going to talk a little bit about blacklegged (deer) ticks, which carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, but today we’re going to share some information about Lyme itself.

Cases of Lyme disease in Canada have been rising over the last 10 years, and has been especially bad in Nova Scotia. Lyme disease is particularly hard to track because there are a wide range of varying symptoms so Lyme is often misdiagnosed as something else. You’re likely familiar with the classic “bullseye” rash, but there are actually over 100 identified symptoms! There are three stages of Lyme: early, spreading, and chronic infection. Lyme disease is most treatable during Stage 1; after that, symptoms worsen and diagnosis and treatment become more difficult.

The best thing you can do is decrease your risk of infection by educating yourself about Lyme disease and taking preventative action. Check out our next post for more information!

recommendations to avoid heat illnesses

Beat the Heat!

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I think we can all agree, New Brunswick’s weather can be all over the place. A few weeks ago, we had snow, and this past week we had extreme heat warnings! It’s important to be prepared for NB’s climate whenever you’re outside, and in the summer, that means being aware of the health risks that come along with heat and humidity.

Heat-related illnesses are caused by being over-exposed to extreme heat and/or over-working yourself in that heat. They can come on quickly and can lead to more serious issues such as long-term health problems or even death. Heat illnesses include heat-induced edema (swelling of hands, feet, and ankles), rash, muscle cramps, fainting, exhaustion, and stroke. Avoid these illnesses by keeping an eye on the forecast, staying cool with air conditioning, fans, and appropriate clothing, and keeping hydrated. Plan outdoor activities, such as exercise, hiking, picnics, or yard work for cooler days or cooler times of day, such as in the morning or evening, to avoid exposure to extreme heat. Pay attention to your body and to those around you, and if you see or experience any symptoms of heat illnesses—such as dizziness/fainting, nausea/vomiting, headache, rapid breathing/heartbeat, or changes in behaviour such as irritibility or sleepiness (especially in children)—get to a cooler place and drink some cold water.

When you get as much snow as we do, you want to make the most of the hot weather; just be sure you’re doing it safely!

poison ivy leaves

Poisonous Plants to Watch Out For in New Brunswick

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Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac grow in wooded or marshy areas throughout North America. They actually aren’t really poisonous—they produce a sticky oil called urushiol that causes an itchy, blistering rash after it touches your skin.

You may have heard the saying “leaves of three, let it be”—poison ivy has three shiny leaves, one in the middle and two on either side. Poison oak looks similar, but the leaves are grouped in threes, fives, or sevens, and are larger, more rounded, and have a hairy surface. Poison sumac grows as a shrub or tree, and its leaves grow in clusters of seven to thirteen leaves, with one by itself at the end.

You can avoid coming into accidental contact with posion ivy, oak, or sumac by wearing long-sleeved shirt, long pants, gloves, and closed shoes. If you’ve gotten any of the plants’ oil on your skin, wash it right away with warm soapy water or use alcohol wipes to remove it.

You may see a red rash appear in 24-72 hours and last up to three weeks. Over-the-counter medicine can provide relief from itchiness, as can cool compresses and oatmeal baths. Luckily, the rash isn’t contageous! Seek medical attention if the rash is close to your eyes or is widespread over your body, and go to the emergency room if you experience nausea, fever, shortness of breath, extreme soreness at the rash site, or swollen lymph nodes.