Walking through the forest for a city dweller is a rare opportunity to relax in the fresh air from city noise and bustle. The soft rustle of foliage, the many-voiced twitter of birds, the buzzing buzz of insects ... All this is like a different world. A world filled with aromas of greenery and flowers, a world living its own life unfamiliar to the townspeople. To rest in the forest left only pleasant memories, you must follow the basic safety rules and know how to behave in the forest.
Getting ready for a walk
Before heading out into the forest, refresh your school orienteering knowledge. Remind yourself how the sun moves, on which side the moss grows, how the anthills are built. Get a compass and learn how to use it. Remember how to make a fire. Of course, protecting forests from fires is important, but in some situations, fire is necessary.
For a trip to the forest, choose the right clothes and shoes for the weather. They should be comfortable, tight-fitting, preferably waterproof. Treat your costume with repellents right before your trip to protect yourself from insect bites.
It is best to go to the forest with the company. Of course, it is not necessary to assemble a huge team, but it is also undesirable to go alone. When you are in the forest, try to stay in sight of each other, call each other.
About the proposed route and time of the trip must be reported to someone from relatives, acquaintances, colleagues. There must certainly be someone in the city who will know when you planned to return and where to look for you in case of an unforeseen delay.
Among your things should be a mobile phone with a fully charged battery, a watch, a knife, a compass, a supply of food and water. Even if you do not smoke and are not going to make a fire, be sure to take matches with you, wrapping them in polyethylene. Pack a first-aid kit with you. It should include:
- the medicines you need if you are suffering from some kind of chronic disease;
- dressing bag (cotton, bandage, adhesive tape);
- tourniquet to stop bleeding ;
- an antiseptic for the treatment of wounds (for example, hydrogen peroxide or ethyl alcohol);
- anesthetic (novocaine or others);
- iodine or zelenka;
- analgesic;
- ammonia;
- Activated carbon;
- surgical set of needles and threads.
Also, bring a garbage bag with you. The knowledge of how to behave in the forest includes the ability to preserve the purity of nature.
But alcohol from a set of things should be excluded. Their use reduces the concentration of attention, and a pleasant walk can end sadly.
If children are traveling with you, explain in detail to them how to behave in the forest. Tell us that you need to protect the forest, to respect its inhabitants. The child must understand that no matter how affable the forest may seem, it is dangerous to leave you. And yet, while in the forest, constantly monitor the baby: flowers, butterflies, berries and mushrooms can captivate him, and he will forget about your instructions.
Forest walk
Before entering the forest, carefully look at the sun. Pay attention to its location: where it is now and where it should be when you return. This will help you navigate much better than trying to remember every tree and bush in your path.
Our forests are not rich in deadly mushrooms and berries. And yet there are such species. Therefore, never collect or eat in any way forest presents unknown to you. However, it is not necessary to destroy them. What is unacceptable to you can be vital for animals living in the forest.
If you are in the forest long enough or stay for the night, carefully inspect from ticks. Remember that these dangerous insects prefer secluded places (groin, armpits, neck, knee and elbow bends), stomach for a bite. If even your walk was very short - carefully look around on your return.
If it does happen that you get lost, do not panic. Carefully look around, trying to understand where the sun is, from which side you came. Call 112 the rescuers from your mobile phone. This number can be dialed even with a negative balance and a locked keyboard. Explain to the operator what happened, whence and when you entered the forest. Tell us in detail what surrounds you now (river, lake, swamp, power line , etc.). Keep calm and follow the instructions given by the operator exactly. Remember that your life depends on your calmness and fidelity of actions.
Of course, a rare walk in the countryside ends in such troubles. But you need to be prepared for any surprises. If you know how to behave in the forest, this will help to get only positive emotions from communication with nature.