5 Summer Survival Threats You Should Look Out For

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This post is by Bernie Carr, apartmentprepper.com

I love summertime, a chance to kick back and take some time off. Kids are out of school for the summer and the pace has slowed down. The summer also signals a slowdown in preparedness – I know… even blog visits get a bit slower. People go out of town, go on vacation and relax, which is just fine. But summer also has its own share of dangers that are often overlooked in the excitement.

Heat-Related Illnesses

Sunburn: Everyone has had one- when you forget to bring sunscreen or just ignore the need for it because you’re having too much fun. Last summer we went to the river with another family and had a great time. We came prepared and brought lots of sunscreens. I slathered it on myself and the kids. But my cousin decided she didn’t want to bother with it. I reminded her mid-day to reapply sunscreen or cover up as her back was getting really red. She didn’t feel like it. Well, the next day she called me and said she should’ve listened because she got a really bad burn. Always pack plenty of sunscreen and reapply every couple of hours.

Heat Stroke: Excessive heat can render a body to be unable to regulate its temperature. Heat stroke occurs when the body temperature spikes up rapidly and the body is unable to cool down through sweating. A victim of heat stroke must be treated as soon as possible. Symptoms include dizziness, confusion, high temperature, hot skin and not sweating; this can lead to unconsciousness or even death. Make sure everyone drinks plenty of fluids and stay as cool as possible. A cooling scarf or even just a wet bandanna around your neck can help alleviate the heat.

Heat Rash: Heat rash is irritated skin from too much heat. The rash appears to be small, red pimples and blisters. Skin must be kept cool and dry to relieve discomfort.

Heat Exhaustion Heat exhaustion results from exposure to extreme heat while lacking fluids. Symptoms include heavy sweating, dizziness, pale skin, nausea, vomiting, and fainting. This is dangerous for people with high blood pressure or heart problems – get treatment right away if severe symptoms are present. Try to avoid strenuous activities during the hottest times of the day.

Bites

Insect Bites:

Many people stay outdoors longer in the summer, resulting in more contact with insects. Bee and wasp stings are common, along with mosquito bites, ticks and fleas etc.

Ticks are especially plentiful this year and are known to cause multiple illnesses such as lyme disease.

Stings can be dangerous for people who are severely allergic. They may be hard to avoid, so carry a first aid kit in your car or someplace handy. Include Benadryl, Zyrtec or an Epi-pen if severely allergic. Bring insect repellant or keep a citronella candle handy when spending time outdoors.

Snake Bites:

If snakes are common in the area, be on guard against snakes. Recently, a Texas man was bitten by the severed head of a rattlesnake he had decapitated. He was doing yard work when he came upon the rattlesnake. He hit it with a shovel and cut off its head. He was about to clean it up when the head bit him, injecting him with a massive amount of venom. He had to be airlifted to the hospital where he was treated. Apparently, snakes can continue to have bite reflexes even after death.

Be on the alert for snakes and try to avoid them as much as possible. Make sure you wear footwear that protects you and carry a snake bite kit when hiking or doing outdoor activities.

Getting Stranded

Summer also means frequent car trips, and there is nothing worse than being stranded in the heat, in an unfamiliar place. Avoid the trauma of getting stuck by being prepared:

Carry a car survival kit
Maintain your car – always get the car serviced before long trips
Carry extra water and food in the car
Plan your route ahead of time.
Don’t be overly reliant on GPS, have paper maps and printed directions

Getting lost in the wilderness

No one thinks about possibly getting lost while planning day trips or camping trips, but it happens frequently. Just look at a couple of news stories:

Backpacker survives a week lost in Australian wilderness

Oregon trucker missing for days emerges from the wilderness

These stories turned out well, but so many others take a bad turn. Avoid the pain of getting lost with these tips:

Educate kids about the dangers of wandering away
Plan every hike or day trip to the last detail, even short ones.
Know the route you are taking before setting out. Have backup paper maps in case you are not able to access your smartphone map.
Prepare for contingencies by packing plenty of food, water, and survival equipment. My new book shows kids how being prepared can be fun.
Everyone in the group should wear a whistle that they can use in an emergency
Wear brightly colored clothes so they can be easily spotted.

Water dangers

Every year there are reports of drownings in backyard pools, lakes and beaches.

Be vigilant especially with young children – never take your eyes off them when in the water. Even teens and adults can over-estimate their capabilities. Swimming lessons and pool safety are recommended for everyone.

Boat safety is another issue. Each year, a number of people get killed from boating accidents. Always wear a life jacket no matter how experienced you are. Learn about boat safety before setting off, and take extra care while boating at night.

Some mishaps are unavoidable but being prepared means doing a little planning so you can minimize threats that can ruin your summer.

About the author:

Bernie Carr is the founder of Apartment Prepper. She has written several books including the best-selling Prepper’s Pocket Guide, Jake and Miller’s Big Adventure, The Penny-Pinching Prepper and How to Prepare for Most Emergencies on a $50 a Month Budget. Her work appears in sites such as the Allstate Blog and Clark.com, as well as print magazines such as Backwoods Survival Guide and Prepper Survival Guide. She has been featured in national publications such as Fox Business and Popular Mechanics. Learn more about Bernie here.

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