By the Nevada Department of Wildlife
Despite Nevada’s unseasonably cool spring, anyone who has been around awhile knows it won’t be long before the 100-degree days are here for the long haul. That means outdoor enthusiasts will need to take extra precautions to guard their well being while recreating in the outdoors.
“Whether they choose to go fishing, boating, hiking or camping, the key to survival in the desert is water, and that is as true in town as it is in the remote areas,” said Doug Nielsen, public affairs supervisor for the Nevada Department of Wildlife. “It may seem silly to remind people they should carry water with them wherever they go here in Southern Nevada, but they don’t always do it.”
Nielsen, a former game warden, believes that’s because people put too much faith in their boats and automobiles thinking they will always have a way out of trouble.
“They are a mechanical device that can fail anytime and anywhere. And one of the things I have learned over the years is cars will often break down far away from any services and boats a long way from the nearest marina. Extra water, even if it is warm, can mean the difference between life and death,” he said.
Another primary step to outdoor safety is filing a trip plan with a responsible adult. That plan should include detailed information about where you are going, when you are going and returning, and who is going with you.
If you change your plan, notify the person with whom you left your trip plan, said Nielsen.
That way someone will know where you are, when you are expected to return and who else might be with you in the advent of an emergency.
