Don?t Let Outdoor Activities End in a Tragedy

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/gNjU2)
Outdoor activities and extreme sports are enjoyed by a group of people who find living life on the dangerous side very exciting.

[caption id="attachment_5222" align="alignright" width="419" caption="GPS Tracking & Outdoor Activities"][/caption]

But, even the casual outdoor lover can find themselves in some precarious positions if they are not careful.  Recently a group ventured into the Elkhorn river Near Omaha, Nebraska, and was unprepared for the waters that they encountered and ended up with a capsized water craft and a near drowning.

Fortunately for them, one in the group had a smartphone with GPS Tracking enabled which helped local fire and rescue to pinpoint their location and assist in the recovery of the group members.

This incident underscores two very important things about going out into unfamiliar places at particularly dangerous times.

Proper Preparation is Mandatory

There are certain things that need to be done to help make sure that there are no disasters that could have been avoided with proper preparation.

First, investigate the area into which you are going.  Get a map of your destination and note specific spots on the map that can help you: fire/rescue facilities, hospitals and police stations.  Take the map with you when you go.

Next, make a trip itinerary and give it to those you leave behind.  Put details in it like where you are going, when you will arrive there and when you will be coming back.  Also, note if you are going to be out of communications with the rest of the world and when you expect to re-connect.  Leave a copy of a map that shows your intended path.

Inclusion of Technology Can Assist

GPS Tracking devices are worthy of a place among your gear because they can be helpful if you should become stranded on your trip.  And that includes your treks into the wilderness where most cellular signals do not exist.  GPS enabled smartphones are great, but not if there is no signal with which authorities can home in on if there is a problem.

When you arrive at your destination, find out if local authorities have the ability to track GPS signals.  If so, link up with them so that if there is a problem, they can instantly view your location and respond to any emergencies that might arise.

These are the base activities that you must perform to help protect yourself.  These common sense tips are available to anyone who chooses to use them.  And, for those who do not, their risk is greater.  Have fun, but remember to be prepared.