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Archive for the ‘Outdoor Water Activities’ Category
Stay Active!
For All Ages!
There are good, healthy outdoor activities for all ages. This includes but is not limited to Hunting, Fishing, Camping, Hiking, Birding, or even those things closer to home such as gardening. The point is to stay involved. A person’s physical and mental health affects their ability to do most everything. Therefore, staying active and engaged in life is essential to keeping the body, soul, and mind healthy.
Limited finances do present a problem for some. However, advertised frequently are free outdoor events or activities that can be enjoyed by you and your family/friends. But, as with all activities, participation should depend on a person’s overall physical/mental health; with overall consideration given to their interests, mobility and physical limitations.
Be Aware!
Be Ready!
Are you going boating/canoeing/rafting or even just plain floating – if so, there are things that you must have access to for safety purposes and other stuff considered nice to have but still things that will help make the experience fun and hassle free.
Must Have:
Personal Flotation Vest (each boat occupant) – Must have a device designated for each adult but children must wear. Make sure they fit;
First Aid Kit – As a minimum, it should include cleansing wipes, antibiotic ointment, sterile dressings, and adhesive bandages;
Sun Protection – Wear even on an overcast day. Supplement with sunglasses, wide brim hat and high SPF waterproof sunscreen.
Clothes on your Back – Depends on the activity – swim suit should be the foundation for in-water possibilities. Out of water clothing should be light and breathable. Shoes/sandals must be secure on the feet;
Insect Repellent – Nothing will destroy an outing quicker than over zealous mosquitoes and not having proper insect repellent.
Nice to Have:
Food and Beverages – Most trips are at-least a day in length. Why rough it when you don’t have to.
Towels and Picnic Blankets – Some of the most memorable moments can be when you’re on the beach, under a shade tree and telling stories about things that never happened;
Camera – You got to have it for posterity;
Toilet Paper – Only appreciated when you don’t have it!.
Get The Most From It!
Fun Time!
We can all take lessons on how to get the “Most” from your Outdoor Recreation Equipment. There is not a lot of science involved, just a whole lot of common sense. As your parents used to say “never put yourself in a corner” or “close that door”, but stay on your feet and remain in control of your mental well-being.
- Bye Quality Gear – Don’t confuse(quality) with purchase price. Ask friends/experts and research the product through appropriate consumer advocates. Look for the best quality considering what’s available and the price you can pay.
- Get What You Need – There’s a fine line between need and want. However, it is better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it! Put some thought into it; in most places, you’ll always want your rain gear with you but might not need it.
- Take Care of It – One of the most important considerations. If you don’t religiously take care of it , it might fail when most needed. Depending on the circumstances, this could be the difference between a good/bad experience or worse yet – life/death. Folks, it’s not a game, so don’t play around with it.
- Storage – Organize and if possible get it up off the floor. Pre-storage should include a serviceability check. Get rid of those things that can’t be fixed and/or don’t work properly.
Being able to go on a camping trip/outdoor activity knowing that you have the recreation gear needed, and that it’s in good working order will set the tone for the entire trip. It will not only give participants peace of mind, but a care-free confidence that everything is going to be fine and fun filled.
Vacation Time!
Take Vacation Time!
Whether it be during the Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter – I’m sure you can think of reasons to take time off. If not for you, think of your family. Everyone needs periodic periods away from daily stress-ors, a place where the body, mind, and soul can relax/rejuvenate.
Each year, Americans fail to take millions of authorized vacation days. Up front, these days equate to billions of dollars in hourly wages that may or may not be lost. Additionally, what the average worker doesn’t realize is that there are other possible back-end costs that could be associated with this. The following is an example of situations that might develop as-a-result of not taking encouraged/authorized time off:
- Work Stress - this could require additional trips to your family doctor or mental health specialist;
- Vitamin “D” Deprivation - This vitamin protects your bones and lowers your risk for cancer;
- Loss of Job Productivity - Statistics reflect that men and women who take time off each year have less job related issues.
In all fairness to yourself, family, and employer – dust off the camping gear list and take the encouraged/authorized vacation time.
White Water Rapids Classification!
White Water Rapids!
White-water rapids are classified by an internal grading system in six different ways. A Class One (I) white-water is the easiest to navigate; a Class VI (six) is the most difficult and virtually impossible to navigate. The following is a general guide to the six classifications for White-water Rapids:
- Class I – Water is smooth flowing with an absence of rapids;
- Class II – Water is slightly rough, though line is easy to pursue and see;
- Class III – Considered white-water but larger rafts can safely navigate. Canoeists and kayakers on these waters should possess self-rescuing and rolling skills;
- Class IV – Only for experienced kayakers, getting through might require the kayaker to maneuver through it very quickly;
- Class V – Advanced kayakers only, rapid scouting might be inevitable, hidden hazards possible, which will create the need for precise and experienced maneuvers;
- Class VI - Exploratory or impassible, safety precautions are a must and only experts in teams should attempt.
The classification of white-waters changes constantly based on weather and environmental conditions. It is important that navigators have the latest water update, as- well-as the needed sporting skill proficiency and required safety equipment/devices before attempting navigation, Be Safe!
Tornado Safety Precautions!
Safety Precautions!
The United States averages about 1,200 tornadoes a year; however, this year we have had over 1,817 twisters, with at least 566 deaths reported thus far. You would think that we would learn from past mistakes; but , reports indicate that there continues to be a general complacency and lack of knowledge as to the precautions that could/should be taken.
In a House or Apartment:
- Go to basement if available. Seek shelter under sturdy furniture, a work bench or a stairwell. Cover your head or keep a helmet handy.
- In homes without basements, take cover in the center of the house. Go to a small room without windows, closet, hallway on the lowest level or hide under heavy furniture against a strong, inside wall. Put as many walls as possible between you and the storm.
- Keeps windows closed, and draw the blinds/shades over the windows to reduce glass damage.
In a Mobile Home:
- Evacuate your mobile home and seek shelter in a building (45% of people killed were in mobile homes when the twister(s) hit).
- If necessary, find a low spot such as a ditch or ravine.
A prudent person would have a family rehearsed plan. This would include a pre-packed emergency/survival kit that would be readily available.
Safety during Lightening/Thunder Storms!
Storm Safety!
While storms are necessary to our existence, they can also present a threat to it. Lightening kills about 80 US residents a year and can strike 10 miles from the rain area. If you can see lightening or hear the thunder, you’re at risk and should take the following precautions:
Stay Inside:
- Get inside a home, large building, or automobile/truck (windows rolled-up);
- Stay away from open doors and windows;
- Don’t use plug-in electrical equipment such as a hair dryer, razor, or tooth brush;
- Don’t take a bath or shower;
- Don’t use the telephone except for an emergency.
Caught Outside:
- If in a group, spread-out to minimize potential injuries;
- Avoid being in/near a picnic shelter, baseball dugout, bleachers or metal fences;
- Avoid hilltops, and tall objects such as isolated trees or poles;
- In the open, seek a low area, squat with your hands on your knees and keep twice as far from nearby trees, as the trees are high;
- Get off golf courses, athletic fields, tennis courts, bicycles and mowers. Remove shoes with metal cleats;
- Get out of water and off small boats;
- In a forest, find a low area under a thick growth of small trees.
All planned outdoor activities should be preceded with a needed clothing/equipment inventory and a detailed/comprehensive weather and information report.
Shopping On-line!
Convenient!
We have a tendency to shy-away from things that are unknown or we don’t understand. I for one went into the electronic age dragging my feet and screaming/hollering all the way. But, the more I got into it, the more I realized its true merits. This includes researching and shopping for things on the Internet. If your intent is to purchase a quality item at the lowest price, you should do your research on the Internet.
There are many Internet search engines (Google, Bing, etc.) that will help to simplify the buying process. They will assist in developing the data needed to determine product quality, as-well-as the information required for cost analysis. It has been my experience that prices on-line are normally a little cheaper than like items bought at the corner retail store. If it is a high dollar item you‘re purchasing, the tax savings alone could save you a bundle.
One of the nice things about shopping on-line is that the items are normally sent to your front door. Shopping for things like camping gear can be both fun and educational. If you are a show-me person, many times there will be video tapes/subject experts showing and further explaining the product.
Camping Gear Replacement Items!
Perfect!
I’m in the process of doing my end-of-season camping gear inventory. Inventory reflects that there are several items that need to be replaced. This includes a tent (4-5 person), a couple battery operated lanterns, and possibly a new 4-burner stove (propane). Total cost of these items will be several hundred dollars. However, being a prudent shopper, I want both quality and savings.
As Granddad used to say, there has got to be “method too this madness. You don’t go food shopping when you’re hungry”. The same principle applies when buying camping gear. You need to first determine exactly what you want as compared with the maximum price you can afford. This preliminary research can be done by going to a local sporting-goods store or referring to the respective Manufacturer’s website.
Experience has shown that bargains in camping gear can be obtained but you need to do some leg work. Once you have determined the item wanted (can afford) by Nomenclature (name), Manufacturer, and Model Number – you can go-out with confidence and buy the item needed. Whether it be a seasonal sale at the local sporting goods store or a reputable on-line shopping site, you are prepared to make item price comparisons. Make sure the prices compared include taxes/shipping and handling.
The Pragmatist!
Family Time!
If you are holding out for the perfect time/opportunity to go camping, it’ll never happen. There will always be something that comes-up precluding you from going. As my good sergeant used to say, “don’t worry about the small s _ _ _, it will take care of itself” Over the past 50 plus years, I’ve found that to be a fairly true statement.
The best time to go camping, or spend a day in the park is when you feel you really need it. Nice warm weather or even unlimited funds would be a plus but neither are really critical. It can be a short trip, one that is close to home, but will provide you and the family the needed time/opportunity to rejuvenate the soul. It should fully allow you the needed space to rest the mind/body and subsequently further reduce the levels of stress in your (family) lives.
These brief getaways or camping trips can be designed not to be too expensive nor planning/preparation time intensive. But, what is critical is that you “DO IT”!
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