I think that a mention of safety when out in the field is something that is needed. So, here goes.
Being in the woods can be a relatively safe and fun experience, but you have to use your head. Make sure you know where it is that your going. Use some of the online tools available to print out a map of the area with landmarks. Knowing what's nearby can be very helpful, especially if you happen to misplace yourself. Knowing that if you walk in a generally northerly direction you'll hit a road can be a lifesaver. Literally in some extreme cases.
Another tip is to be sure that someone else knows where you'll be in case something happens and you don't come home at an appointed time. When I go out, I always tell my wife where I'll be and what time I should be home. I could fall, break my leg, and end up stuck a mile from my car and any hope of help.
You might be thinking "I always carry my cell phone." Well, that's great, but realize that you'll be in the woods and might not always have a signal. Don't depend on cell service. I've been on a couple of expeditions where we didn't have cell service. Should something have hapened, we'd have to drive out to a main road to get a signal to call for help. Now think that if your out there alone, there might not be someone available to go for help.
Always going out with at least one other person is a good idea. Sometimes you might not have that luxury, but if you can talk someone into coming along, that probably would be best.
Mentioning finding someone to head out into the woods with begs a warning to be very careful who you go afield with. Meeting someone online who you've never set eyes on might be a recipe for disaster.
You might decide to join the NESRA forum and that's awesome. You might post that you live in some state or other and are looking for someone to research with. Be careful about who contacts you and how you proceed. Before going anywhere with anyone, get some information. Names, addresses, or phone numbers are great. Get the persons number and give them a call, and then if you do decide to go out with them, give that number to someone else.
Basically, just be VERY careful with yourself.
If you live in an area that has a NESRA member nearby, get together with them. Alot of the members have been members for awhile and have been out with other members. We know each other pretty well. Besides feeling safer with someone who is known by the group, they also have information to share and will make the experience a positive one. And you just might learn something.
If you don't really have alot of outdoor experience, it might not be a bad idea to learn some basic navigation skills. How to read a compass and a map is a wonderful start. There are a whole bunch of sites online that can teach you how to do both. Don't depend on electronics to find your way. Electronics can and do fail, usually when you need them the most. A cell phone or a GPS is great, but I wouldn't want to depend on them in a pinch.
Get a map of the area you are planning to research. When you get there, mark on the map where you left your car. If you do get lost and your GPS fails, you'll have a general idea of which way to go. Knowing that no matter what, you can find your way out can make the whole experience more pleasurable.
Take things easy to start. Find a good spot that you'd like to investigate and learn as much as you can about the area before you go out. Stick to the trails if there are any. If you need, mark your path so you can find your way back. Don't overdue it. Making a trip harder than it needs to be can really ruin the day. You might be tempted to slog your way thru a swamp, but the going can get tough as well as dangerous.
Start out simple, and as you get more comfortable, do a bit more each time.
Try and stay away from things where you could end up getting yourself hurt. Remember, 'Squatchin is supposed to be fun, not a risk to life and limb.
To Be Continued.....
