HealthLinkBC File #24, January 2013

Health Risks in the Wilderness

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• How can I prepare for the wilderness?
• What are the 10 essentials for wilderness survival?
• Drinking water
• Wild animals
• Fleas, ticks and other insects

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If you travel or hike in the wilderness, you should be aware of certain health risks and make sure that you are always prepared for what activity you are doing and where you are going.

How can I prepare for the wilderness?

There are several things you can do to prepare for the wilderness such as:

• Know your physical abilities and limitations and stay within them;
• Consider taking a course or extra training to better prepare yourself for different types of wilderness activities;
• Take time to pre-plan your trip whether it’s a quick trail run in the local forest or a multi-day ocean kayak adventure;
• Complete a trip plan and leave it with someone responsible:
• Ensure that you have the skills required for the activity;
• Take the right equipment for the activity and season before heading out.
• Have and know how to use the 10 essentials for wilderness survival.

What are the 10 essentials for wilderness survival?

The 10 essentials for wilderness survival will help prepare and equip you for the wilderness. They include:

1. Navigational and communication aids such as a compass, map, charts, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or other alerting devices such as GPS, cellular phone, and hand held radio. Make sure all devices are fully charged;
2. Extra food and water. Bring approximately 1 litre per person;
3. Extra clothing such as rain, wind, water protection and toque;
4. First aid kit;
5. Flashlight, spare batteries and bulb;
6. Firemaking kit which should include waterproof matches or a lighter, firestarter or candle;
7. Pocket knife;
8. Emergency shelter such as an orange tarp or large orange garbage bag. These can also be used as signaling devices;
9. Signaling device such as a whistle or mirror to signal searchers if you become lost; and
10. Sun protection such as glasses, sunscreen, and a hat.

Additional Equipment

• Proper footwear;
• Duct tape for repairing gear; and
• Insect repellent and other toiletries as needed.

Travel in groups of 3 or more whenever possible. This way, if someone is injured, then 1 person can stay while the other can get help.

Drinking water

Parasites and certain bacteria can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and/or vomiting, weight loss, and fatigue lasting up to several weeks. These parasites and bacteria can be carried by people, as well as by certain domestic and wild animals. They can get into any surface water, such as: lakes, streams and rivers, and contaminate water humans use for both drinking and eating, and recreation.

Water quality and safety can also be affected by people practicing unhealthy, backcountry hygiene. If proper toilet facilities are not available, human wastes should be buried far away from streams and other bodies of water.

When in the wilderness or backcountry, you may use water for drinking or brushing your teeth by:

• Boiling the water for at least 1 minute. At elevations over 2,000 meters (6,500 feet), boil water for at least 2 minutes to disinfect it. Water boils at a lower temperature at a higher elevation; or
• Chemically treating the water before use.

Note: Bleach does not work well in killing Giardia (beaver fever) or Cryptosporidium parasites. For more information, see HealthLinkBC Files #49b How to Disinfect Drinking Water, #10 Giardia Infection, and #48 Cryptosporidium Infection.

Wild animals

We must respect the fact that the wilderness is home to wild animals, and as visitors we must do our part to help conserve their natural habitat. Animals can be unpredictable and dangerous if you get too close, especially bears and female moose with calves. Learn about the animals and wildlife in the area you’ll be travelling to, and check for reported wildlife before venturing into their habitat. Park wardens, wildlife officers, and even signs posted at the trail head can be of help. Be alert and pay attention for wildlife and signs of animal activity.

When visiting wilderness areas, do not attempt to feed or touch any wild animals. Special care should be taken to avoid contact with any animal that appears to be sick or dead. Always remember that wild animals can carry a variety of diseases. Consult a health care provider if you’ve been bitten or scratched by a wild animal, flea or tick.

Rabies is a very serious disease carried by a small percentage of bats in B.C. Do not touch any live or dead bat, and report any physical contact with a bat. Treatment must begin as soon as possible to prevent rabies which can be fatal. Wash any animal bite or scratch wounds thoroughly with water. Immediately report this to a health care provider. A tetanus shot may also be necessary.

Fleas, ticks and other insects

Fleas and ticks are tiny insects that can bite or burrow part way into your skin and draw blood out before dropping off. They can carry and spread some diseases.

If you find a tick attached to your skin, the best way to remove it is by grasping it with a pair of tweezers. Pull it gently, straight up and out. If its mouth parts are imbedded deeply, a health care provider may have to remove the tick. Wash the bite wound thoroughly with disinfected water and soap. Do not touch the tick with your hands. You may wish to save the tick in a small plastic or glass container (with a cotton ball dampened with water to keep it alive) to submit it for testing through your health care provider. It will help later with treatment decision if you develop a fever or the area around the bite becomes infected. See a health care provider if any illness occurs a few weeks after a tick bite.

Other insect bites may also cause concerns. Some people may have severe allergic reactions to bee and wasp stings. If you have an allergy to bee or wasp stings you should carry appropriate medication as prescribed by your health care provider.

Mosquitoes may carry West Nile Virus or viruses that cause other diseases. To protect against insect bites, including ticks, use insect repellent containing DEET on all uncovered skin. To protect against mosquito bites, wear loose fitting, light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and pants especially at dawn or dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

If you have any concerns about an insect bite, contact your health care provider or call 8-1-1 to speak to a registered nurse.

For More Information

For more information on animal and insect health and safety, see HealthLinkBC Files:

#01 Tick Bites and Disease
#07 Rabies
#88 West Nile Virus
#96 Insect Repellents and DEET

For more information on wilderness health and safety, see HealthLinkBC Files:

#26 Sun Safety for Children
#41a Health Advice for Travellers
#47 Blue-green Algae Blooms
#52 Swimmer's Itch

For more information on wilderness activities and recreation, visit the BC Parks website at www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks.

For more HealthLinkBC File topics, visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca/healthfiles/ or your local public health unit. Click on www.HealthLinkBC.ca or call 8-1-1 for non-emergency health information and services in B.C. For deaf and hearing-impaired assistance, call 7-1-1 in B.C. Translation services are available in more than 130 languages on request.