Backpacking Safety Tips

Backpacking can be the most fun activity you have ever done in your life. Much of the fun part comes from the fact that it is impulsive and the feeling of not knowing where you might end up. As exciting that might be, there are times when your practical side has to come into action: there are aspects about backpacking that can be unpleasant or even downright dangerous.

Some Basic Practical Advice
If you are planning a trip where each day you decide where to go next, pack so that wherever you might end up, you have your basic necessities covered: a tent would be ideal, if you can't find a place to stay. Food that does not alter but does not need much cooking (cans, snacks) is a must. Take a map with you and (if possible) a GPS system, if you get lost. Basic hygiene also needs to be covered. First Aid Kits are a must, also compass, a knife, matches or lighters and lanterns. Whenever you are in a place with a supermarket, check out your supplies and buy whatever is lacking.

Even if you are going to a place like Africa, pack warm clothes - the desert is very cold at night. Read weather forecasts whenever you can - even in a foreign country, weather forecasts are presented with images in the newspaper, so you should understand them, even if the entire paper is in an unknown language. Watch out for rapid weather changes, make sure to not be caught in a storm - if that does, happen look for shelter as soon as possible. Stay away from isolated trees in lightning storms. Make sure you don't climb steep mountains unless you are physically prepared for it. Do not drink water from rivers unless there's no other choice, and if you do, try your best to filter it. You can hydrate your body by eating juicy fruits - sometimes it is much more efficient since afterwards you lose much less water through perspiration.

Keep in mind, just in case something does happen...
Call home whenever you can - if you have a cellphone, try to call home at least once a day. That way someone will always know where you are and, if something happens, they will know to alert the necessary authorities if you don't call. Try not to travel alone - the larger the group the better.
If at some point you feel like you are lost, do not panic. Most of the bad things that happen, happen because the adrenalin does not let us think properly. Stay put until you calm down, then try to be practical: if you have cell phone signal, call for help. If you have GPS, use it to get you back on track. If you have none, use the sun position or a compass to determine what direction you need to go. You can use a river - if you go down stream, you're bound to get to somewhere good. Whatever you do, try not to change your direction too much - avoid going in circles.