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Many of us enjoy taking holidays for the adventure they can offer. From majestic mountains to beautiful beaches, our world offers a wealth of destinations where we can enjoy the natural beauty of the great outdoors.
As beautiful as Mother Nature is, however, she can be equally as harsh. Travelling often presents us with environments we may not be accustomed to and engaging in sports or active adventures always carries a risk for injuries. It is therefore essential you prepare for your active travel adventures by being aware of the risks and learning how to avoid them.
Not all countries have the same safety standards you may be used to and things like emergency response and medical treatment may not always be readily available. It is therefore recommended you check out these safety tips for enjoying outdoor recreation and sports while travelling, so as to avoid injuries and health issues in the first place.
Prepare for your trip Staying safe during your active outdoor holiday begins before you even take off. Enjoying outdoor recreation and sports while travelling is one of
the best ways to stay in shape while travelling, but be aware that certain sports and activities may require you to train for them ahead of time.
Book a doctor’s appointment before your trip and discuss with them what you plan to do on your travels. They can check your health and inform you what vaccinations or medications you may need to avoid diseases and infections.
Lastly you should inspect any gear you are planning to bring to make sure it is in proper working order. This can include things like GPS units, hiking poles, and sporting equipment. Be sure to purchase hiking boots or athletic shoes well in advance of your trip so you have a chance to break your footwear in, thereby avoiding blisters during your travels.
Pack a first aid kit If you are planning an outdoor adventure or will be engaging in a sport, it is a really good idea to pack a first aid kit. This should include things like bandages, antiseptic wipes, eye wash, etc. You may not have quick access to a hospital or medical treatment so a first aid kit may prove vital for initial treatment of things like sprains, scrapes, or snakebites.
You may even want to take a first aid course or at least watch a first aid tutorial online. You can also bring along a first aid guidebook to assist you should anything occur.
Wear a helmet Whether you plan to ride a bike or hit the slopes to ski, it is extremely important to wear a helmet. Statistics have proven that helmets greatly reduce the risks of head trauma and save lives. Some studies have shown that helmets can reduce the occurrence of head injuries by 85%!o(MISSING)r more. Serious head injuries can have severe long lasting or permanent side effects.
The key to a helmet’s effectiveness is to select the right style for your chosen sport or activity, make sure it fits you properly, and that it adheres to the recommended safety standards. Although not all countries or tour operators will require you to wear a helmet, do not take the risk of not choosing to wear one. If you are travelling with children, be sure to set a good example by wearing a helmet and providing them with one.
Check with your tour company before your trip to make sure helmets will be available, otherwise look into bringing your own.
Insect repellent Engaging in outdoor activities exposes us more to insects and the diseases they may carry. Wearing proper insect repellent can help avoid contracting diseases or infections such as malaria from mosquitoes or Lyme disease from ticks.
If you have a known severe allergy to insects such as bees or certain ants, be sure to make your tour guide aware of this. Whether you are on a tour or not, it would be wise to carry an EpiPen in order to treat
anaphylactic reactions.
In addition to repellent, it is a good idea to wear long pants, shirts with sleeves, and gaiters for deep bush hikes.
Water safety Refrain from water sports or activities if you do not know how to swim and do not have an appropriate flotation device. Be sure to always wear a life preserver for activities like kayaking, river rafting, and boating.
If planning to surf or swim along beaches, be sure to check local weather forecasts and keep an eye out for rip currents and tide changes. In unknown destinations it is wise to choose beaches which are patrolled by lifeguards and follow safety signs or flags that signal safer waters.
Avoid swimming in lakes or rivers in areas where sanitation is poor as the water may be contaminated and therefore not save.
Use licensed and reputable guides Make sure to only book tours and activities with a licensed operator. You should choose a company with a long business history and one that has good reviews. You can easily search websites such as
Tripadvisor to see the most up-to-date reviews from real travellers.
Search the local official tourism website for recommendations or ask the visitor centre in your holiday destination. Don’t be afraid to ask safety questions or general concerns and realise that the lower cost option may not always be the best.
Stay hydrated Making sure you have plenty of safe drinking water during your activities is vital for your health. You may not be used to the climate of your holiday destination which may require you to drink more fluids than you normally would.
In addition, you will generally require more liquids to stay hydrated while engaging in sports and adventurous activities. Do not overexert yourself and refrain from engaging in outdoor activities during extreme temperatures or the hottest part of the day.
Sun protection More than 2,000 Australians die from skin cancer each year and nearly two thirds of Australians will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer by the age of 70. Avoid becoming one of these statistics by wearing adequate sunscreen, a wide brimmed hat that covers your neck and shoulders, and sunglasses.
The sun’s ultraviolet radiation is the main cause of skin cancer along with causing sunburns, premature ageing, and eye damage. Avoid outdoor activities during the midday sun if possible or when UV levels are forecast to be exceptionally high.
Travel insurance Although travel insurance cannot prevent injuries or accidents from sports and activities during your travels, they can offer you financial protection. Overseas medical expenses can be quite costly depending on the treatment received. Hospital bills in countries like the U.S. can cost a fortune for treatment relating to broken bones or snakebites.
Travel insurance from InsureandGo Australia automatically covers 90 different sports and activities with the option to take out additional winter sports coverage should you require it.
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