092: Am I Going to Die?

Show Notes: Episode 092

Today on the First 40 Miles, don’t die!  If you’re nervous about getting out on the trail, we’ll share the top 5 ways people die and how to avoid them…mostly.  Then we’ll share a water-proof, wind-proof, lightning-proof way to make music on the trail.  For today’s Backpack Hack of the Week, a simple trick that makes using the bathroom just a little bit easier.  And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from our good friend on the trail, Susan Polis Schutz.

Opening



* Am I Going to Die?

* What really happens when hikers die?

* What I found in Google News

* Hiker body found…

* After reading these articles for a while, patterns started to emerge

* Often, even in that short little article it’s hinted at or revealed that the hiker wasn’t just walking down the trail, he/she was doing a high risk activity

* http://hubpages.com/sports/Whats-Killing-Americas-Hikers



Top 5 Ways to Die on the Trail

Unprepared



* Hiking without extra clothing and shelter

* Exposure, hypothermia

* Hua Davis death

* http://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2016/03/analysis-of-the-macnaughton-hikers-death.html

* http://www.timesunion.com/tuplus-sports/article/Outdoors-Hiker-Hua-Davis-death-a-tragedy-that-6909609.php



Stupidity



* Going out without studying the risks

* Stupidity means that you’re participating activities outside of your risk management plan:

* Rock climbing without harnesses or protective gear

* Storing food inside your tent in bear country

* Sometimes alcohol plays a part in stupid behavior

* Story of our decision to avoid a slippery trail with steep drop off when planning a family backpacking trip



Freak Accident



* Sometimes, even with the best risk management plan, mother nature has a way of wreaking havoc

* Despite all your best efforts, freak accidents do happen on backpacking trips

* Falling, avalanche, surprise + unprovoked bear attack, rock slide, taking one step backward during a group photo on the edge of a cliff…



Intentional



* Suicide hotline 1-800-273 TALK (8255)

* Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people and is often the result of mental health conditions that effect people when they are most vulnerable.

* Suicide Prevention

* If you’re seriously struggling with mental health issues or even having thoughts of harming yourself, campfire time might be an appropriate time to share some of your struggle and get some support.

* Homicide…same rate on larger heavily trafficked trails as in real life.  Fairly rare…



Medical Emergency…Or, it was just your time to go…



* Heart attack, stroke, sometimes they hit while you’re on the trail

* Emergency response time is much slower on the trail…can’t count on 2 min response time.



Mountain Hiking chance of dying: 1 in 15,700

http://www.besthealthdegrees.com/health-risks/

SUMMIT Gear Review: Outdoor Ukulele: Soprano

Structure



* Injection molded from translucent composite polycarbonate

* Glass fiber strands give the instrument a natural grain structure and greatly increase strength

* Made in Bend, Oregon USA.

* 100% Fluorocarbon strings have superior knot streng...