Outdoor Safety & Ethics
Each year, more Americans load up their gear and head for their Southwestern Region National Forests.
To ensure that you and your loved ones have a fun and safe time, please plan and prepare. Preparedness is the key to having a good and safe time at any of our national forests or grasslands. Before you head out on your next forest adventure, be sure to prepare for any surprises or challenges - wildlife, harsh weather, medical emergency - you might encounter at the forest you are visiting.
We are committed to everyone’s physical, psychological and social safety. So we encourage you to check off each item on this outdoor checklist before heading on your next forest adventure.

Know before you go
Check with your local forest to know if the campground you desire is available and whether there are any trail closures or fire restrictions.

Have a plan
Check road conditions and fill your gas tank. Let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return.

Bring water
Stay hydrated! Water is scarce on the ridges and in desert areas. Be aware that water is not available in many campgrounds and dispersed camping areas.

Know your route
GPS technology is not available in all areas of our national forests. We recommend you download or print a map of the area you are visiting. Mark alternate exit routes and emergency services stations in case of emergency.

Prevent wildfires
Don’t build a campfire during periods of high fire danger, even if there are no restrictions. Use an alternative. Humans cause nine out of 10 fires so, if you do build a campfire, be careful. Never leave your campfire unattended. Bring supplies to properly extinguish it, such as water and a shovel. Remember, if it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave.

Pocket knife
A pocket knife or multi-tool can help with food preparation, gear repair, first aid and other emergency needs.

Whistle
You can whistle for much longer than you can yell for help. If you become lost, stay put and signal by blowing three blasts (a well-known emergency signal).

Proper gear
Whether you’re hiking, biking, camping or fishing, be sure to pack the right gear for your forest activity. Proper shoes, clothing and a first aid kit are key for a good time at the forest.

Sun protection
Sunny days are great for forest adventures, but sun exposure can damage your skin. Sunscreen, hats and sunglasses can help protect you from sun exposure.

Flashlight or headlamp and extra batteries
Forest adventures can take you to both high places and low. Having a source of light can guide you out of a dark place or help you return to your vehicle at night.

Food
A nutritious meal or snack can give you the energy you need for all your forest activities. Remember, store food and sweet-smelling items in bear-resistant containers away from your campsite.

Cooking supplies
Ensure you have matches or a lighter for a stove or campfire. Bring pots, eating utensils and trash bags.
Our forests and grasslands provide incredible recreational activities for you and your family. Prepare properly for these activities and they can be both fun and safe.
Important Safety Information
Heat Stress occurs when humidity, air temperature, radiant heat, and too little air movement combine with heavy work and clothing to raise the body temperature beyond safe limits. Sweat, as it evaporates, is the body's main line of defense against heat—as sweat evaporates it cools the body. In high humidity, sweating becomes more intense but doesn't evaporate, so no heat is lost. When water lost through sweating is not replaced, the body's heat control breaks down and body temperature climbs dangerously, subjecting the body to heat stress.
Preventing Heat Stress
Maintaining a high level of physical fitness is one of the best ways to protect yourself. The physically fit person has a well-developed circulatory capacity, as well as increased blood volume—important in regulating body temperature.
The person acclimated to the heat runs less risk of heat stress. The body adjusts to hot work in 4 to 8 days by:
- Increasing sweat production.
- Improving blood distribution.
- Decreasing skin and body temperature.
- Decreasing heart rate (beats per minute for the same job may drop from 180 to 150).
Acclimatization may be hastened by taking 250 milligrams of vitamin C daily. About 1-1 1/2 hours of work a day in the heat is enough to acclimatize to a specific combination of work and heat. It provides partial acclimatization to more severe conditions. Adjust to hot weather activity gradually. Set a sensible pace, take frequent breaks, replace fluids, and don't expect full production the first few days. Acclimatization persists for several weeks, but a tough weekend (fatigue, alcohol) leads to some loss.
Recognizing and Treating Heat Stress Disorders
Heat Stress Disorder | Cause | Symptoms | Treatment |
---|---|---|---|
Heat Cramps | Failure to replace salt lost in sweating | Painful muscle cramps. | Drink lightly salted water or lemonade; tomato juice, or "athletic" drinks; stretch cramped muscles. |
Heat Exhaustion | Failure to replace water and salt in sweating. | Weakness, unstable gait, or extreme fatigue; wet, clammy skin; headache, nausea, collapse. | Rest in shade and drink lightly salted fluids. |
Dehydration Exhaustion | Failure to replace water losses over several days | Weight loss and excessive fatigue. | Drink fluids and rest body weight and water losses are restored. |
Heat Stroke | Total collapse of temperature regulating mechanisms. | Hot skin; high body temperature (106°F or higher); mental confusion, delirium, loss of consciousness, convulsions. | Rapidly cool victim immediately, either by immersing in cold water or soaking clothes in cold water and fanning vigorously to promote evaporative cooling. Continue until temperature drops below 102°F. Treat for shock if necessary once temperature is lowered. Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Send for medical help and begin treatment at once. Brain damage and death result if treatment is delayed. |
Hypothermia may be a new word to you, but "exposure" probably isn't. Hypothermia is the progressive mental and physical collapse that accompanies the cooling of the inner core of the human body. It is caused by exposure to cold, is aggravated by wet, wind, and exhaustion.
Prevention
- Take heed of "hypothermia weather": wet, cold, and windy.
- Don't drink alcohol. It dilates blood vessels which accelerates the body's heat loss.
- Dress properly to stay warm. Too much insulation causes sweating and too little accelerates heat loss. A warm cap and mitten are essential. Up to a 50 percent heat loss can take place from an uncovered head.
- Be well-rested and properly nourished. Quick-energy foods should be taken along. During a lot of water to prevent dehydration.
- Be in good physical condition. Exercise is necessary to maintain body heat. Exhaustion prevents exercise and speeds hypothermia.
Symptoms
- Uncontrollable shivering.
- Poor coordination and loss of manual dexterity.
- Drowsiness.
- Disorientation, slurred speech, unawareness.
- Exhaustion.
Treatment
- Get back to your car or other shelter as soon as possible.
- Get out of the wind.
- Get as dry as possible.
- Eat fast-energy foods such as dried fruit, granola bars, candy, nuts, etc.
- Slowly rewarm the body internally, but don't cause burns by extreme application of heat. Rapid warming such as a shower will cause erratic heart beat which leads to death.
- Do not give hypothermia victims liquids because they may be in shock. You never give liquids to shock victims.
Planning, prevention, and treatment are essential to your survival. Death soon results unless treatment is effected. An accident that causes physical injury and shock is exaggerated by low temperatures. Be extra careful to protect yourself from natural hazards as well as your errors of judgment.
Hypothermia is not just a winter or high mountain weather problem. It may affect you at higher mountain elevations in the summer, while hiking, jogging, playing, or working at or near your home in lower elevations. Don't underestimate the dangers of exposure/hypothermia.
Abandoned Mine and Cave Safety
There are many factors to be aware of while exploring the Southwest, including abandoned mines. Go to the following webpages for more information:
- Forest Service Abandoned Mines Safety
- AbandonedMines.gov, managed by the Bureau of Land Management
- Abandoned Mine Program, NM Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources Department
- Abandoned Mine Fatalities Nationwide, U.S. Department of Labor
- Caving on the Lincoln National Forest
- Be Aware of the weather
Stay Out and Stay Alive: Abandoned Mine Safety
At the Forest Service we are always working to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Providing a safe environment to all empowers partners, employees, and visitors whether it be for sustainable recreation, landscape scale restoration work, or activities that support local economies. Therefore, we encourage you to be aware of the possible emergencies you can encounter while working in or enjoying our national forests and grasslands. In the Southwestern region, flash floods and lightning are the weather-related risks you’re likely to encounter. When we don’t take proper precautions, these weather risks can have disastrous consequences.
Flash floods
Flash floods are floods that occur within six hours of a causal event such as heavy rainfall, dam break, or a mudslide. Flash floods are usually associated with rain; however, it doesn’t have to rain a lot for flooding to occur. When fire devastates a forest, little is left to hold the top soil in place so rains can send dangerous amounts of gushing water and mud downstream. When a thunderstorm lingers upstream a small body of water downstream can become a raging river quickly. Before you go on a forest adventure, check the weather in the nearby area and upstream if you’re engaging in outdoor activities near a body of water.
Tips in case you encounter flash flooding while at the forest
Do's
- Camp above the stream bank
- Stay alert for signs of heavy rain with thunder and lightning
Dont's
- Set up camp or park vehicles next to the stream overnight
- Walk, swim, or drive through flood waters
Lightning
Lightning is a common weather event in our region. Lightning is the phenomena that causes thunder. Lightning can cause serious injury or death.
Tips in case you encounter a lightning storm while at the forest
Do's
- Move immediately to safe shelter
- Stay sheltered until at least 30 minutes after you hear the last clap of thunder
- Stay away from objects that conduct electricity
Dont's
- Pitch your tent near the tallest tree
- Stand near isolated trees, on cliffs, ridge tops, or rocky overhangs
- Stand in open fields