Answers
Get expert answers from our doctors on wilderness medicine, outdoor safety, and health topics for your outdoor adventures.
How do you tell the difference between black bears and grizzly (brown) bears?
Don't rely on color alone: both bear species range from black to blonde. Grizzly bears have a distinctive shoulder hump between their front shoulders, creating their highest point when viewed from the side. Black bears lack this hump and instead have their highest point at the middle back or rump....
How do you tell the difference between a coral snake and other snakes?
The traditional rhyme helps distinguish coral snakes from similar-looking harmless snakes, but experts now recognize this method has serious limitations. True coral snakes have red bands directly touching yellow/white bands, with both red and black bands being roughly the same width, separated by narrower yellow/white bands that completely encircle the...
What should I do if I see a bear while hiking?
If you see a bear while hiking, stay calm, do not run, slowly back away while talking in a calm voice, and make yourself appear larger by slowly raising your arms above your head. Most bears want to avoid humans and will leave the area if they detect your presence....
How do I prevent mosquito bites?
Use EPA-approved repellents with DEET or picaridin on exposed skin, wear long sleeves and pants, and treat clothes with permethrin for best protection against mosquitoes. Use proven bug repellents on your skin. Apply EPA-approved repellents containing DEET (20-30%) or picaridin (20%). These work for 6-12 hours and are safe...
How can I stay safe around rattlesnakes?
Most rattlesnake bites happen when people interact with snakes on purpose, not by accident. The Wilderness Medical Society reports that most bites occur when people try to catch, kill, or bother snakes. This often happens when people have been drinking alcohol. The best protection is learning about snake behavior and...
What should I do if I get altitude sickness?
Altitude sickness occurs when you ascend too quickly for your body to adjust to lower oxygen levels. The most important first step is to halt all further ascent and rest at your current elevation [1]. Never continue climbing higher with any symptoms of altitude sickness, no matter how mild they...