Hiking is suitable for all ages. For active seniors, it is one of the best ways to keep oneself fit and healthy. There are many places in Hong Kong which have been made into hiking routes suitable for families and seniors. However, no matter how small Hong Kong is, hiking in places which are distant from town may still expose hikers to various unexpected unpleasant or even hazardous situations. Even with a mobile phone in hand, it does not guarantee you with stable phone signal and immediate help.
We provide some safety tips which are like reminders to make sure that you are well prepared and equipped for emergency situations. Hiking can be a fantastic experience especially if you are going with your family, long-time friends, and it is always good to know what you need to do at the appropriate moments.
General tips:
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For any hiking journey, long or short, anticipate the kinds of emergency situation that may arise. For example, check the weather and see if heavy rain or typhoon is coming. Avoid going in bad weathers. Choose a safe and suitable route and always go with company.
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Check again if you have the essential items which allow you to be sound and safe in unexpected bad weather and prolonged hiking journey - water, a snack bar, some nuts, first aids items, a whistle, a small torch, and a foldable walking stick.
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For beginners, do some warming-up, such as stretching, at the start of the journey.
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When facing emergency situations, be calm and avoid dangerous areas. Pay attention to the surrounding environment, and stay in a safe place. Call for outside help.
The most common emergency situations are:
Ankle sprung
Flash flooding
Landslides
Hill fires
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Safety Guidelines
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在乾燥的天氣,山火於較斜的草坡上順風向上蔓延速度極快,遠足人士絕不可輕視山火的威力。
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隨時留意飛灰和火煙味,如發現山火,盡速遠離火場。
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Emergency Measures
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保持鎮靜,切勿驚慌。
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切勿試圖撲滅山火,除非:
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山火的範圍很小
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你確實處於安全的地方
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你有可逃生的路徑
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估計以下情況,以便迅速離開火場
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山火的蔓延方向: 避免跟山火蔓延的同一方向走避
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附近小徑的斜度: 選較易逃走的小徑
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附近植物的高度及密度: 選擇少植物的地方
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沿現有的小徑逃生會比較少障礙,且走得更快
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若山火迫在眉睫又無路可逃,應以衣物包掩外露皮膚逃進己焚燒過的地方,這樣可減輕身體受傷的機會。如情況許可,切勿往山上走,因會消耗體力。
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切勿走進矮小密林及草叢,山火在這些地方可能會蔓延得很快而且熱力也較高。
Heat strokes
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Safety Guidelines
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中暑的人會感到熱、暈眩、不安寧、甚至不醒人事,體溫可能升上40°C以上,皮膚乾燥而泛紅,呼吸和脈搏加速,嚴重者會休克。
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行山途中要有適當的休息,不應過勞。
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避免長時間受太陽直接照射。
(健康樹:
預防中暑小妙招)
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Emergency Measures
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讓患者躺在陰涼處,脫除衣物,雙足翹起,若患者是清醒,可給予流質飲品,不要讓人群阻礙空氣流通。
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如必要,可加用浸水、敷濕衣及風吹等能迅速降低體溫的方法,直至症狀消失為止。
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繼續補充水份及馬上求救以便及早治理。
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如患者大量流汗、抽筋,可在水中加鹽(每半公升水加半茶匙鹽)。
Lost in the mountains
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Safety Guidelines
天氣不佳或準備不足,最容易迷途。
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Emergency Measures
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利用指南針及地圖設法找出所處位置。
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設法記憶曾經過之途徑,經原路折回起點。若不能,則留在原地等待救援。
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切勿再往前進,以免消耗體力及增加救援的困難。
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若決定繼續前進,尋路時應在每一路口留下標記。
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如未能辨認位置,應往高地走,居高臨下較易辨認方向,亦容易被救援人員發現。
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切忌走向山澗深谷,身處深谷不易辨認方向,向下走時雖容易,但下山危險性高,要再折回高地時也困難,以致消耗大量體力。
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天氣寒冷而禦寒裝備不足、雷雨時或遇到山火,可暫離高地待情況好轉時,再到較高位置等候救援。
Sudden temperature drop
Snake bites
Struck by lightning
Bee stings
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Safety Guidelines
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樹林中隨時會遇上大黃蜂或胡蜂的出沒。
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避免走進蕨叢,這裏通常是昆蟲和黃蜂聚居的地方。
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在身邊或衣服上噴防蚊油。
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不要使用芬芳香體品。
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Emergency Measures
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若遇蜂巢擋路,可繞路前進。
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若遇一、兩隻黃蜂在頭上盤旋,可以不加理會,如常前進。
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如有螫針,可用鉗子拔除,但不要擠壓毒囊,以免剩餘的毒素進入皮膚。
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若遇群蜂追襲,可坐下不動,用外衣蓋頭、頸,以作保護,捲曲臥在地上。
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待蜂群散開後,才慢慢撤離。
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嚴重螫傷應盡快求醫。
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可以冷水濕透毛巾,輕敷在傷處,減輕腫痛。
The Government has provided
hiking routes and transportation information for hikers. Other useful information is also available in various websites.
參考網頁:
http://www.hiker.hk/cs_kw_Safty.html