Answers
Get expert answers from our doctors on wilderness medicine, outdoor safety, and health topics for your outdoor adventures.
What regulations cover heat illness for workers in the United States?
Currently there is no federal OSHA standard specifically regulating workplace heat illness, though OSHA published a proposed rule in August 2024 that would become the first federal heat standard. Until a federal standard is finalized, OSHA enforces heat safety through the General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety and Health...
How do I prepare for a trip to Joshua Tree National Park this Fall?
Fall offers ideal conditions for visiting Joshua Tree National Park, with comfortable daytime temperatures around 70°F and clear skies perfect for hiking and stargazing. November brings pleasant weather, but desert conditions remain harsh and require serious preparation. The park has no water sources, gas stations, restaurants, or supply stores inside...
How do I prepare for a trip to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park this Fall?
Fall offers some of the best conditions for exploring the Smokies, with comfortable temperatures ranging from the 70s-80s in September down to the 50s-60s by November at lower elevations. However, elevation makes a significant difference. Temperatures at higher elevations like Newfound Gap (around 5,000 feet) typically run 10-20°F cooler than...
When is the air quality safe for outdoor activities after wildfire smoke?
The Air Quality Index (AQI) tells you when it's safe to be active outdoors during wildfire smoke events. The EPA uses a color-coded scale from 0 to 500, with six categories ranging from green (good) to maroon (hazardous). For outdoor activities, AQI values of 50 or below (green) represent good...
Is bear spray effective, and how do I use it correctly?
Bear spray is highly effective at stopping aggressive bear behavior. Research shows success rates of 90-92% in deterring bears, with 98% of people carrying bear spray uninjured in close-range encounters. The spray stopped undesirable bear behavior in 92% of brown bear incidents, 90% of black bear incidents, and 100% of...
How can I tell if it's too dangerous to be outdoors during a thunderstorm?
If you can hear thunder, you're close enough to be struck by lightning—making it immediately too dangerous to be outdoors. Lightning can strike more than 10 miles away from the location of rainfall, meaning blue sky overhead doesn't guarantee safety. The safest approach is to monitor weather forecasts before outdoor...
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...