Hiking in Summer: prevention and safety

With the mercury hitting red in our country since the beginning of summer, trekking seems to be developing into an extremely dangerous sport as we are already counting casualties in the first fortnight of June.

In total, four tourists have lost their lives, in Symi, Samos, Crete and Corfu, while two French women continue to be missing in Sikinos and an American tourist in Amorgos, with his disappearance counting nine days.

• A 67-year-old man collapsed while hiking in the gorge at Mylos Rethymno due to a heart problem.
• A 70-year-old woman felt dizzy and collapsed in the Chochliakion gorge in Sitia.
• The 67-year-old British Michael Mosley was found dead on the beach of Agia Marina in Symi, after a hike.
• A 74-year-old Dutch hiker was found dead in Samos, in the area of ​​Limnionas and Klima.
• A 59-year-old American hiker is also missing in Amorgos after hiking for about 4 hours.

These incidents confirm the objective dangers of hiking during the hot summer months, and at the same time highlight the importance of preparation, knowledge and prevention.

Precautions for safe hiking

Prevention is the best way to safely enjoy hiking, even in summer.

1. Preparation
Get informed! Before starting the hike, it is important to be informed about the route, the requirements and difficulties it may have, the peculiarities of the terrain, and the weather conditions. Also, you must avoid dangerous times, such as midday when the temperature is high, and correctly calculate the hours required to complete the route. It is best to start the hike early in the morning and finish by early afternoon. Otherwise, we recommend hiking in the early afternoon until dusk.

2. Informing relatives and dealing with emergency situations
Before starting the hike, make sure to inform your relatives about the route you are going to follow, as well as about a possible change of course. If there is no mobile signal, it is recommended to send a text message as there is a chance that it will be delivered when a mobile network is found. In emergency situations, don’t forget that there is always the number 112!

3. Proper diet
Proper nutrition before a demanding ride is especially important. Before hiking, it is good to eat light meals that include carbohydrates and proteins, avoiding heavy meals such as dairy and grains, doughs and pies, which can make digestion difficult and cause a feeling of heaviness during the walk. It is recommended to choose energy-rich foods such as fruit, nuts and energy bars.

4. Proper equipment
Choosing the right equipment is important. The backpack should be well organized and – among other things – include: water and electrolytes for adequate hydration, energy bars, head torch and mobile phone for emergency communication. Also, it is good to have a whistle, a knife, a lighter, as well as a small first aid kit with an elastic bandage, surgical gloves and sterile gauze. Necessary accessories are also the hat, but also the sunglasses.

5. Company
Always prefer to walk with company and not alone.

6. Attention to vulnerable groups
All of the above, which are the basic prevention methods for a safe hike, apply to everyone, however they are more important for certain vulnerable groups. Such are the elderly, young children and people with known health problems, such as heart patients or people with respiratory problems, as well as overweight people.

We make hiking safe

Hiking in the summer in our country can be a favorite sport and a beautiful experience for many, but due to the extremely high temperatures, it carries significant risks. Careful preparation, proper nutrition and hydration, and the selection of appropriate equipment are essential to avoid risks so that everyone can safely enjoy their favorite activity. We stay safe!