Wether you go kayaking, paragliding, hill-walking, climbing, skiing and or any other outdoor adventure, you’ll need to think about safety. I explained more about this on the Outside Help Instruction page. Pyro signals are among the possible aids at your disposal. Here’s what I have and use: Para Red Rocket Mk8A (Instruction video) Designed to withstand exceptional environmental exposure and to perform reliably even after immersion in water, the pull wire ignitor and improved grip provides easy handling. Ejecting a red flare on a parachute at 300m (1.000ft), burning for 40 seconds at 30.000 candela. 235 g (8.3 oz) Red Handflare Mk8 (Instruction video) Flare Minimum Burns for 60 seconds at 15.000 candela., For use day or night the red handflare is a shortrange distress signal used to pinpoint position. 176g (6.2 oz) Compact Distress Signal (Instruction video) For day or night-use only when rescue services are sighted. Each cartridge projects its payload to a height of 50 metres, burns for over 5 seconds at a minimum of 10.000 candela and is visible for at least 5 miles in daylight increasing to 10 miles at night, depending on weather conditions. 74 g (2.6 oz) Lifesmoke Mk9 (Instruction video) Signal provides effective position marking during rescue operations and can be used to indicate wind direction, producing dense orange smoke for a minimum of 3 minutes. 370g (13.05 oz) Storage I have these pyro’s stored (at home) in an ammo tin. Besides that, I have the Large Polybottle (waterproof) of 12 litre (2.64gal) capacity. It is really large. W218xH400xD218mm, weighing 0.6 Kg. Having said that, none of the two options above are light and small enough to take the selection of appropriate signals on a trip. What you probably need (which I do not have), is the Mini Polybottle Mini Polybottle, with a 3 litre (0.8gal) capacity.
Many of us are startled by the codes products get for their waterproofness. I’l try to explain these codes without getting too technical or scientific.
The most widely used code is the IP Code (International Protection Marking). IP codes are made up out of a; –first digit, indicating what size solid particles it can withstand. (solid particle protection) –second digit, indicating waterproofness (liquid ingress protection)
Using the 6 as first digit, because this typically is realistic, what you need to know is this:
Taking electrical or otherwise water-sensitive gear outside of your boat, requires IP68. (Whitewater can created a lot of pressure.) Think watches, camera’s, et cetera.
Taking electrical or otherwise water-sensitive gear inside of your boat, requires IP67. Think dry-bags, phones, et cetera.
Using electrical or otherwise water-sensitive gear off-water ideally has an IP65 or IP66 rating, but may be less, subject to the type of gear.
Underlying this, we’ll have a look at the second digit, protection against water., which is most relevant to us:
Digit
Type
Explanation
0
None
1
Dripping water
Dripping water (vertically falling drops) shall have no harmful effect on the specimen when mounted in an upright position onto a turntable and rotated at 1 RPM.
2
Dripping water when tilted at 15°
Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at an angle of 15°.
3
Spraying water
Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from the vertical shall have no harmful effect.
4
Splashing water
Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect.
5
Waterjets
Water projected by a nozzle (6.3 mm) against enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.
6
Powerful waterjets
Water projected in powerful jets (12.5 mm nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.
7
Immersion, up to 1m depth
Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water of up to 1 m.
8
Immersion, 1m or more depth
The equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in water without harmful effects.
The first digit, solid particle protection:
Digit
Size (mm)
Explanation
2
>12.5
Fingers or similar objects
3
>2.5
Tools, thick wires, etc.
4
>1
Most wires, slender screws, large ants etc.
5
Dust protected
Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it interfere with the operation of the equipment.
6
Dust tight
No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact (dust tight).
Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, [habituates them to humans], and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the environment. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
Keep fires small. Only use down and dead wood from the ground that can be broken by hand.
Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes
Personally, I do not think campfires and nature get along. Ever.
Leave What You Find
Preserve the past: examine, photograph, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
Dispose of Waste Properly
Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite, food preparation areas, and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
Utilize toilet facilities whenever possible. Otherwise, deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 20 cm deep, at least 60 meters from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 60 meters away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Durable surfaces include maintained trails and designated campsites, rock, gravel, sand, dry grasses or snow.
Protect riparian areas by camping at least 60 meters from lakes and streams.
Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
In popular areas:
Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
In pristine areas:
Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
Plan Ahead and Prepare
Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you’ll visit.
Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
Repackage food to minimize waste.
Use a map and compass or GPS to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
other visitors
Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
Let nature’s sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
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