The summer season has shown its face, and with its arrival is a great time to get back out in the outdoors. There are so many incredible sights to view and places to enjoy this beautiful time of year. From down in the Lowcountry to the beautiful parks and trails of Upstate, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs and breathe fresh air. It’s incomparable to connect with nature and stay healthy and active. However, staying safe out there and protecting your health on the trails is essential. MD First Primary & Urgent Care has compiled this quick guide to ensure you get everything out of your summertime hikes safely.\

Getting Ready For A Summertime Hike

Hiking comes with an amazing number of health benefits, but there’s plenty you have to be careful of as well. Summer can get downright hot, especially here in South Carolina. While you’re out on the trails, you want to make sure you stay away from dehydration and make sure you’re always wearing sunscreen. When you head out to the trail, there are a few necessities yo’re going to want to have on hand, including:

• Trail Food: Pack enough food to keep your energy up. Powerbars, granola bars, and trail mixes are all great convenient bars of energy that are easy to carry and store well. If you’re traveling somewhere you’re unfamiliar with, bring a little extra in case you get disoriented.
• Butane Lighter: A butane lighter in your pack is a good idea, even if noone with you is a smoker. Studies revealed that smokers tend to have a higher overall chance of survival when they get lost. The reason is clear; they always have a source of fire on hand. 
• Change Of Clothes: Ensuring a change of clothes is available is also important. Regardless of what the weather was when you left the house, it can change unexpectedly. Also, if you should happen to get disoriented, you’ll have clothes to ensure you’re warm in the evening.
• Map: Even if you’re traveling somewhere familiar, bringing along a map with you is essential, just in case. Getting a laminated map can help protect it from moisture.
• Compass: A map isn’t of much use if you don’t know which way you’re going. Bring along a compass to help guide you. Even better, bring a satellite GPS.
• First Aid Kit: No matter how ‘minor’ your hiking trip is, accidents can occur at any time. Ensure you bring along at least a general first aid collection is available in case of an accident.
• Sunscreen and Bugspray: These two components of your kit are inseparable. So much so, in fact, that we’ve bundled them together. Sunscreen stands guard against sunburn and skin cancer, while bug spray keeps the biters at bay.

Once you have these items together, you’re ready to hit the trails and have a great summertime adventure.

Contact MD First Primary & Urgent Care For More Summertime Tips

To learn more about staying safe during summertime activities, call us at (803) 283-2300 today. We’ll connect you with a member of our team who will go over tips for staying safe this summer.