What is the single most important outdoor safety requirement?

Safety occurs from the inside-out.

The No. 1 most important safety measure is a bundle of capacities rather than any one thing. For example, the following (and more) is essential: attentiveness, observation, critical thinking, discernment, judgment, self- and situational awareness, practical knowledge, technical skills including adventure-specific competencies, subject matter understanding and ideally, expertise including the ability to appropriately and consistently apply the right knowledge at the right time. These cognitive capacities drive decisions and actions, and play a key role in the outcomes experienced.

Perhaps the best way to answer this question is to detail the top 10 factors that jeopardize safety, health and life:

• Ignorance (non-awareness); be it inadvertent or willful, such as closed mindedness or indifference, the outcome is the same: high risk

• Inadequate or unused knowledge, incompetency (skill gaps), and lack of understanding (e.g., not recognizing a risk)

• Arrogance including bravado and over-confidence

• Not respecting one’s limitations

• An “it won’t happen to me” mindset which leads to many high-risk chances being taken

• Assumptions, misconceptions, guesswork and blind trust in information

• Poor or no planning in advance and inadequate preparation for the adventure and conditions

• Insufficient mental and physical conditioning and other medical risk factors

• Excessive alcohol intake during the adventure

• Banking on others to execute a rescue if a problem is encountered

Avoiding these must be more than just a goal; a goal isn’t good enough. A thorough plan that is well-executed holds far more value including the power to protect and save your life. As we approach mid-summer, bear in mind these three reminders.

Document your adventures. A wilderness or backcountry trip plan form can be obtained from Alaska State Troopers and Alaska Public Lands Information Offices. These forms also help you plan and prepare for your adventure.

Remember this sage advice, “it’s better to have and not need, than to need and not have.”

Be bear aware. But be aware that our bears are at the bottom of the risk-for-death list. Every year, the highest mortality is from falls--while hiking, fishing, hunting, berry picking, riding, and exposure deaths, including drownings. Bees, hornets and wasps are more deadly than bears.

Never underestimate nature nor risks.

Brian “Mac” McDermott is a Wasilla-based business health consultant with a diverse background in healthcare, sports medicine, fitness and wellness. This column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman or its parent company, Wick Communications.