Deb Blick @ July 1, 2006 # No Comment Yet
Summertime is not the prime hiking season in Florida. However, that doesn’t mean the members of the Florida Trail Association are staying indoors. Whether canoeing a favorite river, kayaking the Gulf of Mexico, or simply lying on the white sand beaches, there is still plenty to do outside.Along with the change in the weather comes [...]
Deb Blick @ January 1, 2006 # No Comment Yet
The Ten Essentials: Every hiker has heard about them, and most of us would assume we know what they are. However, it seems that everyone has a different version of what the Ten Essentials comprise. Factors like weather, terrain, experience, time and distance all have a say in what should be included in your Ten [...]
Deb Blick @ November 1, 2005 # No Comment Yet
Sometimes it’s easiest to forget the simple things. Here are some gentle reminders on things you should remember before going out on the trail.
“First We Eatâ€
It’s not just our unofficial motto, it’s also a good idea. Being properly hydrated and with enough “fuel†inside to properly run your mower is a good way to not only [...]
Deb Blick @ September 1, 2005 # No Comment Yet
Tailgate Safety Sessions have been used by many agencies including our Federal partners, the USDA Forest Service, as well as many of our volunteer leaders. The Tailgate Safety Session is an excellent way to start your day, whether building a bridge or maintaining trail. The Session can set the tone for safety and still have [...]
Deb Blick @ March 1, 2005 # No Comment Yet
As a Leave No Trace Master Educator and the LNT State Advocate, the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace are never far from my mind. I realized during a LNT Trainer course I was teaching that the first principle (Plan Ahead and Prepare) is also very important for safety along the Florida Trail. The first [...]
Deb Blick @ January 2, 2005 # No Comment Yet
Thanks to the cardio aspect of our chosen pastime – hiking! – we get a good workout for our hearts. We should still consider the following information from the American Red Cross:
• Seventy-five percent of all out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the home.
• About 1.25 million people experience a heart attack in the U.S. each [...]
Deb Blick @ January 1, 2005 # No Comment Yet
Do you carry a first aid kit? Do you know what is in it? Do you know when and how to use the contents? These are very good questions, and the answers raise many more questions. First aid kits come in all shapes, sizes, and contents. What you bring will depend upon your level of [...]
Deb Blick @ November 1, 2004 # No Comment Yet
There are standards, qualifications, equipment, procedures, and safety practices, and techniques set down by the USDA Forest Service in their Health and Safety Code Handbook. You can access this handbook on the web at www.firepreventionteams.us/documents/FSH6709-1.pdf The Florida Trail Association uses the USFS Health and Safety Code Handbook as our standard for chainsaw operations, and for many [...]