Passing on love of the outdoors
Preparation is key to a successful experience
Many search and rescue volunteers love being in the woods. It is part of the appeal of volunteering with the organization.
Some of us get enjoyment out of driving four-wheelers or snowmobiles out in the middle of nowhere. Some like to relax by fishing. Some are avid hunters.
There are some, like me, who love to be out in the woods hiking, snowshoeing or mountain biking. It is a part of our life and we all know the benefits that it gives to us — physical, mental and spiritual.
Many of us like to share these experiences with younger people. We want to pass this love of the outdoors on to the next generations — our children and grandchildren. We want them to love and respect the outdoors. We know that being prepared is an integral part of that experience.
I remember when I was in my 20s, I was hitchhiking across Nova Scotia. I was picked up by a man outside St. Peter’s who drove me to Port Hawkesbury. He was a person who loved the outdoors. And he told me that he lives by the 6 Ps.
I asked him what the 6 Ps were and he said, “Prior preparation prevents piss poor performance.”
I don’t remember the man’s name or the car he was driving, but the 6 Ps have always stuck with me. It is a good mantra to have when planning to go into the outdoors.
The outdoor space can be the most rewarding place in the world but things can change rapidly and you need to be prepared for anything — weather changes, injuries, fly bites, stings and animals.
To help with the 6 Ps, Hike Nova Scotia offers Outdoor Council of Canada courses each year. The main course they offer is the field leader-hiking course. According to its webpage (http://www.hikenovascotia.ca/projects/ leadership-hiking-course/), this course “includes skills to organize and lead others in a one day, educational or activity-based experience in a natural environment.
“The program is suitable for hiking club leaders, trail group volunteers, recreation department staff, teachers, 4H leaders, Scout and Guide leaders, parents or individuals interested in leading hikes. Courses are taught by OCC certified instructors.”
If you are interested in having quality experiences in the outdoors and/or leading others in these activities, this is a great course to have.
Hike Nova Scotia is in the process of creating its schedule of hikes for the year. They will be available in all regions of the province, including Cape Breton. Dates will be posted to the website once confirmed.
At Cape Breton Search and Rescue, we want you to go out and enjoy the forests and coastlines of our beautiful island. But we want you to follow the 6 Ps mentioned above.
For more tips on how to prepare, check out the Adventure Smart website at https://www. adventuresmart.ca/land/surviveoutside.htm.