Guest Column: Plan ahead before hiking

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Recent highly publicized rescues of hikers are a powerful reminder to everyone to be prepared when enjoying the great outdoors. The recent serious injury to a brave Orange County Sheriff ’s Reserve Deputy during a rescue is also a reminder of the risks taken by all rescuers to help others, because they value human life so much.

Los Angeles County Sheriff ’s deputies and many other highly trained and brave rescuers volunteer for $1 per year. Also, full time rescuers from sheriff ’s departments and fire departments fly and drive and hike and swim and repel in to effect rescues on a regular basis. In fact, there were 560 search and rescue activations last year just for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The people who were rescued came from all of the world, yet most were local; none ever expected their lives to be at such risk, or to need to be rescued. Many nearly lost their lives.

So what is it that the rescuers ask of you as they risk so much to help you and those you love?

Hiking and camping are fun ways to get family and friends together to enjoy the outdoors and to get some physical activity. However, you should always be prepared for the unexpected. You should tell family and friends what your plans are and provide a list of who will be going with you. That’s why the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’s Department would like to remind the residents of Los Angeles County (and beyond) that having a hiking and camping plan is crucial to survival in case of an emergency.

Before you leave, please fill out a Hiking Plan sheet and give it to a loved one to hold onto so they know your plan just in case something happens to a member of your hiking or camping expedition. Or, if you know someone going on a hike, ask them to fill out this easy form, so that it will help your mind at ease.

To download the hiking plan sheet, visit here.