What to do so that a walk for mushrooms or berries does not turn into trouble? Our expert tells a story from his life and formulates rules that will help women (and not only!) Take care of their safety when going to the forest.
Last Sunday, my friend and I went to the forest, and in our favorite blueberry a curious old man was already grazing. In five minutes of talking with Anya, he found out if she was married, if she had children, where she lived, and told a bunch of information about himself that was completely unnecessary for a hat acquaintance. At this time, I silently picked blueberries. It was interesting for me to see what was going on. When I got tired of it and I reminded my friend that it was time for us, the elder disappeared.
But after a while he appeared again – with a proposal to show us a short way to the river. Classics of the genre! We firmly rejected the offer. Having trampled on the spot and seeing that we were not paying attention to him, the unlucky comrade cheerfully said goodbye and left.
I had a few thoughts about this meeting.
- The elder acted in full accordance with the archetypes of Leshy and the Beast. He immediately found out the key points, assessed the situation, tried to calculate the chances for the success of the enterprise (no one began to check the purity of his thoughts).
- Our calm and confident behavior, inconsistent with the role of the “victim”, “turned off” his interest in us. My girlfriend and I didn’t have a shadow of fear, because we have experience (how many trips behind us!) And knowledge. And we believe in ourselves and our strengths.
Yes, that man might sincerely want to show us the way to the river. For example, because he is bored and he is generally kind. But to test a hypothesis means to waste our energy on an action that is completely unnecessary to us and has nothing to do with our life. Therefore, the conclusion: we save strength for ourselves. And act calmly in strange circumstances with strange people.
About safety in the forest
The bitter truth that a neophyte tourist needs to know: it is important to be able to handle adventures on your own head. Foresight, foresight, knowledge of the laws of nature and society help to avoid most of the stupid things along the way.
Take care of your body like the apple of your eye. This simple truth will stop you from making wrong moves. One single scratch, one little callus, can spoil a journey so long and carefully planned.
I remember, in one of the first campaigns, my finger became inflamed from the oar. The throbbing pain at night got me up, I woke up the whole camp, and my finger became the butt of sharp jokes at breakfast. There were different proposals from comrades, from the option “cut off” to “no person – no problem.” Jokes aside, but I remember this moment. So many cases of the death of experienced tourists due to their own carelessness have been described … Alas. Incredibly sorry people. Smart, healthy, strong.
Four simple forest safety rules
1. The first thing to remember when entering the forest: everything here can kill you. It’s true. Nature is beautiful, serene and… indifferent to our existence. Your life is your concern.
After you have overcome this harsh thought and still decide to go into the forest, you need to prepare. Even if you go for three hours, you must have the necessary minimum with you:
- Water
- lighter
- Food
- Warm clothes for the season
- Means of communication
- Money
- Minimum first aid kit
2. No need to go to unfamiliar places if you are in poor health, orienteering, clothing and company. Each of these conditions may be worse than necessary, but at least let it be one such. When there are more than one, you can not take risks. If you have bad company and good clothes, you will just spoil your mood. If both, your risks increase.
3. Your clothes matter. Now, in principle, she is very good. Any running shoes are suitable for a short hike. But if you go to the forests regularly, then you should take care of special equipment. It is truly designed to keep you comfortable in the most extreme conditions. In addition, tourist clothing is special. It is strong, bright and dries quickly. Don’t wear camouflage unless you’re a spy. You must be seen and heard in the forest. People will find you, and animals will run away.
4. Not all people are equally useful on a hike. And if all tourists are more or less similar to each other (you can turn to them for help, if anything), then the situation with the locals is more complicated. This is where the rule comes into play: when you meet a stranger, don’t touch him. Everything you need, you have. Whatever he wants from you is none of his business. Be polite and don’t make close contact unnecessarily.
In this regard, I like the way Israelis teach their children. If you’re alone, find the first adult you think is trustworthy and ask for help. Turn on your intuition and listen to yourself! The best recipe! I myself use it.
Take care of your safety, and then the forest will reveal its best side to you: silence, beauty, resources. And, of course, berries and mushrooms.
About the Developer
Lyubov Malofeeva — psychologist, business coach, works in the method of psychodrama. Her .