Emergency Preparedness Themes for the Alaskan Outdoors

At Pybus Point Lodge, one of the single elements of our all-inclusive Alaskan vacations we take most seriously is safety. There are some risks involved in the outdoor activities we offer to our clients, from our fishing packages to wildlife tours, outdoor excursions and many other activities -- but the proper safety preparations will minimize these risks to acceptable levels, or even eliminate them altogether in most cases.

Safety is promoted throughout our programs, which feature guides who are all well-trained in proper safety precautions and emergency response techniques. For activities that require it, guides will run through important safety guidelines before the activity takes place, ensuring everyone understands their responsibilities to both themselves and others.

One particular piece of Alaskan vacation safety that everyone should be aware of is emergency planning and response, which should always be attended to even if the chances of such an emergency are extremely low or virtually nonexistent. Here are some basic themes for emergency preparedness you should be ready for.

Weather Themes

Perhaps the single largest culprit in the rare emergencies that do take place in the Alaskan outdoors: The weather, which is the one major area we can't really control. For this reason, it's important to prepare for all possible contingencies here.

This begins with checking the weather in advance ahead of any outdoor excursion, something that's standard practice before any of our programs. Our guides are all trained not only to read local weather reports, but also to recognize the signs of inclement weather even in situations where Mother Earth isn't behaving exactly as the forecast predicted.

The other big piece of this that we'll handle for you: Having a plan in case of sudden inclement weather during any kind of activity. Alaska can experience a number of different dangerous weather conditions, but our guides will ensure there's a specific action plan to follow if this happens. If the weather suddenly becomes severe, this strategy will come into play.

If you're planning your own outdoor activities and don't have a guide to fall back on, it's crucial that you at least research inclement weather conditions ahead of time and develop an emergency plan for whatever activity you do. Rain gear is important equipment in the Alaskan outdoors.

First Aid

Another major piece of emergency preparedness for any outdoor activity in Alaska involves the presence of a proper First Aid kit -- plus guides who are experienced with its use. Most of the time, these kits won't even need to be used -- but in cases where an injury does occur, having a First Aid kit on hand can be critical.

Our guides will carry this First Aid kit in every tour vehicle for all of our programs, including fishing expeditions and wildlife trips. And they'll know how to use it. If they're not experienced with a situation, more advanced medical care can be provided by the National Guard, which maintains bases at a number of different locations in Alaska. This is standard practice for all first aid procedures and will be followed in any outdoor activity where injuries are possible.

Other Emergency Supplies

In addition to the First Aid kit, our excursions will also typically include several other pieces of emergency gear. Emergency supplies that should be on-hand include a radio or some other kind of communication device, a map, a GPS device, a knife, blankets and water. These items can be found in an emergency preparedness kit we offer as part of our Alaskan vacations packages, which also includes a first aid booklet you'll receive before the trip begins.

In rare cases where one or more components of this basic emergency kit won't work due to being broken or otherwise defective, guides will have a backup plan ready to implement in case such a situation arises.

No Traveling Alone

Especially for those who are not experienced with the terrain or environment in the Alaskan outdoors, we strongly discourage traveling alone. Even for small walks or hikes near the lodge, it's ideal to bring at least one other person with you.

Especially for those who are not experienced with the terrain or environment in the Alaskan outdoors, we strongly discourage traveling alone. Even for small walks or hikes near the lodge, it's ideal to bring at least one other person with you.

For more on emergency preparedness and general safety tips when enjoying the outdoors in Alaska, or to learn about any of our fishing trips, wildlife tours or other services, speak to the staff at Pybus Point Lodge today.