Hazards of outdoor recreation

Outdoor recreation, such as hiking, camping, canoeing, cycling, or skiing, entails risks, even if participants do not recklessly place themselves in harm's way.

In some circumstances, such as being in remote locations or in extreme weather conditions, even a minor accident may create a dangerous situation that requires survival skills.

A standard precaution for all back country activities is carrying the "ten essentials", a collection of tools chosen for their utility in preventing or reacting to various emergencies.

Blizzards, flash floods, fog, dust or sandstorms, tornadoes, and other meteorological events may or may not be predictable, and may require immediate response for survival.

[4] Precautions include training, monitoring weather conditions to learn the history of the snow pack, digging hasty pits, modifying the route, passing one-by-one through dangerous areas, wearing avalanche beacons, and carrying avalanche probes and snow shovels.

Basic gear for glacier travel includes crampons and ice axes, and teams of two to five tie into a rope equally spaced.

Lost hikers who cannot find their way to their destination on time may run out of food and water, or experience a change in weather.

Without a distant focal point, such as a mountain top, or the sun or moon, people who are lost can sometimes wander in circles.

Regularly making loud noise, such as by clapping or yelling, reduces the risk of surprising an animal.

Venomous animals, including snakes, scorpions, spiders and bees, may cause harm either directly or through anaphylactic shock.

Party of snowshoers walking near an overhanging cornice that could break off and cause them to fall into the valley to the left.
A crossing of the west flank of the Heiligkreuzkofel , South Tyrol requires a head for heights and sure-footedness in several places.
In some parks, hiking trails are clearly and accurately labeled.
Overexposure to sunlight can result in sunburn .
Harmful encounters between animals and people can occur when animals try to get human food. Above a Black Bear is unsuccessful getting into backpacks because they are hung out of reach. Proper food storage protects both people and animals.