This is a really good question. Why focus on the potential dangers of the great outdoors instead of all the great experiences you could be having?

I don’t hate nature or the great outdoors. Quite the contrary, I love the outdoor life. Frankly, I can’t imagine a life where going outside, hiking, exploring, and the family’s yearly fishing trip to Lake Erie aren’t things. You don’t spend years living in a cabin in Alaska if you hate being out in the middle of nowhere.

The thing is, there are legitimate potential dangers out in the great outdoors. Depending on where you are and what you’re doing this can be getting lost, animal attacks, hypothermia, sun stroke, venomous snake bites, lightning strikes, storms, and all kinds of other stuff.

I don’t believe in living in fear, but I don’t believe in living in ignorance, either. When you study an area, know what potential dangers are, and prepare ahead of time it leads to a much better experience.

Not only are you prepared in case the worst case scenarios take place, but you also don’t have to worry about that gray zone ethereal “danger” that could be out there. Since you’re prepared, you don’t need to be nearly as nervous or afraid.

That means less stress, less anxiety, and the ability to be in the moment wherever you are and whatever you’re doing. This also means that if something goes wrong you have the tools, setup, and training needed to put yourself in the best situation possible.

Sometimes a little bit of training, a first aid kit, and an emergency beacon are the difference between mild inconvenience and even death.

Let’s be clear: being in the great outdoors is FAR safer than life in cities in most places, and the chances of something bad happening in most places is extremely low.

That said, remember the Scout Motto: Be Prepared!

We love the great outdoors and the outdoor lifestyle – so the focus on dangers isn’t about putting that down.

It’s about giving you the information, the training, and the tools you need to make smart decisions and properly prepare before each and every adventure.