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The mutual support method provides a backup for people who may lose their footing during a crossing. If you slip or lose your grip, your companions can support you. Using waist belts or pack straps. This is the preferred variation, especially in deep water. It’s quick to set up as it only requires normal equipment and it gives good support if anyone stumbles or slips.

1. Line up people according to their level of strength and experience.
a. A strong person at the upstream end of the line.
b. The strongest, most experienced person alongside them for extra
support.
c. Another strong person at the downstream end.
d. The rest of the group in between.

2. Undo chest straps and loosen shoulder straps.

3. Check that waist belts are done up.

Warning signs

There are some signs that you must never ignore:

1. Discolored, surging water
2. The sound of rolling stones on the riverbed
3. Trees and debris being carried along.

For more information on river crossing please visit New Zealand Mountain Safety Council

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Before crossing

1. Decide whether or not you should cross – assess the river’s depth, color, speed, catchment area and runout; look for alternatives such as a bridge upstream; consider escape routes along your route; or wait for the river levels to drop. Choose a suitable and safe location. Never risk
crossing a flooded river. If in doubt, do not cross.

2. Prepare yourself for crossing:

a. Pack chest straps should be undone.
b. Place any foam bedrolls on top of the pack.
c. Slightly loosen shoulder straps.
d. Use pack liners to ensure that gear in your packs is waterproofed.
e. Remove leggings to reduce drag; leave your boots on.
f. Have a dry run of your crossing method. Inexperienced or weaker members should be in the middle of the group.

During crossing

1. If crossing alone, make sure you use a pole to support yourself while crossing.

2. If in a group, use the mutual support method. Do not break up the formation until everyone in the crossing group is safely on the bank. Make sure you communicate with all members of the party.

3. Carefully pace your movement, do not hurry. It’s better to be delayed but alive.

4. Stay in line with the current.

5. Stay away from boulders.

After crossing
1. Check everyone for coldness, and change into warm or dry clothing. Hypothermia can start after crossing.

2. Have a snack or warm drink.

3. Check with the others if they are OK to continue with the tramp.

In my next post on this subject I will describe the mutual support method for crossing rivers, and also some warning signs that indicate that crossing is not a good idea.

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Tips that will make your stay in a tent more pleasant:

• Buy a good tent. Don’t settle for something cheap. Your tent has to be absolutely waterproof, but also has to be ventilated, and have a good insect netting. It also should have enough room for people and gear. It is best to buy a tent that can stand by itself, without being held by pegs because sometimes you’ll have to put up a tent on a hard surface and it will be difficult to hammer in pegs. If you will use pegs – buy a hammer.

• Sleeping mats. Go for self-inflatingcamping sleeping mats. They will provide better comfort together with good isolation from the ground.

• Sleeping bags. Buy a professional sleeping bag for cold conditions (-5 or even -10 degrees Celsius). It is better to sleep on top of your sleeping bag in a warm weather than feeling cold when camping in highlands.

• Flashlight. You want to be able to see thing inside your tent after dark. It is best to buy a headlamp so that your hands will be free.

• Put up your tent while you still have sunlight. It will be much easier and more convenient.

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1. Stop walking and find shelter. Get the victim out of the wind and rain.

2. Put a victim into a sleeping bag. If possible, put drink bottles with warm water inside a sleeping bag. Also a good idea would be for some one to get inside the sleeping bag with the victim to exchange body heat.

3. Give warm and sweet drinks to victim because they will warm the body from the inside. Do NOT give liquid to an unconscious person!

4. Place the victim in the recovery position. If you don’t know what it is, you can read about it in Wikipedia.

5. Check Airway. Start resuscitation if breathing stops. Monitor the victim for changes in level of consciousness and temperature. Handle an unconscious patient with extreme care and move
them only when absolutely necessary.

Never rub the victim. Never give alcohol to the victim.

Gradually heat the victim and never do that rapidly.

Here are some additional facts about hypothermia:

• People have died of hypothermia without once complaining of the cold

• If one person of your group has hypothermia symptoms, others may also have hypothermia.

• Hypothermia symptoms can look like fatigue, and the victim may not realize the danger.

• Young and old people are more likely to get hypothermia, but even the fit and strong can have it.

• Distinguishing between Hypothermia and Cold Shock. If the patient’s temperature is less than 35C then they should be treated as a hypothermic patient. Otherwise it is unlikely to be hypothermia.

Take the temperature in the armpit for at least 3 minutes. If the temperature is less than 35C, take a rectal temperature, as it will give a better assessment.

I hope that you will never have to deal with hypothermia, and prevent it in the first place. But every person that likes to hike should know how to deal with it.

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1. Wind. Strong wind can take much of the body heat.

2. Cold. In New Zealand temperature may drop suddenly. Temperature also drops with increased altitude.

3. Wet clothing. Dry clothing insulates your body from the surroundings much better than wet clothing.

4. Injury. Injury may increase the risk of hypothermia.

5. Anxiety.

6. Fatigue. If a person not fit enough for the trip or carries too much weight on him it may highly increase the chances of getting hypothermia.

7. Recent Illness. If a person was sick prior to going on a tramp it will increase the chances of getting hypothermia. Flu is especially dangerous.

8. Insufficient Food. Not enough food, person eats not often enough, person eats the wrong kind of food.
Keep all these causes in mind when judging serious situations during your hikes. In my next and last article in the series about hypothermia I will talk about dealing with hypothermia

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