FIT OA

Benefits
• Physical Benefits - Every outdoor activity entails some form of physical activity. Whether it
is sports related or just plain walking around the park, these activities encourage physical
exercise which is good to improve one’s well-being. Going for a brisk walk in the morning is
a good way to catch Vitamin D from the sunlight. Engaging in simple games can develop
physical agility and proper body coordination.
• Mental Exercise - During hiking, camping, and backpacking, physical body parts are not the
only ones that get exercised. Even the mind can benefit from these physical activities. When
using a map to navigate a particular area, it encourages a healthy mental health. While
exploring the great outdoors and the mind is free to explore, it develops learning.
• Improved Behavior - As people come in to contact with others, certain behavior can be
developed. Learning how to act in front of a large crowd or work together with a team are
some of the things that can be developed when a person engages in activities that require
him to work with others. The values of sharing, problem solving, and cooperating are
learned.
• Personality Development - Living in a fast-paced environment can wear a person down. As
such, exploring the outdoors allows a person to free his mind from the stresses and
demands of work. Going away for a weekend to explore other places encourages a person’s
sense of adventure and takes his mind off from the hustle and bustle of the corporate jungle.
By engaging in outdoor activities, a person develops his self-confidence and creativity by
making things around him interesting.
• Better Social Skills - The outdoors is a great place to develop a person’s social skills.
Becoming involved in activities allows us to meet new people and interact with them. Doing
stress-relieving activities with other people allows us to bond and develop a strong sense of
community where we can be ourselves and feel we belong.
• Increased Work Productivity - People who engage themselves in regular outdoor activity
tend to me more relaxed while at the same time active. They react better even in stressful
situations and also exhibit high productivity. Companies believe that the individual
productivity of their employees, when combined indicate increase in their profits as well.
• Increased Environmental Awareness - As people continue to explore the great outdoors and
discover the beauty of nature, they certainly become aware of the environmental issues in
the society. Active people tend to put more value to things they have come to appreciate,
like nature. This new sense of awareness encourages them to protect the environment and
involve themselves in causes that push environmental care forward.
There will always come a time when this highly technological lifestyle will wear the person
down. As such, health experts continue to encourage everyone to maintain a particular
balance of keeping in touch with the real world while maximizing the benefits of this age’s
breakthroughs. Exploring the great outdoors certainly presents a wonderful opportunity.
Risks and Safety Management
BEFORE

• Check multiple weather sources for your actual destination - Weather patterns can change
rapidly, particularly near large bodies of water and in mountainous regions. Checking multiple
sources for the latest weather in your destination, not a town 30 miles away but the actual
destination, will allow you to have a more complete picture of the risks.
• Dress appropriately for the conditions and season - It’s not enough to just check the weather in
your destination, be sure to also dress appropriately.
• Inspect your essential gear - Make sure that your most essential outdoor adventure safety gear
is in good working order before you leave home. This includes your headlamp, water filter, and
even your shoe laces!
• Learn basic first aid - When you or your adventure buddy needs first aid, it’s not the best time to
learn how to actually give first aid. Familiarize yourself with how to identify and treat the most
common types of injuries that occur in the outdoors. Examples include blisters, cuts, sprains,
dehydration, hypothermia, and heat stroke.
• Share your itinerary - This is so simple, yet often overlooked. Imagine heading out on a hike by
yourself, getting injured and not a single person knowing what trail you are on. Drop a pin and
send it to a friend or just text someone the name of the trail, route, park, etc. that you’ll be
exploring.

DURING

• Have a safety plan - if enjoying the outdoors in a group, discuss your safety plan in case
something unexpected happens! This is more straightforward when you’re planning to be
outdoors on your own. When you are with a group, though, this is more complicated – and even
more important. What will you do if you get separated? What will you do if someone gets hurt?
Who is carrying the first aid kit? Does everyone know how to do basic first aid? Take time to
have an intentional conversation about this so if something happens everyone knows what to
do!
• Be alert - Enjoy all the beauty that nature has to offer and be mindful and aware of your
surroundings. This includes paying attention to where you’re stepping (or paddling, if on water)
and watching for slippery surfaces, low hanging branches, trip hazards and drop offs.
• Know approximately what time sunset will be - Whatever you are doing in the outdoors,
knowing the approximate time of sunset is a helpful guide. Overnight temperatures can drop,
weather patterns can shift, and navigating gets more challenging, especially if you don’t have a
light source and are in an unfamiliar place. Allow yourself time to make it back to the trailhead,
campsite or other safe place before nightfall. If you intend to be outdoors after nightfall, plan
ahead and bring appropriate gear and clothing.
• Know what to do if you get lost - First, make every effort to stay calm. Before wandering further,
collect your thoughts and attempt to remember how you got to your current location. Take a
moment to try to find your current location on the map.
Safety precautions when hiking, camping, biking, horseback riding in mt. Yangbew

HIKING

• Since the trail is well-established, there is no need for a guide. However, if preferred, you can
ask for one at the barangay hall or at the trailhead reception area.
• Check the weather before your hike. Talk to the rangers or consult the park site to find out what
inclement weather events are most likely at this time of year and how to stay safe in them.
• To avoid the peak hours of sun and heat, hikers set out in the early morning or late afternoon
• For the sake of your own safety, it is paramount that you stay on the trail.
• Stay hydrated

CAMPING

• When camping, choose the right shelter and site

• To protect yourself from mosquitos, ticks and other insects, use insect repellent that doesn’t
dissolve easily in water. Make sure you check for ticks daily, especially in unsuspecting areas of
your body.

BIKING

• Get the Right Gear

-Not all bike helmets are designed for the same risks. When mountain biking, you want to
choose a bike helmet that will protect your head against the unique terrain and hazards found
on the mountains and in the woods.
• Prepare Your Body for the Ride
-Make sure you are hydrated and pack water and snacks for the ride. As you are riding, be aware
of your fatigue level. If you start feeling tired or worn out, take a break or call it a day and head
toward home. Fatigue can slow down your reaction times and can lead to serious injuries while
mountain biking.

HORSEBACK RIDING

• Make sure you are wearing a properly fitted horse riding helmet before you get on.
• Stay alert: Riding is super fun, and when you’re first learning, it’s easy to get distracted. You are
dealing with a living, breathing animal who might behave unpredictably.
• Protect your feet: Speaking of toes, proper boots are a must.
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