How can we as South Africans make our Geocaching activity safer and more pleasurable? Read on, here we give some important tips and information which goes a long way to avoid those unnecessary trips to the ER, and advice on how to set up your ICE (In Case of Emergency) contacts.Like most outdoor activities, Geocaching carries an amount of risk. You will often see on cache pages that there may be some risk involved in doing this cache and that you do so at your own risk etc. There are numerous aspects which come in to play such as activity levels, your own health status and especially where you will be caching. It is this last aspect in South Africa that is especially important as we have certain challenges that other countries do not have, they have their own again such as snow storms etc. Our challenges in South Africa include our lovely but sometimes dangerous African sun, dangerous animals, dangerous unmarked areas and lastly but not least our crime rate.
That said, we thought it pertinent to recommend the following tips for when you go Geocaching, all as a helpful tool to make your experience safer and more pleasurable. Just in the last two weeks we have heard of a group of geocachers who were attacked by bees and another that encountered a particularly harsh weed that resulted in a prompt roadside haircut by her husband!
So here is a list of things one could do to ensure your experience is reflected in a smiley and not in the newspapers (as fun as that may sound!).
Make sure someone knows where you are going and when you should be back, especially if caching alone. If caching in a group, make sure the group knows how and where to get to your emergency information. This is often saved as an ICE contact on your phone which can also be accessed if your phone is locked. See this write-up in PCMagazine on how this is possible. Another option is an app such as “medical ID” which is also available if your phone is locked carrying important information about you.
- Be aware of where you are going to regarding any risks in that area. Read the previous logs! Google about what to expect there. There is lots of information on the Internet. Make use of it. Ask your friends that may have been there.
- Check your equipment and have backup if necessary. There is nothing like stopping at a great night-cache and your batteries for your torch are dead!
- Always have a backup plan and that includes how to get back to your car and under what circumstances. If you lose your geo-partner for example, what is the plan?
- Take lots of water and sun cream! You should also take whatever meds you may be dependent on; for example bees are a reality, if you are allergic, take your allergy medication with. You may think Faerie Glen Nature reserve is just an hour’s walk but if you are setting off at 11 am that hour becomes a very long hot walk!
- Know your limits! Even if you are within metres of that smiley but unsure whether you can make it, rather withdraw and re-plan.
- Be aware of ticks! These blighters are all over so have someone check you out for ticks when you are back at home.
- Have a daypack in which you carry your most important goodies such as a pen-knife, basic first-aid kit, gloves, something warm etc. Our summers are warm but nights can be cool, and if you are lost or stuck somewhere, you may need something warm. Also carry a sturdy walking stick. Unlike in New Zealand where most of the forest walks are smooth going, in South Africa they are not, and a twisted ankle is no fun!
- Be aware of the local inhabitants and possible no-gooders! Some people sleep in the strangest of places. See the cut-out below and keep that handy if you run into any trouble. Respect the law and if any law-enforcer warns you against entering an area, heed to it. That smiley is just not worth it!
- Lastly but not least ensure you have a decent communication plan, yes, take those walkie talkies, you’ve been itching to play with them, now’s your chance!
Make use of this handy cut-out emergency numbers, save them to your contacts, and remember your ICE (In Case of Emergency) contact details!
| South African Emergency Services Numbers | |
| Police | 10111 |
| Emergency/Rescue from cell phone | 10177 |
| Travel doctor | 0861 300 911 |
| Tourism Safety & Support Reporting | 0861 874 911 |
| Road & Traffic Information/Reporting | 084 3030 345 |
| Tourism & Travel Information | 083 123 6789 |
| Telephone enquiries | 1023 |
