Safety Guidelines

Safety First! Safety of all participants is the first and foremost concern, and will largely determine the successful outcome of the activity. Please pay close attention to the following guidelines. Safety reminders and instructions will be shared regularly throughout Trek.

On the Trail

Always stay behind the Trail Boss who is setting the pace.
The pace will be set at approximately 2 mph so that everyone can keep up.
Families need to remain in columns on the roads, keeping to the right side of the road, and maintaining a safe stopping distance from the family ahead.
Routes have been carefully selected to avoid most vehicle traffic, but families need to be aware and watchful of vehicles.
Every 20-25 minutes family groups should stop for a short water break, allowing time for everyone to drink.
Occasionally a halt may be called for a presentation in your family or company.
Respect private property by staying on trails and roadways or in approved areas.
Leaders and youth should be environmentally aware and astute. Be mindful of historic preservation and sensitive to the historical landscape.
Leave no trace, and help pick up the traces left by others. It helps to have a small garbage bag on the handcart.
Fasting should not be incorporated as part of Trek, as the activities are physically demanding and the lack of food, under such circumstances, would be unwise.
The wearing of white clothing to represent the deceased, those behind the veil, and other such representations are not to be included as part of the Trek.

Handcart Safety Rules

Treat handcarts with care; pull or push them by hand. Do not pull handcarts behind vehicles.
Do not ride in the handcart, except in an emergency.
Try to balance your load.
Do not run with the handcart–participants can easily trip and get run over by the wheels.
When stopping the handcart, slowly lower the yoke until it rests on the ground. Never drop the yoke, always set it onto the ground gently.
Do not sit or stand on the yoke when it is resting on the ground.
Keep hands, arms, legs, and clothing a safe distance from the wheels.
Turn handcarts backwards when going down steep slopes to prevent someone from being run over.

When stopping on a hill, place a rock or some other object behind the wheels so that the handcart does not roll.

Weather

Trek will be held rain or shine. Participants should pack a light rain jacket or poncho (see Packing List). Adult Leaders will track any potential storm activity using modern technology and implement contingency plans as necessary. When possible, make sure that the handcarts are covered with a tarp or plastic to keep the contents as dry as possible. The Nauvoo Stake Center has been reserved as a storm shelter in case of dangerous weather.

Health

All participants should be mindful, watchful, and aware of the following possible medical issues:

Heat Cramps – Contact Staff for medical assistance. Cramps in legs, arms or stomach caused by heavy sweating and a chemical imbalance. Move the individual to a cool, shaded area, sit down and slowly drink cool water.
Heat Exhaustion – Contact Staff for medical assistance. Caused by inadequate water replacement through sweating. The individual may have pale, moist, clammy skin and may demonstrate mild form of shock. Move to a cool, shaded area and loosen clothing. Elevate legs. Fan individual, but avoid chilling. Slowly drink at least one quart of water. The person should rest for a few hours.
Heat Stroke – Contact Staff for medical assistance. A failure of the body’s cooling mechanism. The individual stops sweating, has hot and dry skin and shows symptoms of shock or becomes unconscious. Move to a cool area and immerse in water. If conscious, encourage slow drinking of water.
Blisters – Prevention is the best medicine. Ensure family members keep their feet dry. A hot spot on a foot is a blister forming. Apply a Band-Aid or moleskin to prevent friction.
Ticks – Tick checks should be conducted nightly. Remove by grasping the tick firmly with tweezers close to the skin, and then slowly twist the tick. The tick should let go rather than have its head twisted off.
Minor cuts and scratches – Clean with soap or antiseptic pad, then dress wound as soon as possible.

Injury Evacuation Plan - Injury evacuations may be categorized in four levels:

Non-Evac — Temporary movement to a comfortable area off the trail.
Routine — Routine evacuation to the base camp.
Minor — Normal evacuation to civilian medical facility.
Major — Emergency evacuation to civilian medical facility.

For all routine, minor or major evacuations, a Trek doctor will oversee and record treatment for all injuries or illnesses. Evacuations to a hospital will be coordinated through the Trek doctor.