As the summer months get closer and more people hit the trails to take advantage of the warmer weather, hikers need to take some precautions to keep themselves safe.

Earlier this month, Montecito Fire Protection District personnel rescued a woman who had been bitten by a rattlesnake while hiking on the Romero Canyon Trail above Montecito. After being hoisted by helicopter from the remote location, the hiker was taken to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

Rattlesnakes

Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue’s website states that rattlesnakes are rarely deadly, and the best way for hikers to avoid an encounter with a rattlesnake is to make noise while hiking and watch where they put their feet and hands. Search and Rescue also advises that rattlesnakes will usually try to get away from hikers unless they are provoked, surprised or concerned.

“If you do encounter a rattlesnake, give it room to escape,” Search and Rescue states on its website. “Do not poke it with a stick or throw rocks at it as it will only become defensive and strike out. If it doesn’t move out of the way, you will want to walk carefully around it, giving it a lot of space.”

If someone is bitten by a rattlesnake, though, UC Davis Health advises that they should get immediate medical attention, as well as to keep calm and try to avoid exertion. Additionally, ice, a tourniquet or constricting band should not be applied or used as constricting blood vessels near a bite can lead to amputation. They also should not try to suck out the venom.

Similar actions should be taken if a hiker’s dog is bitten by a rattlesnake. In that case, call a veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic immediately, where the dog will likely be administered antivenom. Owners also should not try to suck out the venom.

Signs that a dog has been bitten by a rattlesnake include one or more puncture marks, swelling, bleeding and bruising, as well as pain, agitation or depression.

Bears

While rescuing the woman bitten by a rattlesnake, firefighters also spotted a bear on an adjacent trail, prompting reminders that wildlife are also out on the trails, enjoying the weather.

“Bear sightings have been increasingly frequent in our community in recent weeks,” the Montecito Fire Protection District said in an advisory. “As the weather warms up, wildlife is coming out. Please use caution while hiking and be hyper vigilant of your surroundings.”

The Santa Barbara Trail Guide states that hikers should keep a respectful distance and not try to approach a bear if they come across one, and the bear will likely run off.

The U.S. Forest Services advises that people should not feed bears or try to retrieve food from them. Additionally, if a bear approaches a hiker or their camp, they should make noise to scare the bear away, but if the bear does not leave, the hikers or campers should.

Mountain Lions

While mountain lion sightings are not as common in the area, they can be found in the Santa Barbara mountains and throughout most of California.

According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, mountain lions generally avoid any human interaction and pose little threat to humans.

 If a hiker does encounter a mountain lion, they should not run, turn their back, or bend or crouch down. The California Department of Parks and Recreation advises that hikers should stay back and try to make themselves appear as large as possible. They should also make lots of noise and back away slowly.

The California Department of Parks and Recreation added that attacks are extremely rare, but if a hiker is attacked, they should fight back.

More information on mountain lions can be found on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website and on the California Department of Parks and Recreation’s website.

Ticks

Ticks are another type of critter to look out for while hiking, as they can carry diseases such as Lyme disease. The Mosquito and Vector Management District of Santa Barbara County reported that its personnel once collected more than 120 ticks from the first quarter-mile of the Cold Springs Trail.

Some precautions that the district recommends for hikers to avoid picking up ticks include wearing light-colored clothing — making it easier to spot ticks — wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts if possible, using an EPA-approved repellent, staying on marked trails, and periodically checking themselves, pets and belongings for ticks.

The district also advises that logs, tree stumps and leaf litter can be infested with ticks, so hikers should try to avoid sitting on them, or be extra careful if they do sit or rest on them.

When hikers return home, they should do a thorough tick check and wash their hiking clothes as soon as possible. Taking a shower can also help remove any missed ticks. 

According to the Mosquito and Vector Management District, live ticks that are not attached can be discarded by placing them in rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer or soapy water.

It’s especially important for hikers to check their dogs for ticks as most dogs don’t understand the precautions to follow, and untreated canine Lyme disease can cause kidney damage or arthritis. Signs of Lyme disease in dogs include unexplained limping, fever or refusing food. 

The Mosquito and Vector Management District advises that several prescription and over-the-counter treatments are available for dogs to combat ticks and fleas.

“Whether treated or not, dogs should be checked for ticks soon after visiting a suspected tick habitat,” the district stated. “Veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Coates of PetMD says the best way to check for ticks is to ‘run your hands through your dog’s fur against the direction it normally lays. This allows you to see down to the skin, even on furry dogs.’ Ticks should be removed by grasping the tick close to the dog’s skin with tweezers and pulling straight out.”

More information on ticks can be found on the Mosquito and Vector Management District’s website here.

Heat

Heat-related illness has been the cause of several tragedies for hikers, including the death of 17-year-old Jake Parks last May.

Parks’ death prompted the creation and posting of informational heat danger signs at local trailheads, with information on precautions, signs of heat-related illness and what to do if heat-related illness is suspected.

The sign also can be found on the Montecito Trails Foundation’s website here.

According to the Montecito Trails Foundation, hikers should wear lightweight clothes, hike during the coolest part of the day, carry 32 ounces of water per hour of exercise, as well as pack electrolytes and snacks, and keep track of time in the heat.

Signs of heat-related illness can include tiredness or weakness, loss of appetite or feeling sick, thirst, headache, dizziness, nausea, heavy sweating or no sweating at all, confusion, irregular skin changes, irregular pulse, muscle cramps and losing consciousness.

If someone experiences symptoms of heat-related illness while hiking, they should be taken to a cooler place, drink water, and their body cooled quickly with cold water or an ice bath, if possible. 9-1-1 should also be called, especially if the person is vomiting, having seizures or is unconscious.