Philmont Health and Safety
Strict adherence to proper health and safety precautions is crucial, as
participants must remain in top physical condition throughout their expedition.
Follow these wise trail practices to stay strong, safe, and healthy.
Keep Personally Clean
Besides the health benefits, the personal cleanliness of each participant
is important to the morale of the entire crew and to the way the crew appears
to the other crews it will encounter on the trail.
A short haircut is recommended the day before you leave for Philmont. Short
hair is easier to wash and comb when you are in the rugged, challenging
wilderness.
Showers are available at Indian Writings, Ponil, Dean Cow, Baldy Camp,
Sawmill, Cimarroncito, Clarks Fork, Cyphers Mine, Beaubien, Phillips Junction,
Miners Park, Crater Lake, and Abreu (except during drought periods and periods
of prolonged clody skies - our pumps operate on solar power). Sponge
baths can be taken at most camps.
Clothes can be washed at shower houses along the trail. After washing,
spread them over tree limbs or shrubs, where they will dry quickly.
Take Care of Your Feet
Because hiking is the primary means of transportation at Philmont,
healthy feet are a must.
Proper boots are important. They should be sturdy but not too heavy (2
to 4 pounds per pair for average sizes), 6 to 8 inches high with sturdy
soles. Do not confuse hiking boots, which are recommended for Philmont,
with the heavier mountaineering boots. The more you weigh the more sturdy
your boots should be.
Clean feet and socks will reduce the possibility of blisters. Wash your
feet before and after hiking, change your socks daily, and use foot powder
each morning. Applications of tincture of benzoin toughen the skin and help
prevent blisters. Cut your toenails short and square; don't round the
corners.
On the trail, always keep your feet and socks dry. Treat cuts and sores
on your feet with antiseptic and adhesive bandages or moleskin. Hot spots
should be given immediate attention.
Purify All Drinking Water
All water from all sources—including springs, streams, and
wells—must be purified.
The most certain treatment to purify water is to heat it to a rolling
boil for about one minute. Philmont provides Micropur© tablets that are effective in killing
waterborne bacteria and viruses that cause disease.
Philmont recommends that you use a water purifier. (Purifiers remove
giardia, bacteria cryptosporidia, and viruses—filters do not remove
viruses.) If using a filter, you must also use the Micropur©, or
other additives, or boiling to kill all viruses. You must bring extra
cartridges and spare parts.
Dishwashing Procedure
After each meal, scrape and wipe dishes, utensils, and pots as clean as
possible using toilet paper. Wash using a mild, biodegradable soap in warm
water. Use scrub pads to remove hardened food remains. Rinse them in boiling
water. Before each meal sterilize dishes, utensils, and pots for at least 30
seconds in boiling water. This disinfects any contamination from being in a
pack.
Dishes and utensils will air dry quickly in Philmont's low humidity. Wash
your dishes near a sump, not a water spigot that may contaminate the area.
Proper washing, rinsing, and sterilizing of dishes and utensils will prevent
diarrhea, dysentery, and a host of other medical problems.
Use of Sumps
When disposing of waste water, drain it through a strainer provided by
Philmont. The water should be disposed of in a provided sump or at least 200
feet from any campsite or water source. Solid matter should be carried to
the next staffed camp.
Disposal of Trash and Garbage
Proper disposal of trash and garbage ensures a clean camp and protects
everyone's health. Do not bury garbage or dump it in latrines; bears and
rodents will soon retrieve it. Put trash and garbage in a plastic bag and
deposit it in the steel trash box at the nearest staffed camp.
Latrines
Pit latrines are provided for your use in backcountry camps. They should
be kept clean and free of graffiti by members of your crew. At other locations
you may need to dig a cathole latrine. Make it at least 200 feet from any
trail, water, or campsite. Dig the hole about 6 inches deep, but no deeper
than the organic topsoil. After use, fill the hole completely; pack and mound
the earth to avoid erosion. Garbage and trash must not be put in any latrine
because animals will dig it out.
Dehydration
Low humidity and strenuous activity cause your body to lose enormous amounts
of fluids. You will dehydrate even though you do not feel thirsty.
You need to drink more water than you usually do. Four to six quarts per day
is not excessive. The salt content of Philmont's menus is adequate to replace
your loss of salt from sweating. Since concentrated intake of salt can cause
other problems, salt tablets are not recommended.
Symptoms of dehydration include light-headedness, dizziness, nausea, general
weakness, muscle cramps, and sometimes fever and chills. Hot, clear days accelerate
loss of body fluids. Plan to hike early in the morning to avoid the intense heat
of midday and potential dehydration problems.
Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke
Prolonged physical exertion in a hot environment may cause heat exhaustion.
The subject may feel faint and have a weak, rapid pulse. Body temperature usually
remains near normal. The afflicted person should rest in a comfortable environment
and drink fluids.
Though less common than heat exhaustion, heatstroke is much more serious. The
body's cooling mechanisms stop functioning from overwork. The patient's body
temperature soars and the skin is hot, red, and dry. Cool the patient immediately
with a dip in a stream or put him/her in the shade and drape bare skin with wet
cloths. When the patient is able to drink, give fluids. Treat for shock and
get help.
Hyperventilation
A feeling of panic accompanied by rapid breathing with shallow breath is
symptomatic of hyperventilation. The subject loses carbon dioxide from the
bloodstream and may become numb around the mouth and in the extremities. If
untreated, the person may experience violent spasms in the hands and feet and
even lose consciousness. Hyperventilation occurs fairly frequently, especially
to teenagers and young adults when undergoing strenuous activity at high
elevation.
Although it is usually not serious for an otherwise healthy person, the
symptoms of hyperventilation can be frightening to the subject and the crew.
The most effective treatment is to have the subject re-breathe his own air
from a plastic or stuff sack. The higher concentration of carbon dioxide
in re-breathed air will enter the lungs and get into the person's bloodstream,
restoring a normal balance in 10 to 20 minutes. Reassure the subject and tell
the person to take long, deep breaths from the bag.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia results from exposure to cold, wet weather, with most cases
developing in air temperatures of 30° to 500°F (common to Philmont's high
country). Symptoms include faltering coordination, slurred speech, loss of
good judgment, disorientation, numb with cold, and fatigue. Wind, wet clothing,
or exhaustion increases the chance of hypothermia.
Always carry rain gear with you on side hikes. Wet clothing must be replaced
with dry (preferably wool or polypropylene) clothing.
Apply heat to the head, neck, sides, and groin with hot-water bottles, warm,
moist towels, or the bodies of two other persons. Put the subject in a sleeping
bag and give hot sugary liquids if able to drink without choking. Do not rub the
subject's body, as that may cause injury.
Sunburn
Prevent sunburn by wearing a broad-brimmed hat and applying a high-numbered
sunscreen—at least SPF 15. Cover the most susceptible parts of your
body—nose, head, face, neck, ears, knees, and legs. Fair-skinned campers
should apply protection early in the morning and reapply it during the day. If
you do become sunburned, treat it immediately. Get the afflicted person to shade
and administer fluids. The incidence of developing skin cancer is fairly high
among people who have been severely sunburned during childhood. Taking
preventative measures is a wise precaution.
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) usually occurs at elevations in excess of 6,500
feet; all of Philmont qualifies. Participants who live at less than 3,000 feet
elevation may require two to three days to adapt to a higher elevation above
6,000 feet. Teenagers and young adults have a higher incidence of acute mountain
sickness. Crew members who have undertaken regular physical conditioning prior to
their trek are generally less affected.
Physical symptoms of AMS include headache, insomnia, fatigue, shortness of
breath, lassitude, and intestinal upset. Psychologically, a person may become
irritable and have difficulty concentrating.
A gradual ascent of not more than 1,000 feet per day above 6,000 feet elevation
will help prevent AMS. Descending to a lower elevation, avoidance of strenuous
activity, and taking aspirin for headache may relieve the symptoms of AMS. If this
is not successful within 24 hours, the subject may need to be transported to base
camp.
Lightning and Flash Floods
The summits of mountains, crests of ridges, slopes above timberline, and large
meadows are extremely hazardous places to be during lightning storms. If you are
caught in such an exposed place, quickly descend to a lower elevation, away from
the direction of the approaching storm, and squat down or kneel down on a pad,
keeping your head low.
A dense forest located in a depression provides the best protection. Avoid taking
shelter under isolated trees or trees much taller than adjacent trees. Stay away from
water, metal fences and other objects, which will conduct electricity long distances.
By squatting or kneeling on a pad with your feet close together you have minimal
contact with the ground, thus reducing danger from ground currents.
If the threat of lightning strikes is great, your crew should not huddle together,
but spread out at least 100 feet apart. If one member of your crew is jolted, the
rest of you can give assistance. Keep track of one another by numbering off in a
loud voice from time to time.
Whenever lightning is near, take off backpacks with either external or internal
metal frames. Be sure to pitch your tents in an area that is protected from
lightning strikes.
Thread-like streams can become raging rivers in a few minutes or even seconds.
It is important to be alert to the possibility of flash floods and take steps to
avoid a dangerous encounter. Pitch your tents on higher ground. During and after
periods of heavy rain, stay away from natural drainage areas. Never attempt to
cross a stream that is over knee-deep on anyone in the crew.
Retreat to the nearest staffed camp and request an itinerary change. Always know
where you are and how to get to higher ground. Watch for indicators of flash flooding,
such as an increase in the speed or volume of stream flow. Stay out of floodwaters
and narrow canyons.
Protection From Hantavirus
Hantavirus is thought to be the cause of respiratory distress syndrome. This
illness has affected persons in most western states. Rodents are the primary
carriers of recognized Hantavirus. Hantavirus is carried
in the urine, feces, and saliva of deer mice, rabbits, and possibly other wild
rodents. A person contracts Hantavirus by coming into contact with rodent feces,
urine, saliva, or things that have been contaminated by them. This illness is
not suspected to be spread from one person to another.
All participants and staff engaged in hiking and camping should take the
following precautions to reduce the likelihood of exposure to potentially
infectious materials.
- Avoid coming into contact with rodents and rodent burrows or
disturbing dens (such as pack rat nests).
- Do not pitch tents or place sleeping bags in areas near rodent
feces or burrows or near possible rodent shelters (e.g., garbage
boxes or woodpiles).
- Do not use or enter cabins or other enclosed shelters that are
rodent-infested until they have been appropriately cleaned and
disinfected. Report these to the next staffed camp.
- If possible, do not sleep on the bare ground. Use tents with
floors.
- Store food in a bear bag hung from a cable.
- Properly package all garbage and trash, and discard it in covered
trash containers at staffed camps.
- Use only bottled water or water that has been disinfected by boiling,
chlorination, or iodination for drinking, cooking, washing dishes,
and brushing teeth.
Bears
Bears are a unique and natural part of the Philmont environment. Like all wild
animals, they must be treated with respect. The black bear is not normally
aggressive, and most crews will not even see one.
Anything with an odor (except the human scent) may attract bears. It does not
matter if the odor is food-related. Any odor may generate curiosity in a bear,
which may result in a closer examination of that odor.
At Philmont, all items with a smell (smellables) are placed in a bear bag at
night. It would be useful for each member of the crew to have their own ditty
bag with their personal smellables in it to put in the bear bag. A few of these
items are food, soaps, toothbrushes and toothpaste, lip balm, sunscreen, mosquito
repellent, unused film cartridges, and first aid kits.
Good Scout camping practices are the best way to avoid contact with the bears.
Avoid carelessness that results in improperly disposed food. Burn or store all
uneaten food in a bear bag. Do not put uneaten food in a latrine. Cook close to
the fire ring and away from the sleeping area. Clean up only at the sump. Never
eat food in a tent; the odor remains after the food is gone. Tents must be used
only for sleeping.
Human scent does not attract bears. The superficial application of scented
lotions, soaps, deodorants, shampoo, or spilled food may, however, attract the
attention of bears. Washing the body with various products should be done before
mid-afternoon so that the residual smells have dissipated before night. Avoid
perfumed products with strong odors. Any clothing on which food has been spilled
must be placed away from the sleeping area at night.
If a bear does visit your campsite, stay away from it and make noise. Protect
your food by hanging it from a cable erected by Philmont for that purpose. Crews
that stop for a program or a conservation project should leave one or two persons
with the packs at all times. Crews hiking into the Valle Vidal area off Philmont
will need an extra rope for hanging bear bags. In Philmont camps the weight of
the rope alone is sufficient to carry it over the cable. In the Valle Vidal,
where there are no cables, crews will be instructed to put several handfuls of
dirt in a bandanna, tie the corners and attach it to the bear rope for a weight.
Never risk injury by attempting to protect your food or equipment from a
bear.
When you arrive at Philmont, your ranger will thoroughly train you on those
camping practices that are most effective in keeping wildlife away from your
camp.
Rodents
Rabies and bubonic plague are transmitted by rabbits, bats, ground squirrels,
chipmunks, and other rodents. Do not handle or feed any animals.
Rattlesnakes
Some parts of Philmont are inhabited by prairie rattlesnakes. They generally
live at elevations below 8,000 feet. Prairie rattlers are not aggressive unless
provoked, and usually sound a warning rattle before striking. If you see one,
give it a respectful distance. Rattlesnakes are beneficial in controlling rodent
population. Do not try to kill one yourself; report it to the nearest staff
member. Rattlesnake bites are rare at Philmont.
Repel Mosquitoes and Bees
During wet periods, mosquitoes take a new lease on life, and they love to
feast on young blood. They are also potential carriers of the West Nile virus.
Insect repellent is recommended for the trail. Repellents with DEET seem to
be the msot effective. Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants in the
evening is another good precaution.
There are
bees and wasps at Philmont. If you are allergic to stings, be sure you have
antitoxin and that a crew member is informed of your condition and the
treatment you may require.
Prevent Forest Fires
Our forests are a beautiful and valuable heritage. Philmont's dry climate
requires everyone's cooperation to prevent forest fires. The United States Forest
Service points out that good outdoorsmen follow these practices when using
fires:
- Never build a fire against a tree, stump, root, or log, as
it may be difficult to control or put out.
- Avoid building a fire on a grassy area, as this destroys one
of our most valuable assets. Grass will not grow for several
years on a fire spot. (At Philmont, always use established
fire lays.)
- Rake up flammable material before building a fire.
- Never toss a match away. Put it in the fire or hold the match
until it stops smoking, then break it between the thumb and
fingers of one hand and step on it.
- Never leave a fire unwatched, even for a few minutes,
particularly on a windy day.
- Never try to put a fire out by scattering it.
- Put out your fire with sand, damp earth, or best of all, water.
After the first soaking, stir the ashes with a stick and add
more water, then feel it with your hands to make sure it is
out.
- Keep in mind the forest and wildlife resources and, possibly,
human lives you are protecting by your care in handling
fire.
Be alert for wildfires. If you see white smoke boiling up, you may have
spotted a forest fire. Prairie fires spread quickly, and their smoke is
sweeping. If you spot a fire or think you have, report it to your adviser,
who should report it to the nearest camp director or staff member as soon
as possible. Your crew should not attempt to fight wildfires and should
quickly leave the area. Trained firefighters will extinguish fires quickly
once they are reported.
Tobacco
Our Scout Oath reminds us to keep ourselves physically strong. The use
of smokeless or smoking tobacco adversely affects the body and causes
cancer. Furthermore, because of the ever-present forest fire danger,
smoking is not permitted on Philmont trails. If adults must smoke in the
backcountry, they must do it in an established camp near a fire ring. No
smoking is permitted in Camping Headquarters except in the designated
area—the porch of the advisers' lounge. Staff members are limited
to designated areas.
Alcohol and Drugs
Possession or use of alcoholic beverages and unprescribed drugs or misuse of
prescribed drugs or chemicals is expressly prohibited by national Boy Scouts of
America policy. Groups or individuals found in violation of this policy will be
sent home immediately.
Firearms and Fireworks
Firearms are not allowed at Philmont, except for those furnished on designated
rifle ranges. Do not bring firearms or archery equipment with you. If you cannot
avoid bringing weapons with you, they must be checked in at the Camping Headquarters
office during your stay.
Using fireworks at Philmont is prohibited. They are a great fire and safety
hazard and must not be brought with you.
Climbing
The "A-B-C" of mountain climbing is Always Be Careful.
Falls from cliffs and rocky ridges are the most serious accidents that occur
at Philmont. Campers should be constantly alert to this very present danger when
climbing steep, rocky, mountain slopes. Common sense will enable you to
differentiate between difficult and dangerous areas and to bypass dangerous
areas completely.
Philmont conducts rock climbing at three staffed camps. These are the only
places where rock climbing is to be done, and then only under the supervision
of Philmont rock climbing staff.
Avoid throwing or rolling rocks. This is particularly dangerous in steep
country. There may be other hikers below you.
What to Do When Disoriented
When your crew hikes together instead of stretched out over a long distance
on the trail, the possibility of anyone becoming disoriented is remote. By using
a map and a compass with reasonable proficiency, you will always know where
you are.
Never allow one member of your crew to leave camp or side-hike alone. Follow
the "rule of four"—always hike together in groups of four or more. If one
person is injured, one treats the injured and the other two go for help.
Philmont has many trails. If you become disoriented, it is best to stay put.
Make camp at a safe place, build a fire, and keep it going. This may help a
search party. Prepare your crew for a comfortable night. Extra food can
boost morale.
Accidents
Most accidents occur late in the day in camp, not on the trail. Many of them
involve horseplay. Rock throwing; improper use of equipment; foolishness in
hanging bear bags; climbing steep, rocky ridges; running through campsites;
climbing trees; and carelessness around fire lays are prevalent causes of
accidents. To avoid them, individual and crew discipline should be maintained
and safety practiced in all activities.
Medical Treatment
Each crew carries its own first aid kit to treat minor cuts, bruises, scratches,
and burns. Philmont requires that at least one person (preferably two) in each crew
be currently certified in American Red Cross First Aid and CPR or the equivalent.
More serious cases must be treated by Philmont's medical staff, which includes
doctors, nurses, and medical students. All staffed camps have two-way radios for
reporting serious illnesses and injuries to the Health Lodge; this is done by the
camp director. The nature of the injury and the patient's location determine whether
to transport the patient to Headquarters or send a medical staff member to the
patient.
Everyone who gives first aid when blood or bodily fluids may be present must wear
latex gloves. Immediately wash (with soap and water) any skin surfaces that come in
contact with bodily fluids.