Safety

 

Overlook Etiquette

There may be hikers or rock climbers below any overlook. Never throw anything from the rim into the canyon! Even a small stone can be fatal.

Supervise children closely. Weathered rock makes rim edges hazardous, and many places have no guardrails. Keep dogs on leash.

Take It Easy at Altitude

The canyon rim is 8,000 feet above sea level. Take precautions, drink plenty of water, and slow down. Symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (altitude sickness) include mild headaches, increased breathing, rapid pulse, nausea, loss of appetite, lack of energy, and general malaise. These are warning signs not to go any higher than you already are.

If symptoms advance to a lack of balance or coordination, slurring of words, altered mental state, extreme shortness of breath, a wet or rasping cough, or blue skin, the person may be experiencing severe AMS and their life may be in jeopardy. Go down immediately and seek medical attention.

The easiest way to treat AMS is to prevent it. Remember these simple rules when travelling to altitude:

• Spend at least one night at a moderate elevation before ascending
• Climb as high as you like during the day, but never spend the night more than 1,000 feet higher than the night before
• Remember that if you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. Drink water often.
• Never take a headache with you when ascending. Treat the headache before going any higher. If you can’t treat it, you’re already too high.

 

Encounters With Wildlife

Please view all wildlife from a distance. Never disrupt, approach, or attempt to feed any wildlife. Make noise (talking or clapping) while hiking to avoid surprising wildlife. Keep your backpack within arm's reach at all times.

It is unlikely that you will see a black bear and even less likely a mountain lion. But it's a good idea to know how you should behave if you do:

• Give bears or mountain lions a way to escape. Most animals will try to avoid confrontation.
• Give wildlife with young extra space.
• If you have a child with you, either pick them up or hold onto them.
• Make eye contact with a mountain lion, but don't with a bear.
• Stay calm and speak firmly to the animal.
• If the bear or mountain lion doesn't run away, back away slowly and leave the area. Don't turn your back or run.

 

 

Know how to be safe during thunderstorms with lightning. Get inside or know how to protect yourself if you cannot take cover.

NPS Photo

Lightning Safety

Thunderstorms are common during summer months at Black Canyon. Check the radar and weather forecast before you stop at an overlook or start hiking. There is no safe place outdoors during a thunderstorm.

Safety Tips

If you hear thunder, it's time to leave.

If you see lightning, quickly get inside in your vehicle or a building. Avoid open shelters.

If you cannot take cover:

• Remove metal objects from pockets or hands
• Find a lower spot if possible
• Crouch and sit on a pack
• Avoid tall objects (isolated trees, utility poles, rooftops, ladders, etc.)
• Stay away from conductive materials (fences, railings, water, etc.)
• Spread your group out and stay in visual contact

 

Tick Safety

While hiking at Black Canyon, visitors should be tick aware. Ticks can transmit various diseases to humans.

Strategies for Preventing Tick Bites

• Avoid wooded and bushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.
• Stay on sidewalks or paved surfaces when possible.
• Walk in the center of trails.
• Be aware when hiking in humid, moist environments - especially down the inner canyon and along the river.
• Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved insect repellents on exposed skin and clothing for protection that lasts up to several hours. Follow product instructions.
• Use products that contain permethrin to treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents. Do not use this on your skin. Follow product instructions for application.

Conduct a tick check

After coming inside or completing your outdoor activity, check your clothing, gear, and pets for ticks. If you find a tick, remove it. You can also dry your clothing on high heat to kill any hidden ticks.

Use a hand-held mirror (or ask someone to help you) to check your skin, especially the following places:

• Under the arms
• In and around the ears
• Inside belly button
• Back of the knees
• In and around the hair
• Between the legs
• Around the waist

How to safely remove a tick

• Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible.
• Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don't twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouthparts with tweezers. If you are unable to remove the mouth easily with clean tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal. You can smother it in petroleum jelly if the head is in your skin.
• After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.
• Never crush a tick with your fingers. Dispose of a live tick by putting it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing it down the toilet.

Visit the CDC's tick safety tips for more information.