Free Outdoors Tips

Fight Gravity's Drag

2006-09-12T12:38:00.000+08:00

Murphy's Law of the Inconvenient Migration of Stuff means that dense items (especially waterbottles, hydration systems, large cameras, and fuel) tend to gravitate to the bottom of your pack, especially when the pack is not full and tightly packed. Those are precisely the items that often need to be handy and whose weight should be up high and close to your back between your shoulder blades for easy carrying.

Pin a stuffbag inside the pack to stop dense items from gravitating downward

Here's a simple solution:

Suspend a stuffbag to form a pocket inside the pack at an appropriate height. Attach it with safety pins to the strong internal seam that encircles the top of most packs. That way the pins do not pass through to the outside skin of the pack, and it's usually easy to push the pins through just the binding tape on the seam.
If you use a waterproof stuff sack, such as Outdoor Research Hydroseal bags (various sizes and prices, www.orgear.com), you have extra protection against a leaking bottle or hydration system wetting the pack contents. Just don't put the camera in with the water bottle!

Camp Kitchen

2006-09-03T15:27:00.000+08:00

Keep it simple to get as much versatility as possible from the items you pack.
Cooking over an open fire should only be done in designated areas. Camp stoves are more practical and easy to use, cook food faster and have less impact on the environment.
A two-burner stove offers families the most efficient use of cooking time. You can choose from a variety of stoves that burn different kinds of fuel (white gasoline, propane, butane or kerosene). Base your choice on the availability of fuel in areas where you intend to camp.
When available, block ice will generally last longer in your cooler than cube ice. But count on any ice to leak water into the bottom of your cooler – always store perishable foods in watertight bags or containers.
Always have plenty of water. For clean-up after meals and general use you will find extra water containers nearly indispensable. For consumption, three quarts per person per day is a good rule of thumb. Purify water from natural sources.
Resist the impulse to feed the animals. Early instruction in the wisdom of low-impact camping will reward future generations with sightings of wildlife in a healthy environment.

Sleeping bag basics

2006-08-28T14:52:00.000+08:00

You know the basics – a sleeping bag is made for you to sleep in. But there’s actually a lot more to it than that. It’s all about insulation and keeping you warm on those chilly nights. In order to keep you warm, sleeping bags trap and hold your body heat that is constantly produced. This forms an insulated dead air space. How does that happen? Well, the dead air space is a result of the type of insulating fibers used in the bag and the amount of loft they provide. Loft is the amount of air space between the insulating fibers. Think of loft as the fluffiness of the insulation. So the greater the loft, the warmer the bag will be.

In order for your sleeping bag to work most effectively, the dead air space needs to be warmed by the radiated heat from your body. But this can’t happen if you’re bundled up in extra layers of clothes. When you’re camping in really cold weather, it’s only natural to want to pile on the extra layers when you go to sleep because you think they’ll help you stay warm. Wrong. This actually keeps the sleeping bag from providing warmth. How so? Your extra clothing traps warmed air around your body like the sleeping bag is supposed to do, but the clothing is much less effective. And since the warmed air isn’t being trapped by the sleeping bag, cold air can seep in, making you feel even colder. So though it doesn’t sound right, the less you wear while using a sleeping bag, the more effective the bag will be at keeping you warm.

Framing Materials Of Your Mountain Bike

2006-08-21T17:43:00.000+08:00

The cost of a mountain bike frame is proportionate to its material, as well as the treatment that material has received. Currently, there are five types of material used in mountain bikes - high tensile steel, chromoly steel, aluminum, titanium, and carbon fiber. Oversized diameters, heat treating, and butting are tubing material treatments that will increase the cost of a frame as well.

High tensile steel This is a very durable alloy that's found in lower priced mountain bikes. It offers a high carbon content which makes it less stiff than chromoly steel, so more materials are needed to make it stiff enough for bicycle frames, which will in turn make it that much heavier.
Relatively inexpensive to produce, you'll find this material in trail bikes, city bikes, and even entry level mountain bikes. There are some bikes that come with a chromoly seat tube, while the rest is high tensile steel.

Chromoly steel Short for steel alloy, chromoly is best described by its major additives - chromium and molybdenum. This is probably the most refined framing material, giving over 100 years of dependable service.

Depending on the type of heat treating and butting, you can find this material in bikes as low as 400 dollars all the way up to 1,500 and beyond. The chromoly steel material offers very good durability and a compliant ride characteristic.

Aluminum For the past 15 years, aluminum has been refined in pretty much the same way as chromoly. There have been various alloys developed, as well as heat treatment, oversizing, and butting. With dual suspension bikes, aluminum is the preferred material as it's the stiffest and most cost effective.

Aluminum is stiffer than chromoly, and therefore it will crack before chromoly. Of course, this depends on how you ride and how much abuse you give the frame. The advantages of aluminum is that the frame is very light and very stiff through oversizing or butting.

Titanium Even thought it's somewhat exotic, the prices for this material have come down over the last few years. Frames made of titanium remain expensive because it takes longer to weld the tubes to the frame.

Titanium is considered an alloy, normally mixed with small amounts of vanadium and aluminum to give it better weldability and ride characteristics. More compliant than chromoly, it offers better fatigue and corrosion properties.

The material you choose for your bike, all depends on where you ride and what style you use. Almost all materials will last you for years, as long as you take care of your bike and treat the frame with some respect.

About the Author
Having spent months of research on different subjects, for independant companies, Andrew Manifield has decided to publish his articles on many subjects at his own website, visit to learn more. http://www.qualified-publishing.co.uk/mountain-biking

How Mountain Bike Gears Work

2006-08-19T12:14:00.000+08:00

The gears in mountain bikes just keep getting more and more intricate. The bikes of today have as many as 27 gear ratios. A mountain bike will use a combination of three different sized sprockets in front and nine in the back to produce gear ratios.

The idea behind all these gears is to allow the rider to crank the pedals at a constant pace no matter what kind of slope the bike is on. You can understand this better by picturing a bike with just a single gear. Each time you rotate the pedals one turn, the rear wheel would rotate one turn as well (1:1 gear ratio).

If the rear wheel is 26 inches in diameter, then with 1:1 gearing, one full twist on the pedals would result in the wheel covering 81.6 inches of ground. If you are pedaling at a speed of 50 RPM, this means that the bike can cover over 340 feet of ground per minute. This is only 3.8 MPH, which is the equivalence of walking speed. This is ideal for climbing a steep hill, although bad for ground or going downhill.

To go faster you'll need a different ratio. To ride downhill at 25 MPH with a 50 RPM cadence at the pedals, you'll need a 5.6:1 gear ratio. A bike with a lot of gears will give you a large number of increments between a 1:1 gear ratio and a 6.5:1 gear ratio so that you can always pedal at 50 RPM, no matter how fast you are actually going.

On a normal 27 speed mountain bike, six of the gear ratios are so close to each other that you can't notice any difference between them.

With actual use, bike riders tend to choose a front sprocket suitable for the slope they are riding on and stick with it, although the front sprocket can be difficult to shift under heavy load. It's much easier to shit between the gears on the rear.

If you are cranking up a hill, it's best to choose the smallest sprocket on the front then shift between the nine gears available on the rear. The more speeds you have on the back sprocket, the bigger advantage you'll have.

All in all, gears are very important to mountain bikes as they dictate your overall speed. Without gears you wouldn't be able to build speed nor would you be able to pound pedals. The gears will move the pedals and help you build up speed.

There are all types of gears available in mountain bikes, all of which will help you build up a lot of momentum if you use them the right way.

Breadsticks Over Coals

2006-08-17T16:06:00.000+08:00

by Scott Carey

An easy and fun way to cook bread over coals or a fire is making breadsticks with bread on a stick. They may be cooked while other food is cooking so that they are ready at the same time.

The basic method uses dough rolled into a long thin rope that is wrapped around a stick. The stick is held over coals and rotated until brown on all sides. It requires a little patience to get the inside done at the same time as the outside.

To start, take some type of bread dough and roll it between your hands, forming a long piece (like making a snake or rope out of clay). Don't leave it too thick, which will make it harder to cook all the way through.

Next, select a stick to cook with. This should be heavy enough to support the dough. Take the dough and wind it around the stick in a spiral, pressing the ends to the dough so that it does not fall off.

Place the stick over the coals. It is much easier to cook breadsticks using coals than fire, since they give off a better heat. It may be helpful to prop the stick up over the coals with a couple of rocks, or pile a couple of rocks on either side and lay the stick across the coals so you don't have to hold it the entire time. Occasionally rotate the stick so that the bread gets brown on all sides. Patience is helpful here, to ensure that the bread is cooked through.

You can use a thicker, longer stick laid horizontally above the coals to make several at one time. This will save time if you need to cook for several.

A variety of dough can be used--try various kinds to see which one you like best. The easiest is tube biscuits, which come in a number of types and prices. Take one or more biscuits and roll it between your hands to form the rope of dough to be wrapped on the stick. Other possibilities include Bisquick (don't make the dough too wet), bread dough (if frozen, let it thaw and rise a little), and scone dough (sometimes available at the bakery or deli in your local supermarket).

After cooking, serve with butter, jams, jellies, or honey. This is sure to be a family or group favorite!

About the Author
Scott Carey has many hobbies and interests, including outdoor cooking. Find more outdoor cooking tips and recipes at OutdoorCookingMagic. Look for information on some of his other interests at InfoTesoro.

Being Safe in the Outdoors

2006-08-14T17:01:00.000+08:00

by John E. Spragg

So why do we like to hike and camp? Most of us would say that there is nothing like the closeness of nature at her finest. Hiking brings you closer to the natural world and puts you in touch with things you may have lost or forgotten: things that civilization takes from us. You'll discover and cultivate a harmony with and a respect for the wilderness that no nature show on public television can generate. No matter if you are a seasoned pro or just getting started at hiking, lets not overestimate our abilities or try to fool mother nature, because either one could and often does ruin your outing. A few things I have learned over the years to be safe and to enjoy the great outdoors is to get some reference material on hiking and camping and to stay fit. I still have my Boy Scott manual that I refer back to from time to time. Here are a few more tips that I've learned over my 40 years of enjoying the outdoors:

If you get cold at night put on a wool stocking cap and socks on your feet. Most heat loss in a sleeping bag is via your head. Plan your trip and take along a compos or now a days a GPS. Take along extra garbage and Ziploc bags. They have a thousand uses in camp. A paper bag can have other uses too like you can boil water over a fire if you have to. Water boils at 212 degrees while paper burns at around 452 Degrees. It is a good idea to start out by taking short trips then work your way up to longer ones. It is better to have a shallow fire pit instead if ringing the camp fire with rocks because some rocks explode when they are heated unevenly. A note on tents, zip the zipper closed before pitching it, that way you know it will close latter. If the zipper is hard to work rub some unscented soap on it to keep it moving. If the weather man misses the forecast and you find yourself out in an electrical storm get as low to the ground as possible or go to the middle of a stand of trees.

Enjoy the wildlife from afar by using binoculars and do not try to pet that cute bear cub, because momma bear is closer than you think and playing dead will not save you. The wildlife deserve there space to, respect them. A comfortable backpack is one forth your body weight properly adjusted to your back. A pair of leather gloves is good to protect your hands from hot pots and firewood. Dental floss is not only for your teeth but a good camp thread because it is strong and durable. It can be used to sew up holes in tents, sleeping bags, and clothing. In a pinch, a fishing line as well. Dry your tent and sleeping bag before storing. Putting them away wet is a good way to rot the fabric and make them smell. A blackened pan heats up faster then a silver pan. But if a blackened pan bothers you rub some liquid detergent on the outside to aid in the clean up.

One thing I always pack is my first aid kit; because accidents do happen, even the preventable ones. I like to take along one of those shake or crank LED flashlights, because you will always have a light they do not need batteries and the LED are good for 50,000 hours. Always let someone know where you are going and when you will be back. So be safe and enjoy the great outdoors. For quality hiking equipment, I recommend TheHikerHut.com.

About the Author
I am fifty one years old and have hiked around most of the USA and parts of Europe, but I prefer seeing more of the United States. I enjoy being out in Nature and seeing Mother Nature at her finest. I have had a few close calls and decided that being prepared and more knowledgeable would cut down on the unexpected and make hiking safer and more rewarding for all

Moonlight Hiking

2006-08-08T09:35:00.000+08:00

by Steve Gillman

I started moonlight hiking when I was a teenager prowling the streets and fields of Michigan. I later found that if I timed my backpacking trips to coincide with a full moon, I could hike every night. The two primary motivations for doing this are the adventure and mystery of night hiking, as well as the practical advantages that it has.

Moonlight Hiking - A Unique Experience

It's a great experience to hike away the hours of the night under a full moon. My first time doing this on a longer backpacking trip was on a five-day hike in the Sierra Nevadas. Every night I slept next to a lake, waking up when the cold bothered me. Then I easily hiked through the rest of the night by moonlight.

This meant getting up between two and four in the morning and hiking the rest of the night. I was moving during the coldest part of the night, so I was able to get away with a lighter sleeping bag on this trip. In fact, since there wasn't a cloud in the sky during those five days, I just slept in the open, without a tent or tarp every night. Most afternoons I took a leisurely nap in the sun to catch up on sleep.

Hiking at night meant no other people on the trail. Crowded trails were not actually a problem where I was, but I would like to go moonlight hiking to avoid the crowds the next time I am in Yosemite National Park, or in the Smoky Mountains. Sometimes it is nice to have the trails and whole mountain valleys to yourself.

You can hike a lot of miles at night, without any problems of over-heating. When the sky is clear and the moon is full, or within three days of its fullest, the moonlight is more than bright enough for hiking in fairly open terrain. In thicker woods you may need a flashlight for assistance.

If you do try this, plan your trip with the full moon coming right in the middle of the time span (if you can). This is how you get the maximum use of the moonlight before, during and after the full moon. Also note the time that the moon rises. About an hour after moonrise you'll have enough light to hike, unless it is overly cloudy (something else to check on).

When moonlight hiking on isolated beaches in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan I could clearly see animal tracks in the wet sand along the water's edge. They included fresh bear tracks. Though black bears in this area are not usually dangerous, it keeps your senses tuned in when you know there are eyes in the woods watching you and none of them are human.

The lakes reflect the moon, owls swoop by almost without sound, and animals move in the bushes as you pass. The many shadows hide things, but you walk on by them, leaving these little mysteries unsolved. The trees and rocks take on a different, starker appearance than during the day. Moonlight hiking is a beautiful and unique experience.

About the Author
Steve Gillman is a long-time advocate of lightweight backpacking. His tips, photos, gear recommendations and a free book can be found at http://www.the-ultralight-site.com/

Five Tips for Starting Charcoal Briquets

2006-08-06T11:24:00.000+08:00

by Scott Carey

One of the most common ways to cook outdoors is using charcoal briquets. They are widely available and produce a cooking environment that is exceptional for grilling. The following are five tips to easily start charcoal briquets.

1. Use instant light charcoal. These briquets have been presoaked with lighter fluid that allows them to be easily lit and started. The disadvantage is that because of the lighter fluid, they often will give an odor to the food you are cooking. In addition, they typically do not last as long as normal briquets.

2. Use normal briquets, but with lighter fluid. Normal briquets will burn longer then the instant type, but just like the instant type, the use of lighter fluid can give an odor to your food. Thoroughly soak the pile of briquets with lighter fluid before lighting and never add lighter fluid after lighting.

3. Use a charcoal chimney. These may be purchased commercially, or made at home with a #10 tin can. They typically have two compartments. The bottom compartment is used to place a starter of some type and the top compartment is used to hold the briquets. While newspaper is commonly used in the bottom compartment, anything that burns easily may be used, including home made fire starters. Holes in the sides of the chimney allow easy lighting and an ample air supply to allow the briquets to start burning. This method may be used in combination with lighter fluid to accelerate the starting of briquets.

4. Use a method of greatly increasing air flow. Once the briquets have been lit and have started to burn, they take time to develop that white-hot outer covering, which indicates they are ready for grilling. Accelerating the air flow will greatly accelerate that process. Ways to accelerate the air flow include using a blow dryer, a fan, a large lid that is waved back and forth near the briquets (like the lid of a large plastic storage box). After the briquets have been lit, directly the air flow toward the pile of briquets. Start gently at first--you don't want to put the fire out. As the heat increases, increase the air flow. This is a great way to get the briquets going faster.

5. Use a small propane torch. This method is for those of you who are like Tim "the Toolman" Taylor. These torches are used for doing plumbing work with copper pipes and solder. They are found in most hardware stores near the plumbing supplies. They are fairly inexpensive and portable and are a quick and fairly easy way to start your briquets. Direct the torch flame toward the middle of your briquet pile to start and then move outwards from there. You'll have your briquets going in no time at all. Lighter fluid is not necessary with this method, so it has the advantage of being quick without the extra odor of lighter fluid.

About the Author
Scott Carey has many hobbies and interests, including outdoor cooking. Find more outdoor cooking tips and recipes at OutdoorCookingMagic. Look for information on some of his other interests at InfoTesoro.

How to Build a Great Camp Fire

2006-08-01T09:54:00.000+08:00

by Brian Johansson

If you are in an area that is traditionally damp or it has recently rained in your area it may be a good idea to take some form of tinder with you on your camping trip. Most camping and outdoors stores sell small single use fire starting kits. These are generally good for any situation where you are going to have trouble finding enough dry brush to start a fire. Once you have your tinder you should find enough small twigs and tiny branches to surround the tinder. These should be small and as dry as possible. You will want to then find wood in ascending size to go above the twigs. Finally you are going to want to find logs, this is going to be the fuel for your fire for the bulk of the night so you should stock up most heavily on this type of wood. If you have ever chopped firewood it might not be a bad idea to pack an axe with your camping gear. Often times one large log can be split into firewood and will be enough to last the whole night and part of the next day. Be sure to build your wood pile a safe distance from the fire site.

In the very center of your fire pit you want to place your tinder material. Don't pack it to tightly or it won't burn fully. You want to place the dried brush in a small pile making sure to leave enough room for oxygen to pass through it and fuel the fire. Around the tinder you small twigs and sticks are going to be the first pieces of wood to catch fire. In a square build a small log cabin with its four walls surrounding the tinder. Lay two sticks on the right and left of the tinder.

About the Author
Brian makes it easy to have a great outdoors experience! Get more tips and information at http://www.go-hiking.info/

Walking on the Mountains - Check the Weather!

2006-07-24T12:44:00.000+08:00

by Pat Ransom

Many people planning to holiday in Snowdonia, the Highlands of Scotland or the Lake District this summer will be considering a walk on the hills or mountains. If you are planning one of the high walks, apart from your fitness and how sore your feet will get, one of your main considerations will be the WEATHER.

Before you start on your walk you will be getting together your hiking shoes, filling your backpack with provisions but please don't forget to CHECK THE WEATHER! The Met Office has forecasts for the Lake District, Snowdonia and Scotland. Even if it looks like it is going to be a nice day you can never be certain what is going to sweep in across the hills. If you are walking Ben Nevis or Snowdon you can be on the hills for most of the day - plenty of time for the weather to change! Knowing and being prepared for the weather conditions will add to your enjoyment of your day, and will keep you safe.

Weather on the mountains is very unpredictable - almost unbelievably so at times. It is very possible that you will choose a lovely clear day for your climb, and will start the day in a tee shirt with the sun beating down on your back.

As you start to climb higher you may find that cloud begins to form, and the summit will be hidden from view! You will be safe if you keep to the well trodden paths, but it is really not advisable to go too far from the track. The cloud and mist can form very quickly and become very thick and it is very easy to quickly become disorientated and lose your way.

Another thing you will notice as you climb the mountain is that the temperature will drop. It will certainly be much colder at the top than at the bottom - particularly in low cloud. The average temperature on the summit of Ben Nevis is -1 degree centigrade. You will need to take a jumper even if you start off on a warm summer's day, and will also need a waterproof in case of low cloud or mist - this can be very wet, and if you are not suitably prepared, your clothes will get sodden.

Visit http://www.mountainwalk.co.uk/weather.html to see examples of weather changes on walks up Snowdon and Ben Nevis. The photographs on this page were all taken on the same walk on an early August day up the Watkins Path of Mount Snowdon. The day started off without a cloud in the sky - three hours later we were scrambling through thick cloud and near gale force winds, getting very wet. Once the summit of Snowdon was reached there were no photo opportunities - apart from being able to see nothing through the cloud, there was also the strong wind that threatened to blow walkers off the top of the cairn!

Snowdon does have the benefit of its summit cafe although it can get very crowded. When you walk up Snowdon you can feel that you have achieved something, even if mist spoils the view.
And just to show mountains have the same typical weather, the same web page shows a walk up Ben Nevis. Again the start of the walk up has the sun shining, but the summit shrouded in mist!
The lesson is be prepared - and especially so on in late spring or early autumn where you could finding yourself scrabbling through snow on the higher peaks and hills.

And if you are a novice walker it is best to avoid the worst weather of the winter months entirely, unless you go with an experienced guide.

About the Author
Pat Ransom has walked both Snowden and Ben Nevis and encourages others to do the same on the website http://www.mountainwalk.co.uk/. Being a keen photographer the site is full of photos of both mountains and the surrounding areas.

A Camping Life

2006-07-19T16:12:00.000+08:00

by S. Bennett

What is it that makes us want to sleep out under the stars or cook over an open flame? What is it that makes us want to be out enjoying God's great creation? Is it something encoded in our DNA? Whatever it is, it makes life interesting doesn't it?!

A person that lives a camping life spends most of the time thinking about the next camping trip. When they are packing up at the end of a trip, they are already planning the next one. They will plan a vacation based on the location's campgrounds or backpacking permits. Does this sound like you? I know that describes me to a T!

A person that lives a camping life usually thinks in a unique way. A three day weekend? "Let's go camping!" Vacation time? "Let's go camping!" A nice quiet weekend? "Let's go camping!" The "perfect" getaway? Spent in a tent, with a camp fire, surrounded by what God has provided: trees, creeks and plenty of hiking trails, preferably on the shores of a lake, so can get a little fishing in too!

A camping life is not for everyone. You have to enjoy the outdoors. You have to have an appreciation and a respect for nature. If this appeals to you then you either already are or are ready to live "A Camping Life".

However you live your camping life, whether you are camping just to be camping or if you are camping as part of a hunting, fishing or hiking trip, there is certain equipment that you will need.
Basic requirements would be a tent and a sleeping bag. Depending on your idea of a camping life and your level of comfort the list of camping equipment could get quite long. You may need all, some or none of this equipment, just choose what fits into your camping life.

For comfort, you may need an air mattress. If your like me, getting a little older, sleeping on the ground in just a sleeping bag does not fit into my camping life. Just make sure you buy a quality one, if not it won't be much better than sleeping on the ground. Of course you don't want to blow this up yourself, so you will need an air pump, same here with buying quality, you don't want to end up spending an hour fighting with the pump just to get your mattress aired up.

Now that we have covered comfort, it is time to look to the practical. It is time to set up your camp. Your idea of the camping life may include cooking over an open flame or you may want the convenience of a camp stove. Either way you will need cookware. Make sure when you buy your cookware, if you are cooking over a camp fire, you get the kind that is made for this type of cooking. Now that you have your camp set up, you don't want to be tripping all over this camping equipment, so don't forget to get a lantern to light your way.

Now let's talk about the extras for your camping trip. If you are camping as part of a hiking trip through the back country you will need a backpack, make sure it is a hiking backpack, not one like kids carry to school. This can make a huge difference in the way your load carries. While you are hiking you may want to do a little bird or wildlife watching so you may want to invest in a good pair of binoculars. You will definitely want to pack a camera for all the beautiful scenery you will be seeing. A good waterproof one would probably be the best, as these are usually more rugged than the average camera. One last extra a lot of people don't think of is walkie talkies. If you are in a large group these can serve several purposes. One purpose could be smaller groups can hike in different directions and still stay in touch with each other. Or even if you are not in a large group, if someone is lost there is a means of communication.

Whatever your idea of the perfect camping life is: I hope your next camping trip will be the best camping life you can live.

About the Author
S. Bennett enjoys all of the outdoors, but camping in particular. For more information on camping, visit http://acampinglife.com/ .

Tips to Sun Safety

2006-07-17T13:04:00.000+08:00

by kalpana pochareddy

The sun is at its strongest generally between the hours of 10 am and 3 pm. If you can plan your outdoor activities before or after these peak hours between 10 and 3, all the better. There are many "Rules" about sun exposure that people used to believe, such as brunette women or dark complexioned women don't burn and that only "fair" people need to watch out. Despite the coloring of, or level of melatonin in one's body, everyone has to be careful so all races and nationalities need to apply protection.

Children Sun Safety Tips: Babies under 6 months: Avoiding sun exposure and dressing infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats are still the top recommendations from the AAP to prevent sunburn. However when adequate clothing and shade are not available, parents can apply a minimal amount of suncreen to small areas, such as the infant's face and the back of the hands.

For Young Children: Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside, and use sunscreen even on cloudy days. The SPF should be at least 15.

For Older Children: The first, and best, line of defense against the sun is covering up. Wear a hat with a three-inch brim or a bill facing forward, sunglasses (look for sunglasses that block 99-100% of ultraviolet rays), and cotton clothing with a tight weave. Stay in the shade whenever possible, and avoid sun exposure during the peak intensity hours - between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Use a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or greater. Be sure to apply enough sunscreen - about one ounce per sitting for a young adult. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.

All Sunscreen Products

Sun Safety Tips to Health: Burns and skin damage generally occur during the summer months, but keep sun safety in mind all year round. Snow reflects sun just like water does, and you can get quite a raw burn from the combination of wind and sun. The sun at Noosa Heads is intense and caution should be taken when spending long periods of time outdoors. Any sun injury enough to cause tanning will increase your risk of skin cancer and premature aging of the skin. If you are taking medication it is important that you consult your Doctor concerning the chances of photosensitization occurring. Photosensitization is an increased sensitivity to sun exposure, it is a possible side effect of certain medications, including certain kinds of antibiotics, heart and blood pressure medicines, antihistamines and antidepressants. Things you can do to minimise your chances of getting over.

Exposed to the sun include: Wear sunglasses with UV protection. Wear a hat and a long sleeved shirt (remember that if you can see through the clothing the sun will also get through). Take extra precautions between 10am and 3pm when the sun's rays are most damaging. Apply sun-screen with sun protection factor (SPF) of 15+ or more and don't forget to reapply sunscreen every few hours, or more frequently if you are swimming, sweating or toweling off.

Sunscreen Tips:Start with sunscreen or sun block, which is different than sun tan oil or plain cocoa butter. Look for the SPF (Sun Protection Factor) on the label of the product you are using. SPF ranges from 8 to 15 to 30 and above. These are important to use even if you have a "base tan". Number 8 SPF will provide minimum protection with numbers going upward in the protection factor, the higher the number the better the protection. Make sure that children are completely covered with a high SPF, and look for products made especially for skin that is in and out of the water. Don't think that a child (or adult) cannot get burned while in the water. Apply often as directed on the label, especially if swimming and sweating, which is what people usually do at the beach and during other outdoor activities. Don't forget lips and scalp. There are special balms made with sunscreen that children and adults should wear outdoors. You should protect your head with a hat, the wider the brim the better, and don't forget sun glasses with sun protection (again, read the label, not all sun glasses protect from the suns' rays, look for 100% UV (ultraviolet) protection.

Sunless Tanning & Bronzers products

General Tips: Last, know when enough is enough Be sure to scope out shady shelter during all outdoor activities and drink plenty of water. Be sure to make children take frequent breaks in the shade or indoors to "cool down" and rest while drinking cool fluids slowly. Water and sports drinks, which replenish electrolytes, are much better than soda for this purpose. This will avoid heat stroke, a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.

Conclusion:The key to enjoying fun in the sun is to plan ahead and enjoy in moderation.

About the Author
We are from Darisimall.com for your Health & Beauty Store.Shop this store for your Health and beauty products. Specializes in Hair care, Skin care and Baby products. Buy Beauty products for Eyes, Skin and Lips. We offer variety of Bath and Body care products like Lotions, Cleansers, Body Scrubs, foot Scrubs, Shampoos, Conditioners and fragrances. Having more than 19,000 products to meet your daily needs. http://www.darisimall.com/

Things to Be Aware of when Hiking

2006-07-15T11:43:00.000+08:00

by Sue Taylor

Hiking is an outdoor activity, consisting of walking around and exploring the nature in areas of unspoiled wilderness, generally on trails. Hiking that takes place off trails is usually called cross country hiking, bushhacking or bushwalking.

Hiking & Other Touring

There are many other outdoor activities based on hiking. Hiking is often the only way to get to explore some wonderful places and possibly the best way to know nature. It is better than a tour in a car because you are not intruded upon by engine noise, windows or dust and you really get to see what's around you.

On the other hand, it also requires a proper physical training and knowledge, especially when done over difficult terrain or on long distances. You also need a backpack for food, water and equipment. Hikers are often caught in unsuitable weather and suffer mishaps. In some countries, they are required to pay in case they need a rescue.

Hiking & the Environment

Hikers often look for beautiful untouched environments to explore. These places are often very fragile and can accidentally be destroyed. Although one individual alone usually doesn't do much harm, the mass effect of a larger number of people is sometimes very harmful. For example, when a group of hikers gather wood to start a fire, they don't do much harm to the forest. However, when this happens for years and years, the area is stripped of important nutrients. Protected areas usually have specific rules to protect the environment. If these rules are followed, the impact of hiking on the environment is significantly reduced. Such rules include forbidding camping outside especially designated areas, wood fires and imposing a certain number of hikers each day. Some hikers share the philosophy of leaving no trace. This refers to hiking in such a way that future hikers won't even notice the presence of previous humans. Those who believe in this obey certain rules even when they are not imposed by a legal authority.

Human waste is an important source of negative impact on the environment. They can contaminate watersheds and harm other hikers who pass by. You can prevent bacterial contamination by digging catholes 4 to 10 inches deep into the ground and covering them after use. To minimize the risk, you have to dig them at least 200 feet away from trails and water sources. Rare or endangered species are also an attraction for hikers. However, some of them are very sensitive to human presence, especially around or during mating season. Hikers should be aware of these habits to reduce the risk of harming endangered species.

One of the greatest risks associated with hiking is that of unintentionally starting a fire. This can be caused by an individual hiker as well and sometimes ends up by destroying large areas of woods. Following certain rules and setting up cooking devices can significantly reduce this risk.

Every outdoor activity includes certain risks, even if you're not doing anything to hurt yourself or the environment. Risks such as bodily injury, metabolic disturbances or just getting lost are always there. However, with proper precautions, hiking and other outdoor activities are a safe and enjoyable experience.

About the Author
Sue Taylor and her family are keen hikers and well aware of the environmental concerns associated with walking through unspoilt areas. For more information about hiking refer to http://www.hikingsiteonline.info

How To Stay Warm In Bed

2006-07-11T09:38:00.000+08:00

A sleeping bag on the cold, hard ground isn't as snug as your bed at home, but it can be. Here's how.

Fluff your sleeping bag well before bedtime.
Use a good ground insulator beneath your sleeping bag. Closed-cell foam works best.
Put on fresh, dry clothes before crawling into your bag.
Keep your sleeping bag dry. Dry you bag before stuffing it. If it's cloudy in the morning but sunny in the afternoon, spread your bag to dry at lunch or during a rest stop. Be sure to use a waterproof stuff sack.
Wear a hat or knit cap to bed.

Outdoor Navigation Tips

2006-07-10T10:57:00.000+08:00

Author: George

Finding direction without a compass.

Hiking, and in particular hiking in remote areas, is a great experience if approached with due regard for fitness, safety and skill. One of the major skill categories, is the ability to navigate with or without compass and map. Ideally, no one should head off the beaten track without map or compass, but what if you find yourself in that situation, or you lose or damage your compass?Here are a few basic -skills- that could one day be of use.

Finding direction by using your watch...

If you have a watch that is working correctly, you can always quickly determine the points of the compass as long as the position of the sun is visible.The method used varies depending upon which hemisphere (northern or southern) that you happen to be living in. The following methods are described using an analog watch, (that-s a watch with an hour and a minute hand) but they can be applied just as well if you own a digital watch - just use your imagination to superimpose the 12 hourly numerals and the relevant position of the -hour hand- on the face of your digital watch.

Northern Hemisphere

Holding your watch horizontally, point the -hour hand- of your watch at the sun.Note the direction that lies exactly midway between the -hour hand- and the numeral twelve on your watch. This will be South. Once you have established this, it will be easy to determine the other points of the compass.

Southern Hemisphere

Holding your watch horizontally, point the numeral twelve on your watch at the sun.Note the direction that lies exactly midway between the twelve and the -hour hand-.This will be North.These methods will give you a good approximation of compass direction.If your watch happens to be adjusted for daylight saving at the time, then -remove- the daylight saving for greater accuracy.

Another method of determining compass points can be used if you do not have a watch. This method takes longer and also requires enough sunlight to cast a shadow...

To find North without a watch

Before noon, on level terrain, position a stick of about 3ft upright into the ground.Mark the tip of its shadow with a peg or stone.Using the tip of the shadow as a radius, draw an arc around the stick.The shadow will shorten as it approaches noon, pulling back from the arc. It will then lengthen again - where the afternoon shadow once again touches the arc, place another peg or stone.Now draw a straight line between the two pegs/stones - this will be an East/West line, with the first peg being in the westerly direction.You can now draw a North/South line at right angles to the East/West line.

The following (less accurate) method can also be used at any time of the day without drawing an arc...Peg the tip of the first shadow, then about 20min later peg the tip of the moved shadow. Draw a straight line between the two pegs, and this will be an approximately East/West line, with the first peg again being the westerly one.

A typical error when lost, is a tendency to wander off what you may think is a straight line bearing, sometimes even slowly circling back on yourself.To prevent this, note an object (tree, rock, terrain feature) that lies directly ahead of you in the direction you wish to travel, then aim for it. When you reach it, take another bearing on the direction you wish to head, sight another object directly ahead of you and repeat the process.In areas of restricted distance visibility, you may have to repeat this quite often over short -legs- to ensure that you are remaining on course.

Keeping a course by the clouds...

What if it-s a cloudy day with no sun visible to get a bearing on, or the bush canopy prevents you getting a clear "shot" at the sun? Well, if you-re lucky, it may be windy with the clouds moving in a constant direction - note the directional flow of the clouds, and adjust your course relevant to their direction.e.g., If the clouds are moving from your front from right to left over your shoulders, keep them there, at the same time, sight an object straight ahead of you and head for it.To retrace your steps in the same general direction, just do an about turn, then keep the clouds moving from behind and now left to right over your shoulders, and repeat the process.

As another example of -cloud navigation-, once, when moving inland through dense bush away from a coastal beach, I eventually decided to retrace my steps to where I-d left my kayak. Surrounded by dense undergrowth and trees, I realized that I didn-t have any idea in which direction the coast lay.Before entering the treeline, I-d noted that the clouds were moving in a direct line from the trees to the coastline - it was just a simple matter then of looking up and following the direction of the clouds to enable myself to head in the correct general direction and once again access the beach.

Being aware of your surroundings will often pay off, so try to cultivate that habit.

George Spearing is author of, "Dances With Marmots - A Pacific Crest Trail Adventure"http://www.danceswithmarmots.com

About Author
George Spearing was born and educated in the UK. He spent two years as a cadet at the naval training school HMS Conway before going to sea at age sixteen, six years later emigrating to New Zealand where he joined the NZ Fire Service.The paperback, "Dances With Marmots - A Pacific Crest Trail Adventure" ISBN:1411656180, is an account of his solo hike from Mexico to Canada through the wilderness areas of California, Oregon and Washington. He has had several ‘outdoor’ articles published plus a fictional short story published in Air New Zealand’s flight magazine. Website at http://www.danceswithmarmots.com

Pocket Bike Parts

2006-07-03T09:49:00.000+08:00

By Ken Marlborough

Maintenance is an important factor in keeping your bike running smoothly, whether it is a normal bike or a pocket bike. So frequently changing worn out parts with new parts is a way to re-power your pocket bike and to make sure that it continues to operate efficiently.

There are many different parts that constitute a pocket bike, and all the parts are offered under different categories and serial numbers. However, many parts are exchangeable. The vital body parts of a pocket bike are tires, wheels, axles, gas tanks, chains, engines, pistons, carburetors, throttle units, brake parts, and cylinders. High-velocity chrome stack and high-performance air filters are also essential ingredients to boost the power of pocket bikes. Chrome racing pipes, mufflers, and other accessories are available in the market; these accessories all add a custom touch your pocket bike.

Pocket bikes offer both convenience and fun. These bikes can be easily carried in your arms, and they are able to offer fast speeds. Gas-powered engines power up pocket bikes. Disc brakes in the front and rear, racing tires, fairings, light-weight aluminum alloy cast perimeter frames and swing arms, etc., are the features that can be added to a pocket bike. Different parts of a pocket bike have their own functions; for example, the gas tank stores gasoline and the carburetor pumps air in from the environment.

Each of the different pocket bike parts have an essential role to play in the proper functioning of the pocket bike and each part needs to be properly maintained in order to maximize the life and the power of your pocket bike.

Pocket Bikes provides detailed information on Pocket Bikes, Mini Pocket Bikes, Cheap Pocketbike, Pocket Bike Parts and more. Pocket Bikes is affiliated with Mountain Bike Parts.

Packing a Backpack

2006-06-28T12:44:00.000+08:00

By GORP Hiking Expert Karen Berger

There's no one right answer to this question: It depends on what kind of pack you have and where you're going to hike. The general principle is that lighter-weight items go at the bottom, heavier items are at the top and close to your body. However, if you are going to be scrambling or hiking off-trail on rough terrain or snow, you might want to pack some of the heavier items a little lower to bring down your center of gravity.

Sleeping bag.

Most packs are designed with a compartment at the bottom for your sleeping bag. If your pack has dividers that separate the sleeping bag from the rest of your gear, use them to take some of the weight off your sleeping bag. (Overly compressing a down sleeping bag can damage the down, resulting in less loft and, thus, less warmth.)

Clothes go in next.

But it's a good idea to stash a few of your warm clothes—hat, gloves, and an insulating layer—and your rain gear in an outside pocket where you can easily get them.

Tents and tarps.

There are a couple of choices for your tent or tarp. Most packs have a separate compartment (where the sleeping bag goes) that is accessible via a zipper. If your pack has such a compartment, see if you can stuff the tent under your sleeping bag. That way, you don't have to unpack everything to get your tent out if it's raining when you want to make camp. This placement also works for packing a wet tent because it won't drip on everything. Be sure, however, that the tent and sleeping bag are in waterproof stuffsacks. Tent poles go strapped to the outside: Tie them on tight!

Food, fuel, and cooking utensils.

Store the fuel upright and away from your food, in case of an accidental spill. Many hikers put their bottles in an outside compartment. Some utensils can have hard or sharp edges, so be sure they're not poking at your pack.

Personal items.

Squeeze these in wherever they fit.

Outside compartments.

Use these for items you'll need during the day: rain gear, a few warm clothes, pack-cover, water filter, water, lunch, snacks, TP, sunscreen, mosquito goop, and your camera.

Mattresses.

Most hikers roll up their sleeping pads and strap them to the outside of the packs. Some smaller mattresses fit inside a backpack, where they are better protected from accidental encounters with cactus needles and barbed wire fences.

Links : http://gorp.away.com/gorp/activity/hiking/skills/packing.htm

Selecting the Best Clothes for Hiking

2006-06-27T10:57:00.000+08:00

by Brian Johansson

When preparing for a hike you will have to customize your wardrobe to accommodate the conditions you are going to be dealing with. Clothes to keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The better prepared you are for your hike the more enjoyable your experience is going to be. You should make sure to avoid clothes that are going to be uncomfortable in during an active day of hiking. You should also take the time to choose your hiking boots carefully. Your clothes and your hiking boots are going to be the two most important factors in enjoying your hike.

When choosing your clothes you should avoid cotton at all costs. As you sweat cotton clothes absorb the sweat and dry incredible slowly. Cotton clothes will absorb your sweat and hold the moisture next to your skin. There are breathable clothing lines out on the market that are designed to pull moisture away from your body and dry quickly. Lycra clothing and any type of swimming shorts are good choices as they dry fairly quickly. Dark clothing dries faster so if you sweat heavily you might want to stay in this color range. However the lighter the color of your clothes the less attracted bugs are going to be. You should make sure to research the area you are going to be hiking in to decide which strategy works better for you.

If you are hiking in cold weather make sure to layer your clothes. You are going to need a layer close to your skin that is pulling the sweat away from your skin. Again avoid cotton because it will hold the moisture next to your skin and will pull heat away from your body. You should have a layer over that to keep you warm and a layer to repel water from the outside. Make sure to wear clean clothes and bring several changes of socks.

About the Author
Brian is a professional outdoorsman who enjoys sharing his experiences with other enthusiasts. Visit his website http://www.go-hiking.info/ for more information!

How To Have a Comfortable Sleep When Camping!

2006-06-23T15:30:00.000+08:00

by Trevor Kassulke

The last thing you want to happen when you're 20 miles into the woods is to find your sleeping bag is not warm enough. You will be facing a very long and restless night which can ruin your spirits and sap your strength for the next day.

So how do you make sure you've selected the right sleeping bag for your needs? There are several aspects to consider:

GOOSE DOWN or SYNTHETIC?

There are pros and cons to most of the options available in sleeping bags.

Goose down is very warm. It is lightweight to carry and can be easily compressed for travel and quickly regain form when shaken out. It is by far a better choice for backpackers who intend to carry the bag with them for extended trips because of the lighter weight and smaller packing. However, goose down is also more expensive and loses its insulating properties when wet - a consideration if sleeping outdoors or travelling in inclement weather.

Synthetic filled bags are cheaper than goose down and retain their warmth even in wet conditions. They dry faster than down and are good choices if travelling by boat or sleeping outdoors on the ground. However, synthetic bags are heavier and larger which can be a downside if you are hiking long distances with the bag.

For the average family camper synthetic bags are the least expensive and least affected by wet conditions. If travelling by car to a campground the size and weight of a synthetic bag should not be a problem.

RECTANGLE, TAPERED or MUMMY BAG?

As with the insulating materials, the shape of bag you choose will depend on your specific needs with pros and cons for each type.

Rectangle bags are most similar to bed sleeping and most familiar to the average user. They permit room for movement and you can easily zip two bags together for shared sleeping. However, rectangle bags are the biggest and not the best option for carrying on extended hikes.

Tapered bags are somewhat narrower towards the feet area of the sleeping bag. This shape provides less freedom of movement but more warmth because of the restricted space.

Mummy bags are the smallest and lightest to carry. They are very snug to the body (as the name suggests) with a hood that can be fitted around the head to conserve the greatest amount of body heat. While the average user may find the mummy bag uncomfortable to sleep in because of the restriction, they are the best choice for cold weather camping and long hikes because of their warmth and small size.

WHICH TEMPERATURE RATING?

Sleeping bags will list the coldest temperature they are suitable for sleeping in. Depending on if you are camping in the summer or colder months you will need to choose a bag accordingly. Also take into consideration if you are normally cold or hot when sleeping and make the adjustments.

In most cases it is recommended to choose a warmer bag since you can always open it for venting if it is too warm. The temperature rating is based on using a sleeping pad under the sleeping bag which conserves body heat from the ground.

ADDITIONS:

If you frequently camp out you may want to consider a liner for your bag which will increase its warmth and can be washed separately, saving your sleeping bag from extra wear and tear.

You can also purchase sleeping bag covers. Some of these can substitute for a warm weather sleeping bag and can extend an all season bag into a cold weather bag by increasing the warmth. They can also provide extra protection from wet conditions and are a good choice for protecting goose down sleeping bags.

How comfortable you are when you sleep will drastically affect your enjoyment of a camping or hiking trip. Saving five or ten dollars at the expense of a good nights sleep will not seem like a good idea when you are tired and cold out in the woods, so choose wisely.

Basic First Aid Kits

2006-06-15T10:42:00.000+08:00

by Corie Marks

There are numerous first aid kits on the market that are relatively inexpensive to purchase and are small enough to put in a fannypack or a daypack. But what if you'd just like to throw some things together that you might already have in your home? What items would you want to make sure you had on your hike? I'm glad you asked, because I'm going to help you out with that.

How much you take along in a first-aid kit really depends on where you will be hiking, and is this a day hike or a multi-day backpacking trip? Also to be considered is who will be going with you. Do they have asthma or allergies? Are they prone to getting sick easily? Are they rather clumsy on the trail? Is this their or your first time hiking? Experienced backpackers will already have an idea of what first-aid items they generally use during a backpacking trip, but it never hurts to be prepared for an emergency.

For the short day hike or a hike in a relatively moderate terrain with little or no elevation, boulders, or slippery territory, you can get away with the bare basics kept in a Ziploc bag. For this you should include: * A small assortment of Band-Aids * Moleskin for blisters * 3-inch Elastic bandage for sprains * Povidone iodine swabs * 6 tablets of aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen * ½ oz. tube of triple antibiotic ointment * You can add an antihistamine medication if anyone in the party has allergies. * Tweezers for splinter removals. * Q-tips * Peroxide placed in a small bottle-great for cleaning wounds and if you wake up with a sore throat, you can gargle with a solution of ½ peroxide and ½ water, but be sure not to swallow any.

For those longer hikes that will be a week long or entail traversing some rugged terrain, you will need more items. You could add to the above with the following items: * Steri-strips-found at drug stores, these help to hold closed a wound that would otherwise need stitches, if it is not too large-say a couple of inches long * Spyroflex Blister Dressings-5-pack. These are great for covering wounds to promote clotting and providing a water-resistant covering to protect wounds from contamination. * 1 Sawyer Extractor-for snake bites or other poisonous bites * 1 Sam Splint-a malleable aluminum/foam splint that stores flat or rolled, so it is not bulky to carry * A couple of pairs of protective gloves * 1 CPR disposable mask * 1-4 inch elastic bandage * Small assortment of medications for constipation, diarrhea, nausea or motion sickness, cold tablets, sugar tablets for diabetics, insect bite relief, and antacids * Scissors * Thermometer

Another thing you might want to invest in, if you don't already have a pair, is walking sticks. These not only help prevent you from tripping and spraining that ankle, they can also help get you off the mountain if you do have a sprain.

As with any gear, make sure you are familiar with everything in your kit and know how to apply the dressings and elastic bandages. As an intensive care nurse, we were always encouraged to know what was on the crash cart. The knowledge of your kits will make emergencies less stressful. That way, when an emergency occurs, you will be able to react confidently and hopefully, calmly.

About the Author
Corie Marks works for Adventure-Crew.com, a website dedicated to outdoor adventure in the national parks, monuments and wilderness areas. Her job entails marketing, sales, writing for the website and doing field work with her husband Stu, who also works for Adventure-Crew as the art director. She is also an intensive care registered nurse.

The all important camping checklist

2006-06-13T16:37:00.000+08:00

Anyone that has been camping has experienced the sudden feeling that comes over you when you realized that you forgot the potato salad at home in the fridge, the can opener for the pork and beans, or a coat for those cool summer nights.

No matter how well you plan your camping trip, there always seems to be something that you end up forgetting. The use of a good camping checklist will put an end to ever forgetting anything again.

Well, I may not be able to promise you that you will never forget anything again, but using a camping checklist will help you better prepare for your camping trips and make sure that you can enjoy your trip instead of worrying about something that you forgot.

A good camping checklist will have all of the important items that you would ever need for a camping trip to the great outdoors.

A good list would cover all of your food items including the pots, pans and utensils required to prepare the meals.

It would cover such items that you thought you would never forget such as your tent, sleeping bags, your favorite pillow and some extra tarps just incase it starts to rain.

And don't forget the items you would need for a young child, including games for the kids to play both young and old.

You should even have items on your camping checklist for any pets that you will be taking along.
Whatever you do, always make sure that you have your camping checklist with you when planning your next camping trip.

You should always bring your checklist with you on your camping trip just incase there is something you do forget so you can add it to your list at that time.

About the Author
Mark Neustedt has had a life long love for the outdoors and spends a great deal of his free time camping in the beautiful North Cascade mountains of Washington State. He is the webmaster of www.The-Ultimate-Camping-Experience.com.

Outdoor Canopy

2006-06-12T15:23:00.000+08:00

by Puja

Outdoor Canopy - a shield to protect you from different weather elements

You can enjoy the great outdoors with your friends and family by protecting them from the harsh summer sun with the outdoor canopy. There are different canopies, one with pole fittings and polyester fabric or the heavier canvas canopies and other are like the pop up type canopies that make it easy to erect.

A canopy shields protects your guests from the sun warm rays or from a cool & summer rain. It's a cozy fort for grown-ups -a restful retreat set in a wooded glen, where the finches provide the background tunes. In the evening, lit by candles and the moon, the canopy becomes a softly illuminated nook ideal for champagne toasts especially the outdoor canopy.

Outdoor Canopy is equipped with heavy duty galvanized steel tubing and is 100% waterproof. The tarp tent canopy cover can hold up against heavy sun wear & tear. So, if you need a canopy for rain, sun, or any events, outdoor canopy is the best.

There are a huge selection of Outdoor Canopy, Party Tents, and Portable Canopies. You can get tent canopies or outdoor canopies in different size, color, or type.

There are some outdoor canopy which are like a beefed-up version of the King Canopy The sides are almost a foot taller than the Original King Canopy, and the white polythene cover comes with drawstring ends and curtain clips to keep the sides from flapping in the wind. It is a perfect temporary shelter for picnics, camping, and cars.

Tips Time for Summer

2006-06-11T09:32:00.000+08:00

By Neisha Bjorklund

Time for summer! Here are the top 20 pool tips to ensure all your family and friends' safety.

A person must learn to swim and always swim with a buddy, never swim alone.
Swim in areas accompanied my a lifeguard.
Be observant and read and obey all pool rules and posted signs.
Children or beginner swimmers should wear a floatation device in and around the water.
Set water safety rules for the entire family based on their swimming abilities.
Become informed of the water environment you are in and its potential hazards. This may include it's deep and shallow areas, it's currents, etc..
Check out the local weather conditions and forecasts prior to swimming.
When entering the water, use a feet-first method.
Dive only when the area is clearly marked for diving.
Do not consume alcohol while swimming, diving or boating.
Know how to prevent, recognize, and respond to all emergencies.
Never, never, leave children alone next to a pool. Children are very curious individuals and may fall within a fraction of a second.
Install a phone next the your pool area and post a 9-1-1 sign in clear view.
Learn how to perform CPR on all individuals and post the instructions in clear view for others to refer see and learn as well.
Wear sunscreen. Protecting your skin from UV Rays in very important.
Drink a lot of water even if you don't feel thirsty. This can prevent heat stroke.
Always keep basic life saving devices near the pool, such as a rope, a pole, or a personal flotation device.
Completely remove your pool cover before allowing anybody to enter the pool.
Don't leave pool furniture close to your fence, this would enable a child to climb.
Don't ever run near a pool, the wet ground can cause an individual to slip and fall.

About the Author
Neisha Bjorklund is the webmaster for http://www.myaquaproducts.com. Check out our selection of pool and spa chemicals and accessories. Pool lighting, pool alarms, pool cleaners, etc..