Adventuring is a dangerous business by definition. There are a lot of things that could happen out there which could significantly change you plans - you could get stranded due to a breakdown, you could be unable to get back due to weather, or could need to be evacuated via an ambulance due to an injury.
I was recently faced with such a situation, and luckily proper preparation made a rather difficult situation go as smoothly as it really could have. I figured I'd jot down some notes which some may find helpful in the future.
The important thing is that these are mostly things you can do now , while sitting at home, but which make a huge difference when sh*t hits the fan. They largely take very little effort and cost little money, and by planning ahead you have less to worry about on your actual adventures.
This is by no means a comprehensive list, but rather a collection of tips and things to think about based on my own experience. Every situation is different, so you should adopt accordingly.
This is primarily aimed at off-road motorcycle riding, but the concepts apply equally well to anything outdoorsy - mountain biking, backpacking, and even hiking.
When I'm leaving the camp or the trailhead, I assume that there is a chance I might not be able to return there due to an unplanned event. I don't want to be relying on things in my truck, 20 miles away, to get me out of a jam.
If there is an unplanned event or emergency, I assume that my ability to "figure things out on the fly" will be limited. This could be because there is no cell signal, severe injury, panic, whatever. Trying to google things in the middle of the woods, with 1 bar of service, while being eaten by mosquitoes in the rain is not a good time.
Everything is at least 2x more difficult in the woods than it is in the garage or living room.
I don't assume the trail is well marked or that I'll be able to follow it the entire way without needing to deviate.
With the mindset above in mind, here are some of the things one can do to prepare for unplanned events and emergencies on the trail
Create an online document repository, which is securely shared with trusted and accessible people back home. These should be people you can call day or night and they should actually know how to access your stuff. The document repository should have things like:
Pictures of your drivers license, passport, health insurance card(s) and any important personal information you'd carry in your wallet.
Pictures of your vehicle registrations, proof of insurance, and possibly other ownership information.
Any important membership cards, such as AAA.
Pictures of your credit cards.
Have pictures of the documents above on your phone as well.
Have a spare key to your vehicle hidden where trusted people know where to get to it. If you're riding with someone, let them know where your spare keys are, so they're not trying to call you while you're in an ambulance.
Bring your phone, wallet (or the necessary stuff out of it), keys...etc. with you. Along with whatever standard stuff you carry with you on a ride (see Dirtbike trail ride packing list ). Don't assume you can stop by your truck at the trailhead to get your ID if you have an emergency.
Lock and secure your stuff you leave the campground or trailhead.
Download the manual to your bike to your phone, make sure it's accessible offline.
Make sure you have good (offline) maps and are able to establish your position to be able to relay it over the phone. Imagine telling your Mom how to drive to you. This is the level of confidence you'll need to have in your location, so detailed maps are a must. If you assume local first responders are familiar with all local trails you will be very disappointed and hard to find.
Anyone going into the woods should seriously consider a Garmin inReach or similar satellite beacon. The prices are very reasonable these days and in an emergency it provides several benefits
Works where there is no cell service. No need to send your buddy to get help. Group stays together.
Provides your exact location, no need to try to figure out trail names, or describe two tracks.
Puts an experienced Rescue coordinator on your side. This person will handle getting in touch with all local resources and making sure the rescue happens, even if you pass out after pressing that SOS button.
Because of this it cuts your rescue time from many hours to probably well under an hour in most cases.
Most devices allow trusted people from home to track you. Giving you an extra layer of security in case something happens.
Make sure you have some provisions for your pets, kids, plants...etc. in case you can't make it home. For example, make some advance arrangements for someone to watch your dog if you get stuck somewhere for a few extra days. Even if it's just some contacts to drop them off at a kennel.