Hashing-How safe is safe?

By Bob Yong

Lack of knowledge about hashing is no bliss. It is in fact the root cause for many misfortunes. Getting lost in a forest is not uncommon, but getting out in one piece is a different story. To ensure that hashing is indeed safe, hashers are assumed to have acquired some basic knowledge on hashing and are able to exercise common sense. They must also be pre-prepared for each run, be it an easy or a difficulty run.
According to sources, adventurous hashers are likely to get lost when they go off the trail to explore for something new. Some hashers feel the need to compete with fellow hashers to complete the trail at a shortest possible time. Some hashers even attempt to short-cut the trail in order to finish ahead. Remember, hashing is non-competitive and definitely not a test of your skills. More often than not, hashers go missing or lost because they compete against each other on speed. Some are over-confident and misguided by boastful and inexperienced hashers.
If you are lost or about to be lost, calm down and think. It is important to stay put and get as warm and comfortable as possible, until help arrives. According to experienced hashers, it is a personal behavior that you would attempt to get out this unfamiliar situation as fast as you could. By calming down, you are able to look and listen for important signs; namely the sound of water, vehicles, machinery or the call of fellow members. When darkness fell, you must not walk around; least you may fall off a ravine or a cliff. Stay in a spot where it is easier for rescuers to find you.
When it is necessary to stay the night, try build yourself a shelter. Clear the ground in and around your shelter of leaves and debris and start a fire to discourage insects and snakes. The fire will not only keep you warm and will also keep wild animals away.
Injuries are avoidable if you think of safety first. Do not run or jump if you are unsure of the terrain of the trail. Keep in mind that it is a difficult task and time consuming for rescuers to locate the lost hashers. When found, ferries the injured persons out of a forest are a tremendous task to the rescue team.
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