Personal safety when going on nature trips.

Because some day, it will be my turn to bring people on nature trips.

Some nature trips involve going off the beaten path and Singapore's wilderness can be pretty rough and dangerous to the unprepared, this is not an exaggeration.

The most important thing to note is :

Never underestimate Singapore's wilderness, always be properly prepared for trips and be constantly careful and mindful.

Many things can go wrong, even at places with boardwalks. Proper help is usually a good 30min to hours away on foot and some problems require special medical attention within minutes.

1) Danger from organisms
Singapore has its fair share of venomous organisms. Cone snails, blue-ringed octopuses, cobras, vipers, kraits, stonefish and stingrays among others can all be found in Singapore.

Venomous snakes can lurk in long grass, between planks on boardwalks or even under lamp posts. Stonefish and stingrays are well camouflaged and easy to step on. Swarms of hornets and bees can come out of nowhere. Even harmless looking animals can potentially contain highly toxic substances (eg. some zoanthids contain Palytoxin, one of the most toxic organic substances in the world. The toxin can be fatal should it be ingested or enter the blood stream through cuts).

Some cobras, when feeling threatened, spit very accurately at human eyes causing blindness. Stonefish stings usually require hospitalization. Stings from Cone snails and bites of blue-ringed octopuses can be fatal within minutes.

Although insect stings are generally non-fatal, some can cause anaphylaxis in people allergic to them. Serious stings (eg. hornets) on the neck can also cause swelling leading to suffocation, which is why people are advised to protect the head and neck during a bee or hornet attack.

Some animals, when feeling threatened, defend themselves and can cause severe physical trauma to unwary humans.

Never antagonize any animal no matter how harmless they look.

Avoid touching any organism unless absolutely necessary.


2) Danger from carelessness
During trips, it is common for someone to find something exciting and call out to nearby people. It is very easy for the nearby people to rush over, get distracted by the find and fail to look where they step as they crowd around the find. Very bad things can happen due to this period of distraction. Always prioritize your attention to where you step. Only when you have secured a safe vantage point can you focus on objects of interest. The same holds true for chatting as you walk. Chatting can distract you from looking out at where you step. Avoid chatting when walking through dangerous ground (eg. shore rubble, the favorite haunt of stonefish).

Stepping on the wrong place can have dire results. Stonefish, stingrays, broken glass and razor sharp fan clams (these clams lie vertically half buried in the sand and slice deeply into inadequately protected feet) among other things are all too common on Singapore shores. Uneven ground is also very common and deep ankle-breaking holes are often camouflaged under all the grass and leaves.

Getting lost in places without proper pathways is pretty easy. Even people who have visited the same area a few times can lose their way without proper landmarks. Always take note of reliable landmarks (large immovable objects with distinctive features).

Always keep track of the time as it is much easier to get lost after nightfall.


3) Danger from being unprepared
When visiting a location for the first time, it is usually good practice to read up on the location, wear long sleeves, long pants and proper footwear and bring enough water to last a few hours.

Long grass, thorny bushes, sandflies, sharp rocks, broken glass etc. can really take their toll on the unprotected.

Trips may last longer than anticipated and shortage of water can lead to heatstroke.

A torch is very important when trips have a chance to end after nightfall.

A compass and handphone will generally be useful as well.


Also, do read :
Preparing for a wild visit for more details on preparation and proper behavior.

Tips for visitors to the seashores of Singapore and How to visit the shores of singapore for more details on shore visits.