As the scouts say, be prepared. Save worry for yourself, your family, and potential rescuers. In some areas, hiking trails are marked as easy or difficult.
Things to do
1 Find a friend. Do not travel in the outback or forest alone.
To join groups starting from cities, contact Hash house harriers with the name of the city. They often meet once a week or once a month, and may have groups for men, women, or families, or families with pets, or different language groups, and may make a charge to visitors, especially if they provide a meal at the end of the run.
2 Check weather reports and suggested supplies for the route.
3 Pack your car with a sleeping bag and first aid kit.
4 Route References Registered
Inform in the USA a ranger of your route.
Leave a map of your route and estimated time of return for your family.
5 Pack food and drink.
Enough for a week in case you get stranded. In containers which stop predatory animals attacking you for food.
Black bears unable to reach backpacks. Photo from Wiki.
6 Print a map and have GPS finder.
7 Select Suitable Clothes For all weathers. Wear a ski jacket which enables you to be found in snow with a bleeping device. A helmet for cycling or motorbikes. Insurance. Anti-tick socks. Goggles for swimming and sun in the snow. Hats and caps which tie on so they don't blow off or get lost. I have a swimsuit with a hood so I don't need a swimming cap.
8 Have a suitable jacket.
9 Wear insect repellent and carry bite soother.
10 In snake-infested areas, sing and throw stones ahead to make snakes move away.
11 Carry a mini tent like an umbrella for shelter in winter or bad weather.
12 Carry hand warmers. (Sold in ski and hiking areas.)
13 Have spare clothing.
14 Have an empty water bottle and wet wipes in case you need a toilet and or can't move because you have hurt your ankle.
15 Do not hike when menstruating because blood attracts dogs and bears and other animals to attack you just as they would attack a bleeding animal for food.
16 Carry a sewing kit.
17 Put a survival guide on your phone.
18 If lost without paths, go downhill to the river in a valley to get drinking water, find a road, or hail passing boats.
19 If stuck in one place, such as a beach or a clearing, or even a road, use clothes or branches to make a large sign to attract searching aircraft.
20 Check on local safety sites.
Online you can buy whistles, torches and knives as well as waterproof clothes and pickpocket proof clothes.
Wiki has advice on what to do when lost.
You can also buy survival guides. In France you can get guides to edible mushrooms.
Useful Websites
California Hiking Safety tips - and tips for bikers and others
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30043
https://www.amazon.com/Hiking-Safety/s?k=Hiking+Safety
http://www.wiki-safety.com/postdtl/en/-C2079/2165/
http://www.romehash.com/
amazon.co.uk/s?k=anti-tick+socks
Temporary dental repair kit
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