FAQs • Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ • CivicEngage

Be prepared.

Take along more food and water than you need. If you do run out, then:
- Don't drink stream or lake water unless you boil it or use a water purification tablet on it first.
  - At this altitude, water boils at a much lower temperature than at sea level, so it takes longer to kill off harmful bacteria. You'll need to keep the water at a rolling boil for at least three minutes to make sure it's safe to drink.
- Use caution; some plants are poisonous.
  - Avoid wild mushrooms entirely; several local varieties are very dangerous, possibly even fatal, and it's tricky to tell them apart from more harmless ones. Don't take the risk!
Bring a small hand mirror and a whistle with you. If you get lost, the mirror will let you signal rescue planes or helicopters, and the sound of the whistle will carry much farther than your voice to ground-based search parties.
Always tell someone where you're going, and when you plan to be back.
Try to avoid going out into the forest in groups smaller than three people. That way, if one person is seriously injured, the second person can stay with them while the third person goes for help.

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Emergency Preparedness - Hiking

In wilderness accidents in particular, it's important to keep a cool head. Help is often hours (or even days) away, so it's important to assess the situation and do what you can, without making the situation worse. You won't be much help to a fellow camper who's injured if you break your own leg because you were rushing; pay attention, and stay calm.
If you get lost, hug a tree. It's much easier for searchers to find a person who's staying put than one who's wandering around in an unpredictable way.

Take along more food and water than you need. If you do run out, then:
- Don't drink stream or lake water unless you boil it or use a water purification tablet on it first.
  - At this altitude, water boils at a much lower temperature than at sea level, so it takes longer to kill off harmful bacteria. You'll need to keep the water at a rolling boil for at least three minutes to make sure it's safe to drink.
- Use caution; some plants are poisonous.
  - Avoid wild mushrooms entirely; several local varieties are very dangerous, possibly even fatal, and it's tricky to tell them apart from more harmless ones. Don't take the risk!
Bring a small hand mirror and a whistle with you. If you get lost, the mirror will let you signal rescue planes or helicopters, and the sound of the whistle will carry much farther than your voice to ground-based search parties.
Always tell someone where you're going, and when you plan to be back.
Try to avoid going out into the forest in groups smaller than three people. That way, if one person is seriously injured, the second person can stay with them while the third person goes for help.

Cell phone signals can be unpredictable, particularly in areas with a lot of tall pine trees and high ridges. Plus, many wilderness areas in the White Mountains have never had cell phone service. If you're having trouble getting a signal, try this:
- Turn off any non-essentials, like Bluetooth and WiFi reception, and make sure no apps are running in the background, That will help preserve your phone's battery for as long as possible.
- If you're able to, move to the top of the nearest ridge or hill, particularly if it has an area with no trees. A clear line of sight between you and the nearest cell phone tower will make it much easier for your phone to connect.
- Even if your cell phone carrier doesn't offer service in this area, you'll still be able to call 911 if your phone can connect to a tower; keep trying periodically.