Summer in Alaska offers unbridled beauty for people interested in camping, hiking, and biking. Despite the physical benefits of leading an active outdoor lifestyle, it’s important to protect yourself — especially from bears. As a trusted urgent care clinic in Anchorage, Patients First Medical Clinic offers this guide for protecting yourself while outside this summer.

Keep Yourself Healthy

When it comes to physical activities like hiking, biking, or fishing, it’s important to take the right steps to keep your body healthy. First, you should make sure that you have enough water for your excursion to prevent dehydration. If you plan on spending time in the sun, you should also sufficiently protect your skin by using sunscreen and wearing hats and long sleeves.

When hiking, stick to trails that match your skill level. If you enjoy biking, don’t push your body past the breaking point, and take frequent breaks. The right gear can also be important for preventing injuries, whether that means wearing comfortable shoes or protective goggles when swimming.

Use Bug repellant to prevent misery.  If traveling heavy mosquito areas use of bug netting can be a lifesaver.

Watch Out for Bears

People who are active outdoors in Alaska should also be on the lookout for bears. While bears are rarely aggressive towards people, they may react badly if you’ve strayed too close to their cubs or food source. Keep your bear repellent handy and try to remove yourself from the situation if you encounter a bear — but do not run, as this will trigger a predatory response. You should also know the difference between black bears and grizzlies, as this will impact your response. With black bears, making yourself big by yelling and waving your arms to deter their approach. If a grizzly bear is present, it’s best to “play dead.”

If you experience an outdoor injury and need immediate treatment, the urgent care team at Patients First Medical Clinic are ready to help.  We have X-ray, EKG, In house splints to help diagnose and heal your injuries They also offer a wide range of primary care services, including general wellness physicals that can assess your current state of health. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with an Anchorage doctor, call (907) 333-7425 today. You can also visit them online to access more helpful urgent care resources.