Alexandra Forrestall is a Calgary, Alberta-based talent sourcer and junior recruiter whose professional background spans recruitment, early childhood education, customer service, and animal care. Since joining ITPlacements in 2022, she has focused on identifying and pre-qualifying candidates, building talent pipelines, and supporting hiring managers through structured, evidence-based recruitment practices. Her academic training includes an honors diploma in early childhood education from Seneca College, as well as earlier studies in child studies at Carleton University.
Outside of her professional work, Alexandra Forrestall maintains an active interest in hiking, fitness, and outdoor activities, experiences that inform her perspective on preparation, risk awareness, and personal responsibility in wilderness settings. That combination of analytical professional experience and practical outdoor engagement provides relevant context for examining common safety misconceptions that hikers encounter. Understanding how misinformation develops and spreads is essential for safer decision-making on trails and in backcountry environments.
Common Wilderness Safety Myths That Put Hikers at Risk
Spending time on trails and in backcountry areas often comes with advice passed down through stories, social media, or well-meaning companions. While some guidance is rooted in experience, other widely repeated ideas are myths or misconceptions that can increase risk rather than reduce it. Data from the U.S. National Park Service, which recorded almost 200 fatal incidents in national parks in 2023, underscores how such misunderstandings can have serious consequences. For hikers, separating fact from fiction is an essential part of preparation and decision-making.
One persistent myth involves encounters with black bears. Popular culture often suggests that playing dead is the safest response during an attack. However, guidance from the National Park Service makes clear that this approach is inappropriate for black bears and may prolong an attack rather than stop it. Black bears are typically motivated by food and may perceive a passive person as something to investigate. When escape to a vehicle or building is not possible, authorities advise fighting back and focusing defensive efforts on the bear’s face and muzzle. Avoid eye contact, running, or climbing trees as well, as these actions can trigger pursuit.
Water safety is another area where assumptions frequently lead hikers astray. Flowing streams and rivers often appear clean, especially in remote areas, creating the impression that the water is safe to drink. In reality, even clear, fast-moving water can contain harmful bacteria or parasites. The National Park Service advises that water from natural sources should never be consumed without proper filtration and disinfection. Illness caused by contaminated water can quickly compromise a hike, turning a manageable outing into an emergency.
Water-related rescue myths can also create dangerous situations, particularly regarding rip currents. The idea of forming a human chain to rescue someone caught in a rip current is often portrayed as a possible solution. While such rescues have occurred, the National Weather Service strongly discourages this practice. Rip currents can pull multiple people into deeper water, escalating a single emergency into a multi-victim incident. Instead, people caught in strong currents are advised to float on their backs and move calmly toward safety when possible, reducing panic and conserving energy.
Erroneous beliefs regarding protection from the elements present additional hazards. For example, alcohol is thought by some people to help prevent hypothermia or frostbite by creating a sensation of warmth. In reality, alcohol lowers core body temperature by dilating blood vessels near the skin, which increases blood flow to the skin and facilitates heat loss. Furthermore, flushed skin and other effects of alcohol consumption can mask early signs of hypothermia, delaying necessary action. Proper layering, staying dry, and seeking shelter are far more effective strategies for managing cold exposure.
Another common myth related to the elements is that lightning never strikes the same place twice. However, lightning strikes can occur multiple times in the same location even when part of the same storm cycle. For hikers still on the trail during thunderstorms with active or potential lightning strikes, the best option is to seek shelter away from isolated trees. Ideal areas include small gullies or other depressions in the terrain. If sheltering inside a cave, avoid lighting a fire. Smoke can quickly accumulate in enclosed spaces, leading to respiratory distress or death, and heat can cause rocks to expand and fall.
Wilderness safety relies on realistic expectations and evidence-based practices rather than tradition or hearsay. For hikers, understanding common survival myths is a critical step toward safer outdoor experiences. By questioning assumptions and relying on guidance from credible sources, hikers can reduce unnecessary risks and respond more effectively when conditions change.
About Alexandra Forrestall
Alexandra Forrestall is a Calgary, Alberta-based talent sourcer and junior recruiter with experience across recruitment, education, customer service, and animal care. She joined ITPlacements in 2022 and was promoted to junior recruiter in 2023, supporting hiring managers through candidate sourcing and talent pipeline development. Alexandra holds an honors diploma in early childhood education from Seneca College and has professional experience as a dog handler, retail associate, and customer engagement specialist. Her interests include hiking, volunteering, and fitness.
