Backcountry Hygiene

Backcountry Hygiene

by Eric A. Weiss, MD

Published: January 1998

''Although wilderness visitors are placing more and more emphasis on concerns like the water-borne protozoan Giardia lamhlia, they downplay their contact with other humans and other sources of disease in the outdoor environment," said Buck Tilton, co-author of Camping Healthy, Hygiene for the Outdoors, published by ICS Books.

"Because increasing numbers of Homo Sapiens show up more and more often in backcountry areas, the presence of humans, even if only for a short while, builds a community of disease possibilities," said Tilton. One of the most obvious, but perhaps under-appreciated means of staying healthy involves washing the hands after bowel movements, before attending to wounds and always before preparing food. Rough percentages indicate that between 25 and 40 percent of all food-borne illness can he traced to the hands.

For maximum cleanliness, but not 100 percent bacteria removal, use hot water that is almost too hot to touch, between 100 and 120F. Soap up and work the lather into the skin and under the nails for at least 30 seconds. Rinse thoroughly with hot water again. Re-soap, re-rinse and then dry. Drying is perhaps one of the most overlooked and yet most important steps since washing alone will leave some bacteria suspended in the few droplets of water clinging to your skin, enhancing the possibility of a chance migration from skin to food and then ... use your imagination.

Of course, in the backcountry, hot water is a rare thing indeed, unless you are packing copious volumes of fuel. For wilderness use when hot water becomes a luxury, Tilton recommended the use of a germicidal soap such as Betadine Scrub, Hibiclens or Klenz-Blu Gel. Follow the method outlined in the previous paragraph for cleaning.

"Sure, washing your hands so meticulously is a bother but so is getting sick," said Tilton. "Remember most of all, however, even plain old unscientific hand washing beats no hand washing at all."

Here is a condensed hit list for taking the cramps out of camp:

· Do not share bandannas, toothbrushes, razors, water bottles, eating utensils, etc.

· Wash and air dry all community kitchen gear.

· Keep anyone who is ill, or appears to be, out of the kitchen.

· Wash your hands before preparing meals and every time after you go to the bathroom.

· Purify all drinking water via water filtration, chemical treatment or boiling.

Eric A. Weiss MD is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Stanford University Medical Center and is on the Board of Directors of the Wilderness Medical Society. Dr. Weiss serves as the expert consultant for this section. Re-printed courtesy of Adventure West Magazine.