Isaac Hale, Daily Herald file photo

Summer is the perfect time to head outdoors and enjoy the blue sky, sunshine and nature that Utah County has to offer, but it’s also a time when safety needs to be on people’s minds. The Utah County Sheriff’s Office has been busy for months responding to emergencies in the great outdoors.

According to UCSO Sgt. Spencer Cannon, the types of emergencies seem to go in cycles. This summer, for instance, there have not been as many water emergencies as in past summers.

“There was a nasty windstorm and people needed help getting off of Utah Lake,” he said, but other types of water emergencies have not been prevalent so far this year.

This year’s most common emergency is also the easiest to prevent, Cannon said — people hiking while not being as prepared as they should be.

“People go hiking and don’t take enough water and they end up getting dehydrated. They don’t plan for how taxing that can be on a body, especially in the higher elevations, which compounds the problem,” he said. “People can be working hard and sweating and not really feeling like there is a problem because the sweat dries up and it doesn’t seem like they’re becoming dehydrated.”

Courtesy Utah County Sheriff's Office

Cannon said that hikers like to carry light, but sometimes go too light, resulting in emergency calls to the Sheriff’s Office. Cannon recommends taking a half gallon or more of water to begin with and then, when there is a water source, stop, take a break and get more water.

“They go for a day hike and they might take a couple of bottles of water or a water pack and if they’re going to hike Mount Timp or Mount Nebo or a longer hike, that is not going to be close to enough water to sustain,” he said. “In most of the places in Utah, there are water sources out there, but we don’t recommend dipping your mouth like a horse, but take a water filter with you. This can be very effective.”

Eating well before venturing out and taking food along can make all the difference as well.

“When you get hungry or tired, it’s amazing how much better you feel by eating a couple of granola bars or a smashed up sandwich from your backpack or fruit. Take those with you,” Cannon said. He also recommends wearing good footwear as blisters or other foot injuries can make walking difficult.

Another common emergency this summer is hikers getting lost while out and about in the mountains. “We are fortunate in Utah that a lot of places have phone service. A lot of people self-rescue by making the 911 call themselves, which gives us a pinpoint location to where they are,” Cannon said. “Make sure it’s fully charged. Save the battery for an emergency.”

Courtesy Utah County Sheriff's Office

Letting people know where they’re going and when they expect to be back is also important. He also suggested adding an hour on to the return time because sometimes, the hiking takes longer than expected.

“You’re not breaking any law by going alone, but we suggest considering going with somebody and staying with them. If alone, always let people know where exactly you’re going and when you will be returning,” Cannon said.

The UCSO Search and Rescue team averages 125-150 calls each year and summertime is usually a busy period. There are, on average, about two to three calls each weekend. One weekend this summer there were five different responses. On July 24 several years ago, there were 14 responses above Aspen Grove in Provo Canyon.

Other important tips: Always take a change of socks, a light jacket, take something that can be used as a shelter, like an emergency blanket in case you get caught up in a rainstorm. Getting wet on a hike can be pretty miserable. Higher altitudes in the valley — around 8,000 or 9,000 feet — can feel pretty cool, Cannon said.

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