Dog sledding, like any sport or activity carried out in extreme environments, can be incredibly dangerous, especially for those that are unfamiliar with that extreme environment. Someone that has lived in northern Canada all their life will likely be much more prepared for the dangers of dog sledding than someone who is visiting from Texas and decides to “give it a go.” The most dangerous thing about dog sledding is the cold; in any environment where dog sledding is common the cold will be a constant threat. This isn’t the type of cold where you walk outside and say “oh, it’s chilly,” this is the type of cold where people can die of exposure in less than an hour. In this type of environment certain precautions need to be taken so that you return home safe each and every time you go out.
First, you must dress appropriately for the temperatures. Wearing too much clothing is much better than wearing too little. In addition to what you leave the house wearing you should also bring an extra set of clothes and a thick blanket just in case. This may seem silly if you are just bouncing over to the neighbor’s house a few miles away but plenty can happen in those few miles and you need to be prepared for it. If you want to take your preparation a step further you could bring a cold weather tent and sleeping bag along with you on every journey just in case something happens. Many experienced mushers do not leave on their sled unless they have enough supplies to last for 3-5 days out in the wilderness, even if they are not anticipating a long trip. In the sparsely populated northern wilderness where dog sledding is popular a twisted ankle or a broken sled runner could mean being trapped alone for days until help finally arrives or you manage to get yourself home.
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