Hitting the desert? Be on guard

The number of accidents that occur in mountainous and desert areas during winter increase simply because people do not take precautions when venturing out into the wild.

In a week, more than 30 people are treated after being stung by scorpions or bitten by snakes in the Masafi Mountains.

Authorities said a man was killed recently after being struck by lightning in the Al Ain desert.

Dariush Zandi, who has written several books on off-road travels, said people should prepare thoroughly for trips, especially when going off-road.

"They should be cautious. They have the misconception that going off-road is safer than being on the highway or in the city. This is wrong. When people think they are alone they tend to become more reckless and this leads to accidents," Zandi said.

"You should have you car serviced the day before you leave. Tyre and water pressure should be monitored and the car should be checked underneath to make sure nothing is loose," he said.

A car jack and air pump are also important as well as a set of basic tools.

Extra petrol should be carried in safety canisters. Mobile phones should be charged with back-up batteries or a car charger. A basic first aid kit should be packed and include treatment for snake and scorpion bites, Zandi said.

"It is rare to come across poisonous animals but it is always good to be prepared. People are most at risk from falling or slipping off rocks so first aid equipment must be available when travelling."

The right clothes and right equipment should be taken, depending on the terrain being travelled. Gallons of water is necessary as the risk of heatstroke is very high even in the winter.

"We receive many patients every day who have accidents in the mountains and deserts. Our biggest problem is cases of heatstroke because people fail to drink adequate water when outdoors," said Dr Rashid Chak, casualty doctor at the New Al Deira Hospital in Al Dhaid.

The destination should also be planned ahead.

"You should always tell people roughly where you are heading, what time you are leaving and what time you plan to return. If anything goes wrong, they will know how to find you. If you can get hold of a GPS (satellite navigation system), that is even better because it will allow people to know your location within a three metre radius," Mounir Shami, an expert in desert safaris, said.

"It is always better to travel in two cars. Travelling off-road alone is very dangerous. If you are inexperienced, it is important to bring someone along who is knowledgeable in the area you wish to travel to," said Zandi.

A close eye should be kept on the track to watch out for sharp bends, steep edges, soft sand or loose gravel.

"The desert and mountain tracks are very unpredictable. Though a mountain cliff could have stayed intact for a million years, the day you drive over it could be the day it collapses," Zandi said.

A campfire should always be controlled by fencing it with rocks or a barrier. It should be put out with water or sand and buried under a heavy layer of sand. It is advisable to sleep in tents that are zipped up and closed.

"Keeping your tent closed is important to keep out bugs and animals. It is quite a shock to wake up in the morning to a camel's head curiously poking around in your tent," Zandi said.

Sand, thunder and lightning storms are known to hit the UAE during the winter time.

"When there is risk of lightning, a person should go straight to the safety of their car. The car acts as a metal shield to the electric fields of lightning. The most dangerous place to stand is next to your car because it acts as a conductor. People should also avoid taking cover next to trees because there is a risk that lightning will set the trees on fire," said Dr Nasser Hamdan, chairman of the Physics Department at the American University of Sharjah.

Setting up camp in a wadi is also dangerous.

"When rain falls on mountains it tends to flood the wadis at tremendous speeds that can destroy palms trees, cars and houses. If you sense a storm coming, you should get out of the place as quickly as possible and stay in your car. This applies to sandstorms," Zandi said.

Checklists

What to look out for in vehicles

Essentials

Off-road safety advice

When lightning strikes