When wilderness canoe-camping, you will face annoying and potentially dangerous situations. Be prepared! There are a variety of dangers and annoyances you may encounter. We briefly describe some of the most common concerns here:
Drinking Water Safety
Forest Fires
Bears
Biting Insects
Poison Ivy
Sun Exposure
Drinking Water Safety
It may look clean, but you shouldn't use river or lake water without treating it. All surface water may contain Salmonella, Norwalk virus, Giardia and Cryptosporidium (1). These pathogenic organisms originate from various sources, such as human and wildlife waste and can make you sick (1). ALWAYS treat your water (with a filter, chemical treatment, or by boiling) before drinking it. You will need the necessary containers to carry at least two litres of water.
As listed above, one of the reasons for treating your drinking water is Giardiasis, commonly known as Beaver fever. It is an ailment sometimes contracted by campers, hikers and others when untreated surface water is consumed. It is caused by the parasite Giardia lamblia. Symptoms include mild to severe diarrhea, cramps, and a lack of appetite. Symptoms may take 10 - 15 days to appear and persist for 6 - 7 weeks. (1)
Figure 1: Drinking water filter on bottle. Photo by A. Kirch.
Drinking Water Treatment
The most common methods of water treatment while camping are filtration, chemical treatment and boiling. Water treatment systems are available from different companies, including MEC.- Filtration. Most backcountry campers carry a hand-held pump water filter. Many different options are available, so you should research the type that best suits your needs and circumstances. The advantage of carrying a filter is that you can get potable water immediately.
- Chemical treatment. Using chemicals in either liquid or tablet format is an alternative to pumping. However, you will have to wait some time until the chemicals take effect. Some chemicals must first stand before being used. The advantage is that you do not need to pump, which may be a bonus when larger quantities of water are required.
- Boiling is one of the oldest, safest and most effective methods of disinfecting water. However, it may be impractical on a canoe trip when you need lots of liquids and need to carry enough fuel for boiling. Water should be held at a slow, rolling boil for at least 1 minute* to ensure parasites such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia are killed. (1) *Note: longer boiling times produce safer results, especially if there is turbidity in the water.
Forest Fires
Please use wood sparingly and keep fires small. Be aware of the current fire hazard report and map. For more information see section on How to Prevent Forest FiresBears
The Manigotagan area is Black Bear Country, therefore, you need to be bear smart. Attacks by black bears are extremely rare. However, it is important to be prepared. Your safety is your responsibility; therefore, it is important to minimize the chances of an undesirable bear encounter. Manitoba Conservation provides valuable information on how to decrease the risk of a bear encounter,- General Information
- Be "Bear Smart" in Bear Country
- Camping in Bear Country
- Bear Encounters
- Predatory Behaviour
- Deterrents
- Human Food Sources
- Removing the Attractant Removes the Bear
- Bear Facts
Biting Insects
Welcome to the North! You will most likely encounter biting insects while canoeing. While some of these are merely annoying (such as deer and horse flies), others such as mosquitoes and wood ticks, may actually transmit diseases, such as West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease. Make sure that you protect yourself by wearing long-sleeved shorts and insect repellant. You may also decide to bring a bug jacket or bug hat to keep insects off your body.Poison Ivy
Watch out for any three-leaved plants. It may be poison ivy and you will want to avoid contact with them as much as possible (Find information from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The oils of these plants cause allergic reactions in most people. Unfortunately, the plants change their appearance with the season: green in early summer, turning bright red towards the fall. If you do touch poison ivy, wash the affected areas immediately with soap and cold water. If a reaction occurs, it may be relieved by calamine lotion, oral antihistamines or topical hydrocortisone cream. You can find more treatment advice from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.Sun Exposure
Remember to protect yourself from the sun while paddling. It is easy to underestimate the effect of sunshine bouncing off the water. Pack a hat, light long shirt and pants, shades and a strong, waterproof sun-block. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated. This will help you avoid sunburns and sunstroke.
References:
(1) Manitoba Conservation. Manitoba Water Stewardship: The Manitoba Water Quality Handbook - Accessed 12/2006