20+ Tips To Keep Us Safe In The Amazon Rainforest

1. Stay calm

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Travelling the world is a life goal for a majority of people, and one of the most popular 'bucket-list' destinations, is the Amazon Rainforest. This rainforest is home to some of the most dangerous and elusive animals on earth, so if you're planning on visiting, you should take note of the safety tips on this list. The first, and most important, is to stay calm throughout your travels. This will reduce the risk of you endangering yourself, and (potentially) others.

2. Walk downhill for water

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One of the key parts of any travelling, is staying hydrated. When you're within the depths of nature, the idea of locating and collecting water can be extremely daunting. A key way of pinpointing a water source, is by walking downhill. By walking downhill, you will follow the natural flow of water (particularly rainwater), and you will quickly find a form of reservoir.

3. Break down challenges

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You can expect to come across a range of challenges whilst navigating this rainforest, and some of them will really push your mental and physical capacity. The most important thing to remember, is to break down any obstacles and challenges into smaller, more manageable tasks. By doing this you will be able to remain calm, and make the most out of this amazing travelling experience.

4. Obtain water

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Once you've found a suitable source of water, you should collect as much as possible (without the amount becoming a burden). If you collect a suitable amount, you will be able to remain hydrated and you will have a handy supply of water for other things e.g. cooking, cleaning and washing. With any water from a natural source, it is important to filter it to ensure it is safe to drink. The most common method is boiling the water, and straining it through a material filter.

5. Never wear wet socks

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Your clothing is another important element of your travels, and will often protect you from a range of potential dangers. When exploring the Amazon, you can expect to come across vast areas of water, paired with (almost) constant rainfall. Because of this, you have to ensure that you never wear wet socks, and that you always have a dry pair on-hand. Wearing wet socks can lead to you developing painful, and sometimes life-threatening, diseases e.g. trench foot, athlete's foot, verrucas and calluses.

6. Leave a trail behind you

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This next safety tip may not be as obvious as it probably should be, and it can be easy to forget when you're in the depths of the Amazon. The safety tip in question, is ensuring you leave a trail behind you. This doesn't mean leaving a trail of breadcrumbs behind you like Hansel and Gretel. It means leaving set markers along your path that can be easily traced e.g. small flags, carvings on trees and clear prints in the ground.

7. Don't travel in a straight line

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Another tip that doesn't seem obvious, is not travelling in a straight line. You're probably wondering why this is ill-advised, as surely it would make more sense to travel in straight line, right? Wrong! Travelling in a straight line is actually harder to trace back, and can easily lead to confusion. By travelling in a zig-zag formation, you will find it easier to retrace your steps, and it reduces your risk of encountering some of the more dangerous forest species.

8. Build a shelter

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The next essential part of travelling, is finding a suitable place to build a shelter, and finding the materials to do this. You need to find sturdy, waterproof materials that are going to provide you with suitable coverage whilst you sleep/rest e.g. branches, tree debris, leaves, moss and other foliage. By building a suitable shelter, this will ensure that you can rest as comfortably as possible whilst exploring this natural wonder.

9. Only eat familiar foods

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As well as water, you will of course require food throughout your trip that is going to fuel you properly. In order to remain safe, you should only eat foods you are familiar with and/or educated about. A great choice is trail mix (nuts and fruit) as it will provide you with slow-releasing energy, and can be packed into your kit. It is important to pack foods that aren't going to perish early within the climate of the Amazon, and require very little (to no) preparation.

10. Follow animal trails

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A great way of navigating the Amazon, is by locating and following animal trails. Following animal trails is also another great way of locating rich sources of food and/or water, as animals will frequent these areas when hunting etc. It is important to keep in mind that some animal trails can lead to certain areas of habitation, and should be followed with extreme caution, as you can never be sure what animal(s) you may find.

11. Create a weapon

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There may come times during your travels that you need to hunt and/or defend yourself, and it's extremely important to be prepared for these situations. One way of doing this, is by crafting some form of weapon. This could be a knife, spear or sharpened walking stick. It is best to have a long-range weapon, as you want to be able to attack from a further distance, and reduce the risk of having to be hands-on when being threatened.

12. Find a source of food

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As mentioned previously, it is important to locate several sources of food (as well as bringing your own). You can do this a range of ways, but one of the most effective, it's by following animals trails and/or searching the surrounding area of any water sources you come across. Once you find a source of food, collect a suitable amount for your travels, and you can always mark it as part of your trail.

13. Build a trap

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Another way to hunt for food, and generally protect yourself, is by building a handful of traps. The majority of traps can be constructed from natural materials, and are able to capture animals of all sizes. These traps can also be moved across your trail, and set up in and around your camping areas. It is important to make a note of any traps you do set up, and their location, to avoid you accidentally entrapping yourself and causing injury.

14. Stock up on medication

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If you are on repeat, prescribed medication, you should inform your doctor of this before going on a prolonged journey, so they provide you with the correct amount to take whilst you're away. If you fail to do this, you run the risk of running out of important medication, and you can experience extreme withdrawals (with an increase in the likelihood of your condition(s) worsening)!

15. Get a Yellow Fever vaccination

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Staying on the topic of medication, it is vital that you receive a Yellow Fever vaccination before you embark on your journey. Yellow Fever is a deadly, life-threatening disease that is carried and passed-on my mosquitos. Mosquitos are rife within the Amazon rainforest, and you need to ensure that you have all necessary measures in place, to prevent them from causing you more harm than a couple of bites.

16. Get Antimalarial pills

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Mosquitoes also carry the disease Malaria, which can be extremely life-threatening if it isn't prevented and/or treated appropriately. One way of preventing it is by purchasing Anti-Malarial tablets. You will likely have to take these tablets for a duration before you travel, whilst you're travelling and for at least two weeks after your travels. This ensures that they are as effective as possible against Malaria.

17. Practice wildlife/plant safety

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Moving away from medicinal necessities, we come to the natural basis of your travels. This is in reference to learning a practicing both plant and animal safety. Of course, educating yourself about the potential dangerous animals within the Amazon is essential, but you will also need to know the basics of tropical plant life. By understanding the plants that can help you, and the plants that can harm you, you'll be able to make the most of your once-in-a-lifetime journey!

18. Keep valuables safe

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When packing for your journey, you will more than likely ensure that you have essential personal belongings e.g. wallet, bank cards, I.D, passport and cash. It is imperative that you keep these valuables safe before, during and after your travels. One of the ways you can keep them safe whilst travelling, is by keeping them together in a waterproof pouch, and storing this within a secure compartment in your baggage.

19. Be aware of distractions

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When exploring the rainforest, it can be very easy to be in complete awe of your surroundings, as your senses are flooded with the natural beauty of the Amazon. However, you must stay alert and be aware of distractions at all times! These distractions can be natural or man-made, and will vary in threat level. Distractions can endanger you, and can end in severe injury and/or death for everyone involved.

20. Learn basic first-aid

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In the interest of safety, you should at least learn basic first-aid, and pack a medical kit within your bag(s). By acquiring this skill, you will improve your chances of survival and longevity if you (or someone else) experiences injury and/or illness. When packing your first-aid kit, always pack more medical supplies than you think you'll need during your travels, as this will ensure you are covered when it comes to (potentially) treating injury.

21. Travel in groups

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Standard practice when exploring the Amazon Rainforest, is travelling in groups (especially with local guides). Travelling within a group is the best way to explore safely and efficiently, as it dramatically reduces the risk of you being attacked by animals, becoming severely injured, getting lost and poisoning yourself. Being within a group also helps boost morale, and makes it so much easier to find shelter, food and water.

22. Invest in suitable clothing

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Going back to the topic of clothing, you should invest in high-quality clothing that will be comfortable, practical and weather-suitable. There is a great range of outdoor clothing and equipment available on the market, and certain items of clothing that are specific for certain activities and travel destinations. By wearing suitable clothing, you will be able to explore the rainforest without being held back by what you're wearing, and it provides you with a layer of protection.

23. Keep your skin covered

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When purchasing your clothes, you should opt for longer sleeves and trousers, as this provides your skin with suitable coverage from the heat insects and plants. By covering at least 90% of your skin, you will reduce your risk of contracting Malaria, and other conditions that are transferred via insect bites. Sun protection is also a key part of your overall safety, and covering your skin is a great form of protection (as long as it's used alongside sunscreen).

24. Avoid travelling through the night

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You're probably wondering what time of day is best of exploring the rainforest. It usually falls between dawn and mid-morning (with breaks during the peak of heat e.g. midday), and then late afternoon into the early parts of the evening. You should avoid travelling through the night at all costs, as this can be even more dangerous than travelling throughout the day! Although it can be tempting, as the temperature drops during the evening, this is the time when some of the most dangerous rainforest inhabitants are actively hunting.

25. Plan a manageable route

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Effective travelling is all about planning and preparation. This is particularly important when planning your route through the Amazon. Planning your route in detail will allow you to highlight areas to avoid, potential sources of food and water and the most effective areas to set up shelter and camp. It is advised that you plan your route with the knowledge of local guides, and ensure that everyone within your group has a copy of the route.

26. Take necessary breaks

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As mentioned (briefly) previously, having suitable breaks whilst exploring is essential to the longevity of energy and overall morale within your group. Breaks are imperative for checking-in, re-evaluating and assessing your progress along your route. If people are suffering from minor injuries e.g. blisters breaks may have to occur on a more regular basis, which you will have to factor into your overall progress.

27. Collect materials to build a fire

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Your shelter and overall campsite would be incomplete without a suitable fire. When choosing a suitable spot to set up camp, you need to factor in the availability of materials to build a fire (within the area). You should aim to use dead, dry debris from broken/fallen trees and foliage on the ground e.g. dry leaves, twigs/branches (kindling) and rocks (for the base).

28. Bring a map and compass

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When planning your route, you more than likely used a map and compass. You will continue to use these throughout your exploration, and they should be on-hand at any time. It is advised that you have a set of plastic compasses, and you have some form of protective film over your map. This will ensure that the Amazon's unpredictable weather doesn't catch you off-guard, and damage your equipment.

29. Pack a Swiss Army knife

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Another essential item of equipment that you should pack, is a Swiss Army knife. This multifaceted knife can be a potential life-saver when you're in the depths of the rainforest, and don't have access to a wide range of tools. A standard Swiss Army knife includes the following items: a saw, pliers, scissors, compass, light, tweezers, whistle, fish scaler, file, pen, wire-cutter and altimeter! This means you're always covered, no matter what situation you may find yourself in.

30. Pack mosquito netting

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Last on the list, is yet another essential piece of equipment. The equipment in question, is: one or more mosquito nets. As you've probably already guessed, mosquito nets prevent mosquitos (and other insects) from attacking you during the night. They provide a layer of protection that these insects can't penetrate, and if they do, they become easily trapped (so you can deal with them effectively).