“There’s no harm in hoping for the best as long as you’re prepared for the worst“, or so the saying goes.
One of the given of almost any Urbex is the potential danger in which the action occurs.
This is true legally of course, from a safety point of view as well (see here).
Our Urbex playgrounds are usually fraught with dangers and perils. From falling objects to unstable platforms, the risk to one’s health are a bit higher then when let’s say, you’re partaking in flower macro-photography.
The fact that nothing of the sort ever happened to you in the past, doesn’t mean it will not happen in the future. After all, it wasn’t raining when Noah built his ark.
Contrary to what most people think, Urbex accident are not rare. However, most of them are very minor. Usual incidents range from minor cuts, to rusty metal pricks…all the way to deadly falls from unstable structures.
It goes without saying that for more serious harm, the buddy system can be the only thing between life and death. For all other boo-boos, nothing beats a small first aid kit.
Your kit does not necessarily need to be on you, but close enough if you need it. This is especially true if your Urbex destination is far from civilization. Mine stays in the car, unless my target is more then a 30 minute walk. In that case, it goes in my back pack.
Either way, if you’ve a car, their should be a first aid kit in your trunk for sure. In certain places, it is an actual road safety legal requirement. Either way, store it in a dry place.
This first aid bag of yours, should not be too big either (or chances are, you will not have it around), just the bare minimum. For me that means;
- Compresses
- Disinfictant
- Adhesive bandages
- Tweezers
- Instant ice packs
- Disposable non-latex gloves, such as surgical or examination gloves
- Antiseptic wipes
- Emergency blanket
- First aid antisceptic cream.
Mine also has a barrier device, such as a pocket mask or face shield. But that is useless unless you are trained in CPR and ready to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
As for the rest, as we’ve already discussed, memorize emergency numbers in your phone, use the buddy system and forewarn someone of your destination. In short, the usual (see here).
Finally, remember to replace your safety kit’s used or outdated contents regularly. After all, you know the cliché: “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure“.
The Urbex Sentinel 