While axes are utility tools that you can leverage to execute an array of tasks, they may cause serious injuries if not handled properly. Depending on the type of hatchet or axe you intend to use during camping, prior precaution is critical in reducing the chances of sustaining injuries.
The utility of axes goes beyond cutting trees. Besides clearing areas around campsites, axes are not only ideal for splitting firewood for the campfire but also for trimming limbs. Before you prepare for your next camping adventure, it is important to choose the right axe that best suits your needs. This will not only make it easy for you to clear the camping area with less effort but also guarantee the safety of other camping members that you may have carried along.
Safety during camping trickles down to managing risk. Risks can be categorized into either severe or likely. Even though the likelihood of cutting yourself with a hatchet may be similar to an axe, the severity of axe cuts can not only be fatal but also more severe. This is attributed to the heavyweight that comes with an axe compared to a hatchet.
To reduce the risk of injuries during camping, it is important to prioritize protective footwear or clothing. This will not only secure you from sustained cuts when using an axe but also reduce the severity of injury should you lose grip of the axe.
In this article, we explore precautionary measures that you need to consider to enhance your safety when handling axes or hatchets during camping.
How To Carry The Axe During Camping
The thrilling adventure that comes with camping can easily make you forget about proper safety measures when carrying the axe or hatchet around the campsite. Most axes feature a sharp edge making them more dangerous in case of a fall.
Therefore it is important to ensure the axe’s mask is always on. While the leather mask is ideal for protecting you from injury in case of a fall or slip, it is important to carry it in the right way to ensure that you do not fall on the blade just in case you slide.
However, the safety of the mask entirely depends on how tight it is engraved on the blade. In that regard, you need to fasten it tightly to reduce any chances of the blade sliding out of the leather mask.
Alternatively, you can opt to carry the axe in a way that you can easily put it on a different side. Generally, a straightforward way of carrying the axe or hatchet is by holding the handle directly below the head.
Besides ensuring the mask is tightly wrapped on the axe blade, hold it by grasping the axe bit and cradle the handle in the elbow. Either of these axe-holding positions makes it easy for you to change the position of the axe in case of a fall.
Split Close To Logs or Wood Pieces
Another factor that you need to prioritize in enhancing safety during camping is splitting lots and firewood from a closer distance. Striking wood from too far away means you will have to stretch further in every strike.
Striking wood closer not only gives you control and precision in every strike but also minimizes the chances of sliding. As such, striking from a longer distance may lead to overstrike damage thereby increasing the chances of damaging the axe handle. As a consequence, the handle may break resulting in injury to people around the campsite or yourself.
Keep The Axe In a Secure Place
Leaving the axe unattended may cause injury to other people around the campsite. While you may have an idea about where you left the axe, others may need to be made aware. When you leave the axe in an open place, other people may either kick, stand, or come in contact with it.
Therefore once you are done with splitting firewood or carrying out various tasks with the axe, it is important to not only put back the mask on the axe blade to secure it from injuring people who may come into contact with it but also completely keep it away to avoid the risk of injuring other people or even yourself.
Alternatively, if you intend to divert to something else before picking the axe to continue splitting wood or other tasks, the safest way you can keep it is by embedding it on a log or stump. This creates a more secure environment for other people around by ensuring the cutting edge is not left exposed.
Ensure The Hatchet or Axe Is well-sharpened.
The last factor that you can consider in enhancing safety during camping is the sharpness of the axe or hatchet that you carry along. The sharper the axe, the more easier and effective it is to execute functions with less effort.
Unlike a blunt axe that may bounce back and hit someone as you struggle to split firewood or logs, a well-sharpened axe cuts with much precision. This not only makes your work easier but also reduces the chances of the axe sliding thereby putting others at risk.
Therefore before you step out for the next camping trip, it is important to not only ensure the hatchet or axe that you intend to carry along is well-sharpened but also lighter for easier usage. The lighter and sharper the axe is, the higher the potential of splitting multiple logs without the risk of sliding. This enhances the efficiency of the cutting process and saves you from the danger of injuries.
Conclusion
During camping, a lot of activities come into play. This means you can easily forget where you placed the axe as you attend to other activities. If proper precautions aren’t adhered to, you not only risk stepping on the axe and injuring yourself but also putting other people around the campsite at risk of getting injuries.
Therefore it is recommended that you secure yourself and everyone else around the camp by adhering to the tips shared through this article. Whether you are splitting firewood, or clearing the campsite using a hatchet or axe, it is not only important to prioritize your safety but also that of other people around the campsite.