The best cure is prevention for those of us who are allergic to DEET. The
stuff makes me sneeze uncontrollably, and I don't use it. Yet I am not
usually overwhelmed by insects or other problems even though I take
frequent trips into the wild. How? Here's some basic advice, some of which
may be new to you.
 
Be aware of your surroundings when walking through a forest, marsh, or
other natural environment. Know the local toxic and allergenic plants and
avoid touching them. Likewise, know the habits of the local snakes and
other potentially dangerous animals. Some snakes live in the water; others
avoid it. It's a waste of time to be afraid of water moccasins on the top
of a hill. Learning about the local fauna and flora can be fun, and knowing
the local dangers and how to cope with them can actually reduce your fear.
(Similar advice applies to diving on reefs.)
 
Watch where you step, literally. If you can't see your feet in the tall
foliage, then carry a stick and brush it through the area ahead of you, to
warn off snakes. Tap overhead branches and underfoot logs before passing
them. This strategy is especially important when climbing rocks and
logjams, which are favorite habitats for snakes in North America. Make sure
you can see your hands at all times.
 
Learn from past mistakes. Kurt Auffenberg tells us that the chiggers
attacked him when he sat on a rotten stump. I'll bet that Kurt wouldn't sit
on a stump near a pond again for anything! Rotting vegetation of any kind
often has unwelcome surprises.
 
Bear in mind that human beings are (perhaps) instinctively afraid of snakes
and will tend to overreact to them as a threat. Most snakes are harmless;
even most snakebites are harmless. I am more wary of rabid dogs or
<shudder> packs of wild dogs than of snakes. The greatest danger in these
woods is of hunters in deer season. They pack some big guns and the bullets
can travel a long way; some people die every year in hunting accidents. I
rarely hear of anyone dying from snakebite.
 
Try to choose your visit for the times of year when pests are least active.
In the southeastern United States, I collect mostly during the winter,
avoiding heat, insects, snakes, and poison ivy. Unfortunately, this is also
the time when hunters are most active, and they do not always keep to the
legal seasons. There are many places that I would not care to visit during
the summer, because no fossil would be worth daring the hazards. In
subtropical climates, some areas have wet and dry seasons. Ask the locals
for their advice, and you'll often hear surprising information.
 
Sunburn and heat stroke are hazards for people of all ages. When it is hot,
drink water before even stepping out of the car. Always carry some water
with you, and keep drinking it whether or not you are thirsty. And be ready
to stop when you feel nauseous or dizzy, whether or not the collecting is
complete. Remember, there's still that long walk back up the trail!
 
A lot of problems can be avoided by wearing long trousers and long-sleeved
shirts in the woods, and by tucking your trousers into your boots. This
way, poison ivy does not contact the skin directly, and ticks have a hard
time climbing your legs. If you wear light-colored clothing, you can often
see the ticks on your clothes and pluck them off before they have done any
harm.
 
You can avoid a wet bottom by taking a piece of aluminum foil (pronounced
"tin fawl") to sit on. Foil is also great for wrapping fragile fossils.
 
Don't wear sweet-smelling cologne or perfume in the field. They seem to
attract insects. (But if you accompany me to the field, by all means, wear
these things. The insects will attack you and leave me alone!) Besides, in
the woods, I'd rather smell nature than the finest product from Paris.
There's a time and place for everything.
 
Since accidents do happen occasionally, it's best to let someone know where
you will be, even vaguely, before traveling. The more dangerous the site,
the more important this is. Before going into the woods, consider what
would happen if you broke your leg there, and what you would have to do to
survive. So. If your car is parked in view of a public road, rest assured,
local people will know that you are nearby, and they will probably
investigate sooner or later. Leave footprints in visible places so your
tracks can be followed. Of course, if you are collecting on privately owned
land, you will generally already have talked with the landowner. You might
also consider the possibility of carrying a cellular phone, though some
areas still have no cellular phone service.
 
It may sound like I do nothing but worry about dangers while collecting,
but that is not so. I enjoy being immersed in nature. Like most of us, I
avoid potential problems by using my head, and by developing good habits.
Then I can concentrate better on collecting.
 
Andrew K. Rindsberg
Geological Survey of Alabama