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Trail Safety & Risk Perception Among Recreational Hikers

Section 1: About yourself

This study is conducted independently by a researcher interested in wilderness safety and hiker preparedness. Your responses are completely anonymous unless you choose to provide contact details at the end. Data collected will be used solely for research purposes and published openly on the Open Science Framework (OSF). Participation is entirely voluntary and you may stop at any time.

How often do you hike or perform similar recreational activities such as backpacking.

How often do you hike or perform similar recreational activities such as backpacking.
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E
F

What kind of recreational hiking-related activities do you mostly participate in?

What kind of recreational hiking-related activities do you mostly participate in?
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B
C
D
E
F

How experienced would you rate yourself as a hiker? (1-5 scale, 1 = complete beginner, 5 = very experienced)

How experienced would you rate yourself as a hiker? (1-5 scale, 1 = complete beginner, 5 = very experienced)

What country do you primarily hike in?

Why do you usually hike or participate in hiking related activities? Select all that apply

Why do you usually hike or participate in hiking related activities? Select all that apply

How do you identify in terms of gender? (Optional)

How do you identify in terms of gender? (Optional)
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B
C
D
E

How old are you? (Optional but if you can answer, that would help a lot!)

How old are you? (Optional but if you can answer, that would help a lot!)
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B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I

Section 2: Preparedness

Which of the following do you typically carry on a day hike?

Which of the following do you typically carry on a day hike?

Which of the following do you typically carry on an overnight or multi-day hike?

Which of the following do you typically carry on an overnight or multi-day hike?

Have you completed any of the following training?

Have you completed any of the following training?

How confident are you in your ability to navigate without a phone or GPS? (1 = not confident at all, 5 = very confident)

How confident are you in your ability to navigate without a phone or GPS? (1 = not confident at all, 5 = very confident)

How confident are you in your ability to respond to a medical emergency on trail?

How confident are you in your ability to respond to a medical emergency on trail?

Section 3: Risk Perception & Feeling of Safety

You're almost done!

In general, how safe do you feel when hiking? (1 = not safe at all, 5 = very safe

In general, how safe do you feel when hiking? (1 = not safe at all, 5 = very safe

How does your feeling of safety change depending on the time of day?

1 (Not safe at all)
2
3
4
5 (Very safe)
Unsure
Dawn
Morning
Mid-day
Afternoon
Dusk
Night

How does your feeling of safety change with weather conditions?

1 (Not safe at all)
2
3
4
5 (Very safe)
Unsure
Calm and Clear
Storming
Snowing
Hot and dry
Wet and cold

How does your feeling of safety change with the stage of your hike?

1 (Not safe at all)
2
3
4
5 (Very safe)
Unsure or not applicable
At the trailhead (start)
A couple miles in
Deep into the hike
At the furthest point
On the return
At the trailhead (end)

Have you ever felt genuinely unsafe on a trail?

Have you ever felt genuinely unsafe on a trail?

What caused you to feel unsafe?

Section 4: Final thoughts & Past Incidents

Have you ever needed to use emergency equipment or procedures on trail?

Have you ever needed to use emergency equipment or procedures on trail?

If you answered "yes" to the previous question. Could you explain when you had to use emergency equipment or procedures? Was it medical, navigation, weather or something else?

Do you believe most recreational hikers are prepared for emergencies?

Do you believe most recreational hikers are prepared for emergencies?

What do you think is the biggest gap in hiker preparedness?

Is there anything else you'd like to share about safety and preparedness in the outdoors?

Would you be happy for us to follow up with you about this study or its findings?

Would you be happy for us to follow up with you about this study or its findings?
A
B
Any contact details provided are used solely to share study results and will not be shared with third parties.