How Communications Create A Safety Net For Runners
The Alpine Ibex can cling to near-vertical cliffs and make it look easy. What could possibly drive them to do such dangerous climbs? The key is nutrients: they specifically love to scale the smooth and sheer surface of dams because of the salt that forms on the concrete face. Since salt does not naturally occur in their diet, they need to seek it specifically out wherever they can. Though it seems dangerous, their anatomy makes them particularly expert climbers despite a complete lack of climbing equipment, or a safety net.
Generally speaking, outside of climbing, a safety net will reduce consequences in case of an accident. Communication is a different kind of safety net that can help you when you’re out running.
Of course, communication can mean many different things, but a few specific examples are written or verbal messages that will give some information to help you out if needed.
It won’t necessarily prevent you from getting into trouble. But if something does happen, it can prevent things from getting worse. You will need to take the time to prepare things ahead of your run.
Tell someone where you are going.
A family member or a close friend who has information about your route and roughly when you’re expected back can be invaluable if you get into trouble and need help to arrive quickly. An easy way to share your route is to share a snapshot of it on a map.
Plan your runs using Google Maps.
After laying out a new running path using Google Maps, take a screenshot. Save the screenshot to a file folder or an app like Evernote or OneDrive so it can be quickly and easily reused in the future. Before you head out, share a copy of the screenshot to a trusted friend or family member by WhatsApp or another way that works for you. If you’re ever overdue returning, help can be quickly directed to your planned route. Telling someone where you are going is an excellent first step. Another essential thing to do is be identifiable.
Carry identification.
If you are badly hurt or even unconscious, identification can speak for you. A small laminated card that won’t get damaged by rain or sweat might share critical information like allergies and medical conditions that can save your life in an emergency. Emergency contact information means your friends and family will be quickly informed if you’ve been injured.
If a laminated card won’t work, there are commercial options. RoadID, for example, makes personalized shoe tags and wrist straps customized with emergency identification.
A laminated card or shoe tag is reliable, but pretty low tech. Fortunately, there’s also more advanced technology that can speak for you, too.
Bring a cell phone.
Carrying your cell phone can bring peace of mind. The ability to call anyone or emergency services when needed builds confidence. There are also some features in modern running watches that integrate with your cell phones, too.
For instance, some running watches can detect severe abrupt accelerations — like if you are hit by a vehicle — and through a link to your cell phone, will automatically call an emergency contact. More complex paid services offered by Strava that allow your emergency contact to see where you are by GPS at all times.
It can feel like another hoop to jump through to add communication to your pre-run preparations. It can be easy to say to yourself, “next time I’ll tell someone,” — but then you won’t have that communication safety net in place.
When it becomes part of a running habit to take these steps, they become faster and easier to do. In my case, I found once I started saving screenshots of my running routes in Evernote that it only took an extra minute or two on the way out the door to share them with my wife. Now it’s part of my regular running routine.
The Alpine Ibex will go on insane climbs without batting an eye at the lack of safety. When it comes to human running, it only takes a little effort to set up a safety net that can save your life.
Want to see an Ibex climbing a near-vertical dam? Check out this BBC YouTube video of Alpine Ibex scaling a dam in Italy for delicious salt.
