# Prevent outdoor injuries

Part of the Second Class guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://scouting.university/scouts-bsa/ranks/second-class/guide/index.md)

*6. First Aid and Emergency Preparedness*

> **6c.** Tell what you can do while on a campout or hike to prevent or reduce the occurrence of the injuries listed in Second Class requirements 6a and 6b.

Every injury in [6a](https://scouting.university/scouts-bsa/ranks/second-class/guide/req6a/) and [6b](https://scouting.university/scouts-bsa/ranks/second-class/guide/req6b/) has a real, practical way to reduce the odds of it happening in the first place — this requirement asks you to connect treatment back to prevention.

## Prevention by Category

- **Eye injuries**: wear eye protection when cutting wood or working near brush, and be aware of low branches at eye height.
- **Animal bites**: never approach or feed wild or stray animals, and keep food stored away from your camp area.
- **Puncture wounds**: wear closed-toe shoes, handle knives and tools with control, and be careful around fishhooks and exposed nails.
- **Burns**: keep a safe distance from fires and stoves, and never reach across an open flame.
- **Heat exhaustion, heatstroke, dehydration**: drink water steadily throughout the day, take breaks in shade, and pace activity during the hottest hours.
- **Shock**: often follows another injury — preventing the underlying injury is the real prevention here.
- **Hypothermia**: dress in layers, stay dry, and change out of wet clothing quickly.
- **Hyperventilation**: recognize early anxiety or panic and address it before it escalates.
- **Stopped breathing and choking**: eat carefully, chew thoroughly, and know your surroundings if allergies are a factor.
- **Stroke**: not something a campout activity directly prevents, but knowing personal and family risk factors helps you stay alert to early signs.
- **Severe bleeding**: use tools carefully, and keep a clear "blood circle" whenever knives, saws, or axes are in use.
- **Poisoning**: never eat unidentified plants or berries, and keep food and cleaning chemicals clearly separated and labeled.

> **Tip**
>
> This is the same question you answered for [Tenderfoot 4c](https://scouting.university/scouts-bsa/ranks/tenderfoot/guide/req4c/), just applied to a longer, more serious injury list. If you kept notes from that requirement, reuse the habit — most prevention comes down to awareness, the right gear, and pacing yourself.

Being able to name the *specific* prevention step for each injury, not just "be careful," is what separates a real answer here from a vague one.

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- Previous: [Treat hurry cases](https://scouting.university/scouts-bsa/ranks/second-class/guide/req6b/index.md)
- Next: [Explain emergency response](https://scouting.university/scouts-bsa/ranks/second-class/guide/req6d/index.md)