Treasure hunting is a fun activity, but it is still important to pay attention to personal safety considerations. If you get caught up in the game and stop thinking about safety, you and anyone playing the game with you could end up getting hurt. Everyone wants to find the treasure, especially if it is a valuable pot of treasure, but winning the treasure hunt should never come any any cost. That’s just silly!
In this article, we will look at some important safety points, so you can be prepared before you go on your next treasure hunt.
What is Treasure Hunting?
Treasure hunters search for treasure. This can be anything from lost artifacts, such as Nazi gold believed to be hidden in various locations around the world, or treasure hidden by the organizers of treasure hunt games. Geocaching is another popular type of treasure hunting, where GPS devices are used to track down hidden caches where people have placed small toys and other trinkets.
Research the Local Area
Before you embark on a treasure hunt, whether it is a family geocaching expedition or an actual treasure hunt looking for lost pirate loot, do some research on the area you plan to search. There are always hidden dangers, even in urban areas, so it is wise to be prepared for anything you might come across.
For example, your treasure hunt could take place in an area where the ground is riddled with mine shafts, and in the dark, without proper care and attention, you could end up falling into one of them. In an urban neighborhood, there are often other dangers to be aware of, such as gang territory divides or high crime rates. Again, it is helpful to check this stuff out before you rush off with excitement. Nobody wants their treasure hunt cut short by an unfortunate involvement in a gang war.
Check Who Owns Properties You Plan to Search
Research includes checking out any properties you may need to search. If the treasure hunt game involves searching private property, verify that you know which property is it before you enter. Breaking into someone’s house at night, without their permission, is unlikely to end well. If a treasure trove has been hidden on private land, the game creator should have obtained permission from the owner for game participants to be on the property. If you can’t verify this, don’t trespass.
Some treasure hunts involve crossing rivers and other large bodies of water. You may also need to hike into a wilderness area or traverse a steep mountain. Have plans in place so you can travel safely at all times. Invest in the right equipment and don’t try anything you are not equipped to try, such as swinging across a ravine without a safety harness or camping in the wilderness without basic supplies, like a tent.
Be Prepared for Trouble
Always be prepared. Carry a firearm with you if you expect to meet dangerous wild animals or territorial gang members. Better safe than sorry, eh? A 9mm handgun is a favorite of law enforcement and a handy weapon to keep on your person in dangerous areas.
Let friends and family know where you plan to be during your treasure hunt. If you abandon a vehicle in a remote area, leave a note on the windscreen so park rangers and law enforcement officers know why you are there and don’t assume you’ve been kidnapped by hillbilly cannibals or gotten lost on the trail.
Finally, have a legitimate excuse for wandering around searching for things before you’re asked. It helps if you can explain why you are searching inside a creepy house with a torch.
