Environmental Health for Inuit - Open Water Season

Your Health Outdoors. What you can do during open water season!

Your Health Outdoors

Inuit are intimately connected to the land and the environment. The open water season is a wonderful time to appreciate the beauty and bounty that the land and sea have to offer.

Being outdoors or on the land, allows access to healthy foods and exercise through hunting, trapping, gathering and fishing. As well, it is an ideal environment for younger Inuit to learn and practice traditional knowledge and skills. All these activities are positively linked to health and well-being.

Each community has a unique geography, plant life, animal life and climate. Your Health Outdoors is an easy-to-use guide with information about environmental health issues during the open water season. It also includes useful tips and a list of resources you can use to ensure that your outdoor activities will be environmentally safe so that you may enjoy this beautiful time of year for many seasons to come.

This guide covers key information for safe, healthy and fun outdoor activities, during the open water season, including:

• Travelling, Hunting and Fishing
• Boats and ATVs
• Hypothermia and Drowning
• Animals
• Sun Exposure
• Looking for Health Risks

Travelling, Hunting and Fishing

What are the health effects?

Spending time out on the land provides an important cultural connection and offers many health and cultural benefits.

Outdoor experiences can be relaxing, exciting, healing, educational, spiritual, and healthy all at once! Fishing, hunting and gathering are all activities that are nutritionally, culturally, socially and economically important. They are also physical activities that are good for personal well-being and overall health. Hunting and fishing are excellent ways to put traditional foods onto the table. Traditional foods are known to have many benefits over market-bought foods or convenience foods.

Going out on the land requires planning and communication, even if the trip will only last for a couple of hours. The longer the trip and the more people involved, the more planning is required. Climate change means that the weather conditions can change quickly so sharing your trip plan and preparing for severe weather conditions could not only save your life, but also those of your family and friends.

For longer trips, plan your route and give a copy of the trip plan to someone you know. At a minimum the trip plan should include: destination, return date and the amount of fuel you have. It is a good practice to also include: the number of people travelling in your group, any health issues, the number of machines, and a list of equipment that you will have with you.

Having knowledge of the land and of the weather are important for travelling and hunting. Elders have knowledge that they have learned over generations on the land. Speaking to an elder before you travel or hunt can give you important tips that will make your travel safer and your hunt more productive. Also, if someone has recently been out in the area where you plan to be, you should speak to them before you go.

Being out on the land requires that you have the right equipment to ensure that you are safe. The longer you plan to be out, the more equipment you will need. There is a minimum amount of equipment that you should have to protect yourself and ensure your boat or ATV do not leave you stranded.

Here is a list of equipment to consider when travelling, hunting or fishing. This list may vary from region to region.

• Firearm(s) and ammunition
• Emergency kit: flares, GPS, waterproof matches, first aid kit
• Extra clothing, sewing kit
• Extra medications
• Tools: e.g. vice grips, hammer, wire cutters
• Shelter and heat source
• Spare parts for boat or ATV (see Boat and ATV section)

When you are out on the land during open water season, it is important to protect yourself from bugs. There are many insects that come out in the open water season such as mosquitoes, stouts, black flies and deer flies. Remember to be cautious, as some of these insects can carry diseases and viruses. Some people can also have allergic reactions when bitten, so it is important to know about these types of conditions before heading out.

Tips - What can you do?

• It is a good idea to travel with a buddy and tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return, even for a short trip.
• Give a detailed trip plan to someone you know for longer trips and consider bringing a GPS/tracking device.
• Ensure you have all the necessary equipment with you.
• You should not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while travelling, hunting or driving a boat or ATV.
• Check the weather.
• Check with elders about unfamiliar areas.
• Be sure that you have the knowledge and ability to build emergency shelters.
• Always bring bug spray or lotion when you are traveling.
• Cover up your body as much as possible. Wear a mosquito head net if necessary.
• Learn about the common insects in your area and any diseases that they may carry.
• Be aware of any allergic reactions that you or others in your party may have.

Boats and ATVs

What are the health effects?

There is a huge difference between traveling on water and traveling on land. Even if your boat has a GPS, it is still easy to get lost in the fog and darkness, especially if you have no reference points. Speak to an elder before traveling, as traditional knowledge is a good resource for navigating certain regions.

During the open water season, boats and ATVs are key modes of transportation so you should practice regular maintenance on these vehicles. Boats and ATVs should be checked to ensure they are in good running condition, and to address any potential problems before you go out on the land.

When traveling, it is important to bring the right equipment with you. Equipment may include: communication devices, navigation devices and plenty of fuel. Since you may be traveling long distances, be prepared for any unexpected issues that may occur.

Since you will be traveling outdoors, it is important to be knowledgeable of your surroundings. Before using your boat, always check the weather and marine forecasts for your trip location. It is also useful to check the wind, tide and ice movements, since hazardous conditions could cause delays or difficulties during your trip. Learning about safe places to drop anchor is important as well, as it may be too dangerous to bring your boat into certain areas, or you may need to find a safe harbor to anchor if you get caught in a storm. There may be differences between what traditional knowledge and the weather office say about weather conditions, therefore it is important to know both.

When you are using a boat or ATV, safety is a top priority. Accidents can happen with both types of vehicles, so always remember to drive responsibly. This is very important when using an ATV in town, as there can be people, buildings, and other vehicles all around.

Before using an ATV, remember to check the rules of the road in your community. There may be some special guidelines for driving an ATV in town, where there is likely more people around.

Tips - What can you do?

• Practice regular maintenance on your boat or ATV.
• Always check that your boat or ATV is in good running condition before heading out on a trip.
• Learn how to repair your boat or ATV by following a course, if possible.
• Always bring a reliable communication device, such as a satellite phone or radio, and a navigation device.
• Make sure you have enough gas to reach your destination, or know where you could get gas in case you need it.
• Do not overload passengers on your boat or ATV.

• For boats:
  • Ensure that you have enough life jackets or floater suits, in the right sizes, for all those traveling (many communities loan or rent floater suits).
  • Check that you have good working paddles.
  • Always check the weather and marine forecast before you head out.
  • Check the wind, tide and ice movements.
  • Learn about safe places to drop anchor in an emergency.
  • When you're going into areas that may be shallow, slow down.
  • Find out where there are safe harbours or shelters along your route in case of bad weather conditions.
• For ATVs:
  • Bring a winch, anchor and rope in case you get stuck in mud.
  • Always wear a helmet.
  • Review the road rules in your community.

Hypothermia and Drowning

What are the health effects?

Hypothermia occurs when body temperature drops below the required temperature to keep functioning. Symptoms include shivering, tiredness, no longer being able to feel the cold, slowing physical activity, and mental confusion. Hypothermia can be complicated by the consumption of alcohol. Alcohol increases blood flow to the body's skin and extremities, making a person feel warm, yet it increases heat loss.

During outdoor activities, it is important to remove layers of clothing as your body temperature warms up. When you stop your activity, your body temperature will drop much faster if you are wearing damp or sweaty clothes. If your clothes are wet and your body temperature drops too much, you could be at risk of developing hypothermia.

Your diet can also be an important factor for preventing hypothermia. Eating lots of country foods can warm you up quickly when you are out on the land, and keep the warmth in your body much better than processed food.

There are some simple ways to prevent drowning when you are out on the water. If you are boating, make sure that you have enough lifejackets for everyone in your boat. In harsher conditions, floater/survival/immersion suits may be needed to protect you if you fall into the cold water. In northern communities, survival/immersion suits are needed when you are in rough water conditions, but many families cannot afford them. Some communities have programs where they provide these to everyone.

If you are not in a boat and just swimming, ensure that you and everyone with you have basic swimming skills. For those with less experience, they should always be wearing a personal floatation device (PFD) or swimming with a buddy.

Tips - What can you do?

• Immediate treatment for hypothermia:
  • Move the person to a warm area.
  • Wrap the person in blankets, towels, coats (whatever you have available), protecting their head and stomach and chest area first.
  • Try to warm them up slowly. Too much heat can cause the body to go into shock.
  • Give the person warm, non-alcoholic fluids to drink.
  • Never put a person in a hot shower or bath to warm them up.
• Learn basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid and water safety skills, or travel with someone who has this training.
• Bring equipment that can be used to retrieve a person in the water, such as a throw line or hooks.
• Ensure that you have enough life jackets and/or survival floater suits/immersion suits, in the right sizes for everyone traveling.
• Make sure that you and everyone you are with has basic swimming skills.
• Less experienced people should always wear a PFD or swim with a buddy.
• Do not consume alcohol or drugs while driving a boat or swimming.
• Do not try to swim very long distances.

Animals

What are the health effects?

Inuit have been noticing several effects of climate change in and around their communities. One of these effects is conflict between humans and animals, especially bears, which is a growing concern in many northern communities. Changing climate conditions have also led some new animals to take over the established territories of others. The behaviour of some animals (e.g. bird migration) can act as "red flags" for changing weather conditions and environment.

Dealing with animals is an integral part of living in northern communities, which is why it is so important to know about their health. Learning how to recognize abnormalities and unusual behaviour in animals can be the key to protecting yourself from them or any diseases they may be carrying.

Communities have been reporting growing concerns with animals infected with rabies. Rabies can be transmitted to humans by a bite, scratch, licks on broken skin or other body parts like eyes, nose or mouth. It is important to know that your pets can get infected with rabies and transmit it to you or people in your community. Rabies is a very serious disease that can lead to death if not treated immediately.

When you are on the land watching out for animals is important, not just for hunting but also for your own safety. When you are out hunting, try to prevent cross-contamination by thoroughly cleaning your tools between preparing each animal, and ensure that there is no contact between a diseased animal and your tools.

While you should not try to attract unwanted attention from animals, prevention only goes so far--you need to know what to do in an emergency. Remember that you have the right to protect your life and property when threatened.

Tips - What can you do?

• Do not walk alone in areas where there are known issues of animals roaming.
• Always have a firearm safely secured, but ready in case of emergencies.
• Become familiar with the common diseases for animals in your region, and know what type of signs to watch out for.
• Contact wildlife control if you cannot handle the situation on your own. Be especially careful around young bears.
• Avoid all contact with any animals you suspect are diseased.
• Warn others and report irregularities in animal health or behaviour.
• If you get bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately flush and clean the wound or bite with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention immediately.
• Go to your health center immediately if you have come into contact with an animal suspected of having rabies.
• Discard any animal parts that do not appear normal, such as areas that have sores or discolouration.

Sun Exposure

What are the health effects?

Although the sun provides an important source of vitamin D for our bodies, it is always important to protect yourself from things like overexposure to the sun, which has many health risks. When you are out on the land, you can be under the sun all day and one of the best ways to prevent overexposure is to wear sunscreen, which is especially important for children and youth.

While the symptoms of overexposure are usually temporary (such as red skin that is painful to the touch), skin damage is often permanent and can develop into serious long-term health effects, including skin cancer. Mild sunburn results in skin irritation and redness and can be safely treated at home. Severe sunburn requires medical attention. The first signs of sunburn may not appear for a few hours. The full effect to your skin may not appear for 24 hours or longer.

Possible symptoms of overexposure:

• Red, tender skin that is warm to the touch.
• Blisters that develop hours or days later.
• Severe reactions (also called "sun poisoning"), including fever, chills, nausea, or rash.
• Peeling skin on sunburned areas several days after the sunburn.

Tips - What can you do?

• Wear sunscreen when you are out on the land. A sun protection factor (SPF) 45 is recommended.
• Learn how to recognize the common symptoms of overexposure to the sun.
• Learn about the proper treatments for overexposure to the sun.
• If a person is suffering from overexposure to the sun, immediately remove the person from the sun.
• Place the person in a cool (not cold) shower or bath, or apply cool compresses or cool tea bags to the area several times a day. Do not wash burned skin with harsh soap.
• Wear sunglasses and a hat. You can even rub charcoal or soot under your eyes to deflect the sunlight away from your eyes.

Have a safe and healthy open water season

The open water season is the perfect time to take advantage of the health benefits that are linked to being outdoors. Get out there and make the most of what the land has to offer!

Keep in mind that it is important to do what you can to make sure that the outdoor activities you value are safe from an environmental health perspective. Here are a few simple tips to make sure that this season will be enjoyed by your family and yourself for many years to come.

What you can do

Travelling, Hunting and Fishing

• Travel with a buddy and tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return - even for a short trip.
• Always bring bug spray or lotion when you're travelling.
• Cover up your body as much as possible. Wear a mosquito head net if necessary.
• Be sure that you have the knowledge and ability to build emergency shelters.

Boats and ATVs

• Always check that your boat or ATV is in good running condition before heading out on a trip. Make sure you have enough gas to reach your destination.
• Always bring a reliable communication device, such as a satellite phone or radio, and a navigation device.
• For boats: Ensure that you have enough life jackets or floater suits, in the right sizes, for everyone you are traveling with. Check that you have good working paddles. Always check the weather and marine forecast before you head out.
• For ATVs: Bring a winch, anchor and rope in case you get stuck in mud. Always wear a helmet.

Hypothermia and Drowning

• Immediate treatment for hypothermia:
  • Move the person to a warm area.
  • Wrap the person in whatever you have available, protecting their head and stomach and chest area first. Try to warm them up slowly.
  • Give the person warm, non-alcoholic fluids to drink.
• Bring equipment that can be used to retrieve a person in the water, such as a throw line or hooks.
• Learn basic CPR, first aid and water safety skills, or travel with someone who has this training. Make sure that you and everyone you are with has basic swimming skills.
• Ensure that you have enough life jackets and/or survival floater suits/immersion suits, in the right sizes, for everyone you are travelling with.

Animals

• Do not walk alone in areas where there are known issues of animals roaming.
• Become familiar with the common diseases for animals in your region, and know what type of signs to watch out for.
• Always have a firearm safely secured, but ready in case of emergencies.
• Contact wildlife control if you cannot handle the situation on your own. Be especially careful around young bears.

Sun Exposure

• Wear sunscreen when you're out on the land. SPF 45 is recommended.
• Wear sunglasses and a hat. You can even rub charcoal or soot under your eyes to deflect the sunlight away from your eyes.
• If a person is suffering from overexposure to the sun, immediately remove the person from the sun. Place the person in a cool (not cold) shower or bath, or apply cool compresses or cool tea bags to the area several times a day. Do not wash burned skin with harsh soap.

Further Resources

Visit the following websites for more info and for further steps you can take.

• Canadian Biodiversity Information Facility -  All Poisonous Plants
  Information on all poisonous plants found in Canada including further links and photos.
• Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources -  Climate Change and Energy Toolkit
• Transport Canada -  Safe Boating Guide
  Information on Canada's boating laws and safety regulations.
• Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development -  Climate Change
  Information on how climate change is affecting northern communities and what can be done.
• Public Health Agency of Canada -  West Nile Virus - Protect Yourself!
  Information about the virus, its symptoms and how to protect yourself.
• Health Canada - Your Health at Home - What you can do!
  An Environmental Health Guide for Inuit.
• Health Canada -  Rabies
  Information on the virus, its symptoms, treatment, and how to protect yourself.

To learn more about environmental health issues and tips on how to make changes during the open water season, visit your local health centre or go to www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/environment

Health Canada would like to acknowledge the support and participation of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and the Nunatsiavut Government in the development of this resource.