The Southwest is a recreational heaven, especially for those who love tooling around the desert in their car, pickup, or dune buggy. However, to keep this vehicular pastime safe, common sense and knowledge of a few simple procedures and tricks is necessary.

Many people think the desert is only dangerous in the heat of the summer. In reality, the desert can be a killer in year round if you aren't prepared.

Summer temperatures can soar to 120 degrees F. and higher. Nighttime temperatures can fall into the 30's and 40's with wind chill factors lowering temperature even further. Water is scarce, if available at all.

The desert can also fool the senses. Mirages, optical phenomenon resulting from light and images being reflected on the ground from scenes miles away. This usually occurs when the ground air is much warmer than the air aloft.

Everyone has seen mirages. Driving along a desert highway a large puddle of water appears in the road ahead. But when you get there you find the road bone dry. That was a mirage.

Mirages happen more frequently on roadways because the asphalt surface superheats the air close to the ground. The result is a reflection of a body of water that is in reality many miles away. But it can appear as real as Lake Mead, which is likely is when you're driving around Southern Nevada.

Another distortion that occurs in the desert is the loss of both physical and mental capabilities due to dehydration. When the air temperature is higher than 92 degrees F., your body absorbs heat, making you a prime candidate for dehydration. Early symptoms of dehydration are unusual thirst, discomfort, slowed movements, and loss of coordination.

Compass readings also can be distorted in the desert due to the presence of highly mineralized areas, of which there are many in the desert. Southern Nevada and its neighboring environs were and still are, heavy mining districts.

The presence of these minerals can make your compass completely worthless. It is a safe practice to carry two compasses, at least one of them being a water-filled compass, which is less affected my mineral deposits. To be completely safe, learn how to tell direction by the sun and stars.

Perhaps the best advice is the simple admonition that has been the creed of millions of Boy Scouts for years. BE PREPARED!

Trip planning is vital. You should know exactly where you are going and how to get there. This sounds deceptively simple, but you'd be amazed how many people get lost each year on desert backroads. A few of them never make it back alive.

So get mapped! The Nevada Department of Transportation publishes an excellent guide to Nevada. The Nevada Map Atlas is divided into 129 quadrangle maps covering the entire state. The Atlas shows paved roads, dirt roads, trails, springs, dry lakes and other features of the terrain. However, the Atlas is not topographic. In other words, it does not show land contour variations.

If you are going off road, carrying both the DOT Nevada Map Atlas and the newly published DeLorme Nevada Atlas & Gazetteer, which contains topographic shaded relief maps of the entire state, is advised. Both can be purchased at most bookstores.

It is vital to take sufficient water on any trip in the desert, recreational or business. Be sure to include sufficient water for your entire party and your vehicle. A two-day weekend trip would require at least five gallons of drinkable water for each person in the party, and an additional ten gallons of water for your vehicle. One of the easiest ways of stocking up on water is to purchase the plastic gallon or 2-1/2 gallon jugs of water from your local supermarket. They are sealed, offering protection from contamination and spills. I carry ten of them in the rear of my pickup truck at all times.

It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway. Check and top off all liquid levels prior to leaving (i.e., radiator, brake fluid, transmission fluid, etc.) and take extra fluids with you.

If you are venturing off-road, some of the problems that can occur are getting stuck in sand, overheated engines, loss of electrical power, punctured gas tanks, flat tires, bent tie rods, and broken under-engine parts such as the oil line, gas line or drive shaft.

Getting stuck in sand is as common in the desert as the sun. The instant you feel your wheels losing traction, stop and get out of the vehicle to check out the situation. Don't try to power out of the sand. You will likely just bury yourself deeper.

Make sure your vehicle is equipped properly and you will be able to extract yourself from most situations. A good axle jack is invaluable, as is a strong tow rope or chain. Carry jack pads because the sand is soft and you need to distribute the weight of the jack. Sand mats, such as old carpeting or planks are vital, as is a good, short-handled shovel. A manual or 12 volt tire pump is also valuable since at times you may have to let about half the air out of your tires to get decent traction.

Overheating and vapor locking is another common problem in the desert. Wrapping the fuel lines with damp cloth will help dissipate the heat, or you can place small aluminum foil bowties along the fuel line under the hood. Either one is effective.

Most important, let people know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Then, if you don't return within a reasonable time, they can alert the authorities and initiate a rescue search. However, this precaution will not work if they find your vehicle and you are not with it.

It is important to stay with your vehicle. A car or truck is a lot easier to find in the desert than an individual walking. Besides, your vehicle can offer additional shade and protection from the elements and a warm place to sleep at night. More people have lost their lives by leaving their vehicle and trying to walk out, than have been lost by staying in the vicinity.

Common sense and simple preparation will make your desert outings safe, worry-free and immensely enjoyable. Don't forget the picnic basket.