Basic Trail Safety

PRE-PLANNING
Maintain your vehicle in a manner that will minimize trail breakdowns.
Inspect your vehicle, the time to fix your vehicle is before you're on the trail.
Know the trail you plan to run. Talk with others that have driven the trail and people that live or work in the area of your trail. 4 wheel drive clubs have a wealth of information about the trails in their areas. The more you know about the trail the better able you are to prepare for it.
Along with getting to know the trail you are about to run, have a good map of the area
Use lists. In planning your trip, use them. And as you make more trips and your experience and knowledge increases, keep adjusting your lists.
When you plan your food, bring extra in case of an emergency.
Water, very important, bring lots of it, remember your vehicle may get thirsty too.
When you get it all planned out, tell someone you trust, of the
area you are going and when you plan to return.

THE TRAIL
Know the limits of your vehicle.
Tie your gear down. In the event of a roll-over your gear could become deadly missiles
Air down your tires. Airing down your tires makes for a softer ride and gives your vehicle more traction. You might start out at 15 psi, in deep sand I'll go as low as 8 psi. Whatever tire pressure you are running at, remember to check your tire pressure from time to time. As your tire gets warmer the air pressure in your tire will increase. While you are airing down, this is a good time to do a final inspection of your vehicle.
Another trick to help out the suspension on your vehicle, is to disconnect your sway bar. This allows for better wheel travel.
Now that you have everything tied down, your vehicle is ready to go, it's time for you and your passengers to climb aboard and strap in. Use your seat belts. Remember your roll bar or cage will not protect you if you are not in the vehicle.