Do your homework

It baffles him every time he sees how often campers ignore information that is literally at their fingertips, says Neels van Heerden.

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People often say there's no such thing as a stupid question. Yes, that may be true - but it's not always that simple. It largely depends on where and in what context the question is being asked.

In fact, I'd hope that a group of soldiers or police officers learning how to defuse a bomb would have the confidence to ask their instructor to point out exactly which red wire should be cut first - just in case one of them has never realised he's colour-blind. It's also understandable if someone with little financial knowledge holds up the queue at the bank because the consultant has to explain for the third or fourth time that, in the early months of a home loan, most of the monthly payment goes toward interest.

But take a look at the kinds of questions that pop up on campsite websites, social media pages and outdoor forums.