Survival Gear for Your Camping Adventures
When you head out into the great outdoors for a camping trip, you're stepping into a situation with more variables than you may be used to. While you're preparing for a wonderful time, it's also crucial to be ready for unexpected situations. To help you stay safe and comfortable, here's a checklist of essential survival gear to consider adding to your camping kit.
First Aid Medical Kit
A fully stocked first aid kit is a must. It should contain supplies to treat various injuries, from cuts and burns to sprains and allergic reactions. Don't forget essential items like bandages, antiseptic wipes, medication, and tools like scissors and tweezers.
Aloe Vera
Even with sunscreen, sunburns can happen. Aloe vera gel can provide soothing relief for sunburned skin, reducing inflammation and preventing peeling.
Spray Bottle & Portable Fan
Staying cool and hydrated is essential in warm weather. A spray bottle filled with cold water can help cool you down, and a portable fan provides a refreshing breeze. These items can be lifesavers in hot conditions.
Cooling Towel
A cooling towel can help prevent heat exhaustion. Keep it wet and wrap it around your neck while hiking or engaging in outdoor activities under the sun. Refresh it with water as needed.
Mylar Blanket & Heat Packs
In cold weather or after exposure to freezing water, hypothermia becomes a real threat. Mylar blankets and heat packs can help raise body temperature. Wrap the person in a Mylar blanket and apply heat packs (wrapped in cloth) to their core areas like the neck, chest, or groin. Ensure they are in a warm, sheltered place and have dry clothes.
Ice Packs
Ice packs are versatile. They can relieve muscle aches and strains after a long day of hiking and reduce swelling from insect bites or stings.
Calamine Lotion
For encounters with poison ivy, oak, or sumac, calamine lotion can provide relief from itching and discomfort. It can also ease pain and swelling from bug bites and stings.
Fire Starter
Whether you’re camping in cool weather or not, it’s always a good idea to bring along a flint and steel fire starter kit. A fire can be essential to survival, as it’s not only important for providing warmth, but also allows you to cook foods you couldn’t ingest raw, and can help keep away predatory animals.
Insect Repellent
The outdoors often comes with unwelcome insect guests. DEET-based insect repellents keep bugs at bay, though they may have a negative effect on the environment. If you’re looking for a more eco-friendly option, try citronella oil. Consider treating your clothing and gear with permethrin repellent for added protection against ticks and other crawlies.
Backpacking Canister Stove
Access to clean drinking water is crucial. While it's wise to carry bottled water, a portable canister stove can be a lifesaver if you find yourself without a water source. It allows you to treat and boil water from natural sources.
On-the-Go Food Items
Energy is vital during outdoor activities. Always carry snacks, and for longer excursions, energy bars or freeze-dried food packets can keep hunger at bay.
Light Source
As daylight fades, a reliable light source becomes essential. A flashlight or headlamp not only helps you navigate in the dark but can also serve as a signal for assistance.
Safety Gear
Tailor your safety gear to your planned activities. If you're venturing onto the water, a life vest is crucial. For cave exploration, equip yourself with a hard hat and a reliable headlamp.
By including these additional items alongside your camping essentials, you'll be well-prepared to handle unexpected challenges during your outdoor adventures. Remember, being proactive about safety ensures a more enjoyable camping experience. While it’s unlikely that you’ll find yourself in a situation in which you need all of these items, camping can introduce dangerous environments and circumstances for which you’ll be glad to be prepared. Between 120 and 150 hikers and campers go missing in the United States each year. Preparing well on the front end can help ensure you have enough supplies and tools to survive a situation like this in the unlikely event that you become one of these statistics.
And while you’re preparing for your next outdoor excursion, make sure you’re able to tote all of your survival gear with you to the campsite by purchasing the Out-In-About Box™. This space-saving tool is perfect for car campers and RV campers. It allows you to keep all of your most important gear dry and organized. With 8 storage compartments of varying sizes, the Out-In-About Box™ is a versatile organizational tool.
