Summer Camping + First Aid Safety

Camping and summertime seem to go hand and hand for many in the US. It has been written than more than 14 million people camp each year and that tends to make for a busy summer for many American’s. A successful camping trip needs two basic things to be successful, fun and safety. We will leave the fun up to you but we would like to assist a little with the safety aspect of things… well as you can see we are a safety company so safety is our game.

Being Prepared-

Spending time outdoors and more specifically camping outdoors for a weekend or longer can bring about some unexpected challenges. A few of the challenges that come with camping are insects, rain, extreme sunlight and other weather elements that may pop up during your trip in the great outdoors. Creating a plan to put into place to handle these potential challenges can make the difference between having a positive or a negative camping experience.

Items to bring on your camping trip-

The national park service breaks down the five essential that they recommend you bring with you on your camping trip. Those 5 items are: water, food, shelter and bedding, cooking supplies and cleaning supplies.

Water:

Water is the most important survival item needed by far. A good rule of thumb is to drink 2 liters of water per day or more, more if you are camping in very hot climates. You will also need water to cook and clean as well. If you will be camping in the backcountry it is recommended that you bring a water filter, purification tablets or that you boil your water.

Food:

Food is another essential part of survival when out in the wilderness. Plan on bringing enough to cover your entire trip and also keep in mind how you will keep any perishable items cold for duration of the trip.Keeping things cold during the warm summer months can bring about its own challenges. 

Shelter and Bedding –

You will need a shelter and a comfy place to rest your head at night. Tents come in many sizes to accommodate the number of people that will be with you. Hammocks are another alternative to sleeping arrangements.

Cooking Supplies-

Be sure to pack the needed items that you will need to prepare the food you bring with you and not a lot of extra. Remember that pots and pans tend to be heavy if you are carrying them a long way.

Cleaning Supplies-

You’ll want to bring some cleaning supplies to keep your camping spot and dishes clean. Biodegradable soap is best to help keep nature pristine and free of chemicals.

Personal Hygiene Products-

Remember to take care of yourself while camping too. Be sure to pack a small bar of soap and washcloth along with your toothbrush and tooth paste.

First Aid Supplies-

Be sure to pack a sufficient first aid kit to handle any first aid emergency while you are out in the wilderness. Since you may be a long way from civilization or the nearest hospital you will need to be certain that you have all of the first aid supplies to handle most any first aid emergency. We offer some great portable first aid kits along with our urban road warrior kit that contains the needed items for a road side emergency. Food and shelter are the first thing you think of when preparing for your camping adventure, your health and safety needs to be considered as well.

Here are a few other tips to consider when planning your camping trip:

• Get a lay of the land so that you know your surroundings
• Safety first and foremost in everything that you do. If something seems dangerous- avoid it. Help is not always close by and using common sense is important in all situations. Your handy first aid kit can come in handy during any camping trip.
• Bring extra essentials even if you don’t think you’ll need them. For example, bring an extra jacket in case weather changes quickly, especially during the spring and fall months.
• Remember to rest during your camping trip. Camping is a lot of fun, but it also takes a lot of energy at times. Be sure to rest up and know your limits.

Enjoy your camping season and remember that being safe and having fun should be your goal. Have a plan and always be prepared for the unexpected.