In recent years, camping has become a lot more popular with nature enthusiasts - they go out for weeks or even months to ditch the chaos of city life and enjoy the serenity of the outdoors. However, with all the fun and excitement that comes with it, there is a drawback of someone getting injured due to rough terrain or falling sick due to extreme weather conditions.
Generally, camping accidents are scarier than the usual ones. You are in the middle of nowhere, with distant access to professional medical help. In such situations, you must consider your basic survival gear for camping as your closest friends, providing you immediate support and comfort in the case of an emergency. No wonder you must choose your camping first aid kit and gear carefully to ensure your adventures run safely and smoothly.
Have no idea of what you should include in your camping gear? Worry not, we've got you covered. In this blog post, we will discuss the must-have items you should always carry for your camping trip - let's get started.
Everything You Need to Know- Advanced Medical Gears for Camping
Basic Camping Medical Supplies
Band-Aids
The best- first aid kit for camping should never miss having band-aids, especially if you are bringing your kids along. With all the chasing and running after each other, it's no surprise that they fall and get minor cuts. Band-aids quickly dress those minor cuts, preventing infections. Bonus tip - pack plenty.
Antibiotic Ointment Packs
Antibiotic ointment packs come in handy when you need treatment for minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. The best part? It comes in a tube, making it easy to carry it everywhere.
Insect Bite Treatment
Mosquitos, bugs, bees, name it all - are tiny insects that can wreak havoc on you if you don't have insect bite treatment. The pain would go on its own if you don't have this basic survival gear for camping. So, ensure you have it in your camping arsenal.
Non-Latex Gloves
Whether you are going for solo camping or group camping, you need non-latex gloves when dressing the wound. They help prevent infection and the transmission to others. That's not all non-latex gloves are safe to use on someone suffering from latex allergy.
Gauze Pads
Gauze pads are one the best first aid kits for camping. With mountains, hills, and slopes, it's pretty common for someone to twist and fracture their ankle. Gauze pads are used for creating slings for fractures. They are also used to cover wounds too big for band-aids.
Thermometer
Before you carry your backpack to hike, you need not forget to bring your thermometer. It helps you know whether the temperatures are good enough for outdoor camping. The good news is that some thermometers also come with a compass. You don't want to freeze yourself in the middle of nowhere.
OTC Medication for Fever, Diarrhea, or Pain Relief
Frankly, we all need these basic survival gear for camping because such illnesses are common even when at home. So don't let camping make you think they will automatically go away. Carry OTC medication for safety.
Scissors and Tweezers
Scissors and tweezers may not seem like the best first aid kit for camping, but they make a huge difference. Imagine cutting your bandage with the same knife you use to chop your onions - yes, it's gross and unhygienic, and this is one reason you should get scissors. Similarly, tweezers help remove the dead skin around the wound. Make sure you have them packed.
Advanced Medical Gear
Tourniquets
Tourniquets are yet another indispensable basic survival gear for camping. It's used when someone is severely injured and losing a lot of blood. A bandage in this scenario won't work, but tourniquets are made with rope and a stick, stopping blood flow quickly.
CPR Masks
As much as you want to save a life, you don't want to get infected with bacteria or viruses when performing CPR. CPR masks help prevent the transfer of body fluid from mouth to mouth. Although the victim's nose and mouth will be closed when using a CPR mask, there is usually a one-way valve that allows air to flow into their lungs.
Blister Kits
If you engage your hands in many physical activities during camping, you will likely develop blisters. They are really frustrating to deal with, but a blister kit is one of the best first aid kits for camping that can make the process pain-free.
Snake Bite Kits
Are you a wild camper? If yes, carrying a snake bite kit is non-negotiable. You never know where that slithering creature is hiding. Could be next to your camping tent or the tree above your tent- Enough with the scares; a snake bite kit can save you from a lot of trouble if anyone is bitten.
EpiPens
If someone in your camping crew has an allergic reaction, you better carry an EpiPen as their basic survival gear for camping. The auto-injector contains epinephrine, a medication that helps decrease allergic reactions in the body.
Splints
Splints help immobilize the injured part of the body and protect it from other injuries. So, in case you fracture your bone, use this medical device to minimize pain and keep the broken ends together.
Specialized Gear for Specific Conditions
Medication for Allergic Reaction
If you have any allergic reaction, whether from foods, weather, or the environment, ensure you include your prescribed medication in your first aid kit for camping. Common allergy medications include cetirizine, desloratadine, and loratadine.
Sunscreen for Sunburn
If you are going to camp during the summer season, sunscreen is another basic survival gear for camping you will need to bring along with you. You don't want to ruin that flawless skin you achieved after following your skincare routine.
Quick Warming and Disposable Blanket and Instant Hot Packs to Survive Hypothermia
Anyone can have hypothermia while camping, and when that happens, you want to make sure you have the gadgets to help you stay warm and retain your heat. Blankets and hot packs are some of the best first aid kits for camping that can help you keep warm. Moreover, these blankets are pretty lightweight and easy to carry, so you can take them with you wherever you go.
Cold Compress and Rehydration Salts to Beat Heart Strokes
It is common to experience increased heartbeats when camping in the wild, but when they go faster than normal, a cold compress and rehydration salts are used to help your body relax, slowly returning the normal heartbeat.
Training and Knowledge
For a start, you need to get a first aid kit in wildness training to help you know the type of injuries you can expect and how to resolve them on your own. After all, you don't want to fill your backpack with items you don't know how to use. You can undertake a training session or course to ensure you are fully prepared.
Emergency Protocols
-
Ensure you have an emergency shelter, such as a space blanket, whether on an RV or a camp.
-
Carry a personal locator or a satellite phone in case your phone battery dies or loses signal.
-
Ensure all the basic survival gear for camping is specialized to meet everyone's needs.
-
Consider testing all your first aid kit equipment before your trip for a smooth camping experience.
-
Carry a compass to navigate your way stress-free.
Basic survival gear for camping can make a huge difference in saving a life. If you plan on camping, this medical gear will help ensure that everyone in the group is safe to explore what nature has to offer. Packing your bags already? Have a great one! Also, to read more such posts about camping life, keep reading our RV Posting blog!