Camping is often an exciting adventure. However, when you set out on a camping trip, you never know what awaits you outdoors. You could run into mishaps on your way to the camp, during your stay, or on your way back home. The roads could flood, there could be a landslide, you may lose reception, or your car could break down. The unknown should be sufficient reason to step out prepared.
Always bring an emergency kit regardless of the season or place you choose to camp. Although you won’t use it on most trips, it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Here are 11 supplies you must have in your camping emergency kit.
1. Water Purification Tablets
Dehydration will kill you faster than most of the things that may worry you in the wild. Your body needs plenty of water for critical functions like nourishing cells and balancing your internal temperature. Most average people would only survive up to three days without water. Therefore, no matter the situation, drink some water.
If you run out of your bottled supply, you must find an alternative source, like a stream or pond. Drinking contaminated water could kill you even faster than not drinking water at all. Always pack emergency purification tablets whenever you step into the wild. These will save your life.
2. Nonperishable Food Supply
Estimates indicate that even if you had plenty of water and no food, you’re unlikely to survive more than 70 days. However, that does not mean you won’t get hungry and weak. If disaster strikes while you are on the hiking trail trying to keep healthy, you should at least have some energy-rich, non-perishable snacks to munch on. You cannot afford to panic or get weak in the face of such adversity. If you’re lucky to get stranded alongside a fellow hiker or camper, you’ll need to collaborate to find a way back to the camp faster. That could involve a lot of hiking or climbing. You need energy for that.
3. Fire Starters
Fire is a lifesaver. You could use it to scare away dangerous predators and keep yourself warm. Also, if you’re lost and want the rest of the team to find you, you could start a fire to signal them. If, for some reason, you run out of your non-perishable food, you need fire to roast small game you can easily trap.
Concisely, fire is a vital wilderness survival tool. A magnesium fire stick is ideal for the outdoors. It’s water resistant, generates large sparks, and you can strike it up to 15,000 times. You could also opt for stormproof match sticks. These are also water-resistant and have waterproof cases. Pack any or both every time you leave for a camping trip.
4. Multitool
Multitools are always welcome additions to any emergency kit. They come equipped with a can opener, scissors, knife blade, and screwdrivers. A good one can serve several vital functions in the woods. You could use them to open your canned food. They could also help you cut paracords to tie up a shelter. If you catch fish, you can use a multitool to scale and gut it before you cook it. Keep one of these on you whenever you are out camping.
5. Paracord
A paracord is another useful supply every survivalist needs. It can serve many different purposes. You could tie it to a tree and use it to descend a cliff. You could also unthread it to make a fishing line or use it to fasten a tarp to a tree. What’s more, a paracord bundle is small and light. You won’t even notice you have it in your emergency kit until you need it.
6. Warm Clothes
If you get stranded in the wild, you could develop hypothermia in under five minutes if your skin is exposed. Hypothermia can develop in a matter of minutes depending on the conditions, and survival time could even be less than an hour. This is not a gamble you want to take. Always pack boots, a heavy hoodie, and a light sleeping bag whenever you leave for the woods. These are essential for general camping and survival. If something happens on your way there or back home and you have to stay in your van for long, you’ll appreciate bringing these items.
7. Lantern/Headlamp
In an emergency, you never know how long it will take before help arrives. You might be out there for days. If that happens, you can’t restrict yourself to only moving when the sun is out. You need some lighting to avoid stumbling on huge rocks or falling into depressions when you move at night. A headlamp is an excellent choice since it’s fastened to your head and moves with your line of sight. That way, you can use your hands to hold a self-defense weapon.
8. First-Aid Kit
It’s hard to think of an environment where you would not need emergency medical supplies. Whether you are at home, school, office, or church, injuries could occur. A shooter could emerge, or an earthquake could cause panic, resulting in a stampede. In a city, you could be rushed to a nearby health center, or medics could be sent to the scene.
In the wild, you are away from medical facilities. In case of an emergency, you could bleed out from a simple-looking cut. Going on a camping trip without a first-aid kit is taking an unnecessary risk. Emergency medical packs are sold everywhere, and you could also develop your own.
9. Compass and Map
The main path to or from your destination may be rendered impassable by a burst river, fallen power line, or any other natural disaster. That might force you to seek alternative routes. Your car or mobile phone GPS may help as long as you have a signal and power. To be safe, make it a habit to carry a compass and map. As long as you know how to use these, you will always find your way around obstacles.
10. Tarp
A tarp is far lighter and easier to fit into your bug-out bag than a tent. If you lose your hiking trail and can’t get back to the campsite, you may have to put up shelter before night falls. You don’t want to be exposed to weather elements or dangerous predators. While you could cut twigs and assemble a makeshift shelter, a tarp makes your work much easier. All you need to do is fasten one long edge to two trees and anchor the other on the ground. Shelter under that for the night and continue seeking a way out the next morning.
11. Hand-crank Radio
A hand-crank radio does not need electricity to power. If it’s low on charge, simply turn the hand crank to recharge it. In an emergency, you should be able to receive alerts. If you find yourself in the wild without a cellular signal, your cell phone will be useless. You will have to rely on your hand-crank radio for updates. Also, if you find a signal but your phone dies, the hand-crank radio has a slot in which you can plug your phone and communicate with your emergency contacts. Be sure to bring this to all your camping trips.
In Summary
Camping trips are meant to help you relax and reconnect with nature. Other than the environment, you need peace of mind to attain absolute relaxation. Knowing that you are prepared for common emergencies gives you just that. Stuff these supplies in your camping emergency kit and go experience the outdoors like a pro!