Are You Prepared To Handle These Camping Emergencies?

If you’re looking to experience the great outdoors, be one with nature, unplug from everyday life, and encounter adventures, camping fits the mold. It’s a physically and emotionally empowering opportunity enjoyed worldwide by people from all walks of life. As fun and therapeutic as camping can be, it’s not always a picture-perfect experience. From having issues with your tent to running low on electricity, campers need to be prepared to handle common emergencies. 

 

Injuries

 

Believe it or not, injuries happen all the time during camping trips. There are plenty of opportunities to get hurt from cuts and scrapes to pulled muscles and broken bones. So, what do you do in the middle of a state park or woods if someone hurts themselves? 

 

Sure, you could contact park rangers or first responders, but it can take time for help to arrive. That’s why it’s essential to pack first aid supplies. Having bandages, ointment, cleaning solution, alcohol, or peroxide can take care of many injuries until you’re able to get assistance. 

 

Tent Damage

 

Putting up a tent is challenging enough. Even when you have the instructions, it can take hours to get it just right. Now imagine going through all that hard work to put the tent up to find a tear or hole. If you’re not prepared, the damage remains and reduces the efficiency of your tent. 

 

Rather than let the wind or rainwaters into your tent, ensure that you have a repair kit with you while camping. Most kits come with glue and extra tent material so you can mend rips or holes on the spot. If your tent doesn’t include repair supplies, purchase a kit separately. 

 

Getting Lost

 

Yup. You read that right. Sometimes you can get lost on your camping trip. You’re so excited to see and explore all that you can that you lose your way back to the campsite. Panicking, wandering around, or wishing for help won’t do anything more than increase your anxiety. So, what do you do? 

 

Before you go camping, familiarize yourself with how to use a compass. You can also pack a handheld GPS to ensure you stay on the right path. Another important note is to pay attention to signs and remain on safe trails despite your curiosity. If you do get lost, use your compass or GPS, try to return to the last point you remember (within reason), contact someone for help, and use the tools in your backpack to remain safe and warm. 

 

Low or No Power

 

Part of going camping is the therapeutic benefits of being unplugged from the world. Most campers anticipate periods where they won’t have a strong internet connection or power source. That’s why they invest in strong batteries, solar panels, and other energy sources to provide electricity for necessary appliances and devices. However, what happens when your energy source is drained? 

 

Charging batteries and fueling your 1500 watt generator before your camping trip is highly recommended to prevent this emergency. Stopping at charging stations and utilizing campsite electrical sources to get more juice is also ideal. Finally, learn how to be resourceful without the use of electricity. Knowing how to start a fire, for instance, can provide light, keep you warm, and provide a means to prepare your food. 

 

Animal Encounters

 

Camping and wildlife go hand in hand. You expect to see everything from bugs and birds to deer and bears when you’re in the great outdoors. However, are you prepared to deal with an animal encounter? If a bear, raccoon, fox, or poisonous snake evades your space, do you know how to respond? 

 

Although your natural reaction may be to run or even attack in self-defense, that’s usually not a practical solution. Keep in mind that you’re a visitor in the creature’s home. If you react abruptly, the animal will respond to defend themselves, often leading to injuries. Your best bet is to stop what you’re doing, remain calm, and analyze the situation before reacting. For example, a bear near your campsite may be interested in the trail mix in your backpack. Allowing the bear to get what it wants and leave keeps everyone out of the danger zone. 

 

Camping is fun, but it’s not without potential dangers. Whether someone is injured, your tent gets damaged, you get lost, run out of power, or encounter an animal, you must be prepared. The advice listed above will help you tackle the emergency in a practical manner that doesn’t ruin your experience.