Camping gear is some of the best kit to have organized at home for an emergency, as it is designed to be versatile, portable, and help you live without the modern conveniences that you have at home – such as fresh water, heating, and a mains electricity supply.
Camping gear can come in handy in other situations that are not emergencies. For instance, when California residents experienced a three-day power outage as a result of the California wildfires, camping gear proved to be very useful.
It is advisable to be prepared for survival in case of unexpected events like flooding or an earthquake as they could result in a comparable or even more severe situation.
The current worldwide COVID-19 outbreak prompts us to consider our level of readiness for coping during an emergency or adapting to a non-routine situation.
It’s not just about the amount of toilet paper we hoard since we can actually survive without it if necessary.
1. Means of treating and storing fresh water
In emergency situations, ensuring access to clean water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene ought to be given high priority.
When camping, it is crucial to prioritize getting clean water. Thus, it is imperative to bring water treatment and filtration tools and a container to store water with you for your upcoming camping excursion. These are indispensable camping gear that you might already have.
To ensure the cleanliness of water, not only is the process of filtering water essential, but the purification of water is also crucial, because filtration eliminates bacteria and other impurities but cannot eradicate viruses.
2. A three (or more) day supply of food
According to recommendations from Ready.gov, it is advised to stock up on non-perishable food items that can last for at least three days.
It is simple to acquire pre-portioned and packaged non-perishable food by purchasing camping and backpacking meals.
3. A means of eating said food: a mess kit (per person)
A mess kit is an ideal way to ensure you have a packable set to eat with.
4. Lighting – Solar lanterns and headlamps
Regardless of the emergency situation you encounter in your home, electricity supply is frequently one of the first things to be disrupted.
One of the top items to have for emergency situations and a necessary item for camping is a quality headlamp, which can effectively address lighting challenges.
For longer periods with no power, a camping lantern that you can charge via solar power provides better-dispersed lighting than a headlamp.
5. Multi-tool – for a multitude of uses
An emergency gear bag should have a high-quality multi-tool in case you need to depart home quickly or make urgent repairs.
Having a multi-tool on hand is highly advantageous, not only for household purposes but also for camping trips, as their adaptability is unmatched. They come in handy for impromptu repairs or even to pry open canned food items or uncork a bottle of wine.
6. A portable power station
A rechargeable battery that has built-in sockets for powering and charging electronic devices, including those that require 100v (i.e. mains) power, is known as a portable power station.
7. Pocket radio
Having a pocket radio on hand can be useful for receiving weather and emergency alerts during situations where power, WiFi, and cell networks are unavailable or overloaded.
8. Sleeping bags and blankets
In the event of a power outage, it is probable that the heating system will not function. Alternatively, you may need to quickly vacate your residence.
The difference can be significant if you have a warm sleeping bag or an insulating blanket.
It is beneficial to have readily available warm and breathable clothing suitable for camping, hiking, trail running, and other outdoor activities, in addition to sleeping bags and blankets, regardless of whether it is the ‘off-season’.
9. Hiking boots
Do not undervalue the importance of high-quality hiking footwear.
Hiking boots are not only crucial for hiking and backpacking, but they also provide excellent protection from the elements and keep your feet warm and dry when spending time outdoors.
It is advisable to always have your hiking boots and appropriate socks within reach while sleeping in case of any emergency situation that requires you to leave home quickly.
It may be advisable to store them in a container or bag if they have an unpleasant odor.
10. A first aid kit
To ensure that your first aid kits are always useful, it’s important to keep them well-equipped. Sometimes we tend to use certain items without replenishing them, which causes a shortage in the kit and results in unavailability of a necessary item when needed.
One way to begin preparedness is by acquiring a pre-packaged first aid kit, which ensures you possess the necessary emergency medical supplies.
Checklist for a Camping First Aid Kit
A complete outdoor first aid kit is essential when hiking or camping. You will appreciate having it in case of a real emergency.
Picture this scenario. Upon your arrival at the campground, you’ve directed your children to head off to the lakeshore to play while you take on the task of setting up camp. As you set up the camp kitchen and pitch the tent, the kids amuse themselves by skipping some rocks over the surface of the water and running around on the shore. While a fall might not appear to be a significant issue, a bruised or lacerated knee could worsen due to exposure to dirt. Although a bee sting or a reaction to a stinging plant isn’t a pleasant experience, it can usually be easily treated with medication.
While setting up equipment and moving gear at the campground, we often become excited and susceptible to minor injuries such as scrapes and cuts. If you intend to spend time outdoors, it is crucial to have a few essential camping first aid supplies on hand. A well-stocked first aid kit will prepare you for any accidents that may occur while camping.
You have discovered the ultimate camping first aid checklist, which can either guide you in assembling your own wilderness first aid kit with a small number of supplies, or help you obtain a basic first aid kit from a nearby pharmacy to which you can then add items customized to fit your camping experience.
A Well-Stocked Basic Kit
- adhesive bandages of various sizes
- butterfly bandages
- gauze pads of various sizes or gauze roll
- antiseptic creams and ointments
- sterile wipes and rinse solutions
- pain and anti-inflammatory medicine
- hydrocortisone cream
- tweezers, scissors, safety pins, and knife
- sunburn relief spray
- anti-diarrhea medicine
- antihistamine for allergic reactions
- eye drops
- triple antibiotic ointment
- moleskin
- hand sanitizer
Additional Items
- duct tape
- super glue
- aloe vera
- sunscreen
- epi-pen
- prescription medicines
- emergency blanket
What types of mishaps should you be prepared for during a camping trip? Inevitably, there will be cuts, scrapes, and scratches, as well as potential dangers associated with typical camping tasks. For instance, hiking through dense foliage, encountering thorny plants or cacti, cooking out in the open, dealing with the elements, and being exposed to insects all require precautions. Make sure you equip yourself with necessary knowledge and resources in case of any emergencies in the wild.
To treat injuries such as cuts, scrapes, and scratches, it is recommended to have diverse types of bandages, along with antiseptic wipes and antibiotic cream readily available. Hydrogen peroxide can be utilized for cleansing cuts, while saline solution can provide comfort for washing out eyes if unintentionally exposed to campfire ashes or debris.
For bug bites or minor cuts and scratches, Q-tips and liquid pain relievers can be useful. To remove thorns and splinters, tweezers can be helpful, while scissors or a knife can be utilized for cutting tape and bindings. For headaches and internal pain, Tylenol and aspirin are recommended, and for gastrointestinal issues, anti-diarrhea medication such as Imodium should be included.
You should also think about adding a sunburn relief spray, specifically one made from Aloe Vera, as well as Chapstick for your lips, zinc oxide for safeguarding your skin, burn cream, and, if necessary, a snakebite kit. Furthermore, a Leatherman multi-tool is a useful item to have on hand for a variety of circumstances and would make a good supplement to your equipment.
It is advised to yearly evaluate and restock your first aid kit, ensuring that all medications and supplies are up to date and not expired. Also, remember to always bring your adequately stocked first aid kit along on camping trips. After completing your camping first aid kit, go back to our comprehensive camping checklist to guarantee that no critical items are left behind.
