10 Emergency Camping Tips

Here are 10 emergency camping tips. Camping is fun and usually harmless, but just in case here are some tips to prevent serious danger to your life. Most of it is common sense and even beginners can easily pick up on what to do to prevent harm to themselves and others.

1. Knife Always bring a knife. A good, sturdy pocket knife or Swiss Army knife. Something that can cut easily, can be used in self-defense, and something you are comfortable with. Don’t carry a Rambo knife if you don’t know how to use it. Make sure the knife is sharp before you head out, a dull knife will be useless (and ironically, more dangerous) in any situation.
2. Water Always make sure you have extra water or you know somewhere nearby to find clear drinkable water. Many people think they can survive without water longer then they actually can, not taking into account how weak you get when you haven’t had any. There are plenty of simple ways to distil water, but it is always safer to bring extra in case something happens.
3. Food It doesn’t take a genius to know that you probably shouldn’t eat the berries unless you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are edible. Bring food that is easy to carry and don’t weigh yourself down unless it’s absolutely necessary. If it will only take you a day to get to help, don’t carry enough for a week. That being said, be prepared for something to slow you down or set you back.
4. Radio Chances are, when you’re out camping, it’s not going to be any place that gets cell phone reception. Make sure you bring a radio just in case. If you are staying in a national park, there will usually be radio towers so you can reach someone for help. If not, there’s bound to be someone else with a radio that will pick up your transmission.
5. Satellite Phone If you aren’t sure about a radio and you know your cell won’t work, bring a satellite phone. Barring the thunder storm of the century, a good satellite phone will work everywhere. They can be expensive but are a good investment if you travel often.
6. Lighter/Matches Make sure you bring both. Matches don’t work if they get wet and lighters can run out of fluid and both can keep you alive.
7. First Aid Kit Common sense people. Just because you think it can’t happen to you doesn’t mean it won’t. Don’t take the chance. Make sure it’s a good first aid kit too, not one that just has cheap Band-Aids and Tylenol. Take the time to keep it stocked and updated and learn how to use what’s in it.
8. Clothes If you are going camping make sure you pack warm clothes, even if it’s in the summer. It gets chilly at night in the desert and in the mountains and it’s better to be safe then sorry. You can always shed layers to cool down.
9. Plastic Bags When you pack, put your clothes, perishables and matches in plastic bags so they can’t get wet. Bring extras incase something does get wet so you can pack it separately. Keep anything that smells in a plastic bag too, so it doesn’t attract the local wildlife.
10. Contact Make sure someone knows where you are and how to contact you. And make sure they know your schedule so they can call the authorities when you are over due and they can’t contact you. It is very easy to get lost in the woods and to loose track of time, having a contact who can call for help lessens your chances of dying of exposure before someone realizes you are missing.