Outdoor Safety for Hiking and Camping

Outdoor Safety for Hiking and Camping – A Safe Camping or Hiking Trip. Thousands of people go out for Camping or Hiking trips every day and we try to go out as prepared as we can get. Still, we see that many folks take the safety aspect too lightly and encounter during the trips some problems which could have been avoided or when something happens, you are at least prepared by some simple questions you should raise as part of the preparation you make. We have made some notes we hope will trigger some questions of ideas at your side, all to contribute your a perfect Hiking or camping Experience.

The below-mentioned tips can be helpful and can contribute to a safe and healthy experience during camping.

Top 25 Outdoor Safety Topics for Hiking and Camping

  1. Enough time left when setting up camp? (1,5 hrs at least)
  2. First Aid understanding and First Aid Kit!
  3. How to set up camp – pitching your tent, etc
  4. If possible try to avoid traveling alone.
  5. Manage when arriving at camp… before dark
  6. Plan your trips, understand the severity… slope/hills can be tuff
  7. Trash… be sensible.
  8. Correct Clothing
  9. Correct gear and Equipment
  10. Gear as Sunglasses and hat
  11. Good physical condition
  12. Alcohol and tricky trail don’t match
  13. Are you aware of some basic skills, repair, etc?
  14. Built your distances… get trained
  15. Drinking-Water – don’t underestimate
  16. Energy bars can be a great help when you have a bit of delay…
  17. Hygiene
  18. Open fire….. be careful!
  19. Regulations from the area
  20. Stay on the tracks and trails
  21. Warm-up before you start the trail
  22. Weather forecast
  23. Wet and Slippery trails
  24. Wildlife… any danger to be expected – prepared too?
  25. Yes you are strong, but take your rest

Give yourself some fresh air and water

Always bring healthy and clean food along with you for your camping trip. Eating contaminated food and drinking tainted water can increase the risk of harmful diseases brought about by germs.

Follow these below mentioned steps to keep yourself safe and sound as well as healthy.

  • Pack your food in tight and waterproof bags besides; you can also use some containers for this purpose. Food can also be kept in an insulated container.
  • Wash hands and surfaces regularly. Use hand sanitizer if the water isn’t accessible.
  • Always separate cooked food from raw food.
  • Cook food to legitimate temperatures, for example, ground beef ought to cook to an internal temperature of 160 degrees.
  • Chill food immediately.

Start Doing Some Physical Activities

Camping is an incredible activity to get into physical action. When doing these exercises such as strolling, climbing, biking, or swimming make sure to bring the correct and protective gear, which may include life jackets, some solid shoes, and helmets.

Keep away from toxic plants, similar to harm ivy, poison oak, and also from poison sumac. Don’t stretch yourselves too much, understand your limitations to avoid having injuries during physical activities. Never climb or swim alone and keep a constant eye on the kids.

Guard yourself against carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide is scentless without any color and can leave health hazardous effects on people and pets, also causing deaths. Never use fuel-consuming systems, for example, gas stoves, any kind of heaters, lanterns, and charcoal grills inside a tent, camper, or another enclosed place without the required ventilation for that specific situation.

It can make hazardous levels of carbon monoxide to develop.

Avoiding Wild animals and Protecting pets

Some wild animals convey illnesses that are hazardous to people. Avoid contact and keep a safe distance and appreciate watching them from a distance in their natural environment. Keep food items put away in some safe containers and out of the range of these animals. Always make sure that your family pets are safe and consistently look after them. Check for ticks, and expel them quickly. Ensure that the pets have proper shelter, food, and water.

Battle with the irritating bugs

Mosquitoes, ticks, and different bugs can lead to specific health issues. To cure yourself of the bug bite, apply bug repellent containing DEET to your exposed skin. Always follow the directions given on the package. Check for ticks every day and get rid of them instantly. Wear long sleeves, pants, and other clothes with light colors to help forestall and spot ticks as quickly as possible.

Prevention from a temperature-related illness

To help forestall hypothermia during cold nights, always keep ample bedding and clothing to keep yourself warm. A plastic ground cloth can be used under your tent so that you can save yourself dry. To prevent yourself from a temperature-related illness during hot days, drink a lot of liquor-free and sugar-free liquids. Don’t wait to get thirsty to drink. Prefer wearing light and loose clothes in light colors. Find some shady areas if you want to rest. Try your best to protect yourself from the hot sun.

Shield yourself from the sun

Throughout the year, you have to protect yourself from the Ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV beams from the sun can come into contact with you on cloudy days, just as on bright sunny days. Use the best sunscreen and lip screen with at least SPF 15. Try to find shady areas and rest in those areas when the sun is throwing hot rays. Use sunglasses and hats for further protection from the sun.

Protection from water-related diseases and illnesses

During camping, you also come in contact with water while exercising in nature. Try not to swallow that water in which you’re swimming – could cause diarrhea. Besides, never swim alone, accompany somebody and when you’re done with swimming if possible take a shower. Not only after swimming. When you’re riding in a boat ( rafting) or other water vehicles, make sure that you’re wearing a life jacket.

Items to bring with you on a Camping Trip

To enjoy your camping trip to the full extent, it is essential to pack up some useful things that can help you out. The following are some of the useful stuff which can be carried with you for camping.

Bug Spray

Try not to let bugs ruin your memorable moments. Ward off those mosquitoes, ticks, gnawing flies, gnats, and chiggers with a long-lasting bug killing spray. The bug spray will help you out in enjoying camping and will provide you protection against mosquitoes for up to 8 hours.

Shoes

A decent pair of shoes is essential for the camping trip, and it does not relate to your hiking experience. You can buy the perfect shoes for camping from many online stores, and if you’re quite picky, then buy them directly rather than from an online source. Arrange these shoes on time and check the size carefully so that you won’t regret later about breaking your shoes or finding any other sort of defect.

Portable Speaker

Regardless of whether you’re enjoying going camping alone or with a group of friends, playing music will set the state of mind for a well-spent time. The potable speaker will let you play music from dawn to nightfall following one three-hour charge! The portable speaker is no doubt ideal for camping, giving you the chance to enjoy your favorite beats.

What to eat for breakfast and lunch

The problematic part about camping is choosing what to eat during the whole journey. In case you’re bringing a gas stove (or if there is a fire pit nearby), bring burgers, sandwiches, or whatever else you would like to grill for dinner, even fish n chips. For breakfast, bacon and eggs or yogurt with granola are some acceptable mixes. Make sure to bring metal tongs and spatula, and pack perishables in a cooler loaded up with ice.

Bring Energy Bars with you for hungry moments.

Tent

Picking the right tent is significant. A good tent is waterproof and easy to set up. The size and type of tent you pick will rely on your number of group members and space needs, yet this is a perfect and well-ventilated model.

Sleeping bag

A good sleeping bag is essential for a perfect camping experience. Not only useful but if its waterproof also then the perk gets doubled. A sleeping bag that is warm enough to make you sleep peacefully in a cozy night is preferred. The easy to clean and the lightweight sleeping bag won’t take much space in your luggage, and you can sleep without any tension under the stars on your camping nights.

Clothes

We like to keep ourselves warm in cold weather and chill on sunny days. The same goes for camping days as mostly moisture-wicking, and dri-fitting clothes should be preferred. Try to dress up in layers if you want to stay dry and enjoy camping comfortably. Sandals can also use because they can give you relief from the hard hiking boots. Rugged sandals such as Chacos Keens, Tevas, etc. are ideal for camping because they have good straps and are comfortable for the foot as well. Pack some woolen socks also to keep your feet warm enough in cold nights. Always prefer taking light-weighted clothes with you so that they can not take a lot of space in your backpack. Avoid taking denim with you because denim will take so much time to get dry, so prefer using quick-dry fabrics.

First Aid Kit

During camping, it is essential to remain well prepared in advance regarding any kind of injuries such as splinters, cuts, or even blisters. For the safe side, always keep a first aid kit with you in your backpack so that you can easily pull it out when anything goes wrong during camping.

Solar Charger

You can never find power outlets while doing camping. A solar charger can be the best option for you to carry as it absorbs the natural sunlight to charge your mobile or kindle with the help of a USB port. Some solar chargers also have a clip attached with them so that you can fix it with the backpack to charge your gadgets simultaneously, enjoying hiking.

Solar Lantern

Just like solar chargers, solar lanterns also plays a useful role in your camping trip. A solar lantern can provide you enough bright light to lighten up your environment when the light of stars and moon isn’t enough.

Camping Stove

Camping stove helps you out when you don’t have any specific grilling material available for your food. Use a lightweight camping stove that can easily found in many of the well known online stores.

Of course, there are many other items and topics we could cover, but we hope the above will trigger some focus and awareness on Outdoor Safety.