When it comes to safety tips for camping, you don’t want to overlook your own health and well-being. You may have packed all of the essential gear for cooking and setting up your tent, but it all goes south if you’re sick. So, make sure you’re prepared for health situations that may arise while you’re camping. We’ll show you how, below.
CONTENTS – In this article, you will learn important health and camping safety tips you should remember when you go camping, like:
- Health Tips to Remember When You Go Camping
- Carry An Electrolyte
- Keep Emergency Contacts Handy
- Prevent Future Illness
- Be Prepared to Stay Warm
- Identify Signs and Symptoms
- Final Thoughts on Healthy Camping Tips
Health Tips To Remember When You Go Camping
When you go camping, you know there’s so much to explore and appreciate, especially if you love the beauty of the great outdoors. So, it’s easy to understand why a boom in camping post-pandemic is expected. It’s because the rest of the world has finally caught-on to amazing outdoor spaces!
It’s not always perfect though. Sometimes it rains. Or you didn’t bring the right camping equipment.
One of the worst things that can happen when you go camping is that you get sick. What do you do then?
Here is a list of some safety & health tips you should consider when you go on a camping trip, on the off-chance that you come down with something while you’re in the wilderness.
1. Carry An Electrolyte
Electrolytes are substances that form a conductive solution when dissolved in water. What that means is that they help keep you hydrated. Within your body, electrolytes contain essential salts that help hydrate your body.
During your camping trip, hiking and exposure to the sun for long hours may result in your dehydration. Or perhaps, you may experience diarrhea during your camping, which is also dehydrating.
Taking in an electrolyte can be a lifesaver to replenish your hydration levels and keep you healthy while camping.
Good natural sources of electrolytes to bring camping include:
- Almonds
- Avocado
- Bananas
- Beans
- Coconut water
- Oranges
- Fruit Juices
- Peanuts
- Raisins
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
- Yogurt
Or, you can opt for an electrolyte drink, like Pedialyte or sports drinks.
Either way, you want to be proactive about staying hydrated and keeping your electrolytes balanced.
Related Article: Best foods to pack for a hike.
2. Keep Emergency Contacts Handy
When you’re planning to camp with a large group, it’s practical to gather emergency contacts for unexpected emergencies. But you should also keep a list of emergency contacts for yourself
Keeping a list of emergency contacts handy can help you reach out to the outside world if you should:
- Suffer an injury
- Get lost
- Suffer an unexpected allergic reaction
These emergency contacts can include friends, family, and medical professionals, and paramedics.
Here’s a good tip you may not know. If your phone battery is about to lose charge or you don’t have a cell signal, change the message on your voicemail to let callers know where you are and what you need.
That way even if your phone dies or you’re out of range, when they call looking for you, they’ll know you need help!
Remember to bring your ID and set up an ICE (In Case of Emergency) contact on your phone should you become unresponsive. If you take medications or have a medical condition, keep that listed in your wallet or phone, too.
Some emergencies are unavoidable. That’s why it’s important to have an emergency plan in place.
But, you can take steps to minimize injuries, like making sure knives and sharp blades are stored properly. For instance, a horizontal knife sheath will store your pocketknife so it’s handy but stored safely.
Doing so can save you a trip to the ER, or worse.
3. Prevent Future Illness While Camping
While on your camping trip, you may be exposed to various elements such as bugs, plants, or food that could make you sick. It is important to take preventative measures to avoid getting sick.
For instance, you can educate yourself on inedible plants to avoid before your trip. Never eat any plant that you’re not 100% sure of.
You should also pack mosquito control and bug repellants to protect yourself from bites that could cause sickness.
Be sure you’re keeping food cold while camping if it’s something that will spoil, like cream or meats. You also want to make sure you’re thoroughly cleaning your dishes while camping.
Finally, purifying your drinking water is also essential.
You should also practice good hygiene. You may be “roughing it,” but for your well-being, you should make an effort at staying clean while camping, including:
- Start each day with clean underwear and socks
- Change your clothing daily, regardless of the duration of your trip
- Scrub your feet after each camping day
- Brush your teeth regularly
- Take a regular camping shower
4. Stay Warm – Even in Summer
Even if you’re not camping in wintertime, it’s not a bad idea to bring everything you need to stay warm if you get sick. A blanket or sleeping bag is a great way to keep your body warm if you have a fever, regardless of the season. Bring a blanket or cozy sleeping bag for every camping trip, even summer trips.
You can also boil water while camping to fill your water bottle then place it in your tummy instead of putting it at your toes overnight. The hot water bottle will heat blood traveling to other parts of your body and warm your entire body faster.
5. Identify Signs and Symptoms of Illness
Knowing the signs and symptoms of possible diseases you may get at your campsite makes it easier to develop a treatment plan to keep you safe if you fall sick during the trip.
For instance, headache, fever, coughing, muscle aches, and sore throat may indicate some kinds of flu-like illnesses. Nausea, abdominal pains, diarrhea, and vomiting can be symptoms of gastrointestinal issues.
Always bring along a first aid kit that might have the treatment you need. That might include:
- Antihistamine
- Antiseptic creams
- Bandages
- Gauze
- Pain and anti-inflammatory meds (Tylenol, Ibuprofen)
- Sterile wipes
- Thermometer
- Tweezers
For convenience, you might invest in this small first-aid kit instead. It packs more than 100 items into a small zipper pouch you can toss into your backpack – and will hopefully never have to use.
Final Thoughts on Health & Safety Tips for Camping
Although camping trips are fun, you may not enjoy this adventure if you are unwell. With these tips in mind, you can keep yourself safe and healthy.
Photo credits: Camper – Free-Photos (Pixabay); First Aid Kit (Canva)