Avoid Five Common Camping Catastrophes

Even the most experienced campers make mistakes when exploring the great outdoors. In a minor case, you forget an essential item like your toothbrush, but some can even lead to Camping Catastrophes at campsites or in surrounding areas. To avoid the worst ones, follow these five tips when preparing for your trip.

Train for Emergency Situations

Many campers are ill-prepared to handle emergencies. Set up all your camping gear in a yard or living room with your fellow campers and run through emergency scenarios, including how to deal with a spreading camp or forest fire, and certain types of dangerous wild animals and medical events. Assign people with emergency positions, such as camp firefighter, medic, or walkie talkie operator, as dictated by their skills.

Give Someone Your Plans

Another common problem is that many campers fail to have outside help on standby. Arrange backup with someone who lives or works within short driving or flying distance. Give them the dates you plan to be away, directions and a map to the campsite, and your activity schedule. This person’s job is to contact authorities if you fail to check-in at prearranged times.

Bring a Fire Extinguisher

Unbelievable as this may sound, many campers fail to take a small fire extinguisher with them. A lot of wilderness explorers believe they only need water and dirt to put out a fire, but campers can’t always deploy these types of fire suppressors fast enough when dealing with spreading fire.

Buy Appropriate Environmental Gear

Some campers risk their lives by using the wrong gear. Always take a tent, sleeping bags and blankets, clothing, and tools that have been crafted specifically to deal with the environment and climate of the area you plan to visit. For example, if you decide to go to a region that sometimes experiences flash snow fall or high winds, do not take thin, less sturdy, mild weather gear.

Remember Your Field Guides

Skilled hunters, hikers, and other types campers with years of experience under their belts know that it is impossible to memorize everything, and that it is all too easy to forget what you do know during an emergency. Take pocket field guides about regional plants and animals, medical emergency treatments and survival tips. Injury lawyers in Castle Rock say you should also think about looking into bringing some first aid and medical kits.