How to Deal With Camping Emergencies

Camping can be fun and relaxing, but an emergency can ruin your trip if you aren't prepared. This article will explain how to deal with emergencies that you may experience while camping.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Survival pack
• Military survival manual
• First aid kit
• Map and compass

1. First aid emergencies. For minor injuries, such as a cut or a scrape, you may be able to treat the injury and continue with your trip. For major emergencies in remote areas without telephone or cellular phone service, you may either decide to send one person in your group for help, or construct a litter to carry out the injured person. To prepare for these emergencies, it is best to take a first aid course to learn the best way to act in an emergency.

2. Getting lost. Being lost in the wilderness is an emergency. Don't panic, construct a shelter, a fire if possible and wait for rescue. If you must leave your area to go for help, mark where you were with some stones and the direction you are going with a large arrow. Be sure to mark your trail as well. To prepare for this emergency, take a navigation course to learn how to use a map and a compass. Also, make sure you have maps of the entire area you will travel, and make sure you know the landmarks of the area.

3. Wildfires are a danger to anyone when camping or hiking. Make sure you follow park regulations when building a fire. Evacuate the area when told to by park rangers. If you find wildfires approaching your camp, move to where the fuel (dry leaves and grass, dropped branches, trees, etc.) is sparse. You can also move to an already burned area, to a large water source, under a bank of earth or in a depression in the ground. Make sure to put as many barriers (clothing, blankets, etc) between you and the flames. Sheltering in a car, hut, cave, or other structure may be possible, but they can fill with smoke or catch on fire. Use them with caution.

4. Weather and hazards caused by weather. Severe weather can threaten your safety at anytime while camping. Thunderstorms, blizzards, and floods are common hazards that can threaten your life. Pay attention to weather bulletins by park rangers. If threatened by severe weather, take shelter in designated areas. Move to higher ground for floods, and indoors in case you are threatened by a thunderstorm or blizzard.

5. How to deal with animals. It is best to avoid any wild or feral animal while camping. Also, make sure to keep food stored out of reach, and dispose of food properly. When confronted by any animal, do not run, as it may cause the predator to strike. If confronted by a mountain lion, make eye contact and pick up children without squatting or bending over. Throw rocks, branches, or anything to make your self seem like a danger to the lion. If confronted by a bear, yell, bang pots and pans, and stand in a group with other campers to create an intimidating figure.

Tips & Warnings

• Before you leave on your camping trip, leave your written camping or hiking itinerary with a responsible person. Make sure to include the make, model & license plate of your car, the description of your camping equipment, checkpoints and when you are going to return. When you reach checkpoints, contact the responsible person to let them know you've arrived at each checkpoint, if possible. Your failure to contact the responsible person can let them know you may be lost or hurt and need help.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!

[heatherinks]

on 4/28/2009 Camping is so much fun. I have been chased by a bear though! LOL Don't get too close to them!