Getting Camping Straight: There Are Many Reasons to Play It Safe

The beauty of camping is going into and tackling the unpredictable wilderness. Far from any human intervention, only you and the vast greenery before you, and of course the things you decided to take with you. We’ve all been camping, we know the basics: tent, food and bedding. However, we don’t completely consider the importance of all these items and tend to go cheap on them, or just buy the first ones we come across. And suddenly, a strong wind or rain can completely ruin our ideal camping experience in the blink of an eye. One thing is for sure – you cannot control the outside conditions, but you can sure control how you protect yourself. That’s why I’ve put together a little guide on what gear to take in order to have a problem-free camping trip.

A Tent That Can Withstand

You cannot pick just any tent sold at the supermarket, unless you plan to camp in your backyard. It has to be one that can withstand the elements. That’s why you need to decide between the two general types of tents – 3 season and 4 season. As the name suggests, a 3 season tent is the one that is suitable for three seasons, or in my experience, a tent you can use during late spring, summer and early autumn. So you can say it’s a tent meant to protect you in mild conditions. However, if you’re looking for strength and warmth, a 4 season one will never fail you. It’s built to withstand extreme weather conditions such as snow, hail and high winds. Get informed about the weather forecast in the area you plan on setting up your camp to solve this dilemma.

Whichever tent you choose, they all have poles and sometimes they can get tweaked or chipped – that’s why it’s always good to carry with you extra replacement poles for tents. In order to save on time and nerves and not damage your tent, it’s a good thing to practice setting it up prior to before hitting the road. To be extra safe, try finding a tent that has brightly coloured guy ropes or fluorescent tags attached to them so people can see them and not trip and fall. I just have to stress once again – don’t forget you replacement poles for tents.

Bedding for Warm and Snugly Nights

Sleeping under the brightly lit starry sky can be very romantic, uncomfortable and even dangerous – depending on how prepared you are for it. Again, you need to consider the time of the year and the weather conditions, and only then pick your bedding. A sleeping bag shaped like a mummy is for the ones who like to stay warm, because it will keep the warm air from getting out. But if you are a kicker and like to have some space, than a rectangle shaped bag is the one you need.

Don’t forget – it’s the comfort ratings on a bag you need to pay attention to. They show the lowest temperature the bag will protect you from. To be extra sure, pick one with a few degrees lower than the temperature of the area. However, the air is not the only thing that can make you freeze. Some areas have a cold and wet ground, and that can be the absolute worst if you don’t have proper insulation. An air bed will shield you from the ground and offer you the comfort and support of a mattress. Plus, it’s inflatable which makes it easy for carrying around.

The First Aid Kit

Anything can happen in the wild, that’s why it’s best to be prepared with a first aid kit. Cutting your own wood, making a fire, hunting, or climbing trees are all potential hazards. That’s why first and foremost, you need to assemble all the wound treatment tools and medication such as bandages, scissors, rubbing alcohol, a gauze, an antiseptic and ibuprofen. Even a simple stroll around can be dangerous for people who are allergic to certain types of plants or insect stings. If you or someone accompanying you has an allergy of some sort, do not forget to take proper medications, skin rash creams and spray to relieve insect bites. It may also be useful to keep a first aid instruction manual in your kit, even if you know all the necessary steps in applying medical care. In highly stressful situations, such as someone getting hurt, you can easily enter panic mode and forget what to do, which is why you need to have a manual to guide you through the necessary steps.