Camping Checklists to Keep in Your Back Pocket

A camping trip is a recurring plot in movies for a reason. Many things can go wrong— both onscreen and in real life. Realistically, it is smart to prepare for mishaps before camping, especially for the worst-case scenarios. Following are a few recommendations to keep in mind the next time you explore the great outdoors.

PLANNING AHEAD

Camping can be a fun, spontaneous activity; however, some prep work should be involved to allow for an even more carefree feeling. Following are some suggestions to help you plan ahead.

• Monitor the weather forecast and check for changes just before your trip. Poor conditions can ruin a camping trip—no one enjoys a muddy campsite and not being able to leave their tent to hike. In some instances, extreme weather can cause injury, loss of personal property, and even death.
• Plan for the “just in cases.” Sometimes storms can form unpre­dictably. Make sure your campsite is not near the highest point of your area to avoid lightning strikes during stormy weather. Do not camp at a low place if a lot of rain is expected.
• Check for wildfires ahead of time by visiting https://www.fs.usda.gov/science-technology/fire/ information online. Wildfires are common in many areas, especially if it has been a dry season. Because of this potential hazard, lighting a campfire may even be banned in areas with high fire risk.
• Bring a bucket. Speaking of fires, do not be the cause of one. Make sure your campfire is built at least 15 feet from your tent and fill a bucket with water in case of an emergency. Use the bucket to extinguish the fire before you go to sleep. Never leave a lit fire unattended.
• Pack items that will keep you warm. Camping is not very enjoyable when you are shivering, and being too cold can become unsafe. Depending on the temperature, bring items that will keep you warm at night, including blankets, sleeping bags, sweatpants, outer layers, a coat, gloves, and warm sleepwear. No matter how warm it is by day, it is nearly always cold in the hours before dawn. Also, bring extra clothes in case you get wet.
• Review a map. Learn about the surroundings, particularly nearby roads, in case you lose your way during a hike.

NAVIGATING DANGEROUS SITUATIONS
Okay, so I think I turned this way … that tree looks familiar, doesn’t it? I must be getting close. What’s that noise? Is that the road? I must have found my way back! Wait… no … I haven’t seen that stream before, have I?

Getting severely lost is easier than you think. This possibility is the sad and frightening reality for many. Often, we somehow stumble upon our campsite again and write off the mishap as a fun time; however, not everyone is so lucky. Twenty-two-year-old Jacob Gray got lost on a bicycle ride through Washington state’s Olympic National Park. After 18 months of search-and-rescue missions, his body was finally found.

Following are a few suggestions to help you stay close enough to the grid that you can return to it.

• According to the U.S. Forest Service, always remember to Stop, Think, Observe, and Plan (STOP). Assume your phone may lose service and make note of your surroundings.
• If possible, return to a familiar location. It is helpful to mark your starting location with paint, carvings, or flags. However, when in doubt, do not stray too far from your starting point or off your original route.
• Stay put. If you become lost, stay­ing put can be the best thing you can do; rescuers are much more likely to find you within 24 hours if you have not strayed too far. If you have a whistle, use it. You might not be able to hear others–but someone could hear you!
• Stay as warm and dry as possible to prevent hypothermia and frostbite. Find shelter, put on extra layers, and build a fire. Hypothermia, which can cause a decline in mental clarity, is most likely at very cold temperatures, but it can occur even at cool temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit if a person becomes chilled from rain or sweat and wind.
• Stay hydrated. If you have a water-filtering straw, use it. If not, do you know the best water sources? Experts say fast running water is your best bet to protect from getting ill. Also, look for animal tracks nearby as an indicator of a good water source.
• Eat food to maintain energy. Learn ahead of time what berries, plants, and even insects could keep you alive if needed. Pack a few protein bars or other high-energy snacks, such as nuts, and a few snacks with carbohydrates to give you the energy to keep moving—and so eating insects does not have to be an option.

IF EXPLORING GOES AWRY

Exploring nature can be exciting, but injuries can also happen. Following are common injuries and recommendations on how to avoid or best treat them if one should occur.

• Avoid dehydration. If you are out in the heat, you can get dehydrated very quickly. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Eating foods with high water content can keep you hydrated as well.
• Pack sunscreen to protect your skin so that half an hour in the sun does not lead to having a rough time the rest of the trip. Also, be sure to pack a first aid kit. It’s common to get lacerations while camping and hiking, especially for young campers who are having fun exploring and might not be careful. If you need to treat a cut, the first step is to clean the wound with antiseptic to avoid any possible infection. Visit a local hospital or urgent care facility for anything that needs immediate medical treatment.
• Anticipate insect bites. Since you are going to be outside most of the camping trip, it’s impossible to avoid insects. Try applying insect repellent to your skin and bug spray within your immediate surroundings. Clothing with insect repellent in the material is also now being made. Also, make sure to bring anti-itch ointment in case you are bitten.
• Care for sprains. Your first aid kit should have medical tape and elastic bandages to treat the injury.

These points may sound scary, but you are less likely to encounter any of them if you prepare in advance. With proper planning, you can enjoy your camping trip more with less worry.