While social distancing and isolation are necessary components to keeping yourself and your community safe during a pandemic, it does have some downsides– being in your home for weeks on end.
Getting away for the week or the weekend may seem like the best solution, but how do you do it safely? Camping is a great activity for you and the whole family to enjoy that will help to boost mental health, stay a safe distance away from others and let you practice some of your prepper survival skills.
Ready to go? Make sure you have these essentials packed so you can check them off of your camping essentials checklist!
1. First Aid Kit
This should be one of the first things on your camping essentials checklist when you decide to venture out. By going into the wilderness you are limiting your access to healthcare and more than likely furthering yourself from the closest hospital. In the event that something goes wrong and a doctor is needed, you are going to want to make sure that you have enough supplies on hand to get someone to the healthcare facility safely. Hydrogen peroxide for cleaning any wounds, bandages and gauze to help staunch any bleeding and little scissors are great items to include.
2. Fire Starter
Being able to start a fire is an essential part of surviving the wilderness. Fires have multiple uses when you are going camping. It can help to stave off the cold, be used as a weapon and is arguably most useful for cooking food. It is recommended that you carry a minimum of three different fire starters. This is so you are guaranteed to have one reliable method.
3. Flashlight
Flashlights are useful while camping, especially if you are camping at an uninhabited location. There is no electricity and when the sun goes down it is difficult to see without a source of light. Your camping essentials checklist should include a crank flashlight that does not rely on batteries to work.
4. Water Filtration Device
While you can definitely try and pack enough water to last you for your trip, this can end up being quite a load if you are going for an extended amount of time. A water filtration device can help to cut down on how much water you have to carry, or come in use should your water supply get contaminated. One nifty hack is to take a panty hose with you so it can be used to strain larger items out of the water.
5. Cooking gear
You will definitely need food while on your camping trip, and stuff to cook it in will be a great help. Whether you are packing food from your prepper garden, or foraging for fresh things in the wilderness, cooking brings your food to the next level and makes sure it is safe to consume. Make sure you pack a pot or pan, especially if you are planning on hunting during your trip.
6. Maps
Maps will help so that you do not have to rely solely on technology to get around. While you can pack extra chargers and may be able to keep your phone alive for the trip, you may not be able to get a reliable signal. Maps make sure that you will always know where you are and where you are going.
7. Protection
When going out into the wilderness, it is important to bring some protection. One of the best things to include on your camping essentials checklist is a survival knife because it can be used to both protect yourself and perform other necessary tasks. It can be used to cut down branches, make firewood and cut up food.
Civil Dispatch makes your safety a priority. It is always best to prepare for the worst and plan for all scenarios. Learn more about how we can help you and your family prepare on our website.