There are a lot of things that can go wrong when out camping in the wilderness.
So if you’re out camping, what if you become injured?
What’s the right steps to take to make sure you are healthy and safe when you come back to civilization?
Well that’s what I will be covering in this article, so keep reading to discover the possible injuries and what to do to help yourself.
Sprained Ankle Or Hand
Falling on uneven terrain or a slippery rock in the wilderness can be very harmful.
If you fall to hard, you may put to much pressure on your hand which will need to be bandaged up and given plenty of time to heal.
You can almost certainly help yourself with a sprained ankle as well.
It’s just a matter of bandaging your foot with a piece of clothing, heading back to your campsite and placing an ice pack over it.
Use a splint if possible and elevate your foot to decrease blood flow to the injured region.
If it’s TOO bad, meaning it is too painful to handle, then you might want to consider professional medical help.
But it is more recommended to help yourself first, if possible.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a condition that can kill you, so know the symptoms before it’s too late.
And by the way, the very first symptom of hypothermia is shivering. The body is trying to warm itself up.
How do you get hypothermia? By being in EXTREME cold weather conditions for a minimum of 3 hours.
Our bodies simply can not stay warm in such conditions, which means you can avoid this by wearing lots of layers and staying warm at all times.
Heatstroke/Heat Exhaustion
Heatstroke and heat exhaustion are the complete opposite of hypothermia.
Although heatstroke and heat exhaustion are both similar, one is more dangerous than the other.
You probably guessed it already – heatstroke is the one that’s more dangerous, and by FAR something you do not want, as it’s just as deadly as hypothermia.
So how do you get any one of these? By overworking yourself in the heat and NOT drinking enough water.
Our bodies need water to function correctly – so not consuming the correct dosage (especially in the heat) – we are more prone to catching any one of these deadly conditions.
Cuts, Scratches, And Scrapes
Bandages and plasters; lots of them!
Cuts and scratches are inevitable when on a camping trip, so it’s best to have a first-aid kit at-the-ready.
Clean any and all wounds with water until the bleeding has stopped – or when you think it is clean enough to cover – then apply your plasters and/or bandages.
Trust me, it is best to cover up even the smallest cuts before they get infected, which is never a good thing.
How To Help Yourself?
By being prepared in the first place you are able to combat any injuries you may get asap!
Being prepared is ALWAYS the best way to help you and your camping buddies when one of you get hurt.
When I couldn’t even cover up a deep wound (cut from my knife) I managed to get in my earlier camping days, I decided to promise myself that I will always be prepared for any injuries that may arise when on a camping trip.
And now that I’m the “helpful” camping guy, lots of people love to go camping with me 🙂
Thank you for taking the time to read my article.
Did you learn anything? Let me know in the comments below!
Stay safe guys.