How do you prepare for a medical emergency when you’re away from home camping? Most folks think they are doing good if they have a store bought first aid kit and a mobile phone to call for help. It’s true these resources can help, but it’s more important to consider where you’re traveling and what you’re doing to be truly prepared for a medical emergency on the road.
Brian Dewitt from Flickr
Commercial first aid kits typically include only a few band aids, one or two gauze pads, and a topical disinfectant like povidone-iodine. These convenience kits are great when you have a minor cut or abrasion, but what if you face a more significant injury? If you are ten miles from the nearest help, how can you ensure your first aid kit meets your needs? Here are some suggestions to help you select the items you should include in your own kit.
Hiking and other wilderness adventures can include to everything from minor discomforts like blisters, ticks, and sunburn up to more serious traumatic injuries such as dislocations and broken bones. Not all of these ailments require something in your kit, but think about some of the more serious things that could happen. A sprained ankle or a broken bone while out exploring might require you to hike out to meet up with help. Here are the items in my hiking kit to address traumatic injuries: Several 4×4 gauze pads, a couple of gauze bandages (I prefer Kerlix), at least two triangular bandages, an ACE bandage, 1 inch cloth tape, mole skin, tweezers and a flexible aluminum splint (SAM splint).
Be sure to include some disposable nitrile gloves in your kit as well for major emergencies. Next time you’re at your doctor’s office ask them for a pair or two of gloves to toss in your kit. For the worst kind of emergency, a cardiac arrest, consider adding a CPR pocket mask. Chances are, you will never need it, but if you do you will at least be prepared to deliver critical rescue breathing. Most individuals do not travel with an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) for sudden cardiac arrest, but ask if the park has an AED when you make campsite reservations
Here in Texas where Chris and I do a lot of camping, summer camping means really hot weather. When you are focused on having fun you might not drink enough fluids (or too much alcohol) which results in dehydration. In high altitude dry climates like Utah or Colorado getting dehydrated is a year round concern because of the low humidity and the persistent sun. Including a powdered sports drink to mix with water at half strength is a good way to be prepared for heat exhaustion and dehydration. Although it does not taste as good as full strength sports drink, the electrolytes are better absorbed and retained by your body at half strength.
Have a special medical condition like angina, diabetes, or allergies? Be sure to keep emergency medications prescribed by your physician on hand. For example, take your epi-pen with you when you go trekking if you’re allergic to bees. If you have angina or a heart condition and your doctor prescribes nitroglycerin or baby aspirin be sure to pack them in your camping gear. Even if you only occasionally use a medication, like an inhaler for asthma, bring it along. Experiencing a medical emergency because you forgot to pack your medication is a sure fire way to ruin your camping trip.
Every first aid kit should also have a few convenience items. These are not necessarily life saving tools, but can improve your quality of life. Over the counter medications like ibuprofen and immodium are probably things you have at home, toss a couple into your camping gear to make sure a minor problem doesn’t ruin your trip. Triple antibiotic ointment helps speed healing and prevents infection with simple cuts. Vitamin E and aloe preparations are a necessity for sun burn. You don’t necessarily need to bring these along on your hike but keep them in your camper or tent if you need them.
Finally, to be prepared to handle a medical emergency at any time, take a first aid class. Having the right equipment is only the first step in being prepared. Ensure that you have the knowledge and skills to use your equipment effectively. Check your local community center or fire department to see when they offer their next first aid or first responder course. You will be glad that you made the effort to get prepared.
