When we go camping, we tend to focus on the big picture. Where we’ll go, what we’ll see, and what we’ll experience are all elements we obsess over. Though there’s nothing wrong with this, it can lead to us missing out on a few things that could make or break our enjoyment, or which could keep us safe. We want to explore those little things that can be overlooked, but that no savvy camper can afford to miss out on.
Survival Kits
Accidents and surprises happen, no matter how well-prepared you are or how safe the place you stay has proven to be in the past. Being prepared is the best solution to this problem, so we’d recommend campers invest in survival kits. Note that the exact contents of a survival kit will vary depending on your needs, but they can be separated into general and tech varieties.
A general survival kit needs to be equipped with everything you’d need to survive if your primary gear was somehow ruined. Emergency long-term food is a must, as are water filtration or treatment equipment, tarps, fire starters, and first aid kits. There are readymade survival kits that are put together with careful consideration by professionals which can come in handy during such emergency situations.
The other part of this equation is a tech survival kit. These kits are built around data security, as well as ensuring you have the tech to communicate no matter your location. The data aspect of these kits will obviously be more important if you intend to keep up with your workflow during a trip, but other components like power banks and satellite phones will be universally useful.
Backups for Safety
One of the most common mistakes we’ve seen while camping is when people forget to bring backups for regular equipment. This happens all the time with footwear, which, through accident or general wear, can unexpectedly fail. While this level of failure might not cause someone to need to head home, it can still prevent you from taking part in the activities you have planned. A simple old pair of shoes might not be a perfect long-term solution, but it can be better than nothing, and many camping goods come with similarly viable short-term backups.
Remember Entertainment
If you’re lucky, you won’t need to bring any entertainment with you, but the weather can be fickle at the best of times. Whether taking a book or loading your phone with movies, entertainment won’t just keep you occupied if you’re locked in, it can also help maintain a positive mood. We’d also recommend considering a portable solar charger for those relying on electronics, so you can use your devices and battery banks without being worried about draining them and being left dry.
One final piece of advice we’d have with the smaller things in this article is that you need to familiarize yourself with them before heading out. Learning how to use something in a stressful situation is never fun and can have negative effects on your odds of success. Plan ahead, know what you’re doing, and your next camping trip will be better for the effort.
