1. Location, Location, Location
Campers should pay attention to where they pitch a tent. If you notice many hoof prints, then the area may be a frequent path for large wildlife. Tree limbs can fall because of winds; make sure your tent isn't underneath a tree. Avoid low-lying areas in the event of rain or snow. If you don't have a choice, a three-inch trench around your tent might divert water from entering your tent in case of rain. Keep tents zipped closed or a snake may want to share your warmth in the middle of the night. Always be aware of your surroundings and where you step.
2. Use the Boy Scout Motto - Be Prepared!
Always take a first aid kit along for camping trips. You can buy camping or hiking medical kits or make your own. Include bandages, antibiotic cream, alcohol towelettes and tweezers. In addition, it's a good idea to carry paper packets of medicine, like a pain reliever and something for indigestion. Remember any prescription medication you have, and if you use an inhaler for asthma, bring an extra one. One thing you don't want on a camping trip is diarrhea, so pack something like Imodium AD. If you're hiking into a campsite, chances are you don't want to carry large amounts of water, so take water purification tablets and water filtration devices for backcountry camping. Make sure flashlights work before leaving for your camping trip, and include an extra flashlight and batteries. Don't forget the sunscreen and bug spray. Another item for backcountry camping is a snakebite kit. Learn how to use it before you have to. However, it's always better to seek medical attention if you get bitten.
3. Campfire Do's and Dont's
If you're camping in a campground, check the fire danger from park officials. Never start campfires when the fire danger is high or if you notice wind gusts. It doesn't take fire long to spread out of control. Make a fire pit in an area where it can't spread. Surround the pit with rocks if possible. Keep water nearby for fires that grow too large or to put out fires. Never leave a fire unattended.
4. Bear with Bears
And other critters, as well. You're in wildlife territory now, and if they're hungry or curious, they're going to check you out, particularly your food. Don't trust that varmints won't pilfer unattended ice chests or containers. Raccoons are ingenuous when it comes to getting into food, while bears have the strength to tear through anything. Hang food and cooking pots from a rope on a tree limb. If it's bears you want to avoid, hang food at a distance from your campsite.
5. Lost and Found
The best advice is to use the buddy system outdoors. Don't wander off by yourself; you would be surprised at how easy it is to become disoriented in the wilderness. Paths that you swear will take you back to your campsite could take you farther away. Even if you're hiking through the woods with a buddy, be prepared. A compass and the ability to read it can help you identify your location. If you get lost, human voices yelling for help only last so long. Carry a whistle with you to alert searchers to your location. Don't rely just on cell phones. Many camping locations receive little or no reception. Share your camping plans with someone at home. That person can tell park rangers and emergency personnel where to look.
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