Going Camping Not Without Your First Aid Equipment

Summer is here, and what better time to escape the daily grind and get reacquainted with the great outdoors? If you're planning to go camping this summer, there is a lot you have to do to get prepared. After all, there's nothing worse than being stuck in the wilderness without the right tools to access any and all situations. Why do you think the Boy Scouts motto is "Be prepared"? Well, realistically, you can't be prepared for everything, but one area in which you can be prepared is first aid. Camping is incredibly fun but being outdoors leaves you more vulnerable to injury or illness, so it's important that you have the right first aid equipment and emergency medical supplies to handle anything that comes your way. Here are a few items you have in your first aid equipment arsenal:

1) Flashlight with backup batteries. If you're going camping without a flashlight, you may as well go without a tent. It's that essential. It's also crucial that you have some backup batteries, just in case the ones in the flashlight die.

2) Whistle. If anyone gets separated from the group, they'll be a lot easier to find with a whistle.

3) Tweezers. There are many opportunities to get a splinter while camping. Tweezers are an overlooked item that should be in among your first aid supplies.

4) Band aids. If you have a first aid kit, it's likely to have some of these already in its cache. But bringing extras is a great idea. Especially if you are bringing a small kit that is meant to treat injuries on a single person.

5) Bandage tape, gauze pads and small scissors. For those injuries that band aids just don't cover, you're going to need gauze pads and bandage tape. Be sure that if it's an open wound, you don't place the gauze on too tight, or it will stick to the wound and reopen when the gauze is removed. Which then results in extreme pain for the injured.

6) Anti-itch cream (hydrocortisone). It's summer so that means mosquitoes are on the prowl. Even if you're covered in bug repellant, you may end up getting a few bites here and there, so you'll really thank yourself when you discover your anti-itch cream in the first aid kit.

7) Thermometer. There are many cheap disposable models available at drug stores, or if you want something a little more permanent, you can opt for a digital one.

8) Burn ointment. Planning on making smores over an open fire? Then you should most definitely pack some burn ointment.

9) Antiseptic spray or solution. If anyone in the group gets cuts or scrapes on the trip, which is very possible if you're hiking or climbing on the trip, you're going to need plenty of antiseptic spray or solution on hand to prevent infection.

10) Aspirin or Ibuprofen. It's a basic first aid item, but one that is absolutely vital. You don't want to end up in the middle of the woods with a migraine and no pain reliever.