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Camping First Aid Kits: An Outdoors Essential

By: Gary Colvin

As an Eagle Scout, former Junior Assistant Scoutmaster and camp staff employee, some of my fondest memories were the outdoor adventures we had as a young man. But I also learned that ANYTHING can happen in the outdoors. The Scout motto (Be Prepared) is very good advice. And I'm here to tell you: if you go outdoors, you need to take along a good camping first aid kit.

But your first question may be: "Why can't I just use the first aid kit that I have at home?" I'll tell you right off: that won't work. How come? Because outdoor adventures can cause outdoor medical emergencies - like broken bones, frostbite, or snakebite. And typical home first aid kits just don't have the supplies that you will need for those situations. You need one that has been specially stocked with all the supplies you will need there.

Which reminds me: if you have a child enrolled in the Boy or Girl Scouts program, one of the coolest (and practical) gifts that you can give them is a good first aid kit. Ditto for someone who is in to wilderness excursions or survival camping. These kits have been known to save lives - and that's not marketing hype.

Of course, good camping first aid kits should be well-stocked. For sure it should contain more than just antiseptic towelettes, burn cream and band-aids! These kits should include such things as a variety of bandages (including some for bandaging large wounds), adhesive tape, finger and leg splints, ace bandages, tweezers, scissors, snake bite kit, vinyl gloves - and also a comprehensive first aid guide.

By the way, a good comprehensive first aid guide is critical. It will tell you what to do for wounds, burns, handling cases of poisoning, animal bites, broken bones - even drowning and what to do if someone is unconscious. If the guide included in your kit is too skimpy on content, buy a larger book and keep it with your kit at all times.

Here's a tip from the experts: Go out and buy one of those sturdy metal fishing tackle boxes - you know, the ones with the drawers on each side that fold out when the case is opened. You can stock it with everything you will need - and they make a great gift as a Scout troop camping first aid kit, or for use by an entire family.

You can (and should) also include these other items in your first aid kit as well: Tylenol or aspirin, a pre-paid cellular phone, water purification tablets, emergency matches (in a waterproof case), a set of thermal blankets, and a handheld GPS device. Of course, you will not find some of these items in most pre-stocked kits, so you will have to buy them separately and then add them to yours.

On a final note: Once you have put your kit all together with the supplies you need, don't forget to inspect the contents at least once or twice a year. You should remove any medicines if they are past their expiration date, as well as any supplies that have been opened or damaged, as that will compromise their sterility. If you use anything from your camping first aid kit, make sure to replace it. If you don't you may need it later during a medical emergency.

As an Eagle Scout, former Junior Assistant Scoutmaster and camp staff employee, some of my fondest memories were the outdoor adventures we had as a young man. But I also learned that ANYTHING can happen in the outdoors. The Scout motto (Be Prepared) is very good advice. And I'm here to tell you: if you go outdoors, you need to take along a good camping first aid kit.

But your first question may be: "Why can't I just use the first aid kit that I have at home?" I'll tell you right off: that won't work. How come? Because outdoor adventures can cause outdoor medical emergencies - like broken bones, frostbite, or snakebite. And typical home first aid kits just don't have the supplies that you will need for those situations. You need one that has been specially stocked with all the supplies you will need there.

Which reminds me: if you have a child enrolled in the Boy or Girl Scouts program, one of the coolest (and practical) gifts that you can give them is a good first aid kit. Ditto for someone who is in to wilderness excursions or survival camping. These kits have been known to save lives - and that's not marketing hype.

Of course, good camping first aid kits should be well-stocked. For sure it should contain more than just antiseptic towelettes, burn cream and band-aids! These kits should include such things as a variety of bandages (including some for bandaging large wounds), adhesive tape, finger and leg splints, ace bandages, tweezers, scissors, snake bite kit, vinyl gloves - and also a comprehensive first aid guide.

By the way, a good comprehensive first aid guide is critical. It will tell you what to do for wounds, burns, handling cases of poisoning, animal bites, broken bones - even drowning and what to do if someone is unconscious. If the guide included in your kit is too skimpy on content, buy a larger book and keep it with your kit at all times.

Here's a tip from the experts: Go out and buy one of those sturdy metal fishing tackle boxes - you know, the ones with the drawers on each side that fold out when the case is opened. You can stock it with everything you will need - and they make a great gift as a Scout troop camping first aid kit, or for use by an entire family.

You can (and should) also include these other items in your first aid kit as well: Tylenol or aspirin, a pre-paid cellular phone, water purification tablets, emergency matches (in a waterproof case), a set of thermal blankets, and a handheld GPS device. Of course, you will not find some of these items in most pre-stocked kits, so you will have to buy them separately and then add them to yours.

On a final note: Once you have put your kit all together with the supplies you need, don't forget to inspect the contents at least once or twice a year. You should remove any medicines if they are past their expiration date, as well as any supplies that have been opened or damaged, as that will compromise their sterility. If you use anything from your camping first aid kit, make sure to replace it. If you don't you may need it later during a medical emergency.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlesexpress.com

Author: Gary Colvin talks about camping, the outdoors and Coleman Camping Stoves Learn more aboutFolding Camping Trailers by stopping by his website.
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