Camping emergencies can be unpredictable, so it’s important to know what to do to take care of yourself or when to ask for help. Here are common camping emergencies and what you can do for yourself or someone else in these situations.

Insect Stings

Insect stings can be very dangerous, especially if you are allergic to bees or wasps. If you aren’t sure if you have an allergy, see your doctor before camping so that he can give you a shot to prevent an allergic reaction. If you get stung, removing the stinger as soon as possible is essential because it contains a large amount of venom. After removing the stinger, apply ice packs or cold compresses to the area where you were stung for 20 minutes at a time. If swelling occurs in nearby areas after being stung, such as around the eyes or mouth, call 911 immediately and seek medical attention immediately.

Sunburns

If the burn is severe, it’s essential to seek medical attention immediately. If the burn is mild, you can help prevent further damage by applying cold compresses to the affected area for 15-20 minutes. Icing will reduce inflammation and pain, helping to decrease swelling and redness. The best way to avoid getting burned is to use sunscreen before heading out into the sun.

Wear long-sleeved clothing, long pants, and caps if you’re going to be outside for longer than an hour to protect yourself from UV rays. Plus, it will keep you cool as you exert yourself during outdoor activities.

Dehydration

When your body expels more moisture than it absorbs, you become dehydrated. This can happen when sweating, vomiting or diarrhea causes fluid loss from your body or when you have a fever or are vomiting. It’s also possible for people who drink too little to become dehydrated because their kidneys don’t produce enough urine.

Dehydration symptoms include thirst, a dry mouth, yellow urine, weakness, and dizziness. Dehydration that is too severe might make a person delirious and unconscious. If you encounter any of these while camping, contact your doctor immediately.

Cuts

One of the most frequent accidents that happen while camping is a cut. Cutting yourself while camping is very different from a cut you would get at home. The worst cuts you can have are deep ones that require stitches, but even small cuts can become infected easily.

How to take care of:

• • Clean the cut with soap and water.

Before handling the injury or applying anything to it, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water.

• • Use clean gauze pads to cover the wound.

If there are dirt particles in the wound, clean it with tweezers or a needle first (but be careful not to push dirt further into the wound). If an object is still in the wound, don’t try to remove it yourself; seek medical attention immediately.

Sprain

The most frequent kind of injury in the wild is a sprain. Ligaments are stretched or torn, causing them to become overstretched or swollen. To treat a sprain, apply heat. If you have a hot water bottle, use that instead of an ice pack; it will relieve pain without cutting off blood circulation.

Conclusion

Be prepared before your next camping trip by having the proper camping equipment with you at all times. This way, if something happens, you’ll be equipped to handle the situation and hopefully avoid having to call for help.