First Aid
First Aid knowledge is important for everyone and you never know when you, or someone around you, might need it. This knowledge can take on greater importance when you are out and about and away from help or medical assistance.
A simple trip when camping and travelling can result in a fall; a blow to the head; a cut; a graze or even a broken bone. I clearly remember a stumble whilst stepping from one boulder to another. I landed on my head in an isolated area of the Blackdown Tableland. The event remains with me all these years later. I was fortunate not to be alone.
Safety comes in numbers – especially when camping
- Plan to go with someone
- If you want to go alone, let others know you are going and an estimated return time
- Have first aid knowledge and equipment on hand
Camping First Aid Kits
There are many commercially available first aid kits available online, or at chemists and outdoor shops etc. An another option is to build up your own first aid kit and this may be related to the type of camping trips you wish to embark on.
You could also go out and buy a new first aid kit from time to time, but you’ll end up with many items that don’t expire – such as scissors, safety pins and tweezers.
By far the best option I recommend, is to buy a reasonable size first aid kit and add to it as your needs dictate and as time goes on. For example if you react to insect bites, consider adding repellent and soothing ointments.
Be careful however, because items that you have in your first aid kit will expire and need to be replaced.
When camping be prepared
Make it a calendar event to go through your kit, familiarise yourself with its contents, know where each item is stored, replace any expired items and buy new ones.
Some extra items I encourage you to add to your kit would be several wide crepe bandages for snake bites. Your first aid kit may well have a couple of crepe bandages, but you will come to appreciate from your first aid training that the role of these bandages in cases of snake bites is to immobilise the whole limb and reduce the possibility of the snake’s venom travelling through the lymphatic system and into the blood system. The more bandages the better but don’t apply them too tight.
First aid courses
When something happens, especially something you are not prepared for it is really easy to lose focus. Most of us out there camping are doing it with family and friends, so having a situation involving someone you love or care about can send you into a panic. Having some first aid knowledge can be the saviour in these types of situations and it is amazing how quickly the training you may have thought you’d never remember comes flooding back.
Where is the first aid camping kit
Finally, keep your first aid kit in a location that can be easily accessed whilst travelling and camping – and make sure others with you know where it is too.
Types of injuries when camping
- Falls
- Burns
- Bites
- Breaks
- Grazes
- Cuts
Don’t let this discourage your next camping trip. Just have what you may need on hand and enjoy the trip! And this is safety when camping in Australia 101.
This information is provided as general information and not intended as medical or first aid advice.
Most importantly – Get Out&About!
