When camping in the wilderness, it is important to have the proper safety equipment. These items could save your life if something goes wrong.
Use insect repellent containing DEET to protect against mosquitoes and ticks that can cause diseases.
Never use fuel-burning equipment such as gas stoves, heaters, or charcoal grills inside tents, campers, or other enclosed shelters. This can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
First Aid Kit
As a hiker or backpacker, you should always carry a first aid kit with you. Even minor injuries can become serious if you have to wait until you reach a campsite or civilization for help. A good first aid kit will have a variety of items, from adhesive bandages to a pair of sterile alcohol prep pads.
The best option is the Adventure Medical Kits Hiker, which has a great balance of weight to preparedness. It has a curated assortment of supplies in goldilocks quantities and comes in a hangable bag that makes it easy to find what you need and keep it organized.
If you want a more comprehensive kit, check out the MyMedic MyFAK. It’s the heaviest of all the kits we tested, but it also includes heavy-duty medical gear that many other options leave out, such as pressure bandages, saline irrigation tubes, and a pair of EMT-style shears. It also has a handy chart printed on the side for comparing dilated pupils.
Map and Compass
Whether you’re a backcountry hiker, a mountain climber, or a participant in one of those survival shows on the Discovery Channel, knowing how to use a map and compass is vital. Being able to navigate using a map and compass is the basis for any wilderness survival training program.
The heart of a compass is a magnetic needle that lines up with the earth’s magnetic north. When you place the compass on a flat map, it’s easy to orient your direction to a landmark or campsite. Then, you can follow a bearing to stay on track and find your way in even the most rugged terrain.
Although GPS devices are great, it’s important to have a basic understanding of map and compass proficiency in case your electronics fail. Plus, learning how to navigate the old-fashioned way is a fun and satisfying skill that will make you feel more connected to your surroundings.
Hiking Boots
For hiking over rocky terrain or carrying a heavier backpack, boots provide the additional support needed to keep feet comfortable and stable. Stiff boots that feature a lug pattern designed to increase traction are best for steep rock and other technical terrain, while lighter boots with shallow lugs offer better performance on packed trails. If you prefer to hike with a light pack and focus on speed and movement, consider a lightweight boot like the Altra Lone Peak Hiker 2 or Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid. These boots are typically waterproof and made with a combination of mesh and synthetics instead of pure leather, keeping the weight down. Many lightweight boots are also crampon-compatible to allow the use of micro-spikes.
Some hikers also choose to combine a lightweight boot with a flexible shoe for a hybrid option that is good for both day hiking and overnight backpacking.
Fire Starter
A roaring campfire is the center of any picture-perfect campsite, and it’s essential for keeping you warm and cooking your food. However, starting a fire can be difficult without the right equipment. That’s why we recommend having a fire starter in your backpack on camping trips!
This flint-and-match fire starter comes with a tinder, matches, and a striker all in a waterproof case. It also doubles as a screwdriver, hex wrench, and map scale, and it can even melt metal!
Whether you’re hiking in Utah or glamping in the Sierras, having a reliable fire starter is essential. This multipurpose tool will help you overcome any challenge that Mother Nature throws your way. Plus, it’s incredibly lightweight and fits in the palm of your hand, making it ideal for backcountry backpacking! It’s an easy addition to your hiking gear list that will save you in the event of a survival situation. You can purchase one here. When considering essential outdoor gear like a fire starter, you may want to check for available discounts or coupons, such as a White Duck Outdoors Coupon code, to potentially save on your purchase.
Headlamp
Whether setting up your tent in the dark, trail running after dark, or reading a book around the campfire, headlamps offer hands-free lighting. They also come in a wide range of brightness, run time, beam distance, and size, so you can find one that suits your needs.
Some of the best headlamps include a red mode that preserves night vision more than white light, which is ideal when cooking or hanging out at camp. Other features, such as waterproof and shake-proof construction, are helpful when exploring rugged terrain or camping in inclement weather.
It’s easy to become disoriented in complete darkness, so a compass is essential camping survival equipment for finding your way back to your campsite or retracing your steps in case of an emergency. Some models even come with a whistle and mirror to help signal rescuers in the event of an accident. This military tactical compass is waterproof, shakeproof, and has a fluorescent display that’s easy to read in the dark.
Toilet Paper
Toilet paper is an essential camping gear for those who want to maintain a high level of personal hygiene while outdoors. While many hardcore survivalists think it’s a luxury, many campers swear by it to prevent uncomfortable and embarrassing bathroom situations.
When selecting toilet paper for camping, look for the following features:
Compact packaging: The best camping toilet paper comes in compact, easy-to-carry rolls or packs to save space in your backpack. It should also be water-resistant to protect it from the elements.
Biodegradable: Look for biodegradable toilet paper that is made from environmentally friendly materials and breaks down quickly to minimize your environmental impact.
Leave No Trace: Consult specific campground or land management agency guidelines for waste rules. If burying is allowed, dig a cat hole 6-8 inches deep and at least 200 feet from water sources, trails, and drainages.
For added convenience, choose 2-ply toilet paper that is safe for RV and septic systems. It’s soft, strong, and dissolves quickly to prevent clogs in portable toilets.
Pocket Knife
Camping is a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, but it’s important to bring the right gear. Some essentials include a pocket knife, duct tape, and an emergency space blanket.
The best camping knife is a versatile tool that can tackle the bulk of your campsite tasks like food prep and campfire preparation, but also any cutting task you might face indoors or out. A great option is a fixed blade like the Ontario RAT 7 with a 6-inch SK-5 steel blade that’s designed to handle tough outdoor work such as batoning and chopping wood.
A folding knife is a good choice as well, such as the Benchmade Mini Bugout with a 1095 carbon steel harpoon-style blade that’s designed for EDC use and comes in a sheath you can wear in a variety of ways to keep it close by. You might also want to consider a multi-tool knife, which has several tools in one convenient package such as a can opener, scissors, screwdriver, and more. When looking for outdoor tools and gear like knives, you may want to check for available discounts or coupons, such as a Sport and Outdoor coupon, to potentially save on your purchase.
Multi-Tool
A multi-tool is a great tool to have while camping whether you’re car camping for the weekend or backpacking on a wilderness trail. It can be used for a variety of tasks including cutting ropes, repairing broken tent stakes, and opening cans of food. If you are ever in a situation like Simon Yates in his book Touching the Void, having a multi-tool could save your life.
When picking a multi-tool for camping and survival use, you want to look for one that contains tools specifically designed for these purposes. This includes a ferrocerium rod for striking fire starter tinder and a safety whistle to attract rescuers in an emergency. A tool like the Leatherman Signal meets these criteria and also features a straight-edge knife, combo pliers with replaceable wire cutters, a bit driver, and an awl for sewing. However, it does lack scissors.
Emergency Blanket
A Mylar blanket, a lightweight insulator developed by NASA, is an essential piece of camping safety equipment. These insulators help prevent the drop in body temperature that leads to frostbite. They also serve as signaling devices. If you are stranded and can’t get back to your campsite, lay an emergency blanket on the ground and shine it at passing vehicles for help.
These insulated blankets can double as a rain fly for your tent by attaching the corners to sticks pushed into the ground as stakes. They can also serve as a reflector to boost the heat of campfires since their aluminum material reflects 97 percent of radiant heat.
If cut into strips, an emergency blanket becomes a reflective bandage that can be used to pad an arm sling or improvise a C-splint. Mylar can even be used as a clothesline to dry damp clothing twice as fast. It can be fashioned into a Superman cape for children, too.
Conclusion
there are numerous safety equipment options available for campers. The top 10 safety equipment used in camping include a first aid kit, insect repellent, sunscreen, headlamp/flashlight, map and compass, fire starter, whistle, knife/multi-tool, bear spray, and a portable water filter. These items can help ensure a safer and more enjoyable camping experience. Remember to always prioritize safety when exploring the great outdoors.
