Camping Tips: Must Haves for your Camping First Aid Kit

What’s the most important thing you bring camping? Food, water, shelter, something to do for the kids? Of course! One thing we campers sometimes overlook is a fully-stocked first-aid kit. It’s easy to grab a generic kit from your favorite large retailer, but if you’re going to spend an entire weekend outside (especially with kids), you’ll want to make sure you’re well prepared. From bug bites to more serious injuries, here’s a checklist of all the items you’ll want to keep everyone happy and healthy this camping season. Read on!

First, the Basic List:

• Adhesive bandages of various sizes
• Antiseptic wipes
• Antibacterial ointment
• Butterfly bandages
• Pain and anti-inflammatory medicine (Ibuprofen)
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Scissors, tweezers, safety pins, knife
• Insect sting, anti-itch treatments
• Gauze pads
• Blister treatment
• Antihistamine for allergies
• Sunburn relief (Aloe Vera, spray)
• Anti-diarrhea medicine
• Hand sanitizer
• Medical adhesive tape
• First-aid manual and/or information cards

Can you get away without a few of these things? Probably. At a minimum, make sure you have bandages, pain medicine, sunburn and insect bite relief and some antibacterial ointment/liquid. A cut on a knee might not seem like much, but get dirt in there with no way to clean it and you’re looking at a hospital visit.

Depending on what activities you’re planning, you’ll want to bring additional items (no one wants to just sit in the tent all day!). For example:

If you’re fishing:

• Hook remover kit
• Alcohol swabs for cuts

If you’re hiking:

• Moleskin
• Signaling device (whistle)
• Survival blanket
• Epi pen
• Compass or navigation devices

Obviously, the longer and more remote your travels, the more you’ll want/need to bring. Being prepared by planning your activities ahead of time and having a well-stocked first-aid kit at the ready will give you peace of mind and certainly help in any sort of emergency (or non-emergency) situation.

As always, visit us at MidwestOutdoorResorts.com or call (800) 231-0425 and we’ll be happy to help plan your next awesome adventure today! Happy exploring!