How to Create an Outdoor Survival Kit

July 8, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing tips on how to create an outdoor survival kit. If you love all things relating to camping and the outdoors you will love this post, and the great tips that we have.

First, you can find tons of online sources such as this one where you can learn more about survival methods.  This article has just what you will need for when you’re looking for a quick and easy guide on the basics of survival.  Additionally, you will find information on basic items that you will need to withstand any situation in the woods or outdoors when stranded.

 

outdoor survival kits

 

How to Create an Outdoor Survival Kit:

 

These items below will give you an idea of the basic requirements needed when going on a trip.  It can include camping, a zombie apocalypse, or any other fun thing.

A First Aid Kit

A first aid kit is a lifesaver.  We cannot control nature, but we can control some of the things we encounter while enjoying nature.  This includes snake bites, bug bites, ants, mosquitoes, hypothermia, headaches, diarrhea, poisoning, burns, and cuts to name a few. Please note that infection can occur if bites and cuts are not treated immediately and correctly. This is where having a first aid kit is crucial.  As a result, it is necessary to make sure you have the necessary items in your kit.  Make a list, and ensure your items are included before stepping out the door.

 

 

outdoor survival kit

 

 

Making a Fire

It is important to have the right equipment to make fires when camping or just enjoying the outdoors.  Black powder firearms can be useful, but make sure you practice proper gun safety when using this method.

The technique involves pushing a cotton cloth down the barrel of the gun till it touches the powder charge and firing it, away from yourself or anyone else.  Once the cloth is fired out of the gun it should be ‘lit’, at which point you pick it up and blow on it to ignite the flame. Oxygen and fuel together, produce heat.  Thus, when you blow on the cloth it already has heat and you will be providing the oxygen.

Other things you can use to light a fire is setting a match to dry grass and adding other flammable items.  Use a match to light the grass.  Next, blow on it until it ignites.  At this point you can add other flammable items that you have collected including reeds, more grass, or elements that are flammable to make it bigger.

Pinecone fire starters are great for camping trips or other outdoor activities.  You can make them prior to making your camping trip or outdoor activity, and it’s a great project to make with the kids.

 

Shelter or Shade

Shelter or Shade is just as important as the other components. Weather conditions can be harsh if not expected.  And, getting sick from it  is not worth it.  So, in the case where it’s raining or possibly too hot, you can build a shelter out of the things around you.  This is a crucial skill to have in any situation.  Make your shelter while it is still daylight.  You can find tips online on how to build an outdoor shelter, like this one for example https://www.outdoorlife.com/survival-shelters-15-best-designs-wilderness-shelters/.

Unfortunately, people have been known to die from animal attacks and hypothermia.  To avoid these unfortunate events, make sure the shelter is away from any hazards such as cliffs, or food sources.  Furthermore, there must be proper insulation such as a tent with a zip to block cold or the wind.  If you have more than one person, try and group under one shelter.

 

 

outdoor survival kit

 

Food and Water

Make sure you have enough food and water.  It’s imperative that you think long-term to ensure that you don’t run out.  Packing food items that are non-perishable such canned goods, powder form, or dry like rice and pasta will ensure food lasts longer.

If you’re not out for too long, you can pack things that give you energy such as beans, pulses, fruits, nuts, and seeds.  If you don’t have bottled water, always make sure you boil or filter any water you need before drinking it.  Don’t ever get tempted to take a sip or two of water from a lake or river. You need to avoid water-borne diseases as much as you can as they can be fatal.  Many plants found in nature can be consumed too. Such as root tubers, moss, cacti, algae, and mushrooms to name a few.  However, be sure you are picking the correct plants before consuming any.

Last, make sure you use our tips on how to Anyone can make proper use of these basic tips.  things as spelled out above. If you know a little about each one, you’re better off than the next guy!

Filed Under: Outdoor Living Tagged With: , ,

5 Family-Friendly National Parks

July 3, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing travel tips on family friendly National Parks in the United States.  The National Park Service celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2019.  And, there will be plenty of special events at each park throughout the summer. While every park is a worthy destination, you’ll find that some work better for families than others.

 

national parks

 

 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

No other national park offers families as many ways to enjoy their time together as Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Captivating waterfalls, wooded hiking trails, fishing, camping, kayaking, and beautiful wildlife make this free-admission national park a nature-lover’s dream.  The nearby towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are home to a vast array of attractions including America’s #1 Aquarium.  Additionally, the Dollywood theme park, several mountain coasters and chair lifts, water parks, go-karts, ziplines, funky museums and several theaters.  They host a variety of family-themed music, comedy, and magic shows year-round.

Gatlinburg and Pigeon have plenty of lodging.  However, for an authentic Smoky Mountain experience, many people choose a rental cabin.  Pigeon Forge cabins offer the rustic charm of a mountain lodge combined with the convenience of modern living. Most cabins come with large decks.  Furthermore, many are equipped with hot tubs and barbeque grills.  Inside are game rooms, fireplaces, fully-equipped kitchens, multiple televisions, and Wi-Fi.  Some larger cabins even have built-in home theaters, and all cabins come with views of the surrounding Smoky Mountains.  The views range from tranquil and park-like, to stunning and magnificent.

 

national parks

 

The Grand Canyon

At Grand Canyon National Park, you can explore an 800-year-old ancestral Pueblo site on the Tusayan Ruins Tour.  Or, learn about some of the park’s diverse wildlife on the “Critter Chat” tour. Both are ranger-led, and both are free. When the kids or your feet have had enough, you can still enjoy canyon vistas from the comfort of your car. The 26-mile Desert View Drive (otherwise known as the East Rim Drive) from Grand Canyon Village to Desert View offers breathtaking views.  There are plenty of photo ops along the way.  Grand Canyon Village has several restaurants, a supermarket, plenty of places to picnic, and, of course, incredible views.

Stay inside the park at one of the seven lodgings (six on the south rim, one on the North Rim) for the ultimate Grand Canyon experience. Some rooms may even have a view of the canyon, depending on where you stay. If the park lodgings are booked, stay in nearby Williams, AZ. From there, you can take the rustic Grand Canyon Railway to the park. Storytellers and musicians provide entertainment and bring the Old West to life on the two-and-a-half hour ride.

 

Arches National Park

Add Arches National Park to your list of national parks.  It is the world’s densest concentration of natural stone arches.  In addition, there are spectacular red-rock formations, incredible scenic drives, and easy hikes with big payoffs.  They make Arches National Park one of the most visited parks in America. The park has broad appeal because visitors don’t need to hike to enjoy the park. Formations like Delicate Arch, Balanced Rock, Landscape Arch, and Parade of Elephants can easily be seen from various roadside stops.

This southeastern corner of Utah is unique in offering two national parks close together, just outside the hub town of Moab. If you have time, spend a day at nearby Canyonlands National Park, as well as Arches. A wilderness made up of countless canyons and spectacular buttes carved by the Colorado River, this park is well worth the visit. Larger and wilder than Arches, it also can’t be easily accessed by car – so if you tire of roadside attractions and people, you know where to go.

 

Zion National Park

In the southwestern part of Utah, Zion National Park features massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red.  Also, a unique array of plants, animals, and rich history brings visitors from all over the world. Zion has many family-friendly hikes, The Pa’rus Trail and the Riverside Walk.  For  example, both offer a sampling of Zion’s gorgeous scenery and are even wheelchair accessible. The Emerald Pools Trail and the Weeping Rock Trail have spring-fed pools, waterfalls, and views of the canyon. Both trails are easy enough to navigate with small children.

Zion’s main road – the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive – is closed to vehicle traffic from April to October.  But, the National Park Service runs shuttle buses to many stops throughout the park. The shuttle starts in the nearby town of Springdale and runs all day. Springdale has plenty of family restaurants, reasonably priced accommodations, and a mix of shopping.

 

 

Yellowstone National Park

Striking cliffs, granite domes, colorful wildflowers, lush forests, 200-foot tall sequoias, and of course, Old Faithful make Yellowstone National Park a family favorite. For the kids, the Park Service runs several Ranger Programs like the Junior Ranger Wildlife Olympics. The entire family will enjoy the tours of Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Canyon Village. For the ultimate in star gazing, check out Cosmic Update, or Planet-Building in the Universe, two of the parks Astronomy programs offered in partnership with the Museum of the Rockies.

For a different perspective, take a boat tour of Yellowstone Lake on the Ranger-led Lake Sceni-Cruise. Yellowstone also has over 900 miles of hiking trails, dramatic scenery, and hundreds of animal species. Because Yellowstone is nearly 3,500-sq.-miles and covers parts of three states, you might want to consider camping inside the park at one of the twelve campgrounds. If the family balks at spending the night in the wilderness, Yellowstone also has a variety of lodgings.  There are nine in total, including the Old Faithful Inn and the rustic Roosevelt Lodge.

 

Filed Under: Vacation Destinations Tagged With: , , ,

Common Camping Injuries and How to Avoid Them

April 24, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Camping is a great activity and offers you the perfect getaway from a hectic routine. Camping makes a splendid family adventure and offers a fun-filled activity. Whether it is over the weekend or for a longer period, add a camping trip to your travel tips.  Living outdoors with basic amenities, cooking your own food, and sleeping in tents is more adventurous than you could ask for.  Not to mention the campfires and staring into the night sky with marvelous views that would take away all your stress and worries.  Today, I’m going to share tips on common camping injuries.  

 

 

common camping injuries

 

 

 

 While camping is a great activity and gives you a break from your routine life, it also exposes you to certain threats and dangers. Therefore, it is necessary to exercise reasonable precaution while you are camping to avoid discomfort and to maximize your enjoyment. If you are camping with your family, you are not only responsible for your safety but also for your family. Kids would play around and can often expose themselves to dangers, which is why you need to ensure their safety.

 You always need to carry first aid kits that can come in handy under dire circumstances, but understanding the risks and dangers you are exposed to would help in taking necessary precautions. Some of the most common camping injuries and ways to avoid them are:

 Burns

If you are not an experienced camper, you are bound to get burned a few times before you actually learn to start a campfire. Campfires certainly do not operate as your conventional stove, which has a gas controller. Therefore, you cannot control the flow of the flames and need to be cautious. Avoid placing the campfire too close to the tents or to other flammable stuff. When you sit around the fire, always sit in the opposite direction of the wind. Strong winds can direct the heat right towards you which can cause skin burns, choking, watery eyes, and discomfort. Second, when you start a campfire, do not add a lot of firewood immediately; let the fire settle in and add extra wood gradually to control the flame.

 

 

 

 

 

 Cuts and bruises

The most common injury on camping trips is cuts and bruises, if you are camping in a mountainous region with uneven grounds. When you are traveling with heavy backpacks, you might lose your footwork easily on uneven grounds that can cause bruises and cuts. While you go on a camping trip, always wear adventure gear and long boots to give your feed added protection and stability on slippery surfaces.

You also need to be careful while setting up the tent, handling sharp objects, and collecting firewood, as they carry the risks of being cut. Keep bandages and ointments for emergency and disinfectants to apply on wounds. For serious cuts, seek immediate medical help

Sprains and Fractures

Add slips and falls to the list of common camping injuries.  Slips and falls are likely when you are camping in uneven terrains or slippery surfaces. If you are camping in such regions or during rainy seasons, you can easily slip and sprain your leg. In worse scenarios, slip and fall can result in severe injuries, which would incapacitate you during the trip. Camping activities are supposed to be enjoyable and if you hurt your leg or sprain your ankle, it would be difficult to move around.

You always need to keep analgesics and wearable supporters for such situations. Moreover, you need to be extra careful in slippery areas. If you slip and injure yourself, do not put pressure on the affected area and seek immediate medical help. Often, what might seem like a sprain can turn into a severe fracture, which can only be confirmed by an x-ray. Therefore, always seek medical help immediately after you incur an injury.

 Now that most physicians have incorporated telemedicine into their practice, you can contact them using your smartphone or laptop.

 

 

 

 

Bug Bites

Bug bites are on the list of common camping injuries.  While camping is fun and adventurous, it can expose you to various bugs and insects that dwell in the wilderness. Bug bites such as mosquito bites can lead to complex health problems and would waste your trip. You need to be careful while you sleep as bugs often approach during nighttime. Keep bug repellant sprays with you and anti-bug body lotions; apply as and when required, especially during the night when bugs are highly active. Bug bites can cause you quite discomfort; mostly commonly itchiness. Certain bug bites are poisonous and require immediate attention to lower the risks of severe health conditions. If you are bitten by a bug and feel irritation, contact the closest doctor immediately. 

 Skin Ailments

Your body can have various reactions to the atmosphere and weather conditions. If you have a sensitive skin, you are likely to face some sort of allergy and skin problems.  Unfortunately, they can ruin your trip and turn it into an unpleasant venture. If you understand your allergies and understand your skin ailments, keep necessary medications, skin ointments to mitigate the risks of skin rashes and irritation.

 These simple tips can help your discomfort during your overnight camping adventure and would allow you to make the most out of your trip. Always carry generic, over-the-counter medicines and painkillers for quick relief from the above conditions. Other critical injuries involve snake bites that are poisonous and can be lethal. In case of snake bites, never try to suck out the poison nor cover the wound. Relax and seek immediate medical help as snake bites can only be treated by an antidote.

We hope that you will use our list of common camping injuries to prepare and hopefully avoid them on your next camping trip. 

About the author: James Smith is a survivalist, who loves to write about survival skills and techniques. You can follow him at @JamesSmith1609

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                         

Filed Under: Parenting Tips, Safety, Travel, Travel Tips Tagged With: , ,