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Must-Have Survival Items for Camping

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Camping is a fun pastime, but you never know when your weekend in the woods will turn into a survival camping trip.

That’s why it’s important to always be prepared in case the worst happens. To start off on the right foot, you’ll want to pack your camping gear carefully. 

5 Must-Have Survival Items for Camping

Here, we are going to take a look at some things you’ll need to survive a camping trip. With this survival essentials list, you’ll be ready for anything!

Camping is a fun pastime but you never know when your weekend in the woods will turn into a survivalist camping trip.

1. A Tent and the Right Clothes

When you go camping, you probably already have a shelter, like a tent, with you. When it comes to survival, you’ll want to make sure that this is handy for a variety of reasons. 

For example, think about going camping when it’s cold. Without shelter, hypothermia can set in fast, and as cold shock starts to occur, survival rates plummet quickly. In addition, if it’s raining, the time it takes for hypothermia to occur decreases drastically. 

Because of complications such as this, you’ll want to make sure you have a safe place to get out of the elements in an emergency situation. It can also be helpful to have something around for warmth, such as a sleeping bag or extra clothes. 

When choosing extra clothes for your camping trip, there are a few rules to keep in mind. Use these tips to best keep yourself warm and safe in any situation:

Be sure to cover regions of critical heat loss: head, neck, armpits, groin, and the sides of the chest

  • Layering clothes can be useful
  • Do not rely on cotton clothing
  • Moisture-wicking layers can be helpful in wet conditions

2. A Fire Starter Kit

Of course, fire is another way to keep yourself warm. On top of that, fire is essential to food preparation. 

While it is possible to start a fire on your own, it isn’t always practical. This could be due to skill level or uncontrollable forces such as windy weather. A great piece of survival gear to keep with you on any camping trip is a fire starter kit.

3. Water Purification

While you might get away without camping food for a little while, the same can’t be said for water. However, before dipping into the first stream you see, it’s crucial to learn the best water purification methods for your drinking water. 

Untreated or non-purified water isn’t just pure water, and it can be very dangerous. There are things in it that can make you very sick, which is the opposite of what you want when you are trying to survive.

This water could contain bacteria, parasites, viruses, heavy metals, and other things that have run into it. 

To avoid this danger, you should pack a water purification tool. A popular choice is portable water filters that help clean water as you drink it. It’s also a good idea to bring some water purification tabs as they are easily transported and lightweight.

Swiss Safe 5-in-1 Fire Starter with Compass, Paracord and Whistle (2-Pack) for Emergency Survival Kits, Camping, Hiking, All-Weather Magnesium Ferro RodSwiss Safe 5-in-1 Fire Starter with Compass, Paracord and Whistle (2-Pack) for Emergency Survival Kits, Camping, Hiking, All-Weather Magnesium Ferro RodSwiss Safe 5-in-1 Fire Starter with Compass, Paracord and Whistle (2-Pack) for Emergency Survival Kits, Camping, Hiking, All-Weather Magnesium Ferro RodLifeStraw Personal Water Filter - Removes 99.999999% of Waterborne Bacteria (Including E. coli and Salmonella), and 99.999% of Waterborne ParasitesLifeStraw Personal Water Filter – Removes 99.999999% of Waterborne Bacteria (Including E. coli and Salmonella), and 99.999% of Waterborne ParasitesLifeStraw Personal Water Filter - Removes 99.999999% of Waterborne Bacteria (Including E. coli and Salmonella), and 99.999% of Waterborne Parasites

4. Weapons for Hunting and Protection

In a survival situation, you’re going to need to hunt for food. After all, a lack of food can be a problem. You can live quite a while without food, but not having any will weaken you, which is the last thing you need in a survival situation. 

As well as hunting, there’s a chance that you’ll need to protect yourself in a situation such as this. It’s very hard to do this with no means of protection available. The exact protection can come in a few different forms. 

Most campers bring some sort of knife with them on their trips, and that’s a good start. It’s a versatile tool that can be used for protection, hunting, and even preparing food. Unfortunately, it is a tool that can only be used in short range. 

Make sure to opt for a survival knife rather than a simple pocket knife. These are stronger and will serve you much better in a survival situation. My favorite is the classic KA-BAR USMC fixed blade knife.

Another option is to carry a gun that you might already have if you are on a hunting trip. The rifles, or AR-15s, of recreational shooters are great tools to ensure you have food and protection if things go south.

KA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife, StraightKA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife, StraightKA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife, Straight

5. First Aid Kit

Last but definitely not least, you’ll want to pack a first aid kit. Even a minor scrape or cut can prove to be a large problem in a survival situation if it goes untreated. Here are a few things you’ll want to keep in your first aid kit:

  • Bandages
  • Various-sized sterile gauze dressings
  • Alcohol wipes
  • Disposable gloves
  • Painkillers (such as ibuprofen)
  • Thermometer
  • Antiseptic cream  

Conclusion

It’s always a good idea to be prepared if things take a turn for the worst. With this gear, you’ll be ready for anything. Be sure to pack them before you head out on your next camping adventure!

Camping is a fun pastime but you never know when your weekend in the woods will turn into a survivalist camping trip.