If you are one who loves the outdoors and the wilderness, then camping in the forest is one activity where we break away from our routine to suck in what nature has to offer. Camping provides a great means of escape and to unwind from the day to day stress you may have from work or from life itself. Fun as it may be, you need to be properly prepared for a camping adventure. Anything could happen in the wild, and you have to be prepared for the worst. A properly thought out survival kit is critical for such adventure and in this article I will cover what that is exactly. There are some very essential tools for your survival kit that you can’t afford to ignore while camping in the outdoors. Here are the essential items I have listed out to be included in your camping survival kit:

• Portable water bottle
• Medical first-aid kit
• Warm blanket/tarp
• Some warm clothes
• Water purifiers like tablets
• Flashlight
• Compass along with the map of the area
• Tinder/kindling
• Firestarter / lighter / matches
• Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)
• Mobile phone
• Whistle/signal mirror
• Fishing line or dental floss
• Pocket knife

FIRST AID KIT

Before you set out for camping, you need to prepare the first aid kit very carefully. The kit must contain bandages, gauzes, sterilized tissues, and gloves. Additionally, you can include sewing needles, personal medication, thin cords, antibacterial crème or wipes, over the counter painkillers, etc. Don’t go for the too large medical kit or it will add to the unnecessary load.

 PORTABLE WATER

 Our body is mostly composed of water which means we need water the most in order to survive. Camping without safe and pure water is highly risky. In case you take impure water and fall ill, the entire fun will be lost and the camping trip will become a nightmare. So, the topmost priority for survival is to have sufficient purified water. Purifying tablets are highly recommended for camping thanks to health-related issues.

NAVIGATIONAL TOOLS

It is extremely important to include a compass and a map of the area you are camping at, in your camping survival kit. Campers tend to wonder off in the woods at times, and if you are like me, love to explore, and there is a high chance of getting lost if you wander off too deep into the woods. So it is extremely important to have tools ready to help you get back to your campsite safely. Never underestimate the importance of a compass and a map. They are that important in improving your chance of survival in the wilderness. Even if you think you are very familiar with the camp site.

SHELTER

If you have planned a camping trip that spans over 3 or 6 days, you will need a proper shelter to keep you safe from all the elements. The most obvious challenge would be the weather condition. You will need a durable all-weather tent with built materials meeting your needs and comfort. Carrying your own sleeping bag or portable sack is going to be ideal as it will provide you comfort on one hand, and save your time for sight-seeing and fun making on the other.

SUITABLE CLOTHING

You may never get to use them but camping is something where the unexpected should be expected at the time. Besides, the clothing should be according to weather conditions. While focusing on clothes, never forget the shoes. You must have waterproof shoes while camping in the forest or near the river or stream. If you are camping in winter, extra winter clothing is a must in your survival kit. A final suggestion for camping clothing is to include clothing synthetic material as they come in really handy. They will cost you next to nothing but may add a little extra weight to your backpack. Where cotton clothes keep you warmer, they get dry much slower. Wool, on the other hand, remains warm even if it is wet.

FIRE MAKING TIDBITS

If you have planned your camping in the winter season, you must be able to make a fire quickly. Therefore, you must add a quick fire starter in your kit. For that purpose, you got to have a lighter, a fire-starter kit or at least traditional matches must be included in the list.

THE FLASHLIGHT

The flashlight is not just used to show you the way in the dark but it is also a good device for signaling in case you lose your way in the forest. Occasional accidents are something that cannot be ruled out. In case of any unwanted accident, the flashlight serves as a great signaling device. The whistle and signal mirror also work well in this regard.

MOBILE PHONE

Last but not least is to have a dependable mobile phone with good signal quality and a battery with longer duration charge capacity. The mobile phone is going to be the only device that you can use in case of an emergency and be connected with the outside world. Another good item to go with the mobile phone is a reliable power-bank for charging your phone when the battery is low.

Hope this article has been helpful in your preparation of a camping survival kit. Always remember to respect the unexpected and always be ready for them.