What Dangerous Things Can Happen While Camping in the Wilderness?

What dangerous things can happen while camping in the wilderness?

From falling while hiking and extreme temperature differences to survival tips when alone or with another injured person.

What dangerous things can happen while camping in the wilderness? You can suffer a fall

The main danger to a hiker is falling.

That could be an actual fall or being in the path of falling rocks, branches, etc.

Falling from a height on a flat path can be as dangerous as a fall of several feet.

The trauma will be felt on tendons, blood vessels, muscles or bones.

There could be possibly very serious complications (open fractures, etc).

Many accidents happen on the way home when inattentive.

It is common sense to focus on the path to greatly limit any risks, especially falling.

How you place your feet (and hands) on the ground has a lot to do with reducing risk.

The principles of safety are to keep the back foot on the ground until the front foot has landed safely.

On a downhill run, this technique is even more important, especially if slippery.

Temperature extremes

The second source of danger is the effect of too low or high temperatures on the body.

The cold 🥶

The cold has vital effects on the human body that can lead to death.

Called hypothermia, this is a lowering of the average body temperature.

This has consequences on the entire workings of the heart, respiratory functions, etc.

The heat 🥵

Hot is just as dangerous as cold.

Hyperpyrexia is the word for an increase in body temperature.

The first symptoms are initially similar to the flu. Then circulatory, respiratory, renal disorders set in.

How to avoid thermal shocks: Tips

To avoid thermal shocks you need to dress in the appropriate attire.

Cold weather ❄

Wear several layers of clothing on top of each other.

You can add and remove them at will to let the body ventilate and avoid sweating.

Warm but wet clothes will become feel like ice against your skin.

Water and wind are increase your feeling cold.

You may not always have enough suitable clothing in a survival situation.

Leaves, mosses, grasses, straws will be precious allies to reinforce the insulation.

They can help together with your clothes, hats, socks and gloves.

Hot weather ☀

When it’s hot, wear light clothes with long sleeves, to protect against the sun.

The idea is to keep a layer of air in contact with the skin, for extra thermal comfort.

The still air trapped in the clothes will be heated by your body.

It will always be cooler than the outside air.

Water and wind reduce the effects of heat.

We can then spray water or ventilate ourselves with a makeshift fan.

Any branches covered with straw or grass will act as a sunshade.

Make sure not to increase your heart rate during while gathering branches.

You don’t want to perspire too much and help dehydration.

Put a wet towel worn around the neck.

It’s a brilliant way to cool blood flowing through the neck to the brain.

What dangerous things can happen while camping in the wilderness? Snow: Protecting the eyes is very important 🕶

The sun’s rays are reflected off the white surface of the snow and can cause snow blindness.

Avoid the ultraviolet rays in particular, which destroys eye cells. Also wear sunscreen, for the UV rays damage the skin cells as well.

Without goggles with side shields, it is imperative to find a way to make a mask.

A thin cloth tied around the head, or a coarse knit woolen cap is enough for a couple of eyes.

For an all day walk, you need something better.

Birch bark with a thin slit at eye level reduces the radiation that hits the eye.

Lateral radiation that hits the eye from the side is often neglected.

If there isn’t anything else, put a hand in front of your eyes with a tiny slit between your fingers.

This technique does not allow to see with both eyes.

Your sense of depth perception will be greatly impaired, especially in the snow.

Wearing a coarse mask over your eyes can protect you.

Move with caution on terrain and study it first.

Move forward, and once reached the end of the studied area, do the same for another distance.

What dangerous things can happen while camping in the wilderness? Other potential hazards

Drowning, poison, intoxication, allergic reactions, cardio-vascular accident, lightning strike, and burns are all possible

First aid basics are essential to mitigate these very real problems.

Surviving alone 🤕

In survival, a minor injury does not necessarily mean minor.

It simply means that you can move, regardless of pain levels.

This can range from a simple cut to a broken arm.

However, be careful not to underestimate violent shocks even without apparent wounds.

It could lead to internal bleeding or trauma to the organs or cranium.

Your body is your only means of survival in case of emergency

It must be cared for first in order to survive until rescued.

You have to gather your essential resources.

Think water, food, clothes, and any necessary equipment.

Then you have to push to go as possible to go far.

The only goal is survival. Grit, push yourself and focus.

Surviving with another injured person 🤕🤕

It may be difficult to know if the person has only minor injuries.

If the injuries are on the limbs, it is reasonable to consider them minor.

All internal or external injuries to the head, neck, spine and abdomen are serious.

Minor injuries aren’t necessarily mean painless. A broken tibia is extremely painful for example.

In a survival situation, the victim must be stabilized, and made comfortable and safe.

Leave food, water, clothing, equipment, medication, weapons, means of alerting and signalling the position.

Get help as soon as possible. Staying with the victim is not the right choice.

The victim will not want to be left alone and may need to be convinced.

These are always delicate situations to express to persuade, reassure and calm.

You must also promise to return as soon as possible.

Promises are an integral part of hope, but humans need hope.

Explain why you are leaving.

Explain about food and water in limited quantities in order to ration them.

Emphasize the urgency of the situation.

The promise of help that will help this person understand and reason things out.

What dangerous things can happen while camping in the wilderness? Conclusion

It may be all for nothing, but forewarned is forearmed.

It may well be a case of life or death, so if you’re going to be adventurous, be safe.

While this post was quite the cautionary tale, camping doesn’t have to be done in the remote wilderness (Arizona offers many parks and nature reserves which are perfect for wilderness camping for example).

Camping can actually be a lot of fun and a great time to relax with friends and family. There are plenty of camping activities for the whole family and, moreover, camping can reduce your stress.

When you’re camping on designated campsites, you can have a lot more comfort since you can sometimes park the car next to your tent.

That makes it easy to bring items like comfortable camping chairs, such as the ones in these reviews of top big and tall camping chairs.