Homemade Survival Kits for Camping

Whether you are an experienced camper or just starting out, the most important thing you need to take with you is a basic survival kit. Even if you plan on camping near civilization, you can never be too prepared in the event of an emergency. You can make your own survival kit by considering items for first-aid, food, shelter, climate and rescue.

First-aid

• According to a study published by the Wilderness Medical Society, which reviewed a 10-year period of injuries treated by the Yosemite Search and Rescue (SAR), "Lower extremity injuries and dehydration/hypovolemia (low blood volume)/hunger were commonly identified reasons to need SAR services." Other common injuries sustained while camping or hiking include; broken arms, lacerations, burns and allergic reactions to insect bites or plant contact.

  Include a well-prepared first-aid kit in your survival pack. You will need sterile gauze and bandages, medical tape, safety pins and scissors for proper wound care. Most kits will come with a variety of medicine, but it needs to contain at least antibiotic ointment, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, antihistamines, ammonia and burn ointment.

  You will also need a snake-bite kit, which usually comes packed in a small tube. You can find these at any outdoor store.

Food

• When you are packing your survival kit, include pre-cooked foods that are nonperishable. You can purchase special packets of dried meat and fruit either online or at a camp store that will keep longer than the type purchased at a grocer. You will also need canned foods, water and dried soup mixes, which you will need to replace every six months if you plan on keeping a kit on hand. Keep a camping survival kit in your backpack so that you won't forget it by accident.

Shelter

• You can find emergency tents in any camping store or online. Or if you're experienced, you can pack a strong heavy-duty tarp and strong cord and make your own. Just remember that blocking the wind and insulating yourself from the elements is what counts, so purchase materials that will last. It may feel like a lot of money now, but it will be well worth the expense if you ever need it.

Climate

• Temperature, whichever extreme, needs to be carefully considered. If you are going to camp in colder weather, plan ahead for the worst-case scenario by packing instant heat packets. You may also consider packing extra blankets and clothes if your bag will accommodate them.

  Store matches in a watertight container. Another trick is to submerge the tips of strike-anywhere matches in melted wax, which waterproofs them.

  If you are camping in extremely hot weather, salt packets can be used to keep the proper sodium balance in your body, which can be easily upset by profuse sweating and exertion. Powdered drink mixes that have electrolytes in them take up very little space in your kit.

Rescue

• Flares and a medium-sized mirror can both be used to signal for help. You may also consider packing a prepaid cell phone that is covered by a strong provider in the area you will be camping. The cell phone you use on a daily basis can be easily lost or broken in a fall, so don't rely on it alone to get you out of a bad situation. You can't always prepare for disaster, but it is better to have too many supplies than not enough.