Outdoor enthusiasts in Idaho tend to spend more time outdoors during the summer months than at home — it's kind of the quintessential Idaho thing to do. Idaho has 64 designated campsites and even more unregulated campgrounds to make a home for the weekend. While camping is one of the best ways to connect with nature, family, and friends, it's extremely important to know the risks and potential hazards of camping — after all, the wildlife is, well, wild.
Using the large Laeknir kit, Founder and Owner of Wild Experience Gear, Andrea Connell, and Lead Production Designer Stephen Connell demonstrated 6 common camping injuries and how the Wild Experience Gear medical kits can help alleviate an injury, allowing you to continue exploring or until you can get definitive medical care.
Burns
"While many people may think campfires are the number one cause of burns, it's actually boiling water," said Andrea. Depending on the severity of the burn, there are two ways to alleviate the symptoms.
- First aid burn cream
- Oil emulsion dressing with Cohesive Bandage
Lacerations
Right before demonstrating laceration wounds, Andrea actually cut her hand on a BLM gate, proving accidents happen all the time. Cuts at different levels of severity can occur while camping.
The kit holds many different supplies for cuts — saline solution, various bandaids, butterfly bandages, and pressure dressings. Stephen was able to patch Andrea up using gloves, iodine, and an oval bandaid.
Bites
In Idaho, it's important to research species in your camping area—mosquitos, ticks, spiders, and fire ants are just a few of the pesky insects that may attack you on your camping trip. Having sting relief wipes, anti-inflammatories/pain meds, and bandages can really help ease pain, itchiness and prevent infections during a camping trip. Ibuprofen for inflammation and sting relief wipes should help with most bites that occur when camping.
Allergic Reactions
When exploring new terrain, there is always a chance that you may encounter something you never even knew you are allergic to.
Certified in Wilderness First Aid, one of Andrea's takeaways was that you may be eligible (once consulting with your doctor) for an EpiPen prescription before your camping trip, depending on your insurance. The kits come with one slot for two EpiPens for travelers who carry EpiPens. The kits are also equipped with Benadryl. Andrea recommends taking Benadryl first with a clear allergic response. If symptoms progress into true anaphylaxis, then an EpiPen should be used.
Ankle and Wrist Sprains
Demonstrating a wrist sprain using a SAM splint, Andrea showed us how to make a sling using two cotton triangle bandages. Tying a knot with the material and placing it under the elbow, you can then take the opposite ends of the cotton bandage over the opposite shoulder, creating a sling. A second triangle bandage was used to swath the injured arm securely to the body. Andrea noted that if the injury doesn’t require definitive care, using this sling and swath method removes all mobility of the injury and can allow you to continue your camping adventure.
Kit includes:
- Medical tape
- SAM splint: used to immobilize the sprain
- Cohesive bandage
- Triangle bandages
- Anti-inflammatory/pain meds
Motor Vehicle Accidents
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, most motor vehicle accidents occur in the summer. When traveling to a camping or hiking spot, having a reliable vehicle for the trip is crucial. ATVs and watercraft can also be a cause of minor to severe accidents.
In case of accidents, here are a few essential items that the kit can provide aid in:
- 4x4 Bandages
- Pressure dressings (Israeli bandage)
- Triangle bandages
Emergency blanket (prevents hypothermia - common in shock/traumatic injuries
Carrying a medical kit is just as important as bringing food and a tent. Having a Wild Experience Gear kit on hand can provide peace of mind and allow you to keep having fun.
Wild Experience Gear doesn't want mild injuries to hinder outdoor enthusiasts during camping trips; they aim to allow campers to continue their weekend exploration.