Camping Season Is Back!

Spring is here, which means people all over the United States are starting to spend time outdoors again. 

This is especially true for those who’ve been spending more time indoors than usual due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Folks are starting to go camping, hiking, fishing… you name it – again. It’s a great way to spend your time until the weather gets cold again.

That said, camping comes with inherent risks that you need to be aware of.

Fire

Camping and fire go hand in hand. It not only provides heat for cooking and protection from wild animals – but is the perfect place for memorable conversations. It can also create problems if not done properly.

Before you even start gathering wood, ensure the area where you are camping is not under a fire restriction ban. You don’t want to be responsible for thousands of acres of destruction due to an out-of-control forest fire. 

1. Ensure the area where you plan to build your fire is clear of dry brush and deadfall, both around and above.
2. Dig a fire pit at least one foot deep and ideally surround the perimeter with rocks. Again, this is to mitigate/control the fire from moving away from the intended location.
3. Don’t overfeed your fire. Less is more when you build a campfire. You can always add more fuel, but be conservative.
4. Never leave your campfire without thoroughly extinguishing with water and smothering with dirt. If possible, wait an additional 30 minutes – called reflash watch.

Water filtration

If you plan to drink from an outdoor water source (river, stream, lake) you need to make sure you are consuming “safe” water. That means no bacteria and particulates that can ruin your week.

I have personally dealt with giardia on two occasions and it is not fun.

The first time, my doctor failed to properly diagnose (didn’t request a gram stain lab) and he was convinced I had leukemia. And to be honest, I felt like I was dying. Nope, it was giardia and after a week of the antibiotic Metronidazole (Flagyl), I felt like a million bucks. 

There are several ways to make water safe to drink:

1. Boil for at least 5 minutes.
2. Filtration pump – make sure it removes microorganisms (giardia).
3. Filtration straw – again, make sure it removes microorganisms.
4. Purification tablets, which are my personal preference due to their small size and weight. Get the type that is 2-stage. First tablet kills the bacteria and the second tablet removes the taste of the first. This entire process only takes 30 minutes.
5. UV water filtration (SteriPEN) only takes a few minutes. Just remember one of my favorite sayings: “If it takes a battery, it’s gonna crap out exactly when you need it.” Pack extras.

Flash flooding

With severe spring storms already in full swing, you need to consider the possibility that a nearby water source could turn into a deadly wall of water traveling at an incredible speed. 

Take into consideration when you choose your campsite. Better to be on higher ground and walk to the water source than risk getting swept away. Get at least a 3-day weather forecast and always keep an eye on the sky.

In the summer of 1976, Colorado’s Big Thompson Canyon had a flash flood due to a severe thunderstorm higher up in the canyon. Twelve inches of rain fell in less than four hours. The victims, including 143 dead, had seen little or no rain when the flood rushed down the canyon in a wall 20 feet high. 

Rule #1: Climb to safety whether on foot or in your car (get out), get moving and CLIMB!

If you find yourself swept up by these rushing waters, position yourself so you are on your back with your feet in front of you. If you hit rocks, they will absorb the impact much better than your head. Then swim like hell to the nearest shore.

Bug protection

The many bugs you are likely to encounter while camping are not just an annoyance. Some of them can actually make you sick. Mosquitoes in particular.

Mosquitoes can carry diseases. Here in America we’re mostly concerned about West Nile virus. The CDC tells us that it’s “the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States.”

Use mosquito repellent when you go camping. Look for an over-the-counter spray or rub-on containing DEET. Or make your own concoction.

Apply it to any exposed area of skin. Especially feet, ankles, lower legs and wrists. Mosquitos like those thin-skinned areas because they can get to your blood easier. 

Dark colors attract bugs, so wear light-colored clothing when camping. Thicker fabrics with a looser fit are a better choice than tight-fitting, thin fabrics. And keep in mind that mosquitoes are at their worst around dawn and dusk.

SunBuzz Solar Mosquito Lantern

My choice for keeping mosquitoes and other airborne bugs at bay while camping is the SunBuzz Solar Mosquito Lantern. It’s rainproof and water-resistant, and it charges for free in the sun. 

I love how compact and portable it is. You can easily take it anywhere. It stops flying insects in their tracks without any pesticides or chemicals. And it also serves as a decorative light.  

This lantern has three different brightness settings. Get several of them and you can string them up on a clothesline or on tree branches to zap bugs in different locations around your campsite. Check ‘em out here.  

Enjoy the great outdoors this spring and summer. Just be prepared for the life-threatening situations that can present themselves.

Be a survivor… not a statistic.

Cade Courtley

Former Navy SEAL / 4Patriots Contributor