Going outdoors can be a great way to relax when done in solitude, and a fantastic bonding opportunity for the whole family, as well as close friends. However, it’s not without its dangers, and you have to be adequately prepared to deal with trouble when out in the wild. This is especially true for longer trips to more isolated spots, where you might not be able to count on local rescue services to help you in time if something goes wrong.

Proper Navigation Tools

In today’s state of technological advancement, you have absolutely no excuse for getting lost on a trip that you had time to prepare for. There are multiple advanced options available to keep you on the right track, and that’s only if you consider electronic solutions – don’t forget the classic tools as they are far from obsolete yet.

Investing in a dedicated GPS device may not be a bad option if you want to go on trips at more difficult locations for various reasons. They can typically last longer on a single charge than your smartphone, they’re more durable (because they’re designed for outdoor use), and they can usually maintain a more reliable connection with GPS satellites.

And in the end, a map and a compass are two things you should absolutely not leave without. Make sure you know how to use both though – you’d be surprised how many people fail at this once they have to do it for the first time.

Self-Defense

Hopefully, you’ll never have to use this part of your supplies but keeping a few tools to deal with unwanted intruders is a must if you’re going out in the wild. Pepper spray is cheap and very effective, and it’s not hard to take a few canisters with the rest of the luggage. And if you need something that packs a good punch, you should look into some cheap guns under 200 – there are plenty of options on the market.

If you do go with a gun though, it’s critical that you learn to use it well and familiarise yourself with its proper maintenance. A jammed gun is useless in a dangerous situation if you don’t know what to do about it.

Emergency Supplies

In the same line of thought as above, these are things you must absolutely have but ideally will never use. Some essential items to include in your emergency kit are a first aid kit, a couple of warm blankets, water, non-perishable food, and at least one long-term source of lighting like a heavy-duty flashlight. A flare gun can come in great handy too, depending on where you’ll be camping. Obviously, it doesn’t make much sense to bring one if you don’t expect anyone to be around to see the flare.

A couple of hours of preparation can go a long way towards ensuring that you can stay safe and sound when camping outdoors, and keep your whole family protected as well. All you have to do is invest in a good set of tools and accessories, learn how to use them, and maintain them in good condition on a regular basis.