"What to Take for Emergency"
No one likes to think that their camping trip will be spoiled by any emergency, but it can happen. We have no control over the weather and sometimes accidents happen even though we have taken all the sensible precautions. It is wise to take that extra bit of equipment just in case something unforeseeable happens.
Freeze-dried meals don’t take up much room and may be a lifesaver if you get lost or the car breaks down in the wilds. You may be able to use your cell phone to order spare parts, but it can take time for them to arrive. Kits can be bought that contain three days supply of food per person. That’s the time limit that emergency officials tell us to work on.
A personal first aid kit that can be attached to your backpack is a good investment. Good ones will contain a whistle, an emergency blanket, a compass that glows in the dark, plus various bandages and salves. A two-person emergency kit in a special carry case containing food, water, warmers, personal hygiene items and other equipment would be a great addition to the car.
A strong rope is another piece of equipment that will have several uses, from towing cars to helping people to cross a flooded river. Solid fuel tablets can boil a pint of water in 8 minutes. Handy if all the firewood is drenched. Use with a portable stove or make your own from a can. A heat stress travel kit contains cool packs, Nalgene bottle, electrolyte tablets, thermometers and water pouches.
A signal mirror, whistle and some flares are good to have in a lost emergency. Whistles are especially good for the kids to carry - just make sure they know not to blow them unless there is an emergency. Whistles can be used to scare off wildlife that looks threatening as well as to alert mum and dad to some other emergency.
An emergency space blanket is an essential piece of equipment to keep an injured or sick person warm while waiting for help. Waterproof matches and plastic garbage bags are both good for emergencies. The latter can make ponchos if you reverse one bottom corner into the other. You can dig a hole, fill it up with green foliage and cover with a plastic bag. Condensation will form on the underneath of the bag. Place a small pebble in the center and a cup underneath to catch the water as it runs down. Hey presto! Fresh water to drink. If it rains, water will collect on the top side, so pierce the bag where the stone is to let the water run through to the cup.