Basic First Aid

First Aid is a very important concept within the camping experience. If your going for a short day-hike or a week-long expedition, a first aid kit and knowledge is a necessity. First, whether you have the knowledge or not, a first aid kit is vauable to have in hand. You can buy a Red Cross First Aid Kit (my preferance)here:http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.d229a5f06620c6052b1ecfbf43181aa0/?vgnextoid=f247e8afd40ee110VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD. It contains all the items you would need to treat common and uncommon injuries while in the field. You can purchase first aid kits at most retails stores too, and you probably have one at home.

Second, once you have a first aid kit, you need to know a little bit on how to treat wounds and such. A bit about basic first aid...

There is so much basic first aid, it would take me a book just to write about it. It's not my job to outline what exactly you need to do. Mayo Clinic did that for me, (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/FirstAidIndex/FirstAidIndex) and I'd like to thank them for that.

But my job is to tell you what is important. Even if your not camping, basic first aid knowledge is a priceless gift that is used almost daily. It is worth it to invest 30 minutes learning basic technique or even taking a CPR course. Knowing how to treat burns and cuts are esspecially important. Myself I have used it a lot.

A little bit about CPR. CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resitiution) is the act of trying to revive a person who is A: Not breathing or B: No Heart Beat or C: Both. Red Cross gives CPR certification courses all over the country. In addtion to giving you life-saving knowledge on how to save someones life, it looks great on resumes and to employers. 27% of deaths in the United States are causes by Heart Disease and many of those could be temorarly averted or saved through this knowledge.

Go to http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.53fabf6cc033f17a2b1ecfbf43181aa0/?vgnextoid=42eebd7df52bb110VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD&currPage=0435bd7df52bb110VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD
to get a glimse on taking courses.

This is a little bit about first aid. Later I hope to cover some specific areas of first aid later. Comment if you have anything, please!
Thanks again

Camping, Where?

For anyone who has gone camping before, you know there are many good places to go camping. But there are others and for the newest outdoors man, there is always a interesting place to go. I have slept on many places, a cave, a cliff, a plain, on a river. You just need to look. For instance, all states have a State Park System. There is a park probably not too far from where you are right now. For those who like to get off the beaten path, you could go cave camping. Around the county, many different caves offer opportunities to camp there. I'll post some links later hopefully.

In order to really enjoy camping, you sometimes need to think outside the box. Normally when your on a long kayak or canoe trip your on the move constantly. Finding a small inlet or secluded island is always a reward for any person. Whatever your trip is, with your family, a paddling expedition, a backpacking excursion, where you camp can be a challenging and enjoyable experience.

National Park Service: http://www.nps.gov/

More specific areas to camp will be covered later, so stay tuned! If you have a favorite place, comment to leave it here! I'm coming up with the best places to camp, so I might include it!

Welcome! A Bit about the Purpose of Camping

Hey there! For everyone who stumbles upon my blog, a little about myself. Personally, I am a experienced outdoors man and a man of leadership. I have taught several courses and staffed camps involving in outdoor activities and leadership opportunities. Over time I hope to post some valuable insight on the topic. Subscribe, because each time is a unique opportunity for YOU to learn a little about something everyday.

First, a little bit about the PURPOSE of camping, and what comes to my mind....

It’s a starry night over the mountains, and you’re lying on the ground with your pack, and you start to wonder, “Why”. Why am I here? Why did I come to this place? Why did I put all my time and effort to get to this desolate place in the extreme latitudes or altitudes to see this site. What made it all worth it?

Well, that is an answer that only you can answer. To some, and to myself personally, it’s to see the world and to truly appreciate what our planet has given us while given the opportunity to see this wonderful sight. This website contains a treasure trove of valuable information about camping, but hopefully through your own experiences you can truly use it to your advantage while being grateful for mother nature and the life around us.

The purpose of camping, it is one expert backpackers may have considered, and most novices probably have not, but it is a key part. Why are we here? Don’t be afraid to share what the voice in the back of your head is telling you. It is telling you something. It what gives you the love of the great outdoors.

When you go on a hike, sometimes your determined to see the outdoors you miss much of it. One day, a friend on mine told me this parable to help explain a little more about stopping to smell the roses….

Out in the east, in the middle states of the seaboard, there was a state park. It was a wonderful, beautiful park that attracted many visitors each year. That year happened to be a unfortunate year for the park, for they had become over-run by a certain species of caterpillar. This caterpillar ate everything in its path, which meant it ate all the leaves off the trees in the park. When it was the middle of summer, the trees were still bare. The park became worried and they posted extra rangers to answer the questions of the visitors when they asked about the trees. When the summer rush of visitors and site-seers came, they rushed through the park, and they never bothered to ask the rangers why.

These visitors were so busy to see the park; they actually missed seeing the park. They were so about themselves to see it, they even missed that all the trees had their leaves off. This explains a important concept, to stop and smell the roses. It may sound young and silly, but the more you think about it, it makes more sense. Just stop and smell roses and discover the world around you. That is what camping is about.