Tag Archives: First Aid

Reminder – Tick Season

I wanted to take a moment to remind everyone about the dangers of ticks.  It’s that time of year again where the flowers are starting to bloom and the trees are starting to bud.  When you are out enjoying nature, be mindful of your surroundings – especially in areas where ticks might be inhabiting.

This morning my wife took the dog for a walk down a wooded trail and about an hour after returning home, she discovered a tick crawling on her neck.  This evening, while sitting in the living room, I felt something on the back of my neck.  I reached back and touched what felt like a scab on my neck.  It was another tick!

That’s enough reminder for me.  Check out this article on ticks to help you be better prepared.

Ticks and What You Need To Know About Them

Tick_jena Ticks are an often underestimated and poorly understood foe.  In my travels I’ve found that the majority of family campers that I have met lack a good understanding about ticks and the dangers they bring with them.

Let’s take a look at why we should be worried about ticks, how to spot them, how to keep them at bay, and what to do if you get bitten by one.

Continue reading Ticks and What You Need To Know About Them

7 Helpful Tips for Preventing Motion Sickness

Moving CarThis is a guest post written by my wife, Amber.  Let me tell you, she has years of experience dealing with motion sickness.  Our youngest daughter gets sick on almost every extended car ride.  Here is what Amber had to say…

Depending on your camping destination, you may be faced with a lengthy drive (check out Great Ways to Combat “Are We There Yet?”).  We have certainly had our fair share of them.  For us, this usually means dealing with the effects of motion sickness in one or more of the children.

Luckily, we have gathered some great advice over the years for handling just such a scenario.

Continue reading 7 Helpful Tips for Preventing Motion Sickness

11 Ways to Keep Cool in a Heat Wave

Beat the HeatOne thing that can really ruin a camping trip is an unbearable heat wave.  Besides the fact that extreme heat and humidity can leave you feeling sweaty and sticky, it can also make you quite ill.  Nobody wants to end up in the hospital while camping.

Even if you can avoid becoming ill, the kids might just drive you crazy as they complain about how hot it is.

The following list can help you steer clear of potential disaster.

Continue reading 11 Ways to Keep Cool in a Heat Wave

Top Tips for Dealing with Leeches

leechFor many of us, the family camping trip also means swimming in open waters.  Open waters being lakes, rivers, creeks, ponds, or even the ocean.  That also means that you and your family may be exposed to those blood sucking aquatic terrors – leeches.

Pictured throughout this article, leeches are those slimy worm-like creatures that you find attached to you as you emerge from your favorite swimming hole.  They attach to you with their suction cup mouth, and sink their tiny little teeth into you, so that they can fill up on your blood (kinda like a mosquito, only under water).

As a child I was terrified of finding a leech attached to me.

Continue reading Top Tips for Dealing with Leeches

9 Great Ways to Avoid Bee Stings While Camping

YellowjacketMost blogs have guest posts written by experts on a particular subject and this one will be no exception.

This is a guest post that was written by my mom.  She has been highly allergic to bees for her entire life and for her, learning about bees and learning how to avoid them has been a necessary tool for survival.  Here is what she had to say:

Bee stings are painful and nasty, but this is especially true for those who have a severe allergy to them.  By bees I mean hornets, wasps, yellow jackets… any of the stinging group.  I’ve put together a few pointers that just might save you from a painful attack, or maybe even save your life. Continue reading 9 Great Ways to Avoid Bee Stings While Camping

How to Spot Poison Ivy and Poison Oak

Wikipedia Poison OakFortunately, my family has never had to endure the pain and frustration that comes from contact with poison ivy or poison oak.

That said, FreeMD statistics on these pesky plants show that 9 out of 10 people who come into contact with poison ivy or oak will develop an allergic rash.

Let’s look at ways to identify these dangerous plants and hopefully avoid some unnecessary pain.

Continue reading How to Spot Poison Ivy and Poison Oak