With outdoor camps coming up, I thought I would give some tips for camping and first aid. While first-aid kits are at all bases it is a good idea to pack a small kit to carry with you with a sling, heavy crepe bandage, non-stick dressing and wipes being the most useful.

Those of you on regular medication should continue with those meds at camp. Keep medication in the original packaging.

If you carry an EpiPen then pack in a protected cover in a pocket of your backpack. Give your second EpiPen to your leader to carry.

If you are asthmatic then please make sure to pack your inhaler. Even if you haven’t used it in ages it is always important to carry one with you.

Hopefully all the boots have been worn in and are comfortable. Even so blisters can be so annoying, so I think some moleskin or foam padding from Dr Scholl at the chemist work really well. They cost about $10 and can be cut to shape.

Vaseline is a staple. It’s cheap and is very useful on lips, blisters, dry hands or feet or chafed inner thighs.

Foot powder can help keep feet dry.

Tummy upsets and dashes to a distant toilet in the middle of the night can hopefully be avoided by washing and drying hands well. Hand sanitizers are easy to carry and use but there is nothing like soap and water. Besides the obvious hand washing after the toilet – don’t forget to wash before you eat.

Keep well hydrated so don’t forget to refill your water bottle.

Pack a few energy bars for those long treks.

Include an Insect repellent for mozzies, ticks and leeches such as the Bushman range or any which contain either Deet or Picaridin. Apply sunscreen first and then repellent.

To remove a tick: Use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Then pull it upwards with a steady motion until it comes out of the skin. Once the tick has been removed, clean the skin with soap and water.

Report any illness or injuries early so that you can get prompt treatment

Remember clip lock bags, a few safety pins, good quality fabric band aids, salt sachets for leeches, maybe some electrical tape which has many uses and of course a few good jokes.

Sister Margaret Bates
College Nurse