{"id":1596,"date":"2019-08-31T15:28:12","date_gmt":"2019-08-31T20:28:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carcampingtips.com\/?p=1596"},"modified":"2024-02-08T07:32:35","modified_gmt":"2024-02-08T13:32:35","slug":"top-reasons-why-camping-is-dangerous","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/decideoutside.com\/top-reasons-why-camping-is-dangerous\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 20 Reasons Why Camping Is Dangerous: Surprising Stats"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I love camping! Why am I writing this article about the dangers of camping, then? We often misunderstand where the real risks are and we spend a lot of effort on things that matter less, so I will be using data to find the answers so we can be careful in smarter ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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My purpose is not to scare you into not camping, it’s to bring awareness to the highest risks so that we are adequately prepared. And perhaps to help you not worry about some things that receive a lot of attention.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is difficult about this subject is that nobody is collecting and storing these numbers for the whole United States–however, the National Park Service (NPS) does have significant data that we can use. Many of the numbers I’ll share come from the NPS and their Search and Rescue (SAR) data. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

None of this data should be considered medical advice, and any health-related discussion is not approved by the FDA and is only based solely on the writer’s research and opinion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Heart Attack<\/a><\/li>
  2. Treacherous Roads<\/a><\/li>
  3. Exhaustion<\/a><\/li>
  4. Hypothermia<\/a><\/li>
  5. Dehydration \/ Heat Exhaustion<\/a><\/li>
  6. Sprained Ankles and Broken Bones<\/a><\/li>
  7. Getting Lost<\/a><\/li>
  8. Drowning<\/a><\/li>
  9. Knives and Axes<\/a><\/li>
  10. Falls<\/a><\/li>
  11. Snakebite<\/a><\/li>
  12. Bee or Hornet Stings<\/a><\/li>
  13. Beaver Feaver (Giardia)<\/a><\/li>
  14. Wild Animals<\/a><\/li>
  15. Lightning<\/a><\/li>
  16. Ourselves<\/a><\/li>
  17. Altitude Sickness<\/a><\/li>
  18. Avalanche \/ Landslides<\/a><\/li>
  19. Your Tent<\/a><\/li>
  20. Falling trees<\/a><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    1. Heart Attack<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Data from 8 national parks were analyzed, and it was found that out of the 78 deaths that had occurred in the parks 17% were related to heart problems.<\/strong> (source 2<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It’s not that the trees, the sun, and the wind cause heart attacks–heart attacks can happen if you exert yourself in ways you are not used to<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Many people who haven’t been to the gym for a long time know that to be safe they need to be careful about running or working out intensely without working up to it.<\/strong> Our hearts, especially as we get older, have to be exercised gradually to avoid a heart attack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you go camping, it is tempting to think that you’re just going to be walking around the campsite, and a 2-mile hike is not a big deal. While this is true for someone who is active, already, if you are not active, this may be a lot to ask of your body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If it’s been a while since you’ve done some exercise before you go on that hike, try and do some light exercise and gradually increase the difficulty before you try that 5-mile hike. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. Treacherous Roads<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    One of the best parts about camping is that you’re getting away from it all! You are escaping the traffic, the stoplights, the freeways, the strip malls…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    One danger, though, that is underestimated<\/strong> is driving to your camping destination.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    11.5% of deaths in 8 national parks were due to driving accidents.<\/strong> While 3.3% of all non-fatal injuries sustained were due to motor vehicle accidents.<\/strong> (source 2<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Scenery Distraction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    We love to camp in nature, in the middle of the wilderness. Because of this, the views that we get to see while driving can be spectacular! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It’s extremely tragic that the beauty and amazing nature that we get to enjoy can be the cause of distraction-related driving accidents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Often the beautiful views are coupled with tricky roads, which is an even more dangerous combination. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Please take the extra time to pull over safely if you want to take in the view from the roadside. It’s easy to feel safe with the beautiful views outside your windshield. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Tricky Roads<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    One of the most impressive and beautiful features of many national parks are the mountains. Mountain terrain while you’re driving inevitably includes winding up mountainsides with sheer edges on one side and a cliff edge on the other, requiring discipline to drive safely<\/strong>. These switchbacks are especially dangerous since you can’t see oncoming traffic, easily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    My family was affected by this-<\/strong>-a family member actually rolled a van packed full of people because they misjudged the slower speed necessary for the hairpin turns on the mountainside. We were all very fortunate that nobody was seriously hurt, but it’s a good reminder for me to always be careful on mountain roads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    These mountain roads can be downright scary in rain or snowy conditions (especially snow). It’s worth it to pull out the chains for your tires in the snow or to pull over and wait for a rainstorm to pass if you can’t see where you’re driving.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3. Exhaustion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Around 17% of those involved in a SAR operation in a National Park (around 850 per year<\/strong>) were due to issues related to “fatigue and physical conditioning.”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    One of the most deadly attributes to have in the outdoors is overconfidence<\/strong>. Feeling like you can conquer any mountain is fine for YouTube inspirational videos, but when you’re out in nature, it’s important to understand your limits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It can be exhausting to be outside in general, although hanging around the campsite isn’t too strenuous. It’s the activities that bring us outside that can often wear us out. <\/strong>Hiking is one of the most common activities associated with camping, and thus is the most likely to tire us out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you have little conditioning or experience hiking in general, always go with the short hike first.<\/strong> Work your way up till you can get to those multi-day hikes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    4. Hypothermia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    It was hard to find how common hypothermia is while camping, but I was able to find from the Center of Disease Control, that around 500 people who were in “rural” areas died in the United States from hypothermia from 2006-2010. (source 6<\/a>) This could also include residential areas as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Campgrounds generally will fit within the rural <\/strong>description, and it makes sense that they are also areas of risk. Hypothermia means when your body is losing body heat, thus, cold and wet conditions are dangerous–even swimming in 80 degree Fahrenheit conditions can lead to mild hypothermia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Since when you’re camping, be it in the wilderness, or at a campground, you are exposing yourself to the wind, rain, and snow. Hypothermia can occur even when you’re nearby to civilization if you let your body temperature drop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Pick clothing that will keep you warm and dry. Gym shorts and cotton do not give you enough protection against the elements in cold conditions.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    5. Dehydration \/ Heat Exhaustion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Dehydration<\/strong> and heat exhaustion<\/strong> aren’t strictly the same thing, but dehydration can throw off the body’s ability to regulate its temperature, and thus it can be difficult to separate the two’s symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke<\/strong>, an extremely dangerous condition that can lead to severe symptoms, including death. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Dehydration is always a concern for any outdoor activity, and heat exhaustion is more of a concern for parts of the country that get very hot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    One point of reference is the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon responded to 480 heat-related illnesses from 2004 to 2009. 6 of those cases were fatal. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Grand Canyon has some camping, but for the most part, the main event (and most dangerous portion) is to hike inside the Grand Canyon. The danger of the Grand Canyon is a helpful reminder to us if we are camping in hot locations.<\/strong> Staying hydrated, and finding shade is critically important in these conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So, even if you’re not camping near the Grand Canyon, remember that heat exhaustion and heat stroke can affect you as well<\/strong>. From the Center for Disease Control, around 190 people in rural areas have died in the United States from 2006-2019 from heatstroke. (source 6<\/a>) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We live in Texas, and I’m writing this article in August. It’s been over 100 degrees Fahrenheit for weeks, now. Camping during this time of the year is possible, but you need to use a bit of smarts and some technology to stay safe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you want more detail on how to successfully camp in Texas (even with the brutally hot summers), check out our article on this subject.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    6. Sprained Ankles and Broken Bones<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Hiking is one of the most rewarding outdoor activities associated with camping. Even if you’re car camping, there are often trails near the campground so you can go hiking, and if you’re backpacking, you have to hike–often for several miles–before getting to your campsite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When you’re backpacking, you may be potentially dozens of miles from civilization or help<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    While you are hiking (especially in the wilderness) , you can count on hiking on rocky, unstable, uneven terrain, crossing rivers, hopping from rock to rock, and maneuvering over and around fallen logs–Almost the perfect recipe for a sprained ankle–especially when you have a heavy pack on your back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In fact, this is the most common injury<\/strong> for hikers, according to the data collected for national parks. (source 2) 22.5% of non-fatal injuries were because of a “short fall” while hiking\/walking. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I can speak with absolute certainty, being that I understand the male psyche, that most of the injuries that do<\/strong> occur are minor and are not reported–even in the best case, a sprained ankle can make a fun trip into a miserable one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Shoes can help protect your ankles and feet, certainly, but for the most part, it’s physical conditioning, hiking technique, and how careful you are that will prevent any sprained ankles. Even the most careful person can trip and fall, though. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    An injured ankle is not a big deal if this happens while you’re playing basketball at home, or if you injure yourself in the gym because you are surrounded by people. Breaking or spraining an ankle miles away from civilization could be life-threatening if you are by yourself. <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you are determined to travel by yourself, <\/strong>bring a whistle so that you can alert other travelers in the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Even better, it’s worth it to invest in a powerful GPS unit that can send out SOS signals to ask for help. I found this GPS unit<\/a> on Amazon that is well-rated. If you’re stranded in the wilderness and aren’t able to move around, then food and water become a real problem, so being able to ask for help could save your life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In addition, getting lost is a very common problem, and having a GPS like this can help prevent that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    7. Getting Lost<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Almost half of all Search and Rescue (SAR) operations by the National Park Service are for hikers, making hiking, by far, the most common reason a SAR is attempted. <\/strong>While there are many reasons why this is, one common reason a SAR is attempted is that someone did not come back when expected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Getting lost is very easy in the wilderness–I’ve experienced this several times where I’ve been totally turned around and had to rely on a map or the trail markers to know where I was going. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Although we don’t put getting lost at the top of our dangerous activities, it definitely deserves more care and caution, since this is one of the most common reasons why a SAR happens (to rescue a lost hiker)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The NPS still has 23 victims identified that have gone missing with no knowledge of their fates in the National Parks since around 1970. (source 3<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    These risks can be mitigated greatly from a few simple steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n