HOW TO SAFELY CAMP OFF THE GRID

People go off-the-grid camping because it offers them the unique opportunity to disconnect from the digital world, immerse themselves in the tranquility of nature, and experience self-reliance in its purest form. ​

While many love camping, not everyone enjoys it without formal facilities like shops or showers, and often you may even find yourself alone or with only one or two other campers. Despite its challenges, this is camping heaven for the off-the-grid enthusiast, where the right gear and survival skills make all the difference.

So, how do you stay alive and well while camping in the remote and serene wild? Let's explore some crucial off-the-grid camping safety tips.​

Location Research​

An in-depth understanding of your destined camping spot forms the basis of a safe adventure. This can cover various subjects such as wildlife, climate, political stability, and the type of terrain. Some overlanders use topographical maps and even satellite images to study the areas they travel through. If camping in a place such as Mabuasehube in Botswana, then be aware that there is a good chance that lions will walk through your campsite. Understanding how to handle these sorts of encounters will protect both you (and the lions).

Always ensure you have a safe space nearby to retreat to, such as a tent or your vehicle. Letting kids walk to the toilets alone in the middle of the night is another massive no-no. Ensure that food is packed well away.

Essential Kit

Draw up a list of essential gear that you cannot do without, and make sure that you tick all those boxes. Don’t leave critical kit at home, or it could lead to disasters such as warm beer or the inability to repair your ride.

These essential bits of kit could include camping lights, stove, water, shelter from rain and sunshine, fridge, First Aid Kit, tent, storage system, and basic tools. Front Runner has reliable and robust gear to ensure that you can camp off-the-grid in style, these include a Roof Top Tent, dust-resistant Wolf Pack Pro storage boxes, Dometic CFX3 range of fridges, light bars, camping lights, CADAC gas cookers, and Pro Water Tanks.

Navigation Skills

Being well-versed in navigation is crucial when off-the-grid camping. We can all use Google Maps on our phones or use our Garmin GPS units, but what happens if they’re missing or not working? Do you know how to use a compass or the stars to navigate? Can you read a topographical map? These skills could be lifesavers in certain situations. There’s nothing wrong with an up-to-date paper map.

First Aid Skills

Basic first aid skills come in handy when medical help is far off. Practice techniques like dressing wounds, dealing with fractures, administering CPR, identifying the symptoms of hypothermia or heat stroke, and so on. Equip your kit with all the necessary items, including bandages, antiseptics, over-the-counter pain relievers, and anti-allergy medication.​

Communications

Always let someone reliable know about your plans and timelines. Having a dependable person back at home is crucial for your safety, especially if you take a challenging or isolated route such as the west coast of Africa or crossing Australia’s Simpson Desert. They can alert the authorities if you don't return or check in as planned.​

Using such technology can aid in communicating during emergencies when you're off-the-grid. These days, there are no excuses for not being able to communicate with loved ones or the authorities. Devices such as vehicle trackers, Personal Locator Beacons (PLB), satellite phones, and SPOT devices have forever changed how we do off-the-grid camping. Starlink, which delivers high-speed internet wherever you park your vehicle or yourself, means you can work or play from anywhere in the world now. Plus, mobile reception is getting better all the time, even in very remote locations.

How are you doing?

Ensure you’ve adequate food and clean water for your well-kitted camp kitchen. Off-the-grid camping can be physically demanding, so it's necessary to monitor your energy and hydration levels regularly.​

Trust your instincts and know your vehicle’s limitations. If something feels off, follow your intuition. It’s better to cut your adventure short than risk a dangerous situation because you pushed too hard or took an unnecessary risk.​

Self-sufficiency​

When using off-the-grid campsites, you’re responsible for supplying food, water, safety, and happiness to everyone in your vehicle. This takes careful planning, preparation, and the right gear for the job. Before going on that once-in-a-lifetime overland trip, try shorter trips closer to home; there are off-the-grid campsites everywhere to test and try out your gear and systems first. This will give you the confidence needed when visiting further away, remote campsites.

Respect Nature

Apply the Leave No Trace principle when enjoying your off-the-grid camping; in fact, leave it in a better condition than when you found it. Others might visit the spot after you and should not have to clean up after you.

If you can make a fire, ensure it’s done safely, especially in areas renowned for bushfires. You don’t want to leave an irreversible mark on nature.

Camping off-the-grid allows us to experience the pure joy of the wilderness, solitude, and self-reliance. It helps us understand that the human spirit is adaptive and can accommodate any adversity nature provides. However, safe and responsible camping is vital to enjoying these experiences. Equipping ourselves with the proper knowledge, gear, and approach can ensure that we don’t only return from an off-the-grid camping escapade just as survivors but also thrivers.