HIKING BASICS

Water Poisoning: How to Recognize it, Treat it, and How to Prevent it

Published

7 years ago

July 10, 2017

admin

For many years we have been told to consume more water as possible to keep our bodies healthier because water is an essential element that acts as a lubricant to many chemical processes in the body. Yes, that is true that water is vital for our body. However, too much of a good thing is just bad. This has been evidenced by many people who drank so many liters of water in a short period of time not knowing of the danger of water poisoning. Some recommendations of drinking too much water were not supported by any empirical studies.

In other talks, it is recommended that we consume 8 glasses a day. This depends on the nature of any person and the activities they do. It is undeniable that water is an element and nutrient that our body needs for its optimal metabolic functions. We are expected to have sufficient amounts of water in the body for health purposes but not in excessive amounts as others have perceived.

Too much consumption of water has been proven to give birth to what we call being poisoned by the water. It is interchangeably called water intoxication or over-hydration. This life-threatening condition can be lethal if left undetected and untreated for a long time. Many death cases have been reported previously after the condition turned severe. This article serves as a comprehensive guideline to equip you with the knowledge about this condition and how to stay out of danger.

Who Can Be Most Affected by Water Intoxication?

Almost everyone, not erring on the side of caution can be most adversely affected by this lethal condition. Predominantly, the disease is said to prevail in sports people, labor-intensive employees and others with pre-existing medical conditions such as advanced diabetes and schizophrenia mental disorders.

Too much water

These people are most affected because they tend to release more sweat and then consequently need more water to ease their dehydration. The sweat released, depending on the exercise or activity undertaken, contains large amounts of salt and water. Any excessive amount can be detrimental to one’s health.

If salt is lost, there will be an imbalance in the body which can complicate the body’s biological processes. When water is lost, it can also be severely dangerous. Dehydration causes many people to drink more water to rehydrate.

That action in itself has been proven to be dangerous more especially when people drink more liters or gallons of water in an hour compared to spreading the liters throughout the day. Unfortunately, the kidneys can only excrete a certain limit of water a day, and that is approximately a maximum of 28 liters or 7.4 gallons.

This limitation limits people to over-consume water. Adults and children are advised to carefully restrain themselves from over-hydration which results in the disease hyponatremia.

What Is Water Intoxication?

This is a life-threatening condition associated with excessive consumption of water that causes a significant reduction in electrolyte levels such as sodium in the bloodstream. The medical term often used interchangeably with this condition is called hyponatremia.

Water intoxication cases can range from mild to severe with associated symptoms. The worse symptoms can be a manifestation in coma, seizures, and death.

Water intoxication cases have been countlessly reported around the globe with many people losing their lives. It saddens when the majority of people suffer from this illness unknowingly. Many people have only been told about the paramount importance of drinking lots of water, not about the disadvantages of excessive drinking.

Water intoxication

Poisoning of water results from this lack of knowledge because they end up drinking so much more than can be excreted by the kidneys, thus causing sodium imbalance in the body. Poisoning of water can also result from water retention in the body as well as excessive ingestion of water.

The Dangers of Water Intoxication

The foremost information is that many people have already lost their lives due to the severity of water intoxication. The mild dangers of this condition are treatable without the need to consult with the specialized doctor.

If water poisoning-related symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea or dizziness are detected, you can stabilize that condition by replenishing sodium with drinks that contain sodium and by limiting excess water intake.

The recommended sodium drinks include apple juice, lemon juice, chocolate milk, sports drinks, vitamin water or orange juice.

In cases where the dangers are life-threatening, you must visit the doctor instantly. The symptoms of water intoxication are often misinterpreted with the symptoms of dehydration or a heatstroke.

This misinterpretation leads to advanced stages of dangers because then people continue consuming more water in an attempt to alleviate their dehydration. The severe danger of this condition leads to death. The major damage done is when it leads to the dysfunction of the brain cells.

Excessive water weakens the concentration of sodium, thus causing movement of water from outside into the cells to cause them swell. Other dangers include seizures and coma.

What Are Water Poisoning Symptoms?

It is important to notice the symptoms in order to employ precautionary or remedial measures to curb hyponatremia from advancing.

Water Poisoning Symptoms

Not everyone may react the same way to this condition, but most common initial symptoms that occur when the sodium level is below 130 mmol/L include the following:

Dizziness
Disorientation
Fatigue
Mild and severe headaches
Nausea
Vomiting/diarrhea
Lightheadedness
Weakness

There are other symptoms that can be seen at a later stage when the sodium levels in the blood have dropped significantly lower than 105 mmol/L. These ones indicate the severity of hyponatremia and demand immediate medical attention. If left untreated, they can worsen to yield death results. They include the following:

Swelling of feet and hands
Seizures
Jerky movement of limbs
Coma
Drowsiness
Blurred vision
Tremor
Shaking of the body
Lung edema
Collapsing
Coughing out of blood
Pulmonary edema
Cerebral edema
Hearing loss
Abnormality of gait
Mental retardation

The list of mild and severe symptoms of water intoxication can extend even more. It all depends on the type of person, pre-existing medical conditions and amount of electrolytes lost as well as amount of water taken.

It is, therefore, important to scrutinize each and every symptom you suffer from in order to see if it is not related to this condition. Early detection enhances chances of curbing hyponatremia without further complications.

What Are The Causes of Water Intoxication (hyponatremia?)

The causes of hyponatremia can be attributed to the imbalance of sodium in the bloodstream compared to the excess water consumed or not excreted. Not only athletes or workers are most affected but also everyone involved in an uncontrolled drinking of water.

Causes of Water Intoxication

Water intoxication can emerge as a result of malfunctioning of body organs or body processes in excreting enough water from the body. Mentioned below are some of the causes of this fatal condition.

Kidney failure: The failure of the kidney to excrete sufficient water leads to the failure in the regulation of water homeostasis in the body. As a result, the body suffers from substantial amounts of water in the bloodstream. We have only minor concentrations of electrolytes in the body. Excess water will overcome these electrolytes to be absorbed into the cells.
Syndrome of inappropriate ADH Secretion: the antidiuretic hormone can cause water retention and over-hydration if secreted in excess. It is often prompted by lung and brain disorders and consumption of other medications.
Inappropriate medications: some medications can be rendered inappropriate because of their stimulation of water retention or excessive sodium excretion from the body. They can cause hyponatremia. Such medications include cholesterol-lowering drugs, antidiabetics, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, chemotherapeutic drugs, antidepressants, and barbiturates.
Heart and liver problems: the malfunctioning of these organs leads to the inability to maintain a proper water homeostasis. As a result, more water ends up not being excreted sufficiently. Hyponatremia results from the problems associated with these organs.
Cystic fibrosis: patients suffering from this disease are often subjected to excessive excretion of sodium from their sweat. This causes an imbalance of this essential mineral in the body and then cause water intoxication due to excess water.
Drinking too much water: this is the main cause of over-hydration. Too much of water more especially in a short period of time is detrimental to the body. It causes an imbalance of electrolytes in the body, thus causing hyponatremia.
Compulsive water consumption: an example goes to schizophrenia patients who often drink more water than the recommended liters in a day. They can drink up to 15 liters. This, in turn, results in hyponatremia.

There are relatively many causes that can lead to hyponatremia (water intoxication). The best way is to be vigilant of the transpiring early symptoms that signal the possibility of water intoxication.

The treatment of this condition will then depend on the severity of the symptoms seen. People are advised to act as quickly as possible to the symptoms to prevent advancement of the condition which can be lethal.

Treatment of Water Intoxication

The treatment of water intoxication depends on the level of complexity of the symptoms seen. For mild symptoms, for example, one can be treated at home by reducing the intake of fluids. The advanced stage of hyponatremia requires medical attention in a healthcare setting.

Treatment of Water Intoxication at home

On arrival to the healthcare facility, doctors will perform various tests using either urine or blood samples to verify the symptoms if they belong to over-hydration.

Medical history also helps doctors in diagnosing with ease the symptoms. Among other treatments, the following apply:

Intake of diuretics to enhance production of urine which will help in releasing excess water from the body. Frequent urine means more water expelled from the kidneys and that in turn help to enhance the balance of electrolytes and fluids in the body to avoid evolvement of hyponatremia illness.
Reduction of fluid intake to help curb excessiveness which is a bad thing. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, water and salt restrictions may be implemented by healthcare professionals. Victims of water intoxication are therefore urged to cut excessive fluid intake to avoid further damage to the body.
Medical treatment of preexisting conditions. At times there could be other underlying medical conditions that worsen the symptoms. Such are treated in a bid to stabilize water intoxication.
Consumption of medications to curb and deter symptoms. Such as seizures, coma, dizziness, irritability and nausea.

There are numerous treatments used in hyponatremia treatment informed by the nature of the patient. Not everyone may be treated equally.

Prevention of Water Intoxication

The best way to prevent the occurrence of this fatal illness is to instigate precautionary measures which include reduction of excessive water intake. The most affected victims, viz. athletes, outdoor activists, employees in power-intensive jobs and sportsmen, should be acquainted with these precautionary measures.

Often the inexperienced athletes were found to be the most victims of over-hydration. They simply do not have a proper planning of drinking too much water.

If you want to consume water during your exercise of which you have to, you are advised to drink before or during your activities to prevent a prompt consumption of massive amounts of water thereafter. Excess water is best drunk in glasses distributed throughout the exercises undertaken.

It is recommended that you do not drink more than 2 liters of water in an hour. Allow your kidney to excrete the amount of water it can manage in an hour without overloading it.

Because too much sweat is lost during intensive exercises which then lead to a reduction of electrolytes like potassium and sodium in the body. You are advised to replenish such minerals to enhance their concentration.

Reduction in the content of sodium prompts absorption of more water into the cells and the brain, which will eventually lead to swelling of cells. The swelling of cells manifests as coma, death or seizures.

Prevention of Water Intoxication

Patients with known underlying medical conditions should be vigilant of hyponatremia. Their illnesses could also prompt uncontrolled thirst that could lead to over-hydration.

Before these people embark on intensive exercises, they need to communicate with their medical professionals to assess if their actions cannot be adverse. These include patients with sugar diabetes, heart failures, and blood pressure.

Pregnant women are also included in this exclusion. They tend to have more blood, which then requires more concentration of electrolytes in balance with fluids. That being said the sufficient amount of water should be taken.

Furthermore, on the prevention of water intoxication, people should abstain to some water contests wherein people compete with drinking too much water. There are reported cases where such contests have ended in vain.

Health professionals often recommend the consumption of 8 glasses of water throughout the day. Do not exceed this recommendation. Poisoning of water regularly happens when you drink too much water in a short period of time.

To prevent severe dehydration and over-hydration, you must avoid outdoor exercises that are too intense. This is done to limit the amount of sweat excreted during those exercises. Obviously, you will be compelled to drink more water due to an inevitable thirst.

What Have We Learned?

In conclusion, water intoxication is a controllable condition if detected early. If weird symptoms begin to emerge, you must act quickly for medical attention. If left untreated, the condition could be lethal whereby the patient can demise in a few hours.

Water intoxication

To err on the side of caution, you must abstain from over-consumption of water in a short period of time. When exercising, you must make it a point that you drink water before and during your exercises not only when you are done with the exercises. Energy supplementary sports drinks are helpful in replenishing the sodium lost in too much sweat.

HIKING BASICS

Health Benefits Of Drinking Water: Be Positively Hydrated!

Published

5 years ago

October 24, 2019

admin

We all know that humans simply cannot live without water. It is essential to our livelihood and helps the body in so many ways that we simply cannot function without it. Even our blood is 92 percent water! Staying properly hydrated allows your body to remove toxins and helps to send vitamins and nutrients, as well as oxygen, through the body to the proper places, keeping you energized. We will discuss all that and more as well as how long to digest water.

Water is helpful when losing weight, as it boosts your body’s metabolism, and it promotes healthy skin. You may feel that you are in a happier mood when you are hydrated, because water is doing its job by working with your body. You probably have a lot of questions, such as how long does water stay in your stomach? That can vary from person to person, but we will discuss more below about water and your body.

Soon, you will know all about water, how to stay hydrated, what causes dehydration and more. Let us first talk about ingesting water.

Ingesting Water

When you drink water, it travels from the mouth to pharynx and then down the esophagus. This takes about a second. Some of that water is absorbed into the stomach, some if it is absorbed into the small intestine. Then the water enters your circulatory system and then flows through the body. Did you know that if you drink 2 liters of water each day, it can turn into upwards of 2,000 ml of urine? The bladder holds up to 16 ounces of urine. For your stomach to digest water, it can take generally 45 minutes to 2 hours. However, if you have not eaten anything, and are drinking water, it can sometimes digest in just a handful of minutes.

On average, a person needs at least 64 ounces of water in their body per day. If you are highly active, you may need more water. Depending on your fitness level, you may need to increase your water intake as well. Ingesting this much water will keep toxins flushing out of the body and will keep you full so you will not want to snack. It boosts your metabolism, keeping you going through the day. The best part? Water has no sugar, no fat, and no calories!

Ways to Stay Hydrated

Besides drinking water and increasing your intake if necessary, you can find many foods also have a lot of water. Stay away from the caffeine, which acts as a diuretic. Many fruits and meats contain a high amount of water.

Some great examples of foods that will keep you hydrated include:

Hamburger Meat
Chicken breast (not fried)
Soups, Broths, and Stews
Smoothies
Flavored Water or Sports Drinks like Powerade
Watermelon
Grapes
Real Fruit Juice
Jell O

There are many things you can do to improve your body’s hydration level.

Making small changes like replacing that soda with some water, can help your body work better and less harder.

Here are some ways to improve your hydration level:

If you do not like plain water, you can always eat foods that are high in water, such as those mentioned above.. Some foods can contain up to 90 percent water. While you do want to drink water regularly, you can always add lemon for flavor.
Stay away from drinks that will steal water from your body. These would be the sodas, coffees, and teas because not only are they diuretics, causing you to lose more water when you urinate. If you are already dehydrated or sick, stay away especially from apple juice and prune juice as you will lose even more water in the form of stool.
To increase your water intake, carry a bottle of water with you wherever you go. Whether it is exercising at the gym, working in your office, or driving your car, keeping water nearby will allow you easy access to hydration.
If you are flying, you may notice that your mouth feels dry. The air in the cabin dries out your body. Drink water before and during your flight so you do not feel this way. During this time, you should also avoid soda pop and alcohol while you are in the air.
Stay away from any “water diets” that claim to help you lose weight fast. Drinking too much water can be dangerous. Not only that, but your body can only absorb so much water before it just goes straight to your bladder. You will not burn fat doing a water diet.
Water is hard to digest when you are eating it with a meal. It also dilutes the digestive acids. If you do want to drink water with your dinner, try drinking sips of room temperature water. Drinking ice water will slow the digestion process.
As we said before, drinking two glasses of water when you wake up can help jump start your body for the day. It keeps your body in balance and allows your mood to improve. This is definitely a must when it comes to hydration.
Lay off the carbonated water as it only makes you burp. The gas from this will make you feel full in the stomach, which means you will not drink as much as you would with regular water. If you cannot live without a little fizz in your drink, you can always put some seltzer in your water.
You can lose weight by drinking more water. It can help to burn calories and can help you feel full between meals. Water will flush the kidneys and release toxins from your body, as well as some fat. If your kidneys are in great shape, the rest of your body will improve.

What Causes Dehydration?

There are many things that can lead to dehydration, namely lack of giving yourself water for your body. If you do not ingest water, you can die within days. Some foods can cause dehydration as well.

Below are 9 foods and drinks that can dehydrate your body.

White Asparagus: This vegetable has aspartic acid, which affects the kidneys, depleting water from your body. This will, in turn, cause you to be dehydrated.
Alcohol: Since alcohol is a diuretic, it will make you need to use the restroom more. Thus, you are losing water from your body. Too much alcohol will cause a hangover, leading to a headache, because of lack of water. If you do drink, try to drink water as well to keep yourself from a hangover later.
Cured Meats: Because of the high amount of protein and salt in cured meats, your body will lose water. It is recommended to drink water along with your cured meats to ensure the salt does not dry up the water within you.
Coffee: If you drink just one or two cups of coffee, you do not have to worry about it dehydrating you. However, if you drink a lot of coffee, it dehydrates you like alcohol does because coffee is also a diuretic. Plus, the caffeine is thought to speed up the process of dehydration.
Soy Sauce: We all like to add a little soy sauce to our rice now and then, but it does contain salt, which will soak the water up from your body. In 2013, a girl almost died from drinking a quart of it and it gave her an imbalance of electrolytes, causing dehydration. If you use it a lot, though, you should drink some water along with it.
Bouillon Cubes: Used for making soup, bouillon cubes contain a very high amount of salt, which aids in dehydrating you. Essentially, when it is used in soup, you are drinking flavored salty water. Even though water is used in the process of making soup, you will still need additional water to stay hydrated. If you are sick, you will want the extra fluids so water can replenish your body.
Popcorn: High in sodium, popcorn can cause you to feel very thirsty. Many like to drink a soda with their popcorn, especially in the theater. Try to replace that soda with water or flavored water to gain some fresh water for your body.
Fried Foods: French Fries. Cheese Sticks. Fried Chicken. If it is fried, it is going to dehydrate you. Fried foods and processed foods usually have a lot of salt, which can be over your daily intake amount. Avoid these foods or eat sparingly. Always replenish yourself with some water after eating these foods.
Sugary Drinks: Many sodas or juices contain a high amount of sugar, which are acidic as well. While they may be tasty, they are sucking water right out of your body. In turn, all of your organs are working harder to process the sugars, and your body has lost water. Cut back on the sugary drinks, by including more water within your daily diet.

What Happens to Your Body without Water?

Dehydration will occur when you do not have enough water in your body. You need to replace the water throughout the day to keep your body functioning properly.

Some signs that you are being dehydrated include:

Dry mouth
Feeling tired
Headache or dizziness
Muscle cramps
Dry skin
Constipation

There are more signs if you happen to be severely dehydrated, such as:

Irritability
Sunken eyes
Fast heartbeat
Fever
Little to no urine
Low blood pressure

There are more signs, but those are the major ones. The major causes of dehydration are: frequent urination, sweating, vomiting, diabetes, and diarrhea.

Nobody is immune to dehydration and it can affect you more, and this is especially true for certain people like:

The elderly
Sick people
Infants
Diabetics
Alcoholics
Those with adrenal gland disorders
Those with cystic fibrosis

The elderly are more likely to become dehydrated because as a person ages, the thirst mechanism in the body is not as strong. Therefore, they will lose water faster. If an elderly person has dementia, they will experience dehydration and the need to stay on top of their water consumption. Infants and small children are at risk of dehydration because their little bodies go through water faster, so they need to be sure to get water regularly.

While a person can live up to 3 weeks without food, the body can only go 3 days without water. Survival experts, stick by the Rule of Threes: You can live only 3 minutes without oxygen. You have 3 hours to find shelter in a harsh weathered environment. You can live 3 days without water, and you can live 3 weeks without food. There have been cases where people have lived a week without water, but those are rare. Since the body is nearly 70 percent water, you can see how essential it is for living.

Best Time to Drink Water

Believe it or not, there are times in the day that are better for drinking water, as well as a few guidelines that will help your body get all of the water it needs.

So, when is the best time to drink water?

Drink 2 glasses of water upon waking up. This helps to wake up your internal organs and get them ready for the day.
Drink 1 glass of water a half hour before any meal as it helps the digestion process.
If you are taking a bath, drink 1 glass of water to keep your blood pressure down.
Before going to bed, it is recommended to drink 1 glass of water for heart health. This aids in preventing a heart attack or stroke.
Another trick is, after drinking the 2 glasses when you wake up, you can brush your teeth and eat about 45 minutes later. From there, eat your breakfast and do not eat again for another 2 hours. This helps water to process through your body more efficiently.

Best Ways to Drink Water

There are three great ways to drink water and keep yourself healthy:

Drink at a slow pace. Keeping a steady pace when drinking water will keep you more hydrated than if you were to down a whole bottle in just a few moments. This is because your intestines can only take so much water at once. If water moves too fast, you will lose it through urination, instead of it being absorbed into your body.
Drink water with some lemon! Lemon has many health benefits as you will see below. You will feel more energetic and your body will be able to digest food better. Using a water pitcher that has an infuser will allow you to infuse your water with whatever fruit you want and the fruit will pour into your glass with the water.
Timing is key for drinking water, as we stated above. Knowing when to drink water will allow you to better absorb it giving you more energy and releasing more toxins. Drinking water is simple if you have some next to you at all times. You can use a tumbler and fill it wherever you need to, at school, at the office, or at home. Drinking as you eat will slow down the digestion process, as some people think.

Add a Little Lemon

Lemon is not only for enhancing your water with taste, but it can do wonders for your body. Here is how:

Lemon keeps you alert and full of energy because it contains potassium. This helps nerve function and brain function, and it reduces stress.
Lemon boosts your immune system with Vitamin C. This helps the body heal and helps to break up phlegm if you are sick.
A little lemon in your water will keep you not only hydrated but will not hold onto fat cells. They also absorb nutrients.
Since lemon has Vitamin C, your skin will produce more collagen, which keeps wrinkles at bay.
Lemons have pectin fiber, which keeps your metabolism regulated. This can help you lost weight and curb craving.
The liver loves lemons because it helps produce enzymes for your body. The liver works better and the bile helps in digestion. It also keeps toxins flowing out of your body by urination. Plus, lemons help bowel movement regulation.

Wrapping it up

Water is our life, truly. We need to take care of our bodies by drinking an appropriate amount each day. This lessens our risks of heart attacks, strokes, and sickness. It keeps your skin beautiful and helps boost your mood. Without water, we cannot survive. Hopefully, you have learned many things about water and can improve your daily regimen. Thanks for reading!

HIKING BASICS

Romantic Camping Ideas: Genius Hacks For Camping Couples To Plan Their A Romantic Outdoor Adventure

Published

5 years ago

October 20, 2019

admin

Camping is definitely the first thing that crosses someone’s mind when it comes to a perfect Valentine day or any other romantic event, especially if you and your partner love camping and spending time in the wilderness.

Imagine the fun and romance taking the love of your life somewhere far away from the hustle, bustle and busy schedule of city struggles. It would be up to you to turn “the wild environment into the romantic one”.

In this article, we are going to take a look at some really amazing romantic camping ideas. If you are still not sure about romantic camping, then stay tuned because you might end up loving it.

How to Plan Your Romantic Camping Trip

If you don’t want your romantic getaway to turn into a disaster,there are some important things to consider before actually going on a trip.

Pick the perfect spot

It is crucial to do some research beforehand and get yourself familiar with the area. Of course, unless you are planning to go somewhere where you have already been. If not, then make sure to find a place that would suit both of you. Since you are planning a romantic trip, go somewhere where you will have privacy and peace and quiet.

How to find the perfect spot? Do a research on all of the campsites online. By using online maps you can take a look at each detail, route, and path. By doing this you will be able to make sure nothing goes wrong.

Make reservations

This is very important, especially during the peak vacation months. You do not want your camping spot to be reserved by someone else, right? Not only reservations, but you should also use the online info to find out about entrance fees and the price of the activities being performed there.

In this way you won’t be surprised in a bad way.

Camping Gear You Must Not Forget

Let’s take a look at some of the goodies that you should not forget. These goodies would come in handy during your romantic camping.

But make sure to remember that you cannot really bring all of them together, because that depends on the location.

Since you will be sleeping in the wilderness, a comfy air mattress of high quality is a must. You might even want to go for a two-person sleeping bag so you would make sure that both of you have enough space. However, if you are camping somewhere with freezing temperatures or during the winter, you might want to buy a warmer and a waterproof sleeping bed with good insulation.
Pillows will spice up the cozy atmosphere and allow you to snuggle.
Make sure to bring extra blankets if you are camping in the winter or in case it suddenly gets colder. Or imagine what would happen if you get trapped in a rain or storm.
Take your romantic event in the wilderness to a higher level by hanging string lights around the tent, or even in the bushes and trees around it. You will need a battery powered, light strings or the solar ones.
Many couples go for candles when they want to achieve romantic mood, but remember that you must bring only the risk-free light. That is why you should consider bringing LED tea lights which can create the same Valentine effect.
Bring a guitar or some other musical instrument that is easily carried around. You can woo your partner or get wooed. You can also sing some favorite songs together. You will be probably alone, so there won’t be any need to be embarrassed.
Nobody would go camping without bringing a camping stove, so you can make delicious hot drinks like hot chocolate. It is not very romantic to eat canned food.
Do not forget to bring cards and games you both love to play together.
A cooler will keep all food and drinks fresh and cool. It is actually a must with regular camping as well.
If you are not able to play any musical instrument, then take a portable music player with you. Make a romantic playlist of favorite songs in advance and surprise your partner! Music makes everything better.

Other Things to Consider Before You Go

Besides the camping gear that you must not forget to bring, there are also a couple of other things to consider, such as:

Clothes: avoid smelly fabrics that quickly absorb sweat. Cotton becomes very stinky and should be avoided while synthetics, wool and Gore-Tex are great choices. Wool is warm while Gore-Tex is waterproof. Polypropylene and polyester can be used as under-layers because they do not get as stinky as cotton.
Prepare the menu: instead of wondering about the food there, make sure to prepare the full menu before you go. Spice up the camping trip activities and surprise your partner with dishes that she or he adores. If both of you are fond of alcoholic drinks, bring a favorite beverage, but place it in a bag or thermos. Do not forget desserts!
Do a research on wildlife: you would not want to get surprised by a bear, right? Even though it can be quite exciting to come upon a wild animal, you should know how to behave in its presence and if it is possible, to avoid if it is dangerous. You can even find about which products to bring with you in order to prevent insect bites or which places to avoid so you would not come face to face with a rat, skunk, snake, or mountain lion. While you are taking a break, inspect your body to see if there are ticks, because they must be removed immediately. That means that you should not forget an antiseptic.

Ideas for Romantic Camping Destinations

Here are some wonderful ideas for romantic destinations. Depending on where you live and your budget, you can choose at least one that would suit both you and your partner.

Campfire

In most states and countries, campfires are forbidden due to the risk of forest fires.

That is why you should be aware of the fact that you would be able to go camping only when it is colder. However, what is more romantic than sitting around a warm campfire and looking at the stars? You can also enjoy a nice dinner and create a wonderful atmosphere.

Do a research on sites and locations that allow campfires and purchase the firewood only if you are sure that you can really go. Follow the campfire policy for your own safety and everything will be good.

Beaches

Beaches are another amazing and romantic getaway. You can swim, bathe in the sun, and make a beach fire, play beach games etc. Camping at the beach is different than camping in the woods, so you will need to bring beach-specific supplies. The basics are the same, but you will also need to protect your skin from the sun and bug bites.

Track the tides regularly, stay away from the dunes during the night and stay hydrated.

Hot Springs

Have you ever tried camping near a natural hot spring? Then make sure to try it, because it is relaxing, amazing and utterly romantic! If you manage to find a hot spring, imagine soaking yourself in hot water with your partner under the starry night. You can spice it up with tea-light candles, a portable music player and drinks.

However, make sure not to use glass for your drinks, never use soap and do not leave any litter behind.

Hiking

Hiking can be another great way to spend a romantic day with your partner. Just imagine a nice weekend in the wilderness, and away from the crowds. However, make sure to bring boots of good quality because you will be on foot for hours; developing blisters is never romantic. Your shoes should provide you with ankle support and the socks should be designed for hiking. It would be a good idea to spend your day hikes in light-weight hiking shoes instead of the heavy high-cut boots. Your toes should have enough space to move around otherwise they will swell.

As for the destination, it is all up to you. With a blanket, water, enough food, and a headlamp, you can take your beloved on a romantic hike through the woods or hills. Hiking is not only great for physical health, but also mental health as well.

Paddling

Looking for an unusual romantic getaway? Then what about canoeing, rafting or kayaking? Take your boyfriend or girlfriend on a paddling journey in which both of you will have fun! This is a great activity because it can lead you to an isolated campsite where you can take a break and enjoy the view with your partner. You do not really to buy a boat or canoe, you can simply rent one, but you have to be experienced in peddling it. Do not go paddling if you have never done it before because you can endanger not only yourself but your partner as well!

For this kind of adventure you need drinking water, food, sun protection, waterproof footwear and life-jacket. Make sure to get familiar with the area and its rapids before you go so you can avoid unexpected danger. Also, do not only peddle but take mini breaks to show your partner the area and the landscape. It will be an unforgettable adventure!

Safety

When you have finally chosen a destination, make sure to be aware of possible dangers and give your best to prevent them. It all depends on your experience, and if you are the one planning the romantic getaway, then you are responsible for your partner’s life as well.

Let’s take a look at some safety measures:

Sunburn can be prevented by wearing hats, sunglasses and applying lots of sunscreen. It does not matter where you are, you can get a sunburn at high elevations during freezing temperatures just as same as at the beach. However, if you do happen to sunburn your skin, apply lots of gel and seek medical attention if the burns turn into blisters.
Blisters are mostly caused by bad footwear, especially during hiking. Make sure to wear socks of high quality and to keep them dry. If your feet hurt, then make a break and check the blister. Apply a padding if it is not broken; however, if it has already turned into an open wound, then clean it with soap and water and cover it with a hydrogel.
Sprains are serious injuries that can happen anywhere. People who have sprained their wrists, knees or ankles should rest, then apply ice to the sprain to prevent swelling. After that a bandage should be used and the sprained joins kept elevated above the heart level.
Make sure to always have a First Aid Kit with you, whenever and wherever you go.

Final Thoughts on This Topic

To sum up, we have covered the most important things regarding romantic camping ideas. We have also mentioned some great destinations that might spark your interest and positively surprise your partner. Depending on your budget and location, you can explore camping areas online by using maps and official camping sites. In that way you will be informed about the all possible fees and taxes that might come along your way.

In order to turn camping into a romantic trip, prepare everything beforehand and make sure to remember your partner’s taste and preference. After that it is up to you to create a romantic location and transform it from the wild one into a truly Valentine setting.

Additionally, do not forget that it is better to be safe than sorry. If you are not experienced when it comes to hiking, paddling or camping in general, do not venture into long and far-away journeys that might endanger both you and your partner. Stick to a place where you can ask for help in case you need it.

HIKING BASICS

Great Outdoor Tips For Couples: Camping For Two!

Published

5 years ago

October 2, 2019

admin

In this article, we are going to take a look at some really amazing romantic camping ideas. If you are still not sure about romantic camping, then stay tuned because you might end up loving it.

How to Plan Your Romantic Camping Trip

If you don’t want your romantic getaway to turn into a disaster,there are some important things to consider before actually going on a trip.

Pick the perfect spot

Make reservations

In this way you won’t be surprised in a bad way.

Camping Gear You Must Not Forget

Let’s take a look at some of the goodies that you should not forget. These goodies would come in handy during your romantic camping.

But make sure to remember that you cannot really bring all of them together, because that depends on the location.

Since you will be sleeping in the wilderness, a comfy air mattress of high quality is a must. You might even want to go for a two-person sleeping bag so you would make sure that both of you have enough space. However, if you are camping somewhere with freezing temperatures or during the winter, you might want to buy a warmer and a waterproof sleeping bed with good insulation.
Pillows will spice up the cozy atmosphere and allow you to snuggle.
Make sure to bring extra blankets if you are camping in the winter or in case it suddenly gets colder. Or imagine what would happen if you get trapped in a rain or storm.
Take your romantic event in the wilderness to a higher level by hanging string lights around the tent, or even in the bushes and trees around it. You will need a battery powered, light strings or the solar ones.
Many couples go for candles when they want to achieve romantic mood, but remember that you must bring only the risk-free light. That is why you should consider bringing LED tea lights which can create the same Valentine effect.
Bring a guitar or some other musical instrument that is easily carried around. You can woo your partner or get wooed. You can also sing some favorite songs together. You will be probably alone, so there won’t be any need to be embarrassed.
Nobody would go camping without bringing a camping stove, so you can make delicious hot drinks like hot chocolate. It is not very romantic to eat canned food.
Do not forget to bring cards and games you both love to play together.
A cooler will keep all food and drinks fresh and cool. It is actually a must with regular camping as well.
If you are not able to play any musical instrument, then take a portable music player with you. Make a romantic playlist of favorite songs in advance and surprise your partner! Music makes everything better.

Other Things to Consider Before You Go

Besides the camping gear that you must not forget to bring, there are also a couple of other things to consider, such as:

Clothes: avoid smelly fabrics that quickly absorb sweat. Cotton becomes very stinky and should be avoided while synthetics, wool and Gore-Tex are great choices. Wool is warm while Gore-Tex is waterproof. Polypropylene and polyester can be used as under-layers because they do not get as stinky as cotton.
Prepare the menu: instead of wondering about the food there, make sure to prepare the full menu before you go. Spice up the camping trip activities and surprise your partner with dishes that she or he adores. If both of you are fond of alcoholic drinks, bring a favorite beverage, but place it in a bag or thermos. Do not forget desserts!
Do a research on wildlife: you would not want to get surprised by a bear, right? Even though it can be quite exciting to come upon a wild animal, you should know how to behave in its presence and if it is possible, to avoid if it is dangerous. You can even find about which products to bring with you in order to prevent insect bites or which places to avoid so you would not come face to face with a rat, skunk, snake, or mountain lion. While you are taking a break, inspect your body to see if there are ticks, because they must be removed immediately. That means that you should not forget an antiseptic.

Ideas for Romantic Camping Destinations

Here are some wonderful ideas for romantic destinations. Depending on where you live and your budget, you can choose at least one that would suit both you and your partner.

Campfire

In most states and countries, campfires are forbidden due to the risk of forest fires.

Beaches

Track the tides regularly, stay away from the dunes during the night and stay hydrated.

Hot Springs

However, make sure not to use glass for your drinks, never use soap and do not leave any litter behind.

Hiking

Paddling

Safety

Let’s take a look at some safety measures:

Sunburn can be prevented by wearing hats, sunglasses and applying lots of sunscreen. It does not matter where you are, you can get a sunburn at high elevations during freezing temperatures just as same as at the beach. However, if you do happen to sunburn your skin, apply lots of gel and seek medical attention if the burns turn into blisters.
Blisters are mostly caused by bad footwear, especially during hiking. Make sure to wear socks of high quality and to keep them dry. If your feet hurt, then make a break and check the blister. Apply a padding if it is not broken; however, if it has already turned into an open wound, then clean it with soap and water and cover it with a hydrogel.
Sprains are serious injuries that can happen anywhere. People who have sprained their wrists, knees or ankles should rest, then apply ice to the sprain to prevent swelling. After that a bandage should be used and the sprained joins kept elevated above the heart level.
Make sure to always have a First Aid Kit with you, whenever and wherever you go.