If you are new to getting outdoors, or it is something you want to get your kids or other relatives
into, and have no idea where to start, and what you need to make sure they bring to get them going
and also keep them wanting more… then take note now!
One of the most important things about outdoor adventures is safety and wellbeing, which can
include things such as ensuring your heavily packed vehicle is secured correctly and nothing is going
to dislodge during heavy steering or breaking events, or even during an accident. Another thing to
keep in mind is of course recovery gear to keep you on the move should you become stuck or need a
quick fix while you’re out in the bush with no extra hands around to help. With that in mind, what
happens if you do become stuck and you’re having trouble communicating with mates to come and
help or even emergency services if you’re becoming desperate… Maybe you’ve misplaced your
phone, or maybe it has run too low to make a call and you’ve forgotten to bring your car charger.
This would leave you in a time critical situation that could prove deadly, especially dependent on the
type of weather surrounding you whether it be boiling hot or freezing cold conditions. If you’re
prepared enough then you will not have any issues surviving a little bit of extra unwanted time stuck
in the same spot before it is safe to find assistance or someone else stumbles across you. Not only
that, but if you follow the list of basics to keep on board, then you will certainly have no trouble
charging up your phone and getting yourself some help in no time!
If you know you are going to spend some extended time camping in the outback and away from civilization or
shops, then you’re definitely going to want to make sure you have enough food and drink on board
to get you through for that amount of time. 12 volt fridges or a cooler bag can be perfect for stashing a
, packed lunch in, or even something to cook over a fire of BBQ depending on what other gear
you’re taking with you. Imperative to your health and wellbeing is to ensure that you 100% have
enough fluids to get you by, especially in case of emergency. If you are stuck somewhere in
extremely dry conditions, you certainly do not want to end up running out of water for you and your
fellow adventure friends or family, so always pack extra water just in case.
Not only can the hot conditions be too much for bodies to handle if exposed for long periods of time,
but definitely the cold snaps too. Being stranded during winter could be deadly in a short amount of
time and you definitely want to make sure you have gear on board to keep you warm in case of
emergency. Aside from the clothes on your back, assuming you have dressed to suit the outside
conditions, it is important to ensure you can create a source of heat if required. Of course, some
trusty matches can help you get some flames burning and this will definitely keep you warm
provided you can find enough wood to stoke the camp fire. In extreme cases you may require a space
blanket because you’ve found yourself spending the night when you weren’t planning on it, and
these will be found in most outback of 4WD based first aid kits and will be sure to keep your thermal
levels regulated as much as possible.
A modern world is a world full of electronic devices, and not only are they helpful, but they are also
smart, with features like location tracking, and alerts that get sent out from wrist watches during

emergencies, it’s no wonder that it is a good idea to keep your devices well charged. Be sure to keep
a power bank on hand or go one step further and ensure your adventuring vehicle has the correct
gear to utilise powered solutions as necessary. Inverters and solar panels can be easily added to a
set-up and will help to charge up your batteries no matter where you’re heading.
In terms of recovery gear, you may not want to go all out with all the bells and whistles straight
away, and will keep the winch and recovery tracks for another time, but you should definitely have
the basics on board for an off-road trip and these should include as a minimum, a shovel of some
description, a couple of snatch straps so that someone can tow you if need be or vice versa, and
don’t forget to have a roll or two of toilet paper, because if you’re left with nothing but your socks to
wipe after a quick trip to the loo, there will be no recovering from that!
Carrying the right first aid kit can be largely important, and you’ll want to know what sort of things
you could encounter in your area of travel and adventure and be sure to check if your first aid kit is
set up to handle events that could occur in those regions. Most modern first aid kits have the
options of space blankets, snake bite kits and burns dressings to cover you for those nasty incidents
that may arise.
As a last resort if you’ve found yourself not getting anywhere and completely unable to contact
anyone for some help, you could always keep a spare safety flare or two stashed away in the fourby
to help get you out of trouble when the time presents itself. Fire extinguishers should also be high
on the list for safety items and will definitely come in handy in case of a road or off-road accident
which could potentially cause fires that may spread into the bush. With these absolutely basic
necessities, your outdoor adventures will be something to remember, and whether your first time or
your 100th, you’ll know that you’ve got the basics to keep you out of trouble, or at least help during
times of need, so they will be worth the trip to your local camping store!