Here’s How to Ensure a Happy Camping Trip : Bruises, blisters and burns may not sound significant, but they can ruin an outdoor experience.

Spurred by a love of the outdoors, a lack of funds or, maybe, a little of each, carloads of happy campers will head out to national parks and other campgrounds this summer in search of peace, quiet and economical fun.

Most will find a relaxing experience, but some will get more than they bargained for because of injuries and accidents.

At the Yosemite Medical Clinic in Yosemite National Park, the staff is busy all summer long, said registered nurse Lisa Rhudy. She’s seen it all: from toddlers who have fallen into fire pits to veteran campers who twist their ankles getting out of cars. Most of these accidents, she and other experts contend, can be avoided with a little common sense and preparation.

Burns are among the most common and preventable of campground injuries, especially for toddlers. “They’ll walk into the campfire ring when no one’s looking. The fire is out but the rocks are still hot, and they’ll burn their hands or feet,” Rhudy said.

Another frequent complaint, especially among adult campers, is cuts from camping knives. Often, Rhudy said, campers are simply not familiar with the sharpness of a new knife. She recommended practicing at home to get the feel of a knife before taking it on a trip.

Broken or sprained knees and ankles are also common. Many hikers are in good shape but unaccustomed to the twisting hiking trails, she said. Yet falls aren’t confined to trails. “A lot of people step out of their cars and fall before they have even pitched their tents,” Rhudy said.

Blisters are another common camper problem, said Michael Carrasco, a physician assistant at FHP Medical Center in San Pedro and a camper himself. “Don’t pop them,” Carrasco warns patients. “Instead, cover them with a bandage.”

The best anti-blister strategy? “Wear a good pair of hiking shoes or sneakers,” he said. “Be sure the shoe has a good arch and a sturdy sole. Pick mid-ankle or high-top styles for stability.”

Dehydration is also a common problem that is easily avoided. “People just don’t drink enough,” Rhudy finds. She and other experts recommend two to three liters a day of non-caffeinated beverages.

Avoid alcohol, suggests Dr. Steven Lake, veteran camper and internal medicine specialist on the staff at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. “It does not quench your thirst. So don’t sit around drinking nothing but wine coolers. Try Gatorade.”

Boil water from streams, rivers or lakes to avoid contamination, experts recommend. The safest treatment, according to guidelines issued by Yosemite National Park, is to boil water for three to five minutes. Another option, says Dan Williams, a Yosemite National Park ranger, is to use a water filter rated to remove Giardia lamblia, a parasite that infects the small intestine and can cause severe diarrhea. “Tap water (in the Yosemite campground) needs no treatment,” Williams said.

Altitude sickness isn’t usually a concern until you reach about 5,000 feet, Lake said, although this can vary depending on overall health, activity level and age. Babies and older people often feel the effects of altitude more than others. Headache, blurry vision and dizziness can all be symptoms.

“Babies affected by altitude will often throw up and be restless,” Lake said. Go to a lower altitude to relieve symptoms, but seek medical advice if the symptoms persist or are severe, Lake advised.

Campers with asthma tend to have difficulty breathing late at night, once smoke from extinguished campfires settles down around the area, Rhudy said. She recommended asking your physician in advance whether preventive measures, such as medication changes, make sense for you.

Campers with back problems--and anyone else who doesn’t relish sleeping on hard ground--should take along a good pillow and a mattress, Lake advised. Use an air mattress or a special inflatable camping mattress. Inflatable sports pillows, which can double as seat cushions, are available at sporting goods stores for as little as $2.

Sun block is another must. Use one with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 25 or above, Lake said, because in clear air, campers will sunburn more easily than in a smog-blanketed city.

People with chronic medical conditions would be wise to check out medical facilities before reserving a campsite. At Yosemite, for example, patients who need medical services that are more extensive than the park clinic can provide can be transferred by helicopter to a larger hospital in half an hour or so during the day, Rhudy said. But in bad weather or at night, transport by ambulance can take five hours, counting the time it takes to order an ambulance and make the trip to a hospital, she said. Speak with your doctor about the trip in advance, Rhudy advised, being sure to give information about transport time from the campground.

Smart campers might avoid a visit to a doctor or emergency clinic by putting together an inexpensive first-aid kit, Carrasco said. He suggested toting them in a backpack or even a roomy fanny pack. On the list: a lightweight thermal blanket for emergencies, a whistle to call for help, a piece of rope about two meters long, bandages, Chapstick, sun block, a compass, extra socks and shoelaces, waterproof matches and a candle, aspirin or acetaminophen, insect repellent and hydrocortisone cream. Pack insect repellent, too, most experts advise. Or buy a compact travel first-aid kit at a camping or sporting goods store.

For reference, the Sierra Club, Los Angeles chapter, publishes an activities guide, including camping, hiking and backpacking information, three times a year. Cost is $7.50 by mail. (Call 213-387-4287 or write the club at 3550 West 6th Street, No. 321, Los Angeles 90020.) Another organization, Go Camping America (800-47-SUNNY) publishes a free directory of campgrounds and a camping vacation planning guide.

Minimal preparation and common sense can make camping all the more relaxing, contends Lake.