staying cool while camping in summer

Introduction

the Australian summer can make camping in a tent or a caravan a very hot experience and this can potentially result in heat injury, burns, heat rashes and heat illness and dehydration
summer days often hit above 38degC in the shade so you van or tent in the midday sun is going to be MUCH hotter
if the forecast is for over 42degC - perhaps think twice before going camping unless you know you can cool down in the shade (eg. river) and there is minimal risk of a bushfire in that area and you are not on a dead end road where you could be trapped.

a tent in the midday sun when temperatures in the shade are already over 25degC will act as a very hot greenhouse unless you take extra measures to reduce the temperature
- ensure you have adequate protection from the midday sun

inland areas can have large temperature drops overnight on clear cloudless nights with no wind so be prepared to add some warmth
- the overnight temperatures in Australia's deserts often fall below 0degC!
- on clear nights, the overnight temperatures generally fall by about 15degC from max. day time temperatures in most inland areas in Australia within 300km of the coast

do not camp on the edge of a river or in a dry river bed - a distant summer thunderstorm may cause flash flooding overnight!

Tips for a cooler camp

take light, loose clothing
- should cover as much skin as possible not only for sun protection but also for mosquito protection at dusk
consider taking a stretcher bed to get yourself off the ground and increase air circulation under you
take a tent that will allow maximum air flows
- an almost fully mesh tent is ideal for keeping the bugs out but letting you cool down in what ever breeze there may be
- importantly you need to be able to create a cross-breeze as a minimum and set the tent up to capture as much breeze as possible
- consider taking a slightly larger tent than usual if possible to ensure you are not to cramped to another person eg. for two hikers, take a 3P mesh tent
- No-See-Um mesh will reduce the breeze - consider bringing a double mosquito net to set up in the tent so you can leave the mesh doors open
- see comparison of mainly mesh tents for warm nights
- alternatively, consider:
  - just a 2P mosquito tent which is fully mesh (if it is not forecast to rain or have strong winds), or,
  - a hammock
consider a tent with a Blockout fly to create a darker experience and reduce the radiant heat somewhat as well as allow you to sleep in longer in the morning
- this will still be far too hot if set up in the sun on a day which is 30degC or more in the shade!
- you should also put a shade tarp over the top of the tent with some separation from the fly for air flow
- see touring tents you can stand up in
set the tent up late in the day so the sun does not heat it up too much
choose a camp site that will get as much shade from the sun as possible - this may allow you to have a bearable spot to relax in during the midday sun
- HOWEVER, ensure you are not under a large branch which may fall without warning!
consider choosing a camp site near water and especially with the breeze flowing over the water towards you
- being closer to water may result in more bugs though!
bring a tarp or sunshade to cover the tent and be about 1' above it to shade from the sun and allow ventilation between it and the tent
at night, remove the fly if rain or thunderstorms are not forecast
bring a battery operated or 12V fan
- consider placing ice in front of the fan for extra cooling
bring an inflatable pool to sit in or go for a swim if it is safe to do so (preferably with some shade)
- consider taking a life jacket so you can float more safely in a river without having to constantly swim
- take some foot wear to wear into rivers - you will not be able to see sharp objects well
take plenty of drinking water to ensure you stay hydrated