First Aid for Hiking Injuries

A hiker’s body is a delicate machine, and it’s important to take care of yourself while hiking in the backcountry. But injuries are sometimes unavoidable, and you’ll need to know how to treat them so you can return to the trail as quickly as possible.

Cuts are among the most common injuries in the backcountry, and it’s important to carry an assortment of materials in your first aid kit to cover those cuts or scrapes as they occur. Some cuts can be treated by just applying a bandage and disinfecting the wound, but bigger wounds may need a tourniquet to stop bleeding.

Blisters are another common problem that can be painful and make walking more difficult. If you’ve gotten a blister while hiking, you’ll want to treat it quickly so the skin can heal properly and prevent infection.

Broken bones can be pretty serious injuries, and they should be treated immediately. They’re usually more serious than sprains, and you’ll need to get medical help as soon as you can to ensure the break doesn’t worsen or dislocate further.

You can treat a fracture with the same tools you’d use to treat a sprain. Apply ice to the area until it’s cooled, and elevate the leg for support. You can also tie an old towel around the leg to hold it in place and provide more support.

Sprains are another injury that can be pretty common on the trails, and you’ll need to treat them as quickly as possible so you can get back on the trail as soon as you can. If you’ve twisted an ankle, you can use an ACE elastic bandage, Coban self-adherent wrap or athletic tape to stabilize it and give the foot more support.

The goal is to stabilize the injured person, stop any bleeding and watch for signs of shock (cool skin, racing heart, rapid breathing, weakness or nausea). You should also toss a blanket over the person until help arrives.

If you’re hiking with a child, it’s especially important to carry a kid’s first aid kit, which includes things like tweezers, bandages and gauze pads for minor wounds. You should also have some antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment and an assortment of bandages in case your child’s cut becomes infected.

Having a basic first aid kit is vital, but it’s even more important to know how to use all of the tools you’ll have in your backpack. If you can’t find an appropriate tool or you don’t know how to use it, you’re going to be in trouble.

Insect stings are very common on the trails, and you’ll want to have insect repellent in your first aid kit to keep you safe from these nasty insects. Insect stings can cause serious pain and swelling, so they should be treated as soon as you notice them.

Heat exhaustion and hyperthermia are other common problems that can occur when hiking in the heat, and you’ll need to be able to identify them. They come in three stages: first, muscle cramping that’s caused by dehydration; second, heat exhaustion, which results in extreme body temperature and sweating; and third, heat stroke, which is potentially life-threatening if left untreated.