What First Aid Skills Do You Need To Know Before Hiking a Trail?
One of the main reasons people go hiking and camping is to get away from the hectic urban and suburban environments of their everyday lives. Spending time in nature, away from civilisation, surrounded by wild animals and insects.
Of course, when you are outside of civilization, you are not simply escaping the pitfalls of modern life. You also miss out on benefits like hot and cold running water, air conditioning, and quick access to medical care.
Most outdoor enthusiasts are willing to make the first two sacrifices, but no one is excited about how far away the nearest emergency room is. Here's what you should know if something goes wrong and you need to treat injuries on the trail.
Always Keep a First Aid Kit on Hand
The first item you'll need to address any accident is a first aid kit. Here's a quick list of everything you should bring on the trail:
Antiseptic Wipes
Antimicrobial Ointment
Bandages (With Adhesives)
Gauze Pads
Butterfly Bandages
Nonstick Sterile Pads
Adhesive Tape for Surgical Purposes
Gauze Roll
Ace Bandages
Blister Treatment
Insect Sting Repellent
Compresses (Hot and Cold)
Antihistamines
Safety Pins
Fine Pointed Tweezers
We also assume you have hand sanitizer and a knife, both of which are needed for any outdoor trip. You're ready to face the hazards of the woods now that you're adequately outfitted.
The Most Common Trail Injuries and How to Treat Them
What we're discussing here is first aid. We will not teach you how to perform an emergency tracheotomy or amputation of a limb. We're discussing how to bandage oneself or a camping companion sufficiently to go to a trained medical practitioner. That is why it is referred to as "first" aid rather than "best" aid.
With that in mind, let's look at some of the most common injuries you're likely to face on the field.
Sprains
Although sprained ankles are not the most common hiking injury in the United States, they are clearly among the top three. An ankle sprain can completely derail a hiking weekend. But if it does happen, there is a simple acronym to remember: RICE. This abbreviation stands for:
Rest - You've just hurt yourself, so take your weight off that injured ankle. If you must hike out, allow yourself at least a few minutes and, if possible, find a stick – or a companion – to lean on.
Ice - Use a cold pack from your first-aid kit to ice your damaged joint. Ideally, you should do this for 20 minutes every hour, but you should do your best given the circumstances.
Compression - Wrap the ace bandage securely over your ankle or knee to compress it. You don't want your toes to turn blue, but a good tight wrap can keep your tendons from swelling any more than they already would.
Elevate - When you're not required to be upright, keep your sprained joint raised higher than your heart. As a result, blood flow will be diminished, as will inflammation.
Bone Fractures
First aid for bone fractures is only a band-aid remedy. If you or one of your trekking partners breaks a bone, get medical attention right away. However, if you want to get out of the woods as soon as possible, you may need to do some first aid.
Wrap several strong sticks with paracord or tape to construct a splint to stabilize a fractured limb. Traveling with a tent makes things a lot easier because you can use the tent poles as an emergency splint.
Bee Stings
Look for a honeybee or bumblebee stinger, then extract it with tweezers and apply bug bite spray to reduce swelling and itching. If you've been stung by a wasp or a hornet, there will be no stinger left behind, so just use your bite spray and you'll be OK.
If someone in your party has a known severe allergy to bug stings, they should always carry an epi-pen. If you're carrying an epi-pen, be sure at least one of your hiking buddies knows where it is and how to use it
Food Poisoning
Even the most seasoned outdoor enthusiasts can be persuaded by some enticing-looking berries or the dubious leftover camp cuisine that's still lingering around in the morning.
Staying hydrated is the most crucial thing to do if someone in your group has food sickness. Diarrhea and vomiting can cause significant fluid loss, therefore it is vital to keep a supply of fresh water on hand. Before drinking or washing wounds, always run your water through a functional charcoal filter. If your filter fails, you can boil all water before drinking it or using it to treat wounds.