Heading out on a fun outdoor adventure? Whether it’s a hike, a camping trip, or a longer outdoor excursion, being prepared for injuries is just as important as packing your gear.
Nature is unpredictable, and knowing some wilderness first aid basics—and having the right first aid kit—can make a huge difference.
This guide will walk you through the must-haves, common injuries, and tips to keep you safe out there.
Table of Contents
Packing Your First Aid Kit
Every adventurer needs a reliable first aid kit, whether it’s a simple first aid box or a more advanced tactical medical kit.
A waterproof first aid bag is a smart choice to keep your supplies dry, no matter the weather.
Must-Have Items for Your First Aid Kit
Before you head out on the trail, make sure you have the following equipment in your backpack’s first aid kit:
- Wound Care & Bandages
- Bandages (including medic bandages and arm injury bandages)
- Adhesive tape and gauze pads
- Antiseptic wipes and antibiotic ointment
- Tools & Medications
- Tweezers (for splinters and debris removal)
- Pain relievers (like ibuprofen or acetaminophen)
- Hydrocortisone cream for insect bites and rashes
- Antihistamines for allergic reactions
- Moleskin for blister prevention
- Burn gel or dressing
- Aloe
- Scissors
- Emergency Essentials
- Emergency blanket
- CPR face shield
- Choking device (such as a portable anti-choking tool)
- First aid handbook or a wilderness first aid handbook
- Emergency contact information
First Aid Basics: What You Need to Know
When you’re out on the trail, we hope you get away from the hustle and bustle of your daily life. However, this also means you’ll be further away from medical attention if you need it.
Because of this, you might be the only medical attention someone gets for a long period of time, so knowing the basics of first aid is even more important.
In the wild, a minor injury can turn into a big problem if it’s not handled properly. Here are some basic rules to follow:
Stop the Bleeding
Losing too much blood can be dangerous, so if someone gets a cut your first priority is to stop the bleeding.
The best way to do this is to apply pressure using a clean bandage or cloth. If it’s a deep wound, continue applying pressure while you elevate it and use medic bandages.
If it’s really severe, a tourniquet may be necessary—but only as a last resort.
Keep It Clean
When you’re outdoors, you’re at a higher risk of getting an infection because of the higher level of dirt around you.
Make sure you clean any wounds with antiseptic wipes, apply antibiotic ointment, and cover with a sterile bandage.
Once you’ve wrapped up the wound, avoid exposing it to water (like lake water) that could have bacteria on it.
Throughout your outdoor adventure, keep an eye on the wound and change dressings regularly to keep it clean.
Keep Yourself Safe
You can’t help someone if you’re also hurt!
Before helping someone else, make sure the area you’re entering is a safe one.
It’s especially important to check for any concerns that could have injured the person you’re trying to help, like unstable ground, wildlife, weather, or other unpredictable threats.
It’s also important to keep yourself safe from infections and other diseases.
Before helping someone, make sure you put on gloves to protect yourself from any transmittable diseases that spread through blood or touch.
Also read:Hiking Safety Tips (How to Stay Safe on the Trail)
Plan for Evacuation
Assess the injury—how bad is it? Can the person walk out, or do you need to call for help? Thinking through these logistics ahead of time can be a lifesaver.
Oftentimes, it’s more efficient for a larger group to split up in an effort to find help.
If you have enough people, make sure that someone stays with the injured person as a priority while another person searches for help or cell phone service.
If you have an even larger group, make sure that the smaller “search party” has at least two people in it so everyone stays safe.
Common Outdoor Injuries & How to Handle Them
Sprains & Strains
Rolling an ankle or tweaking a knee is super common on the trail.
Usually a minor sprain can be quickly wrapped up trail-side, but sometimes it requires more attention.
If someone in your hiking crew finds themselves unable to put weight on the sprain or strain, we recommend stopping and using the RICE method.
Use RICE:
- Rest: Stay off the injured limb.
- Ice: Cool it down to reduce swelling.
- Compression: Wrap with an elastic bandage.
- Elevation: Keep it propped up.
Our pro-tip? If you’re able to make it to camp, stuff a few pieces of clothing under your feet while you sleep, leaving your ankle or knee elevated all night to reduce swelling and pain.
Blisters
All backpackers know you’ve gotta take care of your feet. Blisters, while common, can ruin a hike fast.
You can prevent them with good dry socks and worn in boots, but you’re still bound to experience one on a long trek.
If one forms:
- Cover it with moleskin or a blister bandage before putting your socks on.
- Avoid popping it, but if you must, use a sterile needle and apply antiseptic.
One of the main reasons blisters happen is because your feet are too damp with water or sweat, causing the fabric to rub against your skin in uncomfortable ways.
To prevent this, make sure you take your socks off at night and air them out while you sleep (bring an extra pair of socks if you need to wear some at night).
This will make sure that your hiking socks, and your feet themselves, get a chance to dry out.
Splinters
When you get them, splinters don’t always feel like a big deal, but even a tiny splinter can turn into a big problem if it gets infected.
It’s best to get splinters out as quickly as possible after you notice them. We suggest using tweezers to pull it out. Once it’s out, clean the area and cover if needed.
Burns
Everyone loves a good campfire, but even the best fires make everyone in the group more vulnerable to heat burns and cooking mishaps.
Make sure your group is practicing fire safety protocol to prevent the worst, but if a burn happens:
- Cool minor burns with running water and apply burn gel.
- Cover with a clean, non-stick dressing.
And don’t forget sunburns! If your skin gets sunburnt, it can affect you physically and mentally through skin burns and sun poisoning.
You can prevent sunburns by wearing a high SPF sunscreen and reapplying regularly, or by wearing long sleeves and hats.
If you get a sunburn on the trail:
- Apply aloe to the burn.
- Avoid friction or pressure on the burned skin.
- Don’t pop blisters that form—they help protect the skin.
Hypothermia
Weather can change really fast out there, especially if you’re climbing elevation into colder climates.
If someone in your crew is shivering uncontrollably and seems disoriented, they might have hypothermia.
When you see this, make sure you:
- Get them to a warm, dry spot.
- Remove wet clothes and bundle them up in dry layers.
- Give them warm fluids if they’re alert.
- Use an emergency blanket to help retain body heat.
Shock
Shock is a reactionary state your body goes into when it’s stressed out from injury, dehydration, or blood loss.
Look for tell tale signs like pale skin, rapid breathing, and weakness.
When a body is in shock, it’s not getting enough blood flow to all the areas that need it.
When you see this happen to someone on the trail:
- Lay them down and elevate their legs (unless there’s a spinal injury).
- Keep them warm.
- Stay with them and get medical help ASAP.
Also see:How Much Water To Bring Hiking: A Guide To Staying Hydrated
Final Thoughts
No matter where you go, safety should always be a priority.
Having a well-stocked first aid kit and knowing wilderness first aid basics can make your outdoor adventures safer and more enjoyable.
If you want to be even more prepared, taking a first aid course by the Red Cross is a great idea.
You can learn more about Red Cross Wilderness First Aid Training Courses here.
In the meantime, stay safe, have fun, and happy exploring!
Also Read: The 7 Skills Every Outdoorsman Lives By—How Do You Measure Up?
