Hiking First Aid

A carefully stocked first-aid kit is a hiker's best friend. It might be even more important than your boots, map or trail guide. You can create your own hiking first-aid kit with some essential supplies.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Waterproof container Tweezers Scissors Pocket knife Gauze and tape Adhesive bandages Burn cream Anti-itch cream Antiseptic wipes or spray Sunscreen Pain reliever Water Flares (optional) Snake bite kit (optional)
Waterproof container
Tweezers
Scissors
Pocket knife
Gauze and tape
Adhesive bandages
Burn cream
Anti-itch cream
Antiseptic wipes or spray
Sunscreen
Pain reliever
Water
Flares (optional)
Snake bite kit (optional)

Step 1

Decide whether you want to buy a manufactured first-aid kit or make your own.

Step 2

If you purchase a manufactured kit, determine if it contains supplies essential to your hiking needs. Compare the price of the kit to the cost of supplies to build your own.

Step 3

If you decide to make your own hiking first-aid kit, make a list of necessary supplies. Include tweezers for splinter removal, scissors to cut away bandages or clothing, a pocket knife, burn cream, anti-itch cream, sunscreen, pain reliever, antiseptic wipes or spray, water, adhesive bandages, gauze and tape.

Step 4

Determine if you need to include a snake bite kit based on the region of the trail.

Step 5

Include flares if you are hiking to remote areas or long distances.

Step 6

Bring extra bandages and water to clean scrapes and cuts. Do not wash an open wound in a stream or pond that may house dangerous bacteria.

Step 7

Bring common-sense safety items, including a charged cell phone, map, extra money for emergencies and a knowledge of the area, including nearby police stations and hospitals.

Step 8

Pack your hiking kit in a waterproof container. If the kit is too heavy, cut down on the quantity of each item. Never eliminate an essential supply, including water or bandages.

Tips & Warnings

Always tell someone where you are hiking and how long you will be gone. Agree to check in with each other at a designated time. Prevention is the best way to protect yourself from injury. Do not hike with blisters or cuts or while fatigued.

Always tell someone where you are hiking and how long you will be gone. Agree to check in with each other at a designated time.

Prevention is the best way to protect yourself from injury. Do not hike with blisters or cuts or while fatigued.

A hiking first-aid kit is not a substitute for common-sense safety and professional medical attention. Do not hike to isolated rocks, outcroppings, ravines or other dangerous areas. Even minor cuts can become infected. Seek medical attention for your injuries. Immediately stabilize an injury. Do not continue hiking.

A hiking first-aid kit is not a substitute for common-sense safety and professional medical attention.

Do not hike to isolated rocks, outcroppings, ravines or other dangerous areas.

Even minor cuts can become infected. Seek medical attention for your injuries.

Immediately stabilize an injury. Do not continue hiking.

Article Written By Contributing Writer

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