Hiking

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. . . Safety First On The Hiking Trail

Hikers and back packers are largely responsible for their own safety . . . that’s actually a large part of the appeal, just you against nature, and for that very reason it’s important that you carry a hiking first aid kit in your backpack, and that you know how to use it! It really doesn’t matter whether you’re enjoying a day hike or are embarking on a real adventure in the back country for a few days, you never know when you’ll have to deal with a cut, bruise, sting, bite or headache . . . so be prepared.

Ready Made First Aid Kits for Hikers

Many back packers and hikers take the easy option when they are just starting out, and buy a ready made first aid kit . . . not a bad idea really, it’s one way to make sure that you’ve remembered the basics. These kits are usually supplied in a little kit bag, often waterproof and can be easily refilled with any items you’ve used up.

 Like she says, “blisters are one of those things that happen” . . . and they can be really painful so don’t forget to take some blister treatment in your hikers first aid kit.

Basic Rules for Hikers First Aid and Hikers First Aid Kits

More experienced hikers and ultralight back packers might prefer to build their own first aid kits for hiking. They soon pick up the idea of what they’re gonna’ need, what actually gets used and which parts of the ready made first aid kit they can do without. If you decide to built your own first aid kit for your hiking adventures then you need to think about:

• How long you gonna be hiking for? Are you planning a day hike or camping out for a few days?
• How many people will be in your hiking party? Most experienced hikers will carry their own first kit but you never know . . .
• What are the potential dangers for the route you’ll be hiking? You should know whether you might come across poison ivy, venomous snakes etc.
• How far will you be from conventional medical assistance? Are you planning to lose yourselves in the middle of the back country for a few days, or will you be within easy reach of professional rescue services if you need them?

Stuff Which Your First Aid Kit MUST Include

If you’re travelling through snake country then you might want to incude an extractor pump (saves trying to find a hiking buddy who’s willing to suck the poison from your butt), and other items of first aid kit are conducive to specific locations and situations, but there is other stuff which must be included in your first aid kit, wherever, whenever and for however long you hike.

• Bandages for your back packing first aid kit - adhesive bandages, moleskin (remember those blisters . . . ouch), athletic tape . . . just plenty of stuff in different sizes to cover, protect and maybe even support any injuries sustained on the hike.
• Lotions, potions and drugs to include on your hiking trip - aspirin, antiseptic wipes, sunscreen and prescription medicines if appropriate.
• Tools for your hikers first aid kit – mirror, razor blade, tweezers, knife, scissors.
• Other stuff to take with you on your hike – plastic gloves, eye patches, venom extractor pump (if you’re gonna be in rattlesnake country), bee-sting kit
• First Aid Manual – it’s no good having all of this gear in your back pack if you don’t know how or when to use it. Take a manual with you just in case you come unstuck on your hiking or back packing adventure.
• If you’re going on a longer hike or backpacking trip, take a larger first aid kit. You won’t necessarily need different equipment, just more of it!

Not sure how you could prepare for that in your hikers first aid kit . . . .