First aid on a hike : the complete guide for a stress-free trip !
Regardless of whether you’re heading out for a couple of hours or several days, travelling at high altitude, in the heart of the forest or next to the sea, hiking is an unlimited source of well-being. However, whenever you’re surrounded by nature there will always be some risk involved and therefore hikers should always stay focused! The #1 rule of hiking is not to have to use your first aid kit! As the saying goes “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” which is why it’s necessary that thorough preparation is part of every hiking project. So before hitting the trails, it’s essential to plan your route, stay updated with the latest weather information, estimate how long it will take, and take the appropriate equipment. But even with all this preparation, sometimes accidents can’t be avoided which is why you must also be ready to provide first aid if needed.
Here’s our advice for essential first aid supplies to take when you go hiking including a first aid kit, a few other things to keep in your backpack, and best practices.
The first aid kit
Blisters, superficial wounds, sprains, and various aches and pains… you’ll never be totally safe from a few setbacks during a hike. To hold and protect all the different things that will become your first aid kit we recommend using a lightweight, waterproof bag. The contents might differ depending on your destination or your project but here is a basic list of first aid supplies to bring with you:
- Survival blanket: indispensable for every hike, it provides protection from cold, heat, wind and moisture.
- Dressings (classic and for blisters)
- Compresses
- Medical tape
- Small pair of scissors
- Adhesive sutures (Steri-Strip)
- Disinfectant and/or saline solution
- Antiseptic
- Pain reliever (paracetamol and/or aspirin)
- Anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen)
- Tick remover (especially for hikes in the forest)
- Aspivenin pump (in case of sting or bite by a venomous animal)
- Water purifying tablets
- Your usual medication if needed
The safety kit
Being well-equipped on your hike is essential for getting the maximum enjoyment from your time outdoors and returning home safely. But despite all your precautions, when you’re out having fun things don’t always go as planned. To prepare for mishaps like a broken shoulder strap, a torn down jacket, or a change in the weather we recommend always keeping a “safety kit” in the bottom of your pack that consists of:
- Lighter
- Headlamp
- Knife
- Sunscreen
- Length of cord
- Cereal/energy bars
- Lightweight gloves
- Extra socks
- Neck gaiter
- Duct tape: can be very practical, for instance to patch a hole in a garment (we advise using a round patch rather than rectangular so that the corners do not peel away.
- Small portable charger or power bank to recharge your phone if needed
In addition to your first aid and safety kits we also recommend carrying an identity card that lists your first and last name, age, blood type, allergy information, an emergency contact number, and any other issues that first responders should be aware of.Make sure your phone is fully charged when you leave home and conserve battery life during your hike so you can use your phone to call for help if needed.
How to call for a rescue
In the event of an accident or if you’re unable to continue or turn back safely, don’t wait for the situation to deteriorate further before calling for help! If you take a bad fall, become seriously injured, find that you are lost, or get trapped by the weather or a change in terrain or other technical difficulties, don’t hesitate to call for help. The longer you wait, the greater the risk and the rescue might possibly become more complicated.
When you call for help in the mountains or any other remote area, there are several actions you can take to help facilitate a rescue:
Make yourself as safe as possible
The first thing to do before calling for help is to make yourself safe by protecting yourself from further harm and bad weather. Do your best to make sure that you, your group, and anyone who’s injured are waiting in a safe area. Don’t panic. Take stock of the situation so that you can clearly explain the situation to the rescue team.
Call the local rescue number
Make sure you know the local rescue number before you leave. In Europe, the only emergency number you need to remember is 112! The operators at this number will evaluate the situation and activate the appropriate emergency services. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing can dial 114 in order to communicate by SMS or a video call.
Clearly state the situation
- Stay calm and speak clearly
- Identify yourself: give your first and last name
- Give your position. State your location as precisely as possible. For example, are you near a village? On a mountain? What’s your route? Where are you on the trail? Are there any landmarks around you? If you have a smartphone, give the GPS coordinates (learn how to find your GPS position on your phone before you leave home).
- State the number of people injured, their ages and sex
- State the severity of the injuries
- Report the current weather conditions. This is valuable information in case a helicopter is needed.
- Give your telephone number
- Follow the instructions of the rescue team
After hanging up, keep your phone turned on and within reach because it’s possible the emergency services will call you back. Trust the person you are speaking to. It can sometimes seem like a waste of time to go through all the details of the situation, but you’re providing valuable information that will be passed on to the emergency services which are already on their way.
Prepare for the arrival of a helicopter
Many rescues on hiking trails are performed by helicopter so it’s important to assist the approach of the helicopter and to signal your location clearly. Before the arrival of the rescue team, gather and pack up your belongings to prevent them from flying away. If possible, wear high visibility clothing (like red or white). As the helicopter approaches, stand up, don’t move, raise both arms up in a Y (indicating “Yes”) position above your body. If you are not involved in the rescue, signal the approaching helicopter by putting one arm up and one arm down to form an N (indicating “No”). Finally, the helicopter’s approach maneuver may dislodge rocks or send dirt flying, so protect your head and eyes.
Once the rescue team reaches you, pay attention, do not interfere with their work and follow their instructions.