With a wonderful abundance of wildlife to discover, it’s only natural that we explore what the country has to offer. However, traversing new routes and battling with the ever-changing weather will present issues for even the most experienced of hikers.
Scenarios that call for a well-equipped first aid kit can crop up when we least expect it. That said, whether you’re faced with a pulled muscle, a scraped knee or an insect sting, don’t let yourself take on the wilderness unprepared.
Hiking First Aid Essentials
1. Wound Care:
Treatments and remedies for cuts, scrapes and grazes are perhaps among some of the most integral pieces of your hiking first aid kit. It’s all too easy to pick up a couple of nicks and scratches while traversing mountainous and unpredictable terrain, so preparing to clean and cover them is crucial. Ensure that you have a good supply of adhesive bandages and butterfly bandages in your hiking first aid kit.
Remember, a wound is more susceptible to infection if it’s been contaminated with dirt (which is pretty hard to avoid when you’re negotiating the wilderness), so be certain to include plenty of antiseptic items: antiseptic wipes, sterile dressings and antiseptic cream will stand you in good stead here.
Blister plasters may seem a little out of place in a first aid kit, but hours of walking in weathered hiking boots can wreak havoc on your heels. A box of these handy cushioned plasters will rescue your weary feet and prevent new blisters from forming.
2. Medications:
Maintaining your general health and wellbeing while on a hike is essential for ensuring you get the most out of your time outdoors. The last thing you want to contend with is a pounding headache or an upset stomach while you’re trying to enjoy the vistas of your trek. That’s why you should be sure that you have enough paracetamol, ibuprofen, diarrhoea relief, antihistamine tablets and aspirin in your first aid kit to see you through your journey.
Some additional medications you may want to make space in your backpack for are rehydration sachets and glucose tablets. While you could forego these items on a short trip, for intensive and long-distance hikes, these extra items will help conserve your energy levels, so you don’t have to cut your walk short.
If lengthier trips are more your style, our Fraser The Rucksack sports a 32L capacity to safely store all your first aid essentials, to keep you well-equipped on every step of your journey.
3. Treatments and Remedies:
Unforeseen situations can rapidly arise during a hike. Unfamiliar terrain, new trails, adverse weather conditions and even effects from previous injuries can result in predicaments you may have neglected to prepare for. But fear not, we’ve got you covered!
When taking on your next outdoor adventure, we’d recommend taking ice packs, sun burn relief gel, injectable epinephrine, bite and sting cream and saline eye pods, in your first aid kit.
When faced with a sprained ankle, an allergic reaction to an animal sting or a burgeoning sunburn, trust us, these items are worth the extra weight in your backpack!
4. Additional Tools:
While these items won’t directly treat or prevent any injuries you may obtain on a hike, we believe that they’re just as essential.
Tools such as: • Scissors • Whistle • Duct tape • Safety pins
Whether you’re repairing a broken tent or trying to attract attention from fellow hikers, they’re compact and lightweight, so be sure to add them to your first aid kit.
Clothing cutters, a heat-reflecting blanket and emergency glow sticks are also indispensable if you ever find yourself in a pinch. Getting lost in the depths of the countryside or succumbing to hypothermia isn’t on your weekend hiking itinerary, so make sure to prepare for these situations.
Along with these first aid essentials, add a first aid instruction manual to your first aid kit!
We have a wide range of sustainable bags that will accommodate even the bulkiest of first aid kits, including our Smith The Roll Pack 25L. Check them out, along with the rest of our bags, here!
With your first aid kit all sorted, read about the other tools other you’ll need for your next trek with our 5 Essentials to Take on a Long Walk.
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