How to Use First Aid When Hiking

Hiking carries with it some risk of injury. You may find yourself tending anything from a foot blister to a broken bone. Here are a few first-aid basics to remember if you're confronted with an injury.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Adhesive tape
• Roll-on and elastic bandages
• Gauze pads
• Antiseptic ointment
• Pain medicine
• Scissors

1. Remain calm. Whether you are the injured or someone else, assess the situation and make sure that there is no further danger to you or your fellow hikers. Then make sure the victim is conscious and breathing.
2. Apply a tourniquet. To stem heavy blood flow, wrap a strip of cloth or belt around the limb twice and tie off in a knot. Insert a stick and tie another knot. Use this to twist the fabric until the bleeding stops.
3. Practice CPR. If the victim is having trouble breathing, place your mouth over his and blow until his chest begins to rise. If his chest doesn't move, place your palms on the center of his chest and begin chest compressions, per accepted CPR practices and training.
4. Make a splint. For fractures, cover the skin with a clean cloth and tie a stick or other rigid object onto it with tape or rope. Make sure that it is secure and prevents the limb from moving.
5. Treat frostbite. Get yourself or the victim immediately inside, preferably to a hospital, where it is warm. If this is not possible, apply warm water to the area. If none is available, wrap the victim with blankets or pieces of clothing.
6. Minimize heat stroke. If you become seriously dehydrated in higher temperatures, you can experience anything from stomach cramps to seizures. If seizures occur, remove the victim's clothes and submerge him in cool water as quickly as possible.

Tips & Warnings

• To stop light bleeding place a clean cloth over the area and apply pressure for several minutes, elevating the wound as you do so.
• Taking a CPR course can save someone's life. Before your next hike, see if a course is available in your area.
• To apply first aid on a fracture, make sure that the rigid object you are using is longer than the limb it must support.
• Do not attempt to apply pressure on swollen or fractured limbs. If there is bleeding, apply only very light pressure.
• As the affected area thaws on frostbite victims, it causes an uncomfortable sensation. Do not adjust the heat or wrapping, as it may cause further damage.