Camping First Aid: Be Prepared for Emergencies

Accidents happen in the outdoors. Being prepared to handle common injuries can make the difference between a minor inconvenience and a trip-ending emergency.

Building Your First Aid Kit

Basic Supplies

• Adhesive bandages (various sizes)
• Sterile gauze pads and rolls
• Medical tape
• Elastic bandage (ACE wrap)
• Butterfly closures or Steri-strips
• Moleskin for blisters
• Tweezers
• Safety pins
• Scissors

Medications

• Pain reliever (ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
• Antihistamine (Benadryl)
• Anti-diarrheal (Imodium)
• Antacid
• Personal prescriptions
• Electrolyte packets

Wound Care

• Antiseptic wipes
• Antibiotic ointment
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Burn gel or aloe
• Irrigation syringe

Common Camping Injuries

Blisters

1. Clean the area
2. Apply moleskin donut around blister
3. Don't pop unless necessary
4. If draining needed, use sterile needle at edge
5. Cover with bandage

Cuts and Scrapes

1. Control bleeding with pressure
2. Clean wound thoroughly
3. Apply antibiotic ointment
4. Bandage appropriately
5. Watch for infection signs

Sprains

• R.I.C.E.: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
• Elastic bandage for support
• NSAIDs for pain and swelling
• Evaluate ability to continue trip

Burns

1. Cool with water (not ice)
2. Don't break blisters
3. Cover with sterile dressing
4. Take pain medication
5. Seek medical care for serious burns

Insect Stings

1. Remove stinger if present (scrape, don't squeeze)
2. Clean the area
3. Apply ice or cold compress
4. Take antihistamine
5. Watch for allergic reactions

When to Evacuate

Seek professional medical care for:

• Deep cuts requiring stitches
• Suspected fractures
• Severe allergic reactions
• Signs of infection (increasing redness, warmth, pus)
• Head injuries with confusion
• Chest pain or difficulty breathing
• Suspected heat stroke or hypothermia

Wilderness First Aid Training

Consider taking a course:

• NOLS Wilderness First Aid (2 days)
• SOLO Wilderness First Responder (extended)
• Red Cross First Aid/CPR (basics)

Stay safe out there! ⛑️