Wilderness First Aid Basics

If you are planning a wilderness trip you need to be trained in wilderness first aid basics. Here you will find 19 of the most common injuries that occur.

This can get your started but to be truly prepared take a first aid course that specializes in wilderness first aid basics and survival skills. They aren't expensive, around $30-$40 but the knowledge gained is priceless.

Now, study the information on this page well because at the end you'll find a survival first aid test to test your knowlegde!

This page is available as a PDF download.

First Things First

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You have to be prepared for an emergency and know how to handle yourself in one. And it is amazing how quickly logic and common sense leave you when you are faced with an emergency far from help. I know the book and the kit take up room in the pack but like food they are non- negotiable items.

Here is a checklist for a basic wilderness first aid kit. Add to it depending on your terrain and the duration of your trip.

The 19 most common injuries are:

• Bee Stings
• Bleeding
• Blisters
• Burns
• Concussions
• Dislocations
• Fractures
• Frostbite
• Headaches
• Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke (sometimes called Sun Stroke)
• Hypothermia
• Muscle Cramps
• Shock
• Snakebites
• Sprains
• Snow Blindness
• Stopped Breathing

Bee Stings

Wilderness First Aid Basics.
Avoid removing the stinger with tweezers you can mistakenly squeeze the venom sack and inject more poison into the wound. Use the antiseptic wipes from your first aid kit and clean the sting area. Apply cold water compresses to reduce swelling.

If you are allergic or didn't know you were allergic:
If you have an EpiPen use it. Seek medical help immediately.

If you do not have an EpiPen but are showing signs of an allergic reaction:

• Shortness of breath
• Trouble catching your breath or swallowing
• Feeling scared or weak
• Swelling of the face or lips
• Rapid pulse, sweating, dizziness, fainting, unconsciousness

Remain calm. Use the antihistamine (such as Benadryl) from your first aid kit. Get immediate medical help. If you are with other people send them for help or call. DO NOT wait to see if the allergy will clear up. Anaphylactic shock can be life threatening.

Bleeding

Wilderness First Aid Basics.
Apply pressure to the wound using sterile gauze, a clean cloth, even dried seaweed or moss can be used. Apply firm consistent pressure for 5 to 10 minutes. Elevate the injury above the heart if possible. Apply pressure to the pulse point between the injury and the heart if you are having trouble stopping the bleeding.

In extreme cases you can apply a tourniquet between the injury and the heart.

Once the bleeding as stopped. Apply an antibiotic ointment and wrap the wound with sterile gauze or a bandage.

You can get more information on treating cuts, blisters and hotspots on our camping first aid page.

Blisters

For intact blisters. Cut a hole in the center of a piece of moleskin (molefoam can be used as well). Make the hole slightly larger then the blister. Secure with tape.

For broken blisters. Swab the area with an antiseptic wipe and cover with a bandage or gauze dressing. Leave the skin in place over the burst blister.

I prefer to use Spenco Second Skin instead of a bandage. They are gel filled bandages that aid healing and make walking on a blistered foot more comfortable.

Buy the packages without the adhesive. I find that the adhesive doesn't work well with blisters on the feet. All the friction from walking tends to loosen them rather quickly.

Instead cut the Second Skin to a size slightly larger then the blister and secure with your own adhesive tape or Micropore tape. It's a type of breathable fabric tape that secures very well. Second Skin can also be used on hot spots to prevent blisters.

Note on blisters. I know the general rule is to not break blisters. I personally find walking with an intact blister very painful. I also find that if I don't break the blister they inevitable end up bursting in my shoe causing a sticky mess of fluid and blood.

So, if you need to break the blister, take a needle from your first aid kit and sterilize it with a match or an antiseptic wipe.

Poke a hole in the side of the blister and using a piece of gauze press down on the blister allowing the gauze to catch the fluid. Drain the blister completely.

Another 'technique' is to roll the needle over the blister to drain it. Do not remove the skin covering the blister. Then use the above wilderness first aid for broken blisters.

You can get information on hot spots, blisters and cuts on our camping first aid page.

Burns

Wilderness First Aid Basics.

• First degree burns are minor burns that do not break the surface of the skin. A sunburn is a first degree burn.
• Second degree burns include pain, redness and blistering. Skin can look blotchy and red.
• Third degree burns are the most severe. They affect all 3 layers of skin and can appear white, chalky or black. Fat, muscle and bone can be affected.

Third degree burns require immediate medical attention. DO NOT remove burned clothing. Make sure that the patient is not in contact with any smoldering clothing. Wrap the burned area in moist sterile dressings if these are not available use towels, sheets, clothing or blankets. Separate burned fingers and toes with moist gauze dressings. Elevate feet 12 inches off the ground to help prevent shock. DO NOT:

• Submerge large parts of the body in cold water, this can lead to shock.
• Apply oil based ointments or creams.
• Let the burn become contaminated. Avoid coughing or breathing over the burn.
• Disturb blisters or dead skin.
• Use a pillow under the patient's head. If the patient has an airway burn and they are lying down this can close the airway.
• Move the patient if you suspect a spinal injury of any kind.

Concussions

Wilderness First Aid Basics.
Take a pain reliever to reduce pain. Stay warm and rest giving the body time to heal and repair.

Dislocations

Wilderness First Aid Basics.
Despite the pictures of people heroically pulling a dislocated shoulder back into place unless you are a medical professional don't try it. Instead secure the injured limb using a splint or sling. Take pain relievers as needed and get medical help.

Fractures

Wilderness First Aid Basics.
To treat it, splint the limb above and below the injury. Be sure to pad your splint. Check the splint frequently to make sure it does not hinder circulation. Dress any open wound before you apply the splint.

If the fracture has broken the surface of the skin DO NOT try and push the bone back into place.

The only time it is permissable to try and pull a limb straight is if there is no pulse in the injured limb and it has gone cold. Then gently pulling the limb straight could increase circulation and save it from becoming gangrenous.

Frostbite

Headaches

Wilderness First Aid Basics.
Aspirin or other pain relievers can be used. But find the cause of the headache to prevent further discomfort.

Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke (sometimes called Sunstroke)

Hypothermia

Symptoms include, uncontrollable shivering, having to exercise to stay warm, slurred speech, exposed skin turning blue, cold pale skin, foggy thinking, your mind wanders, slow breathing, fatigue, apathy, lethargy and eventually unconsciousness.

Wilderness First Aid Basics.

• Move the victim to a sheltered area. Cover their head and insulate them from the cold ground.
• Remove wet clothing and replace with dry clothing if possible.
• Put patient in a sleeping bag if possible. Another person can share the bag for body heat.
• Apply hot compresses to groin, neck and chest.
• Wrap warm rocks and place them near the patient.
• Give warm non alcoholic drinks. DO NOT give alcoholic drinks.
• DO NOT rub or massage the person. Hypothermia patients are at risk for cardiac arrest and need to be handled gently.
• DO NOT apply direct heat to warm the patient. Don't use heating pads, hot water or heat lamps.
• DO NOT apply heat to the arms and legs this can force cold blood back to the core of the body the lungs, brain and heart causing the body temperature to drop. This can be fatal.
• DO NOT let person become unconscious.

Muscle Cramps

Wilderness First Aid Basics.
Treatment includes rest, stretching, deep breathing and restoring the salt balance by drinking salted water.

Shock

Signs include clammy, cold skin, weakened or rapid pulse and feeling faint or weak.

Wilderness First Aid Basics.

• If there are no head or chest injuries place the patient on his/her back with the head and chest lower than the legs. This will help the blood circulate to the brain, heart, lungs and other major organs.
• If severe head and chest injuries are present elevate the upper body. If chest injuries are present, elevate the injured side to assist in the functioning of the uninjured lung.
• If the injured person becomes unconscious, place them face down to prevent choking on vomit, blood or the tongue.
• Keep your patient warm and under shelter.

Snakebites

Sprains

We have a page on First Aid For...Strains and Sprains here.

Snow Blindness

Wilderness First Aid Basics.
Bandage the victim's eyes and use cold compresses and a painkiller to control the pain. Vision will generally be restored after 18 hours without the help of a doctor. Always wear snow goggles or sunglasses in snowy areas to prevent snow blindness.

Stopped Breathing

Quiz time!!

Here you'll find a survival first aid test. Just click the buttons to see how you'd do in a real wilderness survival situation.

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