Table of Contents
- What Is First Aid?
- Common Wilderness Emergencies & How to Handle Them
- Wilderness First Aid Basics
- How to Make an Essential Wilderness First Aid Kit
- Preventing Injuries in the Wilderness
- Are You Prepared? Tips & Resources
- Wilderness First Aid FAQs
It’s late afternoon, and your group is making its way back to camp after a day of exploring the trails. The sun is starting to dip behind the trees, casting long shadows over the rocky path. Suddenly, one of your friends stumbles and twists their ankle, collapsing to the ground with a sharp gasp. They can’t put any weight on it, and the pain is intense.
With no cell service and the nearest ranger station several miles away, the reality sets in: It’s up to you and your group to handle this emergency. While others try to keep your friend calm, you spring into action, recalling your wilderness first aid training.
The priority now is to immobilize their ankle and prevent further injury as you prepare to transport them back to camp and, eventually, to help.
Whether you’re camping, climbing, or hiking, having a solid understanding of first aid can help you respond effectively when help isn’t immediately available.
Keep reading to learn how to prepare for wilderness emergencies and how to respond to common injuries or illnesses when you’re far from civilization.
What Is First Aid?
First aid is emergency aid given immediately on the scene of a sudden injury or health crisis. The first few minutes after an emergency occurs can be critical to the person’s survival, and there often isn’t time to wait for medical professionals to arrive. So it’s important for people of all professions to know basic first aid and be willing to help in an emergency.
Whether you’re at home or in the wilderness, first aid comprises a wide range of skills. A few examples include:
- Administering CPR
- Putting a person into the recovery position
- Helping a person who’s choking
- Bandaging a wound or stabilizing a broken bone
You don’t have to be a medical professional to administer first aid, but the more first aid knowledge and skills you have, the better equipped you’ll be to help someone in need.
Why Wilderness First Aid Matters
Wilderness first aid is essential because it equips you with the knowledge and skills to handle emergencies in remote environments where professional medical help may be delayed or inaccessible.
Unlike urban settings, where medical resources are often just a call away, wilderness situations require more self-reliance.
You may have to wait hours, or even days, for help to arrive. In urban areas, immediate access to hospitals, paramedics, and other healthcare services makes emergency response relatively straightforward.
However, in the wilderness, there are several unique challenges:
- You won’t have the luxury of medical equipment, tools, or supplies commonly available in urban settings. Wilderness first aid teaches you to use what you have on hand, including basic first aid kits and sometimes natural resources, to stabilize and treat injuries.
- In remote areas, emergency responders may not be able to reach you quickly, and rescue operations can take longer. The knowledge of how to assess and treat injuries or conditions while waiting for help can be crucial.
- The wilderness is home to potential dangers such as snakes, insects, and plants that may not be present in urban areas. Knowing how to identify and deal with these threats, such as a snake bite, insect sting, or poisonous plant, is a fundamental aspect of wilderness first aid.
Wilderness first aid goes beyond basic CPR and wound care; it’s about understanding how to survive and keep others safe in an environment where help might not be readily available.
Common Wilderness Emergencies & How to Handle Them
One of the first steps you should take in an emergency is to call emergency services so medical professionals can help as soon as possible.
But there are some situations — especially while exploring the wilderness — where you may be unable to call for help or where it may take longer than usual for help to arrive. That’s why wilderness first aid is so important — because you’re even more likely to be the only person available to help.
According to Yale Medicine, some of the most common medical emergencies that occur during wilderness activities include “gastroenteritis from improperly treated or contaminated water, injuries such as ankle sprains, broken bones, scrapes and lacerations, as well as heat injuries such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.”
These emergencies can occur due to environmental factors, like weather conditions, wildlife encounters, or the terrain you’re navigating, or they may be exacerbated by pre-existing medical conditions. Here are some of the most common wilderness emergencies and how to handle them:
Severe Bleeding & Wound Care
Severe bleeding is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. There are two main types — arterial bleeding and venous bleeding — each requiring a different approach for treatment.
Arterial bleeding is the most dangerous type, as it involves bright red blood that spurts with each heartbeat. This type of bleeding can lead to rapid blood loss and must be controlled immediately.
For arterial bleeding, apply direct pressure to the wound, and if that doesn’t stop the bleeding, use a tourniquet. Place the tourniquet above the wound, tighten it until the bleeding stops, and keep track of how long it remains in place to prevent complications.
Learn more about arterial bleeding and how to treat it:
Venous bleeding is slower but still serious, with dark red blood that flows steadily. While not as immediately life-threatening as arterial bleeding, it can still lead to significant blood loss if not controlled. Apply firm, direct pressure to the wound and use a pressure bandage to help slow the bleeding. Elevating the limb can also help reduce blood flow to the area.
Explore venous bleeding in the video below:
Regardless of the type of bleeding, keeping the wound clean is crucial to prevent infection. Additionally, monitor the person for signs of shock, as severe blood loss can quickly lead to life-threatening complications.
Fractures, Sprains & Immobilization
Fractures and sprains are common injuries in the wilderness, especially when navigating rough terrain. For a fracture, immobilize the area using splints made from nearby materials like sticks or clothing.
For sprains, follow the R.I.C.E. method — rest, ice, compression, elevation — until the person is able to receive medical attention. Both injuries require stabilization to prevent additional damage and reduce pain.
Get a better understanding of how to care for sprains, strains, and fractures:
Hypothermia & Frost Bite
Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, typically in cold weather or wet conditions. Symptoms include shivering, confusion, and slurred speech. To treat hypothermia, move the person to a warmer area, remove their wet clothing, and wrap them in warm layers.
Be prepared for cold-related emergencies by pressing play on the video below:
Frostbite occurs when skin and tissue freeze, usually on extremities like fingers and toes. Warm the affected areas gradually, avoiding direct heat sources so damage to the tissue doesn’t continue.
Heat Exhaustion & Sunburn
Heat exhaustion is a result of prolonged exposure to high temperatures and dehydration. Symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, and nausea. Move the person to a cooler place, hydrate them with cool water, and encourage them to rest.
Heat-related emergencies shouldn’t be taken lightly. Learn more here:
Sunburn is another risk, particularly in hot, sunny environments. Protect the skin from exposure and use aloe vera or hydrocortisone cream to soothe burns. If heat exhaustion progresses to heat stroke, seek immediate medical attention.
Dehydration
In the wilderness, dehydration can happen quickly, especially in hot or dry conditions. Symptoms include dizziness, dry mouth, and fatigue. Prevent dehydration by drinking water regularly, and if water sources are limited, ration it wisely.
If dehydration occurs, rehydrate with small sips of water or an electrolyte solution.
Animal & Snake Bites
Wild animals and snakes can pose a significant risk in the wilderness. If you’re bitten by a snake, remain calm and try to identify the snake for medical purposes, but don’t try to grab or trap it. For most bites, immobilize the affected limb and get medical help quickly.
For animal bites, clean the wound thoroughly and apply pressure to control bleeding. If the animal is venomous, or if you’re unsure, seek medical assistance as soon as possible.
Gain more insights into snake bites below:
Insect Stings & Allergic Reactions
Insect stings can lead to allergic reactions ranging from mild itching to anaphylactic shock, which can be life-threatening. If stung, remove the stinger if possible and clean the area.
Use antihistamines for mild reactions, and always carry an epinephrine pen if you or someone in your group has a known allergy to insect stings.
Never underestimate the power of an insect’s sting or bite. Learn the symptoms and signs of an allergic reaction here:
Altitude Sickness & Oxygen Deprivation
Altitude sickness occurs when you ascend to high elevations too quickly, causing headaches, dizziness, and nausea. To prevent altitude sickness, ascend slowly, and give your body time to adjust. If symptoms appear, descend to lower altitudes and stay hydrated.
For oxygen deprivation, supplemental oxygen is the most effective treatment if available.
Burns
Burns from hot surfaces, fire, or chemicals can occur during outdoor activities. For first-degree burns, run cool water over the burn area and apply aloe vera or a cooling gel.
Dive deeper into the complex injury of a burn and its treatment with our video:
For second and third-degree burns, cover the area with a clean, non-stick bandage and seek medical attention immediately.
Poisonous Plants & Waterborne Illnesses
Exposure to poisonous plants like poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac can cause rashes and irritation. Avoid contact with these plants, and wash any exposed skin with soap and water if you come into contact with them.
Waterborne illnesses can occur from drinking untreated water, leading to conditions like giardiasis or dysentery. Always purify water before drinking to avoid these risks.
Being prepared for common wilderness emergencies can make all the difference when you’re far from help. Whether it’s stopping severe bleeding, treating hypothermia, or handling an allergic reaction, wilderness first aid equips you with practical skills to protect yourself and others in remote environments.
Wilderness First Aid Basics
First aid can make the difference between life and death, and this is especially true in wilderness situations where you may not have easy access to medical supplies or assistance. Here are some tips for administering wilderness first aid:
- Be prepared. This can’t be emphasized enough — emergencies can happen to anyone, anywhere. The more prepared you are, the better your and your companions’ chances of surviving a wilderness emergency. Carry a well-stocked first aid kit with you, and brush up on your first aid skills and knowledge before you go.
- Hydrate. Many medical emergencies, in or out of the wilderness, are caused or exacerbated by dehydration. Making sure everyone stays hydrated is an important preventative measure and can help mitigate symptoms of ailments such as heat exhaustion.
- Assess the scene. When an accident occurs, such as someone falling from a rocky ledge, your inclination may be to rush after them and try to help. But while every second matters, endangering yourself in the process is likely to result in two injured people instead of just one. First, make sure it’s safe for you to approach, then take action.
- Stabilize. Even in the wilderness, the goal of first aid is to stabilize the person’s condition until you can get help. If there’s an open wound, stop the bleeding. If there’s a broken bone, put it in a splint. And no matter what, get the person medical attention as soon as possible.
Above all, when a wilderness emergency occurs, try to remain calm and avoid putting yourself or others in danger as you administer first aid.
The ABCs of First Aid
The ABCs of first aid are the basic priorities you should address when responding to an emergency situation. They stand for airway, breathing, and circulation, and they help you quickly assess the most vital aspects of a person’s condition.
The first step is ensuring that the person’s airway is clear. If the airway is blocked by something like debris, blood, or the tongue (in cases of unconsciousness), it can prevent oxygen from reaching the lungs. Clearing the airway is the first thing you need to do to allow for normal breathing and prevent suffocation.
Once the airway is clear, check if the person is breathing. Look for chest movement, listen for breath sounds, and feel for air on your cheek. If they aren’t breathing or are breathing abnormally, you may need to provide rescue breathing or CPR, depending on the situation.
Finally, assess circulation. Check for signs of pulse by feeling for it at the neck or wrist. If the person’s heart has stopped beating, CPR will be needed to restore circulation. If they’re bleeding excessively, controlling that bleeding becomes your priority, as severe blood loss can be life-threatening.
How to Assess a Victim
A head-to-toe assessment is essential to determine the extent of a person’s injuries. The assessment should begin with a quick visual scan to identify visible injuries, such as cuts, bruises, fractures, or deformities.
You should also check for bleeding, and if any wounds are found, address them immediately by applying pressure to stop the bleeding.
A thorough examination of vital signs, including pulse, breathing rate, and level of consciousness, will give you a clearer picture of their condition and help you prioritize your actions. Is the person alert, or are they disoriented or unconscious? Are they breathing heavily, or is their pulse weak or absent?
Additionally, if the person is conscious, it’s important to ask questions to gather more information, such as “What happened?” and “Do you have any allergies or pre-existing conditions?” This can provide clues about how to proceed with care.
When & How to Move an Injured Person
Moving an injured person should only be done when absolutely necessary.
If a person is in immediate danger of more harm (such as from a wildfire, flooding, or a dangerous animal), you may need to move them to safety. However, be mindful of the risks involved.
For spinal injuries, fractures, or head trauma, you must avoid unnecessary movement, as this could worsen the injury. If you must move someone, try to minimize any movement of the affected area. For example, if a person has a broken leg, use a splint to stabilize the leg before moving them.
If the injury is severe and requires immobilization (like in the case of neck or back injuries), don’t attempt to move the person unless there’s no other choice. In these cases, try to make the person as comfortable as possible and wait for professional help.
In any situation where you must move an injured person, it’s important to be as gentle as possible. If you’re in a group, ask someone to help you: One person lifts the head and neck, while another person lifts the rest of the body. If you’re not in a group, focus on stabilizing the head and neck yourself while carefully moving the rest of the body.
When stabilizing the head and neck, carefully ensure the rest of the body remains as still as possible. Use your body to support the torso and limbs, and if needed, place padding around the body to prevent movement until professional help arrives. Avoid attempting to move the person unless it’s absolutely necessary for safety.
Applying these basics, including the ABCs, victim assessment, and knowing when to move an injured person, will better prepare you to handle wilderness first aid emergencies. Staying calm, thinking critically, and acting quickly can significantly increase the chances of a positive outcome.
How to Make an Essential Wilderness First Aid Kit
An essential wilderness first aid kit is a nonnegotiable for managing injuries and emergencies when help may not be nearby. Here’s how to build a practical first aid kit that prepares you for a range of situations and how to improvise when you don’t have all the usual supplies.
A well-stocked kit should cover the basics, including items for wound care, splinting, pain relief, and hydration. Essential items include:
- Bandages, gauze, and antiseptic wipes for cleaning and dressing wounds
- Pain relievers like ibuprofen or aspirin
- Elastic bandages for sprains and strains
- Splints for immobilizing injuries
- Thermal blankets to prevent hypothermia
- Tweezers and scissors for removing splinters or cutting tape
- Water purification tablets for cleaning drinking water
- Personal medications (if applicable)
In the wilderness, you may need to improvise when you don’t have all the medical supplies. Here are some ways to use what you have:
- Sticks or trekking poles can serve as splints to stabilize broken bones.
- A shirt or scarf can double as a pressure dressing or bandage.
- If you don’t have antiseptic wipes, use clean water to flush out wounds.
- Heat metal tools, like tweezers, with fire to sterilize them before use.
When it comes to packing your wilderness first aid kit, one size does not fit all.
The specific environment, length of your trip, and potential risks you’ll face will influence your first aid kit.
Customizing your kit to match the needs of your adventure will help you be well-prepared for any emergency, whether it’s a simple injury or a more serious medical situation.
For a hiking or backpacking trip, where you’re often on the move and covering significant distances, a basic first aid kit should be sufficient. However, it’s wise to include blister care supplies and water purification tablets to prevent common issues like chafing and dehydration that can arise during extended hikes.
If you’re planning a camping trip that spans several days, your kit needs to be more comprehensive. Extra medications, such as any prescribed by a doctor, along with additional wound care supplies, will be essential. Since you’ll be farther from medical help, it’s important to prepare for more serious injuries or illnesses that might occur during your stay.
For more extreme mountaineering or backcountry expeditions, your first aid kit should be packed with specialized items. Consider adding altitude sickness medications, frostbite treatment, and trauma supplies. These will help you address serious issues that are more likely to arise in rugged, high-altitude environments.
Preventing Injuries in the Wilderness
The best way to handle an injury in the wilderness is to avoid it in the first place. Proper preparation and attention to safety can significantly reduce your risk of accidents so that you and your companions stay healthy throughout your adventure.
Before embarking on your trip, it’s essential to perform a thorough risk assessment. Consider the terrain, weather, and environment you’ll be in, and plan accordingly.
Research potential hazards such as wildlife, plants, or unstable ground.
Assessing risks allows you to pack appropriately, prepare for emergencies, and stay alert to changing conditions as you explore.
Staying hydrated, well-nourished, and properly clothed is also key to preventing injuries in the wilderness. Proper hydration helps maintain energy levels and prevents heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and dehydration. Always bring enough water for your trip and have a reliable purification method in case you need to refill from natural sources.
Adequate nutrition is equally important — carrying high-energy, easy-to-carry snacks like trail mix can keep your stamina up. Additionally, wear weather-appropriate clothing in layers to protect yourself from extreme temperatures, sunburn, or hypothermia.
When hiking, climbing, or camping, safety practices should always be top of mind. Stick to marked trails when possible, and avoid taking risks by straying into areas that could be unstable or dangerous. When climbing or hiking over rocky terrain, make sure you wear sturdy footwear with good ankle support.
If you’re camping in remote areas, always set up your tent in a safe location, away from potential hazards like falling branches or flash flood zones.
With good safety habits and preparation for the environment, you can reduce your risk of injury and make your wilderness experience much more enjoyable.
Are You Prepared? Tips & Resources
If you’re planning a wilderness adventure, being aware of potential dangers and preparing for emergencies is a must. While you might not expect to face an emergency situation, the reality is that they can happen to anyone, anywhere. That’s why basic wilderness first aid training is so important — it could make the difference between life and death.
First aid training, like Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and Wilderness First Aid (WFA) courses, equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to handle common outdoor injuries and medical emergencies.
Whether you’re heading into the backcountry or just hiking for the day, these courses teach you how to assess situations, stabilize injuries, and administer appropriate care until professional help arrives.
Beyond formal training, it’s helpful to arm yourself with books, apps, and websites that provide survival and medical information. Some recommended resources include the “Outward Bound Wilderness First-Aid Handbook” by Jeffrey Isaac, the Wilderness Medicine Reference app, and websites like the Wilderness Medical Society and the Red Cross.
These resources offer valuable guidance on how to manage injuries, illnesses, and other emergencies while out in nature.
To make sure you’re ready for anything, keep a quick-reference survival checklist handy. This should include emergency contact info, first aid steps, essential gear you’ll need, and any medical information specific to your group.
When you’re well-prepared and equipped with the right knowledge, you’ll be able to respond effectively and quickly in any wilderness emergency.
For more first aid tips and best practices, and to stay up-to-date on wilderness safety, connect with us on LinkedIn.
Wilderness First Aid FAQs
Knowing how to respond to common outdoor injuries and illnesses when you’re in the thick of the wilderness can significantly improve the chances of a positive outcome while you wait for help. Below are some frequently asked questions to help you better prepare for the unexpected.
- What is wilderness first aid?
Wilderness first aid is a set of emergency medical techniques designed for situations where professional medical help isn’t immediately available, typically in remote outdoor environments. It involves assessing and treating injuries and illnesses with limited resources until help arrives. - How is wilderness first aid different from urban first aid?
Wilderness first aid focuses on managing emergencies in environments where access to medical facilities, personnel, or even basic supplies is limited. In contrast, urban first aid typically occurs in areas with immediate access to hospitals, ambulances, and medical professionals.
Wilderness first aid often requires improvisation, quick decision-making, and more self-reliance.
- Do I need formal training in wilderness first aid?
While basic first aid knowledge is helpful, formal training in wilderness first aid is strongly recommended, especially if you’re spending time in remote or rugged areas.
Courses like Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) teach you how to handle common outdoor emergencies like sprains, fractures, dehydration, and heat stroke, and how to stabilize someone until help arrives.
- What are the most common wilderness injuries?
The most common wilderness injuries include sprains, fractures, cuts, scrapes, burns, and dehydration. Other medical emergencies like heat exhaustion, hypothermia, animal or insect bites, and altitude sickness are also common in certain environments. - What should I include in my wilderness first aid kit?
Your wilderness first aid kit should include bandages, antiseptic wipes, adhesive tape, gauze, splints, pain relievers, blister treatment, tweezers, scissors, and items specific to your environment (e.g., tick removers, water purification tablets). Be sure to customize your kit based on the type of trip you’re taking. - What are the ABCs of wilderness first aid?
The ABCs stand for airway, breathing, and circulation. These are the basic steps for assessing and prioritizing life-threatening conditions in an emergency. Ensure the airway is clear and the person is breathing, and check for a pulse or signs of circulation. - How can I prevent injuries in the wilderness?
Injuries can often be prevented by properly assessing the risks before and during your trip, staying hydrated, eating well, wearing the right clothing and footwear, and following safe hiking, climbing, and camping practices. Always be aware of your surroundings and listen to your body, taking breaks when needed.
Preparing for wilderness emergencies through first aid training, creating a comprehensive first aid kit, and knowing how to handle common outdoor injuries can make a significant difference in your safety. With the right knowledge and equipment, you’ll be able to respond effectively in case of an emergency, keeping yourself and others safe.