Most people that go hiking on a regular basis are never going to have to deal with any serious injuries. Since most hiking trails are well-maintained and generally quite easy to get over, there’s usually very little chance of anything going wrong.
There will always be exceptions to the rule, however, and sometimes even the most seasoned hiker might fail to notice a sunken hole in the ground or a sharp fall that’s blocked by vegetation. In other words, accidents do happen, and while the hope is that these accidents are always minor, they can sometimes be a lot more serious.
Breaking bones is never fun but breaking a leg while out in the middle of the wilderness can make the situation that much more difficult. Thankfully, the prepared hiker will know what to do if their hiking partners are unfortunate enough to break a leg while hiking.
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Stay Calm
It’s been said so many times that it should be well hammered in to most hikers’ heads by now, but the first thing to do in any kind of dangerous situation is stay calm. It’s extremely easy to panic but panicking makes us make irrational decisions without first taking the time to assess exactly what’s going on, what steps need to be taken, and how to get back to a safe place.
A broken ankle is one of the most common injuries while out hiking, and it’s often the result of a hiker going off the path and falling some distance. Once it’s safe to approach the injured party, their vitals need to be taken to make sure they are in stable condition, and then once that has been established, it’s time to have a look at the injury.
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Attend The Broken Leg
Always tend to any life-threatening injuries first before moving on to the broken leg. Try and remove as much clothing from the affected area as possible, which makes it easier to determine how bad the break is. It’s also important to double check that there is a pulse running to the area, ensuring that blood is still flowing. Any darker colours of serious swelling in the area might cause circulation problems.
Check different areas for sensations to determine whether there is any nerve damage. Most of the time, the injury should not be bad enough that the injured is completely unable to move, and if they can’t, give them something to do – like a book or a phone to enjoy online New Zealand casino games while you look for assistance. If they can move, they should be helped back along the trail until they make it back to safety.
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Finding Help
If the broken leg or ankle is especially bad and the affected hiker is unable to stand at all, going for help is usually recommended. If there are enough people in the group, it can also be worth it to put together a makeshift cot that they can get carried down on.
