Compared to most other sports, including extreme sports, hiking tends to be fairly safe in terms of the overall danger that hikers will have to face. Of course, there are some risks that are inherent to hiking, but for the most part, the hiker that remains on the proper trails and makes sure to avoid any steep inclines is almost guaranteed to remain safe no matter where they go.
Despite this, it’s still worth keeping in mind that accidents can and do happen, so it’s up to the hiker to make sure that they have the right medical gear on hand to deal with any injuries that might occur. While it’s easy enough to go out and buy a pre-made first aid kit, a hiker would benefit more from putting one together, allowing them to know exactly what they have on hand.
Bandages
One of the staples of any first aid kit is a range of different bandage. Bandages are typically used to staunch blood-flow from a wound primarily, and to provide protection from dirt and other particles until the wound can be properly seen to. There are many different types of bandages, but a cheap bandage found at the pharmacy is usually more than enough for most hiking injuries.
Gauze
Similar in some ways to a bandage, gauze is instead meant to be used to hold dressings in place, and work alongside bandages and other pieces of kit to deal with mildly serious wounds. Like bandages, gauze is easy to acquire in volume and is an essential of any kit.
Adhesive Tape
It’s always a good idea to have a small roll of tape on hand when out hiking. It can be used to patch bags and clothing; hold sticks together and is especially useful in first aid. Adhesive tape in a first aid setting is typically used to keep dressings in place and even to stop blood loss so the hiker can get home safely to their family, a hot shower, and a few rounds of the online pokies NZ has to offer.
Scissors
There’s nothing worse than desperately needing a pair of scissors and not having them. While a sharp knife can certainly do the job, scissors make a much more precise and stable cut, making it much easier to cut through bandages and gauss. A small pair of quality scissors kept sharp can be used in a wide variety of different situations.
Tweezers
Tweezers are the perfect tool for pulling out splinters. Splinters are usually nothing more than a painful hindrance, but sometimes it’s possible for them to go deep enough to become a serious infection hazard. Splinters should be removed as quickly as possible to reduce the chances that an infection will set in.
Alcohol
This isn’t for drinking, but rather for cleaning any wounds to ensure that infection doesn’t set in. Alcohol swabs are the easiest way of keeping alcohol in a first aid kit and are generally kept within small single-use sachets that can be opened and used when needed.