Essential First Aid Skills for Hikers

Essential First Aid Skills for Hikers

Accidents don’t care if you’re hiking with a big group or solo with your kids. A scraped knee, twisted ankle, or allergic reaction can turn a great day out into a stressful one real quick—especially if you’re far from help.

While most bushwalks go off without a hitch, having some basic first aid knowledge can make all the difference when things don’t go to plan. It’s not about becoming a wilderness medic—it’s about knowing what to do in those first critical moments.

Here are the essential first aid skills every hiker should know before hitting the trail.

1. How to Treat Cuts, Scrapes & Blisters

Let’s start with the most common stuff. Whether you’re bush-bashing through scrub or tackling a rocky descent, minor injuries are part of hiking life.

Know how to:

• Clean a wound with clean water or antiseptic wipes
  
  
• Apply pressure to stop bleeding
  
  
• Cover it properly with sterile gauze or a bandaid
  
  
• Prevent infection by keeping the area clean and dry
  

Blisters? At the first sign of a hotspot, stop and tape it. If a blister forms, cover it with a blister pad or hydrocolloid dressing to protect it from friction.

2. How to Deal With Sprains & Strains

Ankle sprains are surprisingly common on the trail, especially when fatigue kicks in or the terrain gets slippery. Knowing how to stabilise a joint can make the difference between walking out and waiting for help.

Know how to:

• Use the R.I.C.E method: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
  
  
• Wrap an ankle or knee with an elastic bandage or sports tape
  
  
• Use a trekking pole or stick as a makeshift crutch
  
  
• Know when someone needs help getting off the trail (if the injury can’t bear weight, don’t push it)
  

Always take it slow after a sprain—don’t “walk it off” too quickly. That’s a fast track to making it worse.

3. How to Recognise and Treat Heat Exhaustion

Australia’s heat can creep up on you, especially in exposed or humid conditions. Kids are particularly vulnerable because they often don’t notice the signs in themselves.

Watch for:

• Dizziness, nausea, headache
  
  
• Clammy or pale skin
  
  
• Confusion or irritability
  
  
• Rapid pulse or muscle cramps
  

Know how to:

• Get to shade and rest immediately
  
  
• Sip water slowly (don’t chug)
  
  
• Cool the person down with wet cloths or spray
  
  
• Use electrolyte drinks or salty snacks to replenish lost minerals
  

If the person isn’t improving, or starts to show signs of heat stroke (confusion, no sweat, high body temp), that’s an emergency—call for help.

4. How to Manage Hypothermia

On cold, wet trails—especially in canyons or shady areas—hypothermia is a real risk, even in warmer months. It can set in quickly after a swim or if someone is standing around wet and not moving.

Watch for:

• Shivering, slurred speech, fumbling hands
  
  
• Confusion or disorientation
  
  
• Cold, pale skin
  

Know how to:

• Remove wet clothes and replace with warm, dry layers
  
  
• Wrap the person in a thermal blanket or sleeping bag
  
  
• Provide warm, sweet drinks (if conscious)
  
  
• Rewarm slowly—don’t use direct heat on limbs
  

Late-stage hypothermia (when shivering stops) is a serious medical emergency. Use your PLB or call for help ASAP.

5. How to Respond to Snake Bites (Or Suspected Bites)

Australia has its fair share of slithery friends, and while bites are rare, it pays to be prepared.

Know how to:

• Keep the person calm and still
  
  
• Apply a pressure bandage over the bite and up the limb
  
  
• Immobilise the limb (use a splint if you have one)
  
  
• Do not wash the bite site—the venom can help identify the snake
  
  
• Call 000 or activate your PLB immediately
  

Do not try to suck out the venom, cut the bite, or use a tourniquet. Just stay calm and get help.

6. Know the Basics of CPR

In the absolute worst-case scenario—if someone collapses and isn’t breathing—you want to be ready. A basic understanding of CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) is a skill everyone should have, whether you’re hiking or not.

Know how to:

• Check for responsiveness and breathing
  
  
• Call for help (or activate your PLB if remote)
  
  
• Start chest compressions: 30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths (if trained)
  
  
• Continue until help arrives or the person recovers
  

If you’ve never done CPR training, consider doing a basic first aid course—it’s one of the most valuable skills you can have.

7. Be Prepared Before You Go

Even with first aid knowledge, you still need the right gear. Always carry a well-stocked first aid kit and customise it based on your group and location.

Essentials:

• Bandaids and wound dressings
  
  
• Antiseptic wipes or cream
  
  
• Blister patches
  
  
• Tape and elastic bandage
  
  
• Tweezers and scissors
  
  
• Pain relief
  
  
• Emergency blanket
  
  
• Personal medications (e.g., EpiPen, asthma puffer)
  
  
• A copy of emergency contacts and known allergies
  

If you’re hiking with kids, make sure someone knows how to use the gear in your kit—especially if you’re the solo adult on the trail.

Final Thoughts

First aid might not be the most exciting part of hiking prep—but it’s one of the most important. Having a few basic skills and the confidence to use them can make a huge difference in an emergency.

Hopefully, you’ll never need them. But if you do, you’ll be glad you were ready.

(Cover image generated by AI)