Published June 25, 2026 01:09 pm
No one expects to get injured while hiking in the backcountry, but it happens so often that it’s important to plan for it. However, there is debate online about exactly what first aid items you should keep in your bag.
When asked what other hikers put in their first aid kits, Reactions from Reddit users Spread spectrum. Some people suggest carrying an extensive kit that can weigh several pounds. Others lean more toward minimalism. The vast majority said they brought bandages, medical tape, and ibuprofen or acetaminophen. One user said that they would not bring a child with first aid at all.
At one extreme are hikers who pack items they probably do not have the knowledge or training to use effectively. On the other side are those who argue that even basic first aid supplies like bandages and splints are useless if you don’t even have a satellite communicator to call for help.
This is not a very self-sufficient line of argument. And physicians who specialize in wilderness medicine say the theory is flawed: Relying only on a satellite communicator to help you in an emergency could put you in greater danger.
Why does first aid matter in the backcountry?
while we have data Based on the number of deaths that occur in national parks each year, there are no solid numbers on how many hikers suffer backcountry injuries in general. Research suggests that the most common injuries for hikers are blisters, followed by ankle sprains.
Most pedestrian injuries are minor by medical standards. But more serious problems happen: People have allergic reactions. Sustaining cuts and concussions is not unheard of. In many such cases, having a kit to provide initial first aid makes a lot of difference.
“There’s this movement that says you don’t need to carry things because we have an infrastructure to support (rescue). That’s not the case in the wilderness,” said Dr. Seth Hawkins, an emergency physician and medical director specializing in wilderness and disaster medicine. National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR) told backpacker. “You should not challenge the 10 essentials that need to be carried.”
The 10 Essentials is a short list of gear, equipment, and other items to help hikers deal with minor injuries, sudden weather changes, or unexpected emergencies; While it was initially published as a simple list of ten items Mountaineering: Hills of Freedom In 1974, most authorities now use a systems-based approach to this, encouraging hikers to think about their purpose and choose the necessary gear from a series of ten categories.
Ultimately, it is important to be prepared. This means bringing both a satellite communications device and an adequate first aid kit.
“Remote areas are inherently risky,” Dr. David YoungAn associate professor of wilderness and environmental medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz told Backpacker. “Any injury or illness in the backcountry can be exacerbated without resources such as pharmacies, ambulances, and hospitals. Learning about potential accidents and preparing for them can sometimes be a matter of life and death.”
What should be in your first aid kit?
While the online consensus is vague, the doctors we spoke to were clear: In the backcountry, basic first aid like bandages and splints are needed, along with the ability to call for help via something like a satellite communicator. Even small items like disposable bandages and antibiotic creams “are useful for minor injuries,” Young said.
Dr. Chris Peluso, an emergency and critical-emergency physician and medical director at NASAR, agrees. “Nobody wants to come home with a bigger blister that they could have treated in the field,” he said.
These professionals recommended having the following basic medical supplies on hand for short trips into the backcountry:
- band aids
- A simple wound dressing system, such as a small roll of gauze and a small roll of medical tape
- tourniquet
- Epinephrine auto-injector devices, like the Epi-Pen, for people who use
- a scandalous strip
- an elastic bandage roll
- Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen
If you’re planning a longer trip, Peluso also suggests adding these to the list:
- Additional wound care, such as rolled gauze and hemostatic wound packing
- antibiotic ointment
- antihistamine medicine, such as cetirizine or loratadine
- Blister care, such as padded, waterproof blister care bandages
- tweezers
- small roll of duct tape
- additional chemical water purification
And when you return from a trip, have your first aid supplies available again. Replenish the supplies you have used. Throw away anything that’s past its expiration date and make sure you’ve got everything you need.
Know how to use your kit
Basic first aid is helpful, but only if you know how to use it in the setting you are in. If you’re kayaking, know how to treat water-related injuries. If you’re rock climbing or mountain biking, know how to bend a limb or treat minor cuts and scrapes.
Consider the consequences and prepare for them – with both the right supplies and knowledge.
Peluso recommends building your first aid kit the other way around. “Think about the worst thing that could possibly happen to you and figure that out to create your kit,” he said. “I can save your life with about half a pound of gear. At the end of the day everyone should be able to do that.”
Hawking also stressed its importance. In a situation where someone gets injured, “it can be important to know the basic things to keep someone from getting worse,” he said.
Even if you can call, help may be far away
The fact that you have a satellite communicator does not mean that you have instant access to medical or SAR assistance. According to Hawkins, when you’re in the backcountry, help is often far away, and the ability to treat minor injuries while you wait for professional help can be a lifesaver.
“There are many situations that can be fatal in the 10 or 15 minutes, long before any EMS or search and rescue can arrive,” he said.
Hawkins explains that while emergency medical services will typically reach the frontcountry in 15 to 20 minutes, it is common for SAR teams to take longer to reach a patient in the backcountry. “It will reliably take 30 to 60 minutes for teams to get to the scene where someone is in crisis,” he said.
Monica Allendirector of public affairs at NOAA Research, agrees. “Emergencies can happen at any time and anywhere. Remote areas increase the risk when evaluating security,” he said. “It may be difficult for search and rescue teams to reach you.”
Ultimately, what you shouldn’t do is try to forgo first aid in an effort to lighten your backpack, even if you have a satellite communicator in there too. “Living without medical kits would be like living without water,” Peluso said.
Resources for Backcountry First Aid
Experts stress the importance of knowing first aid before heading into the backcountry. Here are some educational resources you can check out to learn more. Investing in such a training course is an investment in your safety and the safety of those around you. They are also very interesting and a lot of fun.
- stop the bleeding —This is a program from the US Department of Defense that teaches people how to control bleeding in a bystander.
- cpr – The American Red Cross (ARC) offers CPR training classes nationwide, along with online resources.
- jungle first aid (WFA) – ARC offers training courses nationwide that are specific to wilderness first aid.
- Wilderness First Responder (WFR) – This certification is for outdoor guides, teachers, and search-and-rescue personnel, but it’s also great for any backpacker who wants to build their wilderness therapy skills. It requires an intensive training course of 70-80 hours over several days. It is the gold standard for wilderness therapy training. NOL, WMA International and other organizations provide this training across the country.
