Everything You Need in a First Aid Kit for Hiking
Jul 31, 2024
Joint Pain, Bug Bites, and More: A Hiking First Aid Kit
Whether you’re going for a nature walk or hiking the Appalachian trail, carrying a first aid kit is critical for all hikers. Most premade first aid kits contain the basics for hiking safety, but this can depend on where you’re going, what your needs are, and the duration of the trip.
Use this quick guide to putting together a hiking first aid kit and consider adding Doctor Hoy’s® topicals for natural pain relief from knee pain, muscle aches, bruises, and other mild to moderate hiking injuries.
How To Build Your Own Hiking First Aid Kit
The best first aid kit for hiking is one that’s personalized so you always have what you need and know how to use it. For example, if you are hiking with arthritis or knee pain, you may need a joint pain relief cream for fast and effective relief.
Beginners can add to their kits as they become more familiar with their needs and surroundings. Here are a few rules to follow when building a DIY hiking first aid kit:
- Refresh your supplies regularly to avoid expired medications or running out of something on the trail.
- Be prepared for anything as some things you might use often while rarely used items can be critical in certain situations.
- Always include labels and directions in the form of a first aid manual or information cards, especially for unfamiliar items.
- Organize and waterproof your first aid kit so you can keep track of items and it won’t get ruined in wet conditions.
- Take a first aid training course and become certified in wilderness first aid so you feel confident using the materials in the kit.
If you are buying a prepackaged first aid kit for hiking, familiarize yourself with the contents to see if you need additional items. Natural pain relievers like Doctor Hoy’s Pain Relief Gel and Arnica Boost Recovery Cream provide fast, effective, and long-lasting relief from hiking ailments like muscle strains, sprains, joint pain, bruises, and scrapes.
Hiking First Aid Kit Checklist
Your hiking first aid kit contents depend on who you are hiking with, where you are backpacking, and for how long you plan to be outdoors. This checklist is a good starting point when preparing for mild to moderate injuries that could occur on the trail. Other items might be separate, including emergency first aid and prescription medications.
Stay outdoors longer with Doctor Hoy’s natural pain relief and browse the following list to determine what first aid you need for hiking:
The Basics
- Antiseptic wipes
- Antibacterial ointment
- Antiseptic, such as a povidone-iodine solution
- Bandages, assorted sizes
- Gauze pads, assorted sizes
- Rolled gauze or wound wraps
- 1 inch roll of medical tape
- A sling, or cravat
- Syringe for wound irrigation
- Disposable medical gloves
- Elastic bandage or wrap for joint support
- Moleskin or hydrocolloid patches for blisters
- Topical roll-on pain reliever for muscles aches, back pain, and joint pain
- Butterfly bandages or wound-closure strips
- Oral or topical antihistamine for allergic reactions
- Arnica bruise cream for inflammation, bruise relief, and minor burns
- Insect sting or anti-itch cream
- Cotton swabs
- Fine-point tweezers
- Blunt tipped scissors
- Safety pins
- Resealable plastic bags
- Medical waste disposal bag (Leave No Trace)
- Hand sanitizer
- A multi-tool
Medications
- Prescriptions, like antibiotics, insulin, or epinephrine
- Diarrhea medication
- Antacid tablets
- Lubricating eye drops
- Aspirin, in the case of a heart attack
- Fever reducer
Other Tools & Materials
- Sunburn relief, such as an arnica cream with aloe vera
- Hydration pouches or electrolyte salts
- Lip balm
- Insect spray
- CPR mask
- Finger splint
- Whistle
- Thermal blanket
- Thermometer
- Waterproof notepad and pencil
- Feminine hygiene products
- Water treatment tablets
Most of these items are lightweight and fit into a small or mid-size package. Rather than skip the necessities, remember that everything in your hiking first aid kit is worth its weight if it can save your life or the life of a fellow hiker.
Common Hiking Injuries
According to the Washington Trails Association, a first aid kit is the first of ten essentials every hiker must carry. Every time you go backpacking, you take a risk whether it’s a potential sting from an insect or a rolled ankle from traversing uneven terrain. Your hiking or camping first aid kit can help you treat some of the following common hiking ailments:
- Muscle strains
- Sprains
- Simple backaches
- Stomach pain
- Allergic reactions
- Minor wounds like cuts, scrapes, or blisters
- Minor burns
- Bruises
- Joint pain
- Infection prevention
- Dehydration
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Natural pain killers and anti-inflammatory creams like Doctor Hoy’s are safe, clean, and effective ways to treat minor injuries or discomforts. From relieving sore muscles and pain from a rolled ankle with our cooling pain relief gel to easing inflammation from bruising or bug bites with arnica cream, Doctor Hoy’s offers the best topical pain relief when hiking.
Emergencies happen on the trail, so always be ready to turn back when you or someone in your party gets injured or falls ill. Have a plan with contacts ready if you need to call for someone or send help. Customize your first aid kit if you’re going on a longer backpacking trip or hiking through inclement weather such as intense heat or freezing temperatures.
Add Doctor Hoy's to Your Hiking First Aid Kit
With natural ingredients that are safe, effective, and long-lasting, Doctor Hoy’s makes a fitting addition to your hiking first aid kit. Great for hikers who need knee joint pain relief on the trail or want the best muscle pain relief cream for sore, achy calves, Doctor Hoy’s fits in your pack for ready, on-the-go relief so you can keep trekking on.
Flying to your latest adventure? Doctor Hoy’s 3 oz pain relief gel and 3 oz arnica cream meet TSA requirements for airline travel.
Doctor Hoy’s is not an emergency pain reliever. For moderate to severe injuries while hiking or outdoors, always have an emergency plan complete with the proper equipment and tools. Doctor Hoy’s topicals can help relieve mild to moderate ailments such as knee and back pain, muscle strains, sprains, and bruises.
References:
First-Aid Kit Checklist. (n.d.) REI.
Engelson, A. (n.d.) Building A Hiker’s First Aid Kit. Washington Trails Association.
How to Build the Best Hiking First Aid Kit. (2017, April 26). GORE-TEX.
