Climbers Wound Care Essentials for Hassle-free Wound Care on the Trail

If you’re looking for an adventurous experience that screams thrill, fun, and peace of mind, at the same time, mountain climbing is the way to go. The adrenaline rush and the experience of facing your fears becomes a lifetime memory. Along with these beautiful memories, you bring back bruises and wounds that may be painful but are a great reminder of your amazing climb that you once thought was impossible. So, while you lose yourself in the fresh mountain air, it is essential that you cater to these wounds which may worsen if not treated at the right time. 

Amidst all the excitement, don’t forget the most important travel essential—the travel first aid kit. When we plan a trip, we often think about the thrill and the adventure that is coming our way and tend to forget about wound care essentials for the injuries that may follow. Wound treatment and a first aid box should always be at the top of your travel kit checklist because, while you may be excited about the trail, the injuries that can occur during the trip are unpredictable.

Let’s be clear: a first aid kit for hiking or climbing the mountains is not always about dealing with major trauma like fracturing a bone or having a heat stroke; for adventurous trips such as hiking or trekking, a backpacking first aid kit can be required to deal with something as simple as an uncomfortable, painful rash or some bad scratches and blisters that may occur on the trail.

You would want to come back home with happy memories from the trek. So, how about making it all worthwhile by incorporating a trekking first aid kit? With that, you will be able to talk about the thrill of the hiking trip instead of the pain and bruises that came along with it. To guide you to making the best decisions regarding your travel first aid kit, we have curated this article to provide you with guidelines and hacks for your next adventure.

When you are out in the wilderness, you are going to face several obstacles and that’s the fun of it. So, before you plan your climb, it is essential to know of the most common injuries that you may face. 

i) Blisters: Blisters on the feet are the most common type of injury experienced during a trek/hike. Blisters develop because of the friction between the hard outer layer of the skin and inner soft layers of the skin. 

ii) Ankle twist or sprain: Imagine you are walking through the beautiful vistas and you happen to slip on the gravel. Sprained legs, ankles and knees are one of the most common types of injuries faced in the mountains. Luckily, most ankle twists are minor and subdue within a few minutes. Boots with a high ankle are necessary to mitigate the risk of twisting your ankle. Compressing the sprain with a bandage or brace is the best way to treat a sprain on the go.

 

 

iii) Cuts & scrapes: A small cut because of a thorn or a prickly plant is the least you can expect out of a trek in the mountains. The best way to treat these cuts and scrapes is to first clean the wound and then cover it up with a wound plaster.

When you are out climbing mountains and taking one of the most adventurous trips of your life, there are chances of mishappenings that can occur. You may fall and end up scraping your knees or elbows or a tree branch or sharp thorns on the plants around you could cause rashes or puncture wounds.

You can, however, reduce the severity of such injuries with proper wound care by using your trekking first aid kit. Whether it is you or your travel partner that is hurt, a simple first aid kit will help you patch either of you up so that things don’t turn out as catastrophic as they could and will help you survive for the time being until you reach the hospital.

Injuries that occur from mountaineering are often categorised as either minor injuries or catastrophic emergencies. The essential supplies you carry with you in your first aid box should aid in covering the in-between injuries. So, before you purchase your trekking first aid kit or begin to collect supplies to put together a first aid box on your own, you must know the kinds of climbing injuries that can occur and then choose the right items to fill your first aid kit for hiking. This first aid box should aid you in wound treatment and cure problems such as blisters, bleeding, headaches, broken bones, and pain. In the case of traumatic injuries, a basic first aid kit will not do the job for you, so immediately call for help to get to the hospital.

We suggest you build your first aid box for the next adventure in case you haven’t done that before. Read more to know exactly why-

Nowadays, the outdoor gear market is flooded with a plethora of pre-made first aid box options, each claiming to be especially suitable for the casual explorer, mountain lover, trip leader, or expert mountain guide. While it can be easier to pick out a pre-made first aid box, it is always a better option to purchase these pre-made kits as the foundation of your custom kit, or you must start building your personalised travel first aid kit from scratch. We suggest you do this because even if the pre-made first box options can aim to be your best adventure companion, these products often either lack the necessary pieces of the kit or may have some unnecessary extra items which will simply add a burden to your back. 

If you are confused about how to create your own trekking first aid kit, this is your guide to picking the correct supplies you can add to your backpacking first aid kit.

Grab a water-resistant or waterproof sack or container.

You do not want a trekking first aid kit that is soaked in water and probably of no use once it is wet. Also, what is the point of carrying a waterproof container without relevant supplies to make use of? Nonetheless, as with any good piece of equipment, the mountaineer must consider some fundamental factors when packing a first-rate trekking first aid kit, as well as some significant trade-offs. As a result, you must make deliberate judgments about what you carry and what you consider leaving behind.

Here’s what you must add to your personalised first aid box-

1. The right medications: Don't forget to pack prescription medications for you and your travel companion, as well as some over-the-counter medications like paracetamol and others, in case of vomiting, fever, or a minor cold. 
2. Carry first aid dressings to control bleeding quickly: This might be a gauze sheet, bandage or roller gauze. Just ensure you are prepared to halt a bleed. You can add a few first aid products from Hansaplast, such as the Hansaplast Fixation Tape to keep the wound sealed for a long time and the Hansaplast Washproof Plaster to protect the wound against water and infections. 
3. Protect yourself with non-latex nitrile gloves: You must pack at least 2 to 3 pairs of non-latex gloves, as these are crucial for significant bleeding and limiting the spread of infectious conditions, and a plastic bag to throw them off. 
4. To clean wounds properly, you may need soap and water, or a simple iodine solution mixed with water will do too. 
5. You must carry scissors to cut bandages or gauze to the correct size if required.
6. Sleeve braces are the best knee brace for hiking since they are easy to carry and wear. To support the injury in case of sprains, you should carry the Hansaplast Cotton Crepe Bandage or braces such as the Hansaplast Sport Ankle Brace.

It is critical to understand how to utilise the components of your first aid box. You can bring the largest first aid box you can purchase, but there is no point in owning one if you don't know how to use it. Its purpose remains useless. If you want to be a committed and proficient climber, you must understand more than just basic first aid. You can opt for classes nearby that particularly focus on teaching first aid techniques. If there are no such classes available nearby, you can also learn these techniques online. This is also a great option for those who like to learn at their own pace. If you have already been to a first aid class before, there are chances that your knowledge must have slipped your mind and new tools or techniques may have come so it is best suggested to take up a refresher course to upgrade your first aid skills.

Sure, climbing mountains can be adventurous and refreshing enough, but you must remember to carry your first aid box for proper wound treatment to enjoy your trip while you are at it even if some minor injuries occur. Do not forget to call for immediate help in case of a catastrophic emergency. For your next trip, pack your trekking first aid kit and be travel ready!

Disclaimer - Please note that the above recommendations are general care tips. Consult a health care professional in case of any uncertainty around wound treatment and healing.

Always see your doctor if a wound is deep, bleeding profusely or shows signs of infection. For diabetic patients especially, proper wound care holds the utmost importance. Do not hesitate to discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor or your podiatrist, even when it comes to minor wounds and cuts – especially if they’re on your feet.

The information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Although compiled with great care, it is not a substitute for professional advice. If you have or suspect a health problem, consult your doctor immediately. 

For further information regarding Hansaplast products, please contact us via email at customer.care@bdfindia.com