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“Water? Check. Gear? Check. Food? Check. First aid kit? Maybe?”��Sound familiar?��It shouldn't. Accidents happen, and packing the tools needed to initially treat your group’s spills and illnesses can help prevent a minor boo-boo from turning bad. Below we’ve spelled out the basics to staying in the game this summer and beyond.

1. Be Prepared

Start by knowing where you’re going, packing a well-stocked first aid kit, and knowing how to treat common injuries (see #7, “Go to Class,” below). For example, tropical destinations require more sunblock and aloe and maybe a mosquito net to protect against bites while you sleep. Heading on an overnight hike in the mountains? Pack extra water along with splints and wraps to deal with a sprained or broken limb. (For more details on packing kits, click here.)

Starter First Aid Kits for Every �����ԹϺ���

What to pack for backpacking, water sports, camping, and families, plus field tips from Dr. Paul Auerbach, author of Medicine for the Outdoors

Learn More!

2. Wrap it Up

Whether it’s caused by an old injury flaring up or a stumble on a rocky trail, soft-tissue injuries, such as ankle sprains, are one of the most common��backcountry mishaps. Treat this type of injury by wrapping the affected joint with tape, such as the No Hurt Wrap, which is designed to keep up with your active life. If pain persists, splint the injured area until you can seek medical attention.

3. Keep Your Cool

Where there’s fire—be it a roaring blaze at a campsite or a hot pot on the camp stove—there’s a chance for accidental burns. Address mild burns by cooling the area with cold water��then lightly cleaning the burn area with soap��and applying hydrogel ointment under gauze, like the ����泦������™ Premium Soft Cloth Pads.

4. Keep Wounds Clean

As a general rule, the farther away you are from civilization, the more careful you want to be. Of course, accidents happen, and when they do, it’s critical that you treat them immediately. First, control any bleeding by applying clean gauze and pressure to the wound. Then wash the wound with clean water, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover with a ����泦������™ Waterproof Bandage. Clean and re-bandage it daily. For larger wounds, use a breathable dressing such as ����泦������™ Tegaderm™ Waterproof Dressing.��

5. Be Blister Aware

Blisters can turn a mellow hike into a painful slog. The best way to avoid them is to wear shoes that fit well and proactively address potential hot spot areas by covering them with a cushioning first aid tape such as ����泦������™ Waterproof Tape. Got a blister anyway? Fortunately, they’re easy to fix. Clean the area around the blister with an alcohol pad, sterilize a pin or tip of a knife with an alcohol pad, then poke the blister at its edge. Apply light pressure to drain the fluid, but don’t cut away the skin. Dab the hole with antibiotic ointment and cover with a cushioning��bandage, such as ����泦������™ Advanced Healing Waterproof Bandages, to help relieve the pain.

6. Drink Up

In the thick of whatever adventure you’re in, it’s easy to get dehydrated. A good rule of thumb to monitor hydration status: Everyone should be urinating every four to five hours. If you’re not, drink up. Backcountry trekkers, bikers, and boaters should always pack iodine tablets or a water filter to safely replenish water supplies from available creeks, rivers, or lakes, even if only out for a day-long adventure.

7. Go to Class

��offers first aid, CPR, and AED protocols for wilderness- and sports-based activities. For more in-depth and hands-on instruction, and offers comprehensive, two-day wilderness-first- aid courses at various REI locations across the country.��

specializes in products designed to help you feel better. With a focus on comfort, quality, and innovative technology, ����泦������™ is motivated to help you live an active life.

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