Backcountry First Aid: What You Actually Need
A practical guide to wilderness first aid for hunters, anglers, and backcountry travelers. Build a kit that covers the real risks without overloading your pack.
Most pre-made first aid kits are designed for home use or car glove boxes—not for real backcountry emergencies. When you're miles from the trailhead with an injury, you need gear that addresses the most likely and most dangerous scenarios.
The Real Risks in Idaho Backcountry
Before building a kit, consider what actually happens in the field:
- Bleeding: From knife slips, falls, or field dressing injuries
- Blisters and foot problems: The most common issue on any backcountry trip
- Sprains and strains: Rolled ankles, tweaked backs
- Allergic reactions: Bee stings, food allergies
- Hypothermia: Even in summer at elevation
- Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance: Especially during physical exertion
The Core Kit (What Everyone Should Carry)
Bleeding Control
- Tourniquet: CAT or SOFTT-Wide. Can be lifesaving for arterial bleeds.
- Hemostatic gauze: QuikClot or Celox for wound packing
- Israeli bandage: Pressure dressing for large wounds
- Gauze pads and rolls: Assorted sizes
- Medical tape: 1" cloth tape holds better than plastic
Wound Care
- Irrigation syringe: 20-60cc for cleaning wounds
- Antiseptic wipes: Povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine
- Antibiotic ointment: Small tubes of Neosporin or similar
- Butterfly closures/Steri-Strips: For closing small cuts
- Assorted bandages: Including knuckle and fingertip
Blister Prevention & Treatment
- Leukotape: The gold standard for hot spots and blisters
- Moleskin: Padding for developing blisters
- Hydrocolloid bandages: For popped blisters
Pro Tip: Tape Your Hot Spots
If you know where you blister (heels, toes), apply Leukotape before you start hiking. Prevention is always easier than treatment.
Medications
- Ibuprofen: Pain relief and anti-inflammatory
- Acetaminophen: Fever reducer and pain relief
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl): Allergic reactions, insomnia
- Epinephrine auto-injector: If you have known severe allergies
- Electrolyte tablets: For rehydration after sweating
- Anti-diarrheal (Imodium): GI distress happens
Tools
- Nitrile gloves: 2-3 pairs
- Shears: Trauma shears can cut through clothing
- Tweezers: Fine point for splinters and ticks
- Safety pins: Multiple uses including sling construction
- Emergency blanket: Mylar for hypothermia treatment
Know-How Matters More Than Gear
A first aid kit is useless if you don't know how to use it. Consider taking a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course. These certifications teach you:
- Patient assessment in remote environments
- When to evacuate vs. treat in the field
- Improvised splinting and carries
- Wound cleaning and infection prevention
Emergency Communication
The best first aid kit in the world won't help if you can't call for help. Carry:
- Satellite messenger: Garmin InReach, Zoleo, or SPOT for SOS capability
- Whistle: Three blasts = distress signal
- Signal mirror: For visual location by search teams
Customize for Your Activity
Hunters field-dressing game should add extra trauma supplies. Anglers might add a hook removal tool. Adjust your kit to your specific risks.