Why Every Hiker Should Take a Wilderness First Responder Course
Yes, it's time-consuming and expensive. But you don't want to be unprepared when a wilderness emergency strikes.
Outdoor First Aid
From learning to tape a sprained ankle to saving your dog’s life, Backpacker has outdoor first aid guides to teach you which essentials to pack in your backcountry first aid kit and how to best use those supplies with elements of nature to quickly treat a variety of trail injuries and emergencies.
Every Hiking Dog Owner Should Know These First Aid Tricks
Dogs can get hurt on the trail just like you. Here's how to treat 5 common problems.
Latest in Outdoor First Aid
Cut Yourself in the Backcountry? This Is the Key to Avoiding Infection.
Irrigation is the most important step you can take to prevent a cut from going south.
Bee Stings, Concussions, and More: How to Treat Common Hiking Injuries
For how dangerous the backcountry can be, it's sometimes the smallest accidents that become the biggest injuries. Stay safe with these tips.
You Know First Aid. But What About Psychological First Aid?
Knowing how to help a scared hiking partner is as important as knowing how to tape an ankle.
How to Prevent Chafing While Hiking
Say goodbye to those irritating red rashes with these tips.
Popping Blisters, Preventing Hot Spots, and More: A Guide to Comfy Feet
Tired of red, stinging blisters three miles into every ten-mile trek? Us too. That’s why we’ve brought together the best blister prevention tips and tricks for keeping you and your feet happy on any trip.
Here’s Why You Should Think Twice Before Cooking Inside Your Tent
Burning fuel in confined spaces can lead to lethal carbon monoxide poisoning.
Diarrhea Wrecks Backpacking Trips. Don’t Let it Wreck Yours.
More than half of Appalachian Trail thru-hikers reported dealing with a bout diarrhea along the trail. Here's what you need to know to avoid the trots.
Got Frostbite? This Advice Might Save Your Fingers
Cold injury can lead to disability or even gangrene and amputation. But advances in its treatment over the last few decades could be a big help.
These Wilderness Medicine Myths Need to Disappear
There’s a lot of first aid advice out there, and take it from a doctor: Not all of it is good.
Ask a Thru-Hiker: What Do I Do if I Get Sick On the Trail?
Getting ill on the trail happens, and it can be scary. Here's how to prevent sickness and ride it out when it happens.
Should You Immobilize a Neck Injury in the Wilderness? Here’s What a Doctor Says.
Cervical spine injuries are serious, and immobilizing them has become gospel. But in the wilderness, where conditions can change in an instant, is it a waste of rescuers' time?
Backcountry Eye Injuries Are a Nightmare. Here’s How to Deal With Them.
Poked, scratched, or worse: Getting a hurt eye on your hike can be a serious emergency.
Tooth Problems: The Gory Details Backpackers Need to Know
No one wants a dental emergency in the backcountry. Learn how to avoid and deal with them.
Drowning Is One of the Backcountry’s Worst Dangers—But This Essential Skill Could Help You Save a Life.
A recent study suggests that chest compressions may be the most important skill for rescuers to deploy after a drowning.
How to Treat Injuries From a Bear Attack
Animal attacks are rare, but they do happen. Learning what to do after a run-in with wildlife could teach you a few things about how to handle any wilderness emergency
Sprained Ankles: Everything Backpackers Should Know About One of the Trail’s Most Common Injuries.
How to keep hiking when your ankle takes a turn for the worse. Plus, keeping them strong and trail-ready.
What Hiking in One of the World’s Harshest Deserts Taught Me About Surviving Heat
Keep your cool in the backcountry—no matter how high the mercury climbs—with these key lessons from one of the hottest places on Earth.
When Drinking Too Much Water Can Kill You
Hyponatremia, or water intoxication, isn’t a well-known hazard in the outdoors. But it’s more common than you think.