The first goal is to prevent medical emergencies in the backcountry. It begins by drinking enough water to avoid dehydration, eating enough calories to maintain energy, and wearing broken-in footwear to prevent blisters. Also, knowing your limits and your ability is essential in staying safe. Informing your guide before your trip of any past or current injuries, illnesses, or limitations, as well as any medications you take for treatment, is key. 

The most common injuries in the backcountry are sprained ankles, knee sprains, strains or tendonitis, blisters, shin splints, dehydration, sunburn or heatstroke, insect bites or stings, overexertion, falls and cuts, and poison ivy or poison oak. Being intentional and aware of these common injuries can help a hiker avoid a medical emergency. To treat minor issues like blisters, using moleskin or other methods as soon as a hotspot occurs is the best way to ensure a less painful hike. Wrapping an ankle or knee with ACE wrap for support will be a treatment for sprains or strains

Severe medical emergencies are rare in the backcountry. Still, in the case of a medical emergency, I will assess the injuries and symptoms and treat them to the best of my abilities using the training I have received in Wilderness First Aid.  If the injury or illness limits the hiker’s ability to walk or is life-threatening, contact will be made via cell phone or satellite to the nearest ranger station. An able body will report the situation, location, and the patient’s needs to the Rangers for directions and guidance.  Wilderness First Responders will arrive to treat the patient and help transport them out of the backcountry and to a hospital for treatment.