Camp First Aid Quick Reference

🩹Blister

Hot spot, then fluid-filled bubble on foot or heel.

1. Leave intact if small - drain only if large and painful.
2. To drain: sterilize needle, pierce edge, let fluid out, leave skin flap.
3. Cover with moleskin donut or blister pad. Keep dry.

Evacuate: Signs of infection: redness spreading beyond blister, pus, red streaks, fever.

🦶Sprained Ankle

Swelling, bruising, pain on weight-bearing. Rolled outward is most common.

1. RICE: Rest, Ice (20 min on/off), Compression (ACE wrap), Elevate.
2. If walking needed, taping provides support. Wrap figure-8 around ankle.
3. Use trekking pole as a cane on the way out.

Evacuate: Cannot bear any weight, severe deformity, numbness, or circulation issues.

🩸Cut / Laceration

Bleeding wound from sharp object, rock, or fall.

1. Apply direct pressure with clean cloth for 10+ min. Do not lift to check.
2. Once bleeding stops: clean with clean water (flush well).
3. Close with butterfly strips or steri-strips. Cover with bandage.

Evacuate: Bleeding doesn't stop after 20 min of pressure, wound is deep or gaping, signs of tendon or bone.

🐝Insect Sting

Sharp pain, localized swelling and redness.

1. Remove stinger by scraping (bee) - don't squeeze with tweezers.
2. Ice for swelling. Antihistamine (Benadryl) for itch.
3. Monitor for signs of allergy.

Evacuate: Throat tightening, hives beyond sting site, dizziness, shortness of breath - use EpiPen if available, call 911.

☀️Sunburn

Red, hot, tender skin. Blistering in severe cases.

1. Get out of sun. Cool with wet cloth (not ice).
2. Aloe vera or hydrocortisone cream for pain.
3. Hydrate aggressively - sunburn dehydrates.

Evacuate: Blistering over large area, fever over 103°F, confusion, or vomiting.

💧Dehydration

Dark urine, headache, fatigue, dizziness, dry mouth.

1. Stop activity. Sit in shade. Drink water steadily - not all at once.
2. Add electrolytes: sports drink, electrolyte tablets, or a pinch of salt + sugar.
3. Rest 30+ min before returning to activity.

Evacuate: Cannot keep fluids down, severe headache, confusion, no urination for 8+ hours.

🥶Hypothermia

Early: shivering, cold/pale skin, clumsiness. Moderate: slurred speech - handle gently, no exertion.

1. Get out of wind and wet clothing immediately.
2. Insulate with dry layers + sleeping bag. Add head cover.
3. Warm fluids if alert and swallowing normally - skip if confused/slurring.
4. No heat packs? Body heat from another person can help - skin-to-skin under dry insulation.

Evacuate: Stops shivering but still cold (severe hypothermia), loss of consciousness, heart irregularity.

🔥Minor Burn

Redness and pain from campfire, stove, or hot cookware.

1. Cool immediately: run cool (not cold) water over burn for 10-20 min.
2. Do not apply ice, butter, or toothpaste.
3. Cover with non-stick sterile bandage. Ibuprofen for pain.

Evacuate: Blistering larger than your palm, burn on face/hands/genitals, charred or white skin.