The successful completion of a hike or bike trip partly also depends on the equipment and among the many things that need to be packed in the trekking backpack or bike bags, there is one that is absolutely essential but is often forgotten: the first aid kit!

If you are a lover of excursions, you will certainly have found yourself at least once having to deal with an injury such as a sprain, an insect bite or simple ailments related to fatigue that can ruin your travel experience.

Just finding oneself immersed in nature, perhaps a few hours away from the nearest city, is a great reason to equip oneself with some basic necessities: so here are our tips for building the perfect hiker's first aid kit!

Hiker's first aid kit: our advice

Troubles for the hiker can derive from various factors among which stand out those environmental and related to fatigue up to actual injuries, such as sprains or wounds. When you have to prepare your first aid kit you must be prudent and think about any possible mishap, even more so if you travel with children.

Here are the things that should never be missing in the hiker's first aid kit:

• band-aids of various sizes, blister plasters, sterile gauze, hemmed gauze bandages and elastic bandages with which to implement any dressings and blockages;

• a good disinfectant to treat any scratches or grazes;

• ointments like those for insect bites and nettles, that for bruises and that for burns and sunburns;

• for those who go on excursions that last more than one day, it may be helpful to have a selected stock of medications, such as antidiarrheals, antipyretics and anti-inflammatories for muscle pain or fever, antispasmodic drugs for abdominal pain, aspirin for those suffering from headaches or various pains, antiemetic drugs for nausea and vomiting, antihistamines and cortisone for allergy sufferers;

• also useful are scissors, tweezers and latex gloves that, in addition to performing numerous functions, help to proceed faster in case of dressings;

• finally, we recommend that you also carry a thermal blanket, very light and not at all bulky, but essential for keeping an injured person warm while waiting for help.

How to prepare for a hike

In addition to the tools we have listed and that are essential inside your hiker's first aid kit, it is important to have some basic knowledge of first aid techniques, so as to calmly deal with mishaps.

If you are a first-timer, we recommend opting for one of the kits you find for sale in specialist sports shops, which provide a good container and a minimum of dressing materials, to be supplemented with additional medicines, suitable for every possible need and the characteristics of the hike you are about to undertake.

Once assembled, the first aid kit should be stored in a special case, waterproof and soft, so that it does not take up too much space in the backpack or bags and can be found easily in case of need. Moreover, it is crucial to frequently evaluate the condition of the equipment’s storage that can be subject to temperature changes, and scrupulously verify the expiry of the medicines, especially before departure.

The hiker's first aid kit is essential to deal with the small problems that may occur during a trip, but it should be borne in mind that the utmost attention must always be paid during a hike, whether on foot or by bike, because distraction and fatigue are the most common causes of accidents. By following these small tips, you can face your next excursions with greater security and tranquility!

Well, now that you know all about how to depart safely, all you have to do is choose your ideal route and jump in the saddle: