The hunter’s first-aid kit: what to take and how to respond to an emergency in the countryside

A fall, a cut from a branch, a sprain or a sudden change in temperature can turn a day’s hunting into a difficult situation.

When an incident occurs in a remote area, carrying the right equipment and knowing how to use it becomes even more important.

A hunter’s first-aid kit should be lightweight, durable and suited to the type of activity, the duration of the trip, the weather conditions and the distance to the nearest point accessible to the emergency services. Its purpose is not to replace medical care, but to enable safe initial treatment until help arrives or you reach a medical centre.

Just as important as carrying it is regularly checking its contents and having basic first-aid training.

Please note: this article provides general first-aid guidelines and is no substitute for practical training or assessment by healthcare professionals. In the event of a serious injury, loss of consciousness, breathing difficulties, severe bleeding or a rapid deterioration in condition, call 112 and follow their instructions.

What should a basic first-aid kit for hunting contain?

For a short outing in a familiar area relatively close to access routes, a basic first-aid kit might include:

• Disposable nitrile gloves.
• Sterile gauze pads in various sizes.
• Adhesive plasters.
• An elastic bandage.
• Strong adhesive tape.
• Single-dose saline solution for rinsing wounds or eyes.
• Skin antiseptic.
• Blunt-tipped scissors.
• Tweezers.
• A thermal blanket.
• Instant cold packs.
• Sturdy bags for disposing of contaminated material.
• A small card listing telephone numbers, allergies, medical conditions and regular medication.

Gloves should be kept in an easily accessible part of the first-aid kit, not buried under all the other items. They are the first thing you should put on when attending to someone with a wound or bleeding.

Expanded first-aid kit for remote areas

When you are spending the day far from accessible tracks, setting out alone, or if evacuation may be delayed, it is advisable to expand the contents:

• More gauze and pressure dressings.
• Triangular bandage.
• Lightweight, mouldable splint.
• Blister plasters.
• Hydroalcoholic hand gel – do not apply directly to wounds.
• Sun cream.
• Insect repellent.
• Specialised tick removal tool.
• Oral rehydration salts.
• Head torch with spare batteries.
• Whistle.
• Portable phone charger.
• A second thermal blanket.
• Permanent marker for taking notes.
• Sheet with coordinates, planned route and emergency contacts.

For activities involving a higher risk of injury, it may be worth considering adding a haemostatic gauze pad and an approved commercial tourniquet. However, these items require specific training. A tourniquet should not be included in the first-aid kit on the assumption that one will learn how to use it during an emergency.

Is it advisable to carry medication?

The first-aid kit may include any personal medication that a hunter has been prescribed or regularly uses, provided it is properly protected, labelled and within its expiry date.

Medicines must not be shared or administered to another person without knowing their allergies, medical conditions, possible interactions or contraindications. Those with a history of severe allergic reactions should carry the emergency medication prescribed by their doctor and ensure that their companions know where it is kept.

How to store and maintain the first-aid kit

The contents should be carried in a waterproof or watertight bag that is clearly labelled and easy to open. There is little point in carrying a fully stocked first-aid kit if it is buried at the bottom of your rucksack.

It is advisable to check it before each season and after each use:

• Replace any items that have been used or are damaged.
• Check the expiry dates.
• Check that sterile packaging is intact.
• Avoid storing medicines or plasters for months in a vehicle exposed to heat.
• Adapt the contents to the season, the terrain and the duration of the outing.
• Make sure all members of the group know where it is kept.

Before providing first aid: protect, alert and assist

In the event of any accident, follow the PAS procedure:

1. Protect

Check that the area is safe for the injured person, for you and for the rest of the group. During a hunting trip, it is essential to stop the activity, alert the participants and prevent any further shots being fired.

Weapons must be secured and kept out of the treatment area, provided this can be done without creating additional risks or delaying an emergency response. Other hazards must also be assessed: uneven ground, traffic on tracks, agitated dogs, fire, unstable branches or adverse weather conditions.

2. Alert

Call 112 in the event of a serious injury, uncontrolled bleeding, loss of consciousness, breathing difficulties, a possible fracture, severe pain, disorientation or a situation that prevents you from returning safely.

When you call, provide the following:

• Your location as precisely as possible.
• GPS coordinates, if available.
• The number of people injured.
• What has happened.
• The person’s level of consciousness and breathing.
• Whether there is any bleeding or other risks.
•  The nearest access point for the emergency services.
• Weather conditions and visibility.

Do not hang up until instructed to do so. Keep your phone ready, conserve battery power and follow the instructions given by the emergency services.

3. Providing first aid

Only provide the first aid you know how to administer. Do not move a person who may have a spinal, pelvic or neck injury unless remaining in that position poses an immediate danger.

If the person is unconscious and not breathing normally, call 112 or ask someone else to do so, and begin the procedures indicated by the emergency services. Face-to-face training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is one of the best safety investments for those who frequent remote areas.

How to deal with cuts and wounds

Cuts caused by branches, stones, wire or tools are some of the most common incidents in the countryside.

For a minor wound:

1. Wash your hands and put on gloves.
2. Rinse the wound thoroughly with saline solution or drinking water.
3. Remove only any surface dirt that comes away easily.
4. Dry with a clean gauze pad, without rubbing.
5. Apply the antiseptic according to the instructions.
6. Cover the area with a sterile dressing.
7. Monitor the area afterwards for any signs of increasing redness, heat, swelling, pus, fever or worsening pain.

Do not pour hand sanitiser onto a wound. Do not remove large or deeply embedded objects either: they may be stemming the bleeding, and their removal must be carried out by healthcare professionals.

Deep, heavily contaminated or puncture wounds, those caused by bites, or those affecting the hands, face, eyes or joints, must be assessed by a doctor. It is also advisable to check that your tetanus vaccination is up to date.

What to do in the event of severe bleeding

Heavy bleeding is a medical emergency. You must call 112 as soon as possible.

Whilst waiting for help to arrive:

1. Put on gloves if available.
2. Place a gauze pad or dressing over the wound.
3. Apply direct, firm and continuous pressure.
4. If the dressing becomes soaked, do not remove the first one: add more material on top and continue applying pressure.
5. Keep the person lying down, warm and under observation.
6. Do not give them any food or drink if they may require urgent medical attention or are unconscious.

Direct pressure is the first step in controlling severe external bleeding. If an object is embedded in the wound, do not apply direct pressure to it or attempt to remove it; apply pressure around it and stabilise it with gauze.

A commercial tourniquet can save a life in the event of catastrophic bleeding from a limb when direct pressure is insufficient or cannot be maintained. It should preferably be used by a trained person, applied in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, with the time of application noted, and should not be removed until the emergency services arrive.

Sprains, strains and possible fractures

A misstep, a loose stone or a hidden uneven surface can cause an injury to the ankles, knees or wrists.

In the event of a sprain:

• Stop walking.
• Carefully remove rings or other objects that may become constricting if swelling occurs.
• Protect the joint and keep it in a comfortable position.
• Apply cold wrapped in a cloth for short periods to relieve pain. Never place ice directly on the skin.
• Use an elastic bandage for support, without tightening it to the point of causing tingling, loss of sensation, paleness or a bluish discolouration.
• Elevate the limb if possible and if it does not increase the pain.

Do not force the joint to check if it ‘holds’. If the person cannot put weight on it, there is deformity, severe pain, loss of sensation or a clicking sound accompanied by rapid swelling, a serious injury or fracture should be suspected.

Do not attempt to put a bone or joint back into place. Immobilise it in the position in which it was found, avoid unnecessary movements and seek help.

Hypothermia: it doesn’t have to be below freezing

Hypothermia can occur when the body loses heat faster than it can generate it. It does not require extreme temperatures: a combination of rain, wind, wet clothing, immobility and fatigue can trigger it even in moderate temperatures.

The first signs may include:

• Severe shivering.
•  Clumsiness and loss of coordination.
• Slow or slurred speech.
• Lethargy or unusual behaviour.
• Drowsiness.
• Difficulty walking.

Confusion or the cessation of shivering despite continued exposure to the cold are particularly worrying signs.

What to do

1. Stop what you are doing and seek shelter from the wind and rain.
2. Lift the person off the ground.
3. Carefully remove wet clothing and replace it with dry garments.
4. Take particular care to keep the torso, head and neck warm.
5. Use a thermal blanket as an additional layer, but do not rely on it as the only layer.
6. If the person is fully alert and able to swallow, offer them a warm, sugary drink.
7. Call 112 if there is confusion, marked clumsiness, drowsiness, uncontrollable shivering or a worsening of symptoms.

The person must be handled gently. Do not rub their skin, give them alcohol or apply very intense heat directly to their limbs. In cases of moderate or severe hypothermia, rewarming should be focused progressively on the torso.

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke: they are not the same thing

Heat, physical activity, lack of shade and insufficient hydration can cause varying degrees of heat-related illness.

Heat exhaustion usually presents with profuse sweating, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, cramps and a feeling of faintness.

If these symptoms occur:

• Stop the activity immediately
• Move the person into the shade or to a well-ventilated area.
• Remove or loosen any unnecessary clothing.
• Cool the skin with water, damp cloths and ventilation.
• If they are fully conscious and able to swallow, offer cool water or a rehydration drink in small sips.
• Do not allow them to continue hunting that day.

If there is no clear improvement within about 30 minutes, if their condition worsens or if neurological symptoms appear, call 112.

Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency. It should be suspected in the event of confusion, disorientation, unusual behaviour, convulsions, loss of consciousness or a very high body temperature. The skin may feel hot and is not always dry; the person may still be sweating.

What to do in the event of suspected heatstroke

1. Call 112 immediately.
2. Move the person to a cool, shaded place.
3. Remove any excess clothing.
4. Start rapid cooling by wetting the skin with cool water and fanning them.
5. Apply cold compresses to the neck, armpits and groin if available.
6. Continuously monitor their breathing and level of consciousness.
7. Do not give them any fluids if they are confused, drowsy, having convulsions or unable to swallow safely.

Cooling must not be delayed whilst waiting for the emergency services to arrive. The INSST reminds us that a person suffering from heatstroke requires immediate hospital care.

Insect bites, ticks and allergic reactions

For a minor bite, clean the area and apply a cold compress to reduce pain and swelling.

If the person experiences difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips or tongue, a hoarse voice, severe dizziness or generalised symptoms, this may be a severe allergic reaction. Call 112 immediately. If the person has a prescribed adrenaline auto-injector, help them to use it in accordance with their medical plan and the device’s instructions.

Ticks should be removed as soon as possible using a suitable tool or fine-tipped tweezers, grasping them close to the skin and pulling steadily and at a right angle, without crushing or twisting them. The area should then be cleaned, and the person monitored for the onset of a fever, feeling unwell or a spreading skin lesion. Oil, alcohol, heat or other remedies must not be applied in an attempt to remove the tick.

What to do if you are hunting alone

Going out alone requires extra planning. Before setting off:

• Tell someone you trust the area you’ll be in, your route and your expected time of return.
• Let them know of any changes to your plans.
• Carry a fully charged mobile phone, protected from damp.
• Download maps so you can use them without mobile coverage.
• Make a note of access points and evacuation points.
• Check the weather forecast.
• Take water, food and an extra thermal layer.
• Set a cut-off time for your return.

Your mobile phone is no substitute for planning: there may be no signal in valleys, ravines and mountainous areas.

The best first-aid kit also includes training

A comprehensive first-aid kit can help manage an injury, protect a joint or prevent further heat loss. But its effectiveness depends on the person knowing where to find the equipment and how to use it correctly under pressure.

Taking a first-aid course, learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation and practising navigation using coordinates provides greater peace of mind than adding equipment whose proper use is unknown.

Before every outing, check three things: first-aid kit, communication and planning. In the countryside, a few minutes’ preparation can save hours of improvisation.

Frequently asked questions about the hunter’s first-aid kit

Where should the first-aid kit be carried?

In an easily accessible part of your rucksack or vest, inside a waterproof and clearly labelled bag. Your companions must know where it is.

Is it compulsory to carry a tourniquet?

It is not an essential part of all first-aid kits. It may be advisable for certain activities and in remote areas, but it must be an approved commercial model and the person carrying it must have received practical training in its use.

Is a thermal blanket effective for treating hypothermia?

It helps to reduce heat loss, particularly as a barrier against wind and damp, but it does not generate heat on its own. It must be combined with insulation from the ground, dry clothing and protection from the elements.

When should you call 112?

In the event of severe bleeding, loss or impairment of consciousness, breathing difficulties, severe pain, deformity, a possible fracture, serious trauma, heatstroke, hypothermia accompanied by confusion, or any situation that prevents safe evacuation.

How often should the first-aid kit be checked?

At least before each season, after use, and whenever it has been exposed to damp, cold or heat for a long time. Expiry dates and the condition of the packaging should also be checked.