Outdoor emergency care refers to the process of treating injuries or illnesses while in a wilderness setting, and potentially transporting victims or patients out of the wilderness and into care facilities. Some outdoor enthusiasts undergo training in outdoor emergency care, which is beneficial for anyone who spends a significant amount of time away from modern facilities. For many outdoor professionals such as ski guides or backcountry guides, such training is usually required. Treating injuries outdoors can be done without extensive training, however, as long as that outdoor enthusiast is willing to do some research into proper care techniques.
Anyone who ventures into the wilderness should be prepared for outdoor emergency care by packing a basic first aid kit as well as orienteering items such as a map and compass or a global positioning system, usually known as a GPS. Severe injuries sustained in the backcountry will often require attention from a doctor at a well-stocked medical facility, which means the patient will need to be transported out of the backcountry quickly. It is never a good idea to run when transporting a patient; this risks injury to the person performing the outdoor emergency care, thereby compounding an already difficult situation.
It is important to know and understand the most common types of injuries sustained in the wilderness, and be prepared by packing an appropriate first aid kit and knowing what steps to take to treat such injuries. Falls are perhaps the number one cause of injury in the outdoors, so outdoor emergency care will often revolve around treating impact injuries such as fractures. Sprains and muscle strains are also quite common and are not life-threatening; the injury will need to be immobilized. Bleeding can be a big problem, and treating bleeding injuries can be difficult, especially if the bleeding is profuse. It is best to carry bandages, though if none are available, pieces of clothing can be used to apply pressure to the injury. Do not tie off a bandage to cut off blood flow unless absolutely necessary; this constriction of blood flow can lead to the death of the limb, thereby necessitating amputation in the worst cases.
Wilderness first responder courses, sometimes referred to as WFR or Woofer, are in-depth training courses that will teach any outdoor enthusiast the best outdoor emergency care techniques. Such courses can be expensive and time-consuming, but they are worth the investment for anyone participating in outdoor activities on a regular basis.
