First Aid Tips for Outdoor Adventures This Summer

Canadian summers just hit different. One minute you’re planning a chill lake day; the next you’re packing for a full-on camping weekend or finally hitting that snow-free trail.

Whatever your adventure looks like, there’s one thing that matters more than the view: being ready if something goes sideways.

And it’s not just a “just in case” thing.

Most Canadians are getting outside, and injuries still send plenty of people to the ER every year.

So, before you grab your gear and head out, let’s run through a few simple first aid tips to help keep you (and everyone with you) safe.

Start With a Smart Safety Plan

Before you treat an injury, you need to prevent the situation from worsening.

Parks Canada recommends the “Three T’s” for every trip: trip planning, training, and taking the essentials.

That means leaving a plan with someone, choosing a route that matches your group’s abilities, checking conditions, and bringing gear you may need if conditions change.

Before you go, ask yourself:

• Does someone know where we’re going and when we expect to be back?
• Do we know where the nearest road, ranger station, or emergency access point is?
• Do we have enough water, food, medication, and first aid supplies?
• Is everyone dressed for changing weather?
• Would we know what to do if someone fainted, broke a bone, had an allergic reaction, or stopped breathing?

That last question is the one people often skip. But in a real emergency, confidence can make a major difference.

Pack a First Aid Kit That Matches Your Adventure

A tiny box of bandages might be fine for your glove compartment, but it’s not enough for a hike, camping weekend, canoe trip, or remote cottage stay.

The Canadian Red Cross recommends that outdoor kits include extra water and electrolytes, blister care, an emergency shelter or tarp, thermal blankets, a whistle or signalling device, a multi-tool or knife, and extra wound care supplies.

At a minimum, your outdoor first aid kit should include:   

• Adhesive bandages in multiple sizes
• Sterile gauze and medical tape
• Antiseptic wipes
• Disposable gloves
• Tweezers for splinters or ticks
• Blister pads or moleskin
• Instant cold pack
• Emergency blanket
• CPR face shield or pocket mask
• Any personal medications, including EpiPens or inhalers
• A written list of allergies, medical conditions, and emergency contacts

This is also where the right products matter.

First Edition offers first-aid kits, CPR pocket masks, AEDs, and emergency supplies to help people prepare for emergencies.

Know How To Handle Common Trail Injuries

Most outdoor emergencies don’t start dramatically. They start with a blister, a twisted ankle, a cut from camp tools, or someone pushing too far in the heat.

For blisters, stop early. Clean the area, cover it with blister protection, and avoid popping it.

For sprains, stop activity, support the joint, apply a cold pack if available, and elevate the area when possible. If the person can’t bear weight, there’s major swelling, or the joint looks misshapen, it’s time to get medical help.

For cuts and scrapes, clean the wound with clean water, remove visible debris with clean tweezers, apply an antiseptic wipe, and cover it with a sterile dressing. Watch for signs of infection over the next few days, including increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pus, or fever.

The big thing to remember? “Walk it off” is not a first aid plan.

Pain is information, and it’s important to listen to it.

Take Heat and Dehydration Seriously

Heat exhaustion can show up as heavy sweating, dizziness, headache, nausea, weakness, or cool, clammy skin.

Move the person to shade, loosen tight clothing, offer small sips of water, and cool them with damp cloths or fanning.

Heat stroke is different. It’s a medical emergency. Call 911 right away.

Warning signs can include confusion, fainting, very high body temperature, hot skin, or seizures.

Also, don’t wait until you feel thirsty. Drink regularly, use electrolytes on longer outings, and keep an eye on kids, older adults, and anyone who may not recognize the early symptoms.

Be Ready for Water Emergencies

The Lifesaving Society notes that more than 400 Canadians die in preventable water-related incidents each year.

That’s why water safety should be part of your outdoor first aid plan.

If someone is pulled from the water and is unresponsive or not breathing, call 911, start CPR, and use an AED if one is available.

If the person is wet, move them to a dry area if it’s safe, remove wet clothing from the chest, dry the chest thoroughly, apply the AED pads, and follow the device prompts.

CPR is especially important in drowning situations because lack of oxygen is often the main issue.

This is why CPR and AED training matter. In a stressful moment, you don’t want to be guessing.

Watch for Ticks, Bites, and Allergic Reactions

The Government of Canada reported 5,809 Lyme disease cases in 2024, with annual growth of more than 20%.

After hiking or camping, check your body, kids, pets, socks, waistbands, hairline, and behind the knees.

If you find a tick, remove it with fine-tipped tweezers by pulling straight out, clean the area, and monitor for symptoms such as rash, fever, fatigue, headache, or muscle and joint pain.

For bites, stings, or allergic reactions, watch for swelling of the lips or face, trouble breathing, widespread hives, dizziness, or vomiting.

Use an epinephrine auto-injector if prescribed and call 911 immediately.

Make First Aid Training Part of the Packing List

The best outdoor first aid tips aren’t just about what to do after something happens. They’re about giving yourself the confidence to act when every second counts.

First Edition is a Canadian one-stop shop for first aid training, CPR and AED training, emergency first aid, standard first aid, re-certification, online courses, AEDs, and emergency supplies.

Build your kit. Learn the basics. Book the training. We’ve got you covered.