Gear & Preparation
First Aid & Safety
The goal is not to prepare for every disaster - it is to handle the common ones and buy time for the uncommon ones.
First aid and safety gear is not optional. In the backcountry, help is often hours or days away. The ability to handle common injuries, communicate in an emergency, and prevent problems before they start can mean the difference between a minor setback and a serious crisis.
A well-stocked first aid kit, emergency communication devices, and the knowledge to use them are non-negotiable. Carry them on every trip, no matter how short or familiar the terrain.
Gear alone is not enough. Knowing basic first aid, recognizing emergency symptoms, and having a plan for when things go wrong are what turn equipment into safety.
First Aid Kit
A kit matched to your training and your trip. The goal is to handle common injuries and stabilize serious ones until help arrives.
Wound Care
Cuts, scrapes, and blisters are the most common backcountry injuries. Proper wound care prevents infection and keeps you moving.
- Antiseptic wipes or solution for cleaning wounds
- Adhesive bandages in multiple sizes
- Gauze pads and medical tape for larger wounds
- Blister treatment - moleskin, Leukotape, or blister pads
- Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection
- Wound closure strips (Steri-Strips) for deeper lacerations
- Irrigation syringe for flushing wounds with clean water
Medications
Over-the-counter medications handle common ailments. Prescription medications should be carried in their original containers with dosage instructions.
- Pain relievers - ibuprofen or acetaminophen
- Antihistamines for allergic reactions (Benadryl, Zyrtec)
- Anti-diarrheal medication - dehydration from diarrhea is serious in the backcountry
- Aspirin for suspected heart attack (chewable, 81mg)
- Epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) if anyone in the group has known allergies
- Personal prescription medications in original containers
- Any medications specific to your group's medical conditions
Tools & Equipment
The right tools let you treat injuries effectively. Keep them organized and accessible - fumbling through a disorganized kit wastes time when you need it most.
- Tweezers for splinters, ticks, or debris removal
- Small scissors for cutting tape, gauze, or clothing
- Safety pins for securing bandages or slings
- Elastic bandage for sprains or pressure dressings
- Instant cold packs for swelling or pain
- Nitrile gloves (2-3 pairs) for infection control
- CPR face shield or pocket mask
Emergency Items
Items for serious situations - stabilizing fractures, managing shock, or signaling for help. These are rarely used but critical when needed.
- Emergency blanket for hypothermia or shock
- Splint material for fractures - SAM splint (moldable, lightweight)
- CAT tourniquet for severe bleeding - know how to use it before you need it
- Hemostatic gauze (QuikClot) for packing wounds that won't stop bleeding
- Chest seal (HyFin or Bolus) for penetrating chest injuries
- Emergency whistle - carries farther than voice
- Emergency contact information and medical history
Kit Levels by Trip Type
Not every trip requires the same kit. Scale your first aid supplies to the distance, remoteness, and group size.
Day Hike (Minimal)
- Adhesive bandages (assorted)
- Gauze pads + tape
- Blister treatment
- Antiseptic wipes
- Ibuprofen + antihistamine
- Tweezers
- Emergency blanket
- Whistle
Weight: ~4-6 oz
Overnight / Weekend
- Everything from day hike kit
- Elastic bandage
- SAM splint
- Wound closure strips
- Irrigation syringe
- Nitrile gloves
- Emergency bivy
- More gauze and tape
Weight: ~8-12 oz
Extended / Remote
- Everything from weekend kit
- CAT tourniquet
- Hemostatic gauze
- Chest seal
- CPR mask
- Full medication set
- Splinting materials
- Wound care supplies for multi-day treatment
Weight: ~1-2 lbs
Emergency Communication
When something goes wrong, the ability to call for help can save your life. Cell service is unreliable in the backcountry. Dedicated emergency devices work where phones fail.
Satellite Messenger
Devices like Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus ($500) or Zoleo ($149) send SOS signals and text messages via satellite. They work anywhere with a clear sky view - no cell service required. Two-way messaging lets you communicate with rescuers and family. Requires subscription ($15-50/month).
Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)
A PLB like the ACR rescueME PLB1 ($395) sends a distress signal to search and rescue satellites via COSPAS/SARSAT. It is simpler than a satellite messenger - one button for SOS. No subscription required, but no two-way messaging. Register with NOAA before use. 7-year battery life.
Cell Phone + Satellite SOS
A charged phone with offline maps is useful when service is available. iPhone 14 and newer (iOS 18+) support two-way satellite messaging and SOS via Globalstar - free for first 2 years. Save emergency numbers and park management contacts before your trip. Conserve battery by turning off non-essential functions.
Whistle & Signal Mirror
Three blasts on a whistle is the universal distress signal. A signal mirror can alert aircraft or distant rescuers. These tools weigh nothing, cost little, and work without batteries. Carry both on every trip.
Safety Gear
Gear that prevents problems before they start or helps you handle emergencies when they occur.
Headlamp
Getting caught in the dark without light is how people get hurt. A headlamp keeps your hands free and prevents falls, wrong turns, and injuries after sunset. Modern LED headlamps (Black Diamond, Petzl, Nitecore) provide 50-200+ hours of light.
- Carry on every trip - even day hikes can run late
- LED bulbs provide hours of light on fresh batteries
- Red light mode preserves night vision
- Carry spare batteries or a USB-rechargeable model
Fire Starting Gear
Fire provides warmth, signaling, and morale in an emergency. Carry multiple ways to start a fire - waterproof matches, a lighter, and a ferro rod cover you in any condition.
- Waterproof matches in a sealed container
- Butane lighter - easy to use with cold fingers
- Ferrocerium rod - works wet, cold, or at altitude
- Dry tinder - cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly
Emergency Shelter
If you are forced to spend an unplanned night out, an emergency shelter prevents hypothermia and keeps you dry. A lightweight bivy sack or emergency blanket weighs ounces but can save your life.
- Emergency bivy sack - waterproof and windproof
- Emergency blanket - reflects body heat, blocks wind
- Lightweight tarp - versatile shelter and ground cover
- Paracord - for rigging shelter or securing gear
Multi-Tool & Knife
A small knife or multi-tool handles gear repairs, first aid tasks, and camp jobs. Keep it sharp and accessible. A dull blade is more dangerous than a sharp one.
- Cutting tape, gauze, or clothing for first aid
- Repairing gear - fixing straps, cutting cord, sharpening
- Preparing food or kindling at camp
- Self-rescue tasks - clearing brush, building shelter
Wilderness Medical Certifications
A kit without knowledge is just a bag of supplies. Wilderness medical training turns equipment into effective care. The right certification depends on how remote you go, how far from help, and how much responsibility you carry for others. All major certifications are recognized by land management agencies, guide services, and search and rescue organizations.
Wilderness First Aid (WFA) - 16 Hours
The entry-level wilderness medical certification. Covers patient assessment, wound care, fracture stabilization, environmental emergencies (hypothermia, heat illness, altitude sickness), and evacuation decisions. Designed for hikers, scouts, trip leaders, and outdoor enthusiasts who are 1-2 days from help.
- Prerequisites: None
- Valid for: 2 years (recertification course: 8 hours)
- Providers: NOLS Wilderness Medicine, SOLO, Red Cross, Wilderness Medical Associates (WMA), Stonehearth Outdoor Learning
- Cost: ~$150-250
- Covers: Assessment, BLS, wound care, splinting, environmental illness, evacuation decisions
Wilderness First Responder (WFR) - 80 Hours
The gold standard for wilderness medical training. Required by most guide services, outfitters, and search and rescue teams. Covers everything in WFA plus advanced patient management, long-term care, field surgery basics, pharmacology, and complex evacuation scenarios. Designed for guides, expedition leaders, and anyone 3+ days from definitive care.
- Prerequisites: None (some providers require age 16+)
- Valid for: 3 years (recertification: 40-hour WFR Recert course)
- Providers: NOLS Wilderness Medicine, SOLO, WMA, Wilderness Medical Training Center
- Cost: ~$600-900
- Covers: Everything in WFA plus advanced trauma, medical emergencies, pharmacology, long-term patient care, field surgery, complex evacuations, legal considerations
Wilderness EMT (WEMT) - 120+ Hours
Builds on existing EMT-Basic certification with a wilderness protocol module. Covers extended patient care, improvisation of medical equipment, and prolonged field management. For licensed EMTs and paramedics who work in remote settings.
- Prerequisites: Current EMT-Basic or Paramedic license
- Valid for: Tied to EMT recertification cycle
- Providers: NOLS Wilderness Medicine, WMA, SOLO
- Cost: ~$400-600 (wilderness module only)
- Covers: Extended assessment, improvisation, prolonged field care, wilderness pharmacology, evacuation management
Standard First Aid / CPR/AED
The foundation. If you have no medical training at all, start here. Standard first aid covers urban/suburban emergency response - CPR, AED use, bleeding control, choking, shock management. Not wilderness-specific, but better than nothing and a prerequisite for some WFA courses.
- Prerequisites: None
- Valid for: 2 years
- Providers: American Red Cross, American Heart Association, National Safety Council
- Cost: ~$60-120
- Covers: CPR, AED, choking, bleeding, shock, basic first aid
Certification Path
Most outdoor professionals follow this progression. Each level builds on the previous one and opens doors to more responsibility in the backcountry.
| Level | Hours | Who Needs It | Distance from Help |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard First Aid/CPR | 8-12 | Everyone | Urban/suburban |
| Wilderness First Aid (WFA) | 16 | Hikers, trip leaders, scouts | 1-2 days |
| Wilderness First Responder (WFR) | 80 | Guides, SAR, expedition leaders | 3+ days |
| Wilderness EMT (WEMT) | 120+ | Licensed EMTs in remote settings | Extended remote |
Choosing a Provider
The major wilderness medicine providers are all reputable and their certifications are widely accepted. The differences are in teaching style, scenario emphasis, and scheduling flexibility.
NOLS Wilderness Medicine
The largest provider. Courses available nationwide. Strong emphasis on expedition medicine and leadership. Well-recognized by employers and land managers. Offers WFA, WFR, and WEMT.
Wilderness Medical Associates (WMA)
Founded by physicians with deep backcountry experience. Known for rigorous medical content and evidence-based protocols. Strong in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest. Offers WFA, WFR, and WEMT.
SOLO (Survival Online)
Smaller provider with a reputation for practical, hands-on training. Strong emphasis on improvisation and real-world scenarios. Popular with guides and SAR teams. Offers WFA, WFR, and WEMT.
Red Cross Wilderness First Aid
An accessible entry point. Red Cross WFA courses are widely available and often less expensive. Good for casual hikers and volunteers. Does not offer WFR or WEMT - for advanced training, switch to NOLS, WMA, or SOLO.
Arizona-Specific Training Resources
Local Providers
NOLS and WMA both offer courses in Arizona (Flagstaff, Tucson, Phoenix). Search for "wilderness first responder Arizona" or check NOLS and WMA course calendars. Many courses are offered in spring and fall to avoid summer heat. Community colleges and outdoor retailers (REI) sometimes host courses.
Why It Matters in Arizona
Arizona's backcountry presents unique medical challenges: extreme heat, dehydration, rattlesnake bites, scorpion stings, flash floods, and remote desert terrain where help can be 12+ hours away. WFR training covers all of these. For Arizona desert hiking specifically, heat illness recognition and treatment is arguably the most critical skill you can learn.
First Aid Knowledge
Beyond formal certification, there are skills and knowledge every backcountry traveler should develop. These complement formal training and keep you prepared between recertification courses.
Assessment Skills
Learn to assess injuries systematically - check airway, breathing, circulation, and level of consciousness (AVPU: Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive). A calm, methodical assessment prevents panic and guides treatment decisions. Practice the primary survey and secondary survey until they become automatic.
Environmental Emergencies
Recognize and treat hypothermia, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, dehydration, and altitude sickness. In Arizona, heat illness is the number one environmental emergency. Early recognition prevents these conditions from becoming life-threatening. Know the difference between heat exhaustion (cool, clammy skin) and heat stroke (hot, dry skin - a true emergency).
Evacuation Decisions
Know when to treat and continue versus when to evacuate. Some injuries can be managed in the field. Others require professional medical care. Decision-making under pressure is a skill that must be practiced. WFR courses use scenario-based training to build this judgment.
Stay Current
Skills degrade without practice. Take refresher courses, read wilderness medicine books (Medicine for the Backcountry by Lew Goettner, Wilderness Medicine by Paul Auerbach), and practice skills on every trip. Many providers offer online refreshers between in-person recert courses.
Safety Planning
Safety starts before you hit the trail. Planning reduces risk and ensures someone knows where you are and when to expect you back.
Trip Plan
Tell someone your planned route, expected return time, and what to do if you do not return on schedule. Leave the plan with a trusted contact who will call for help if you are overdue. Include your satellite messenger ID or PLB hex code so rescuers can track your signal.
Weather Check
Check the forecast before you go. Weather in the backcountry can change rapidly. Know the signs of approaching storms and have a plan for shelter or evacuation if conditions deteriorate. In Arizona, monsoon season (July-September) brings sudden thunderstorms, flash floods, and lightning.
Know Your Limits
Be honest about your fitness, experience, and the conditions. Turning back is not failure - it is good judgment. Pushing beyond your limits in remote terrain is how emergencies start.
Group Communication
If hiking in a group, establish communication protocols. Stay together or check in regularly. Know the plan if someone gets separated or injured. A group that communicates stays safe. Designate a sweep (last person) to ensure no one is left behind.
First Aid Kit Care
- Check your kit before every trip - replace used or expired items
- Verify medications have not expired - old medications lose effectiveness
- Restock after each use - do not wait until the next trip to replace bandages or supplies
- Keep the kit organized - use compartments or small bags to separate categories
- Store in a waterproof container or bag (Dry Bag, Ziploc freezer bag) - moisture ruins medications and bandages
- Customize for your trip - add items specific to the terrain, season, or group
- Review and update annually - remove items you never use, add items you wish you had
- Check tourniquet expiration date - CAT tourniquets have a shelf life (typically 7 years)
- Replace hemostatic gauze per manufacturer date - the clotting agent degrades over time
- Keep a printed first aid guide in your kit (NOLS Wilderness First Aid pocket guide or SOLO's Wilderness Medicine pocket guide)