A mild or moderate sprain will be slightly painful and swell some.  To treat a mild or moderate sprain, apply a cold compress if available, wrap the joint with elastic bandage and elevate the affected area.  An anti-imflammatory like Ibuprofen will help reduce the swelling. 

A more severe sprain will swell substantially, be very painful and discolored, a purple-blue color.  Severe sprains require professional assistance, thus seek medical help. 

For minor wounds, apply pressure to stop the bleeding, gently clean the wound, removing any foreign material, place antiseptic ointment to prevent infection, cover with sterile gauze dressing, and tape in place.  Follow the same procedure for larger wounds, though seek medical help if the wound does not stop bleeding.

For abrasions, clean the wound, removing any foreign material, place antiseptic ointment to prevent infection, cover with sterile gauze dressing, and tape in place.

Your wound may be infected if it is red, painful or secretes pus.

Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, a life-threatening situation.  It is dangerous because the body produces more heat than it can release.

Symptoms

The two most prevalant symptoms are a body temperature reaching 105-106 degrees and changes in mental state.  Other symptoms include:  a sense of warmth, hot, red and dry skin, difficulty breathing, elevated or lowered blood pressure, confusion, headache, reduced or absent sweating, extremely rapid pulse, dizziness and nausea.

Treatment

Heat exhaustion is a medical emergency.  Call 911 or seek medical help if possible.  It is imperative that the body temperature lowers immediately.  Get out of the sun and immerse the victim in a cold body of water, a stream, lake or pond.  Spray cold water on the body or place a cold water compress on the skin and continue to do so until the body temperature returns to normal.

Heat exhaustion results when the body gets too hot because one fails to replace liquid lost through perspiration.  It is critical that it is treated immediately because it can lead to heat stroke, a life-threatening situation.

Symptoms

Symptoms include:  heavy sweating, malaise, palpitations, thirst, faintness, nausea, vomiting, weakness, headache, and muscle cramps.

Treamtent:

Find a cool place, drink one to two quarts of cool water with about 1/2 teaspoon salt (if available), and lie down.  Loosen or remove clothing and spray water on the body or place a cold water compress on the skin. 

Having claimed the lives of AT hikers in the past, hypothermia is the most serious threat to hikers on the Appalachian Trail.  It occurs when the body temperature cools down below 95 degrees, when body heat is lost more quickly than the body can replace it.  Sometimes happening under situations one would not consider threatening, it can be extremely dangerous.  For example, it can occur when someone is sweating, stops hiking and a slight breeze comes along, causing the body to cool rapidly.  In addition, wet clothing and wind chill exacerbate heat loss, making the situation worse. 

Prevention

Prevention is the best treatment.  Because people are more susceptible to hypothermia when exhausted, sick or lacking nourishment, don't get overly fatigued and eat frequently to maintain an acceptable metabolic rate.  Also, camp early, maintain body heat (starting fire), huddle together, and wear appropriate clothing.  Clothes made of synthetic (polypro) and wool fabrics are better than cotton, and an outer shell that is waterproof and wind-resistant will help as well.

Symptoms

Shivering uncontrollably, mental confusion, slowed speach, pale, blue lips, ears, fingers and toes...

Treatment

Put on properly insulated dry clothing and get somewhere warm.  Curl inside a sleeping bag, drink warm, slightly sweetened fluids.  If in a group, huddle inside a sleeping bag with the victim, maintaining skin-to-skin contact, and encourage the victim to exercise.

Blisters form from friction between the foot and the boot.  The friction causes the outer layer of skin to separate from the inner layer of skin; and when this does, fluid fills between the two and a blister emerges. 

The best solution for blisters is prevention, and the best way to stop friction between the foot and boot is to have a properly fitted boot and two pairs of socks.  The first pair of socks should be a thin liner of polypropylene, Orlon, or nylon and the second should be a thick wool outer sock.  The idea behind two pairs of socks is that the rubbing will occur between the two socks and not on the skin.

It is also critical to break the boot in properly. Begin slow and work up gradually, paying close attention to the development of blisters.  Once blisters do begin to emerge, treat the blister according to below.  Then rub leather softener inside the boot where the discomfort is coming from.  Remember the heavier the boot, the more breaking in it needs.

Blisters are exacerbated by wet feet.  Damp feet equates to soft skin, which doesn't slide easily inside socks, causing friction.  Thus, be sure to change your socks when yours are wet. 

Treating Blisters

If a break in the skin begins to form, stop hiking as soon as feasible, remove your boots and let your feet air.  Treat breakage of skin with tincture of benzoin and cover with moleskin or Second Skin.  The idea behind the moleskin or Second Skin is that the moleskin will move inside the sock and eliminate the friction between the skin layers.

If a large blister has formed, remove the fluid inside before the skin breaks.  To do this, first wash the area with soap and water.  Then use a sterile needle to puncture the base of the blister and gently press the fluid out.  Finally, protect the blister and area with a patch of moleskin or Second Skin that has a doughnut hole a little larger than the blister.

If the blister is already broken, wash the area, apply antiseptic ointment and cover the area with a sterile bandage.  

A properly equipped first aid kit is essential for both day and thru-hikers.  All contents should be inspected before each outing, and the supplies should be clean and in good condition.  Medication should be updated and all expired medication should be replaced. 

In addition to this, it is also critical that you know how to use each item before heading out.  Invest the time before embarking.  Read the directions included with your kit, or perform your own research on the contents in your bag. 

First aid kits can be assembled at home or bought from the store.  Buying ready equipped first aid kits often saves money because the retailers buy the gear wholesale and in bulk.  In addition to this, ready equipped first aid kits include instructions explaining how to use each item. 

First Aid Kit Fundamentals:

• waterproof container
• adhesive bandages of various sizes & adhesive tape
• butterfly bandages, used to close wounds
• triangular bandage, used as slings, tourniquets, etc...
• elastic roll bandage
• gauze pads
• moleskin / Second Skin, used as blister treatment and prevention
• alcohol swabs
• antiseptic ointment
• chemical heat and cold packs
• cotton swabs
• dry-wash pads or wipes
• insect repellant
• safety pins
• scissors
• tweezers
• bulb irrigating syringe
• anti-diarrhea medicine (loperamide HCL: Imodium)
• antibiotic for skin infections (Dicloxacillin)
• antihistimine for allergic reactions (Benadryl, etc..)
• anti-inflammatory (Ibuprofen, aspirin, etc...)
• acetaminophen to relieve pain and reduce fever (Tylenol)
• hydrocortisone cream to soothe allergic skin
• tincture of benzoin to protect skin, help with application of adhesive bandage and treat blisters