British weather has a way of testing your grip. One minute you're striding along a limestone ridge, the next you're sliding down a muddy bridleway with a grazed palm and a twisted ankle. Most outdoor injuries are minor, but the difference between a small inconvenience and a miserable day out often comes down to basic first aid. A little knowledge, a small kit, and the confidence to act can keep a scrape from becoming an infection and a sprain from becoming a rescue.

Before you set off: the basics that earn their place

You don't need a hospital in your rucksack, but a few items are worth their weight. Keep them in a dry bag so they stay clean and findable.

• Nitrile gloves — for your protection and the casualty's.
• Sterile gauze swabs and a roll of medical tape or a small roll of elastic bandage.
• Assorted plasters and a few blister plasters.
• Antiseptic wipes or a small bottle of sterile saline.
• Triangular bandage — a sling, a pad, a support.
• Small scissors and tweezers.
• Painkillers — paracetamol or ibuprofen, if you can take them safely.
• Emergency blanket, whistle, and a fully charged phone.

Check your kit before every trip. Batteries, expiry dates, and a quick think about any personal medication. If you're leading a group, know who has allergies, asthma, or a condition that might flare up.

Scrapes and grazes: clean, cover, and watch

Scrapes happen on gritstone, brambles, and bike trails. The priority is cleaning out dirt and grit. Wash your hands or wear gloves. Rinse the wound with clean water — sterile saline is ideal, but cooled boiled water works. Use tweezers to remove visible grit. Don't scrub hard; you'll damage tissue. Pat dry with a clean gauze.

Apply a thin layer of antiseptic if you have it, then cover with a plaster or a gauze pad and tape. For a larger graze, use a non-stick dressing. Change the dressing daily, or sooner if it gets wet or dirty. Watch for signs of infection: increasing redness, swelling, heat, throbbing pain, or pus. If these appear, seek medical advice. Also check tetanus status — if the wound is deep or dirty and you haven't had a booster in ten years, get advice.

Bleeding: pressure is your best friend

For a cut that bleeds, direct pressure is the single most effective thing you can do. Put a sterile gauze or clean cloth over the wound and press firmly. Keep pressing for a full ten minutes without lifting to peek. Peeking restarts the clotting. If blood soaks through, add another dressing on top and keep pressing — don't remove the first one.

If possible, raise the injured part above heart level. Once bleeding stops, secure the dressing with tape or a bandage. If the cut is gaping, you may need stitches. For bleeding that spurts, won't stop after 10–15 minutes of pressure, or comes from the head, neck, or abdomen, call 999. Watch for shock: pale, clammy skin, rapid pulse, thirst, confusion. Lie the person down, keep them warm, and raise their legs unless you suspect a fracture.

Sprains and strains: support, rest, and gradual return

A rolled ankle on a rocky descent is a classic. Stop, protect the area, and don't try to walk it off immediately. Use PRICE: Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. Ice for 15–20 minutes every two hours, always wrapped in a cloth — never directly on skin. A compression bandage should be snug but not tight; check that toes or fingers don't turn white or tingle. Elevate the limb when you stop.

If you can weight bear gently, use poles or a friend's shoulder to walk out slowly. Avoid heat, alcohol, and running for the rest of the day. If you can't put any weight on it, there's obvious deformity, numbness, or severe pain, suspect a fracture or a serious sprain. Call for help — in the UK, dial 999 and ask for police, then mountain rescue. Don't try to hobble down a steep path.

When to call for help or turn back

Judgement is a wilderness skill. Call 999 (or 112) if someone is unconscious, struggling to breathe, bleeding heavily, or has a suspected spinal injury. Give your location clearly: a grid reference, a named feature, or a precise map pin. State what happened, how many are hurt, and the weather. Keep the phone on and conserve battery.

Turn back if an injury changes how the group moves, if the weather is closing in, if daylight is running out, or if you're unsure. A sprained ankle that slows you to a crawl on an exposed ridge is a reason to retreat. There's no shame in a safe retreat. Better to walk out under your own steam than to trigger a rescue. Carry a whistle and torch; six blasts or flashes is the international distress signal. And if you're alone, consider carrying a personal locator beacon — it's a small weight for big peace of mind.