An injury or illness doesn’t take time to ruin an otherwise perfect backpacking trip. You don’t have to be an EMT, nurse or doctor before venturing to India for a trek or hike, but knowledge on basic first aid could get you right back on the track.

Bleeding: It is normal to get a wound or two when trailing rough tracks in India. The most normal injury leads to bleeding which can prove fatal if not treated immediately. The average adult body contains five to six quarts of blood. Loss of more than a quart generally leads to shock and sometimes death. The first step is to staunch or slow the bleeding by applying direct pressure on the wound, ideally with a clean cloth or gauze. Then, if possible, elevate the wounded area above the victim’s heart to reduce the flow of blood to the wound area. Direct pressure is preferable to applying pressure on major blood flow routes (the inside of the upper arm between the shoulder and elbow, or in the groin area where the leg joins the body) because direct pressure stops blood flow only at the site of the wound. However, if direct pressure is not successful, there may be no choice but to apply pressure to one of those major blood flow routes. The last resort to control bleeding should be the use of a tourniquet, and that only in the case of a severed limb.

Broken Bone: In case of a simple or closed fracture, determine if there actually is a break by looking for discolouration, swelling, pain, ease of movement, difficulty bearing weight and obvious differences from the uninjured equivalent (arm, leg, etc) body part of the victim. Compound or open fractures are easier to diagnose due to bone pushing against or protruding through the skin and subsequent bleeding in the area because of the protrusion. First take care of bleeding. If the victim can remain motionless until qualified medical help arrives, that is the best and preferable course of action. If evacuation of the victim is absolutely necessary, then immobilisation (binding, splinting, etc.) of the broken area will be needed.

Shock: Shock occurs when the circulatory system (which distributes blood, oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body) fails due to a reduction in the volume of fluid circulating around the body. The most common causes are internal or external bleeding, the loss of bodily fluids through severe diarrhea, vomiting or burns, or a heart attack which causes the heart to pump improperly, reducing the circulation pressure. Whatever the cause, if not treated quickly, vital organs can fail and cause death. The main symptoms of shock are a rapid or weak pulse, paleness and cold, clammy skin, nausea, vomiting, thirst, rapid or shallow breathing, and loss of consciousness. Treatment for shock includes keeping the victim still and his head low, loosening any tight clothing to reduce constriction at the neck, chest or waist, keeping the victim warm and finally, possible resuscitation via CPR.