Twist an ankle

[paloma]

What should you do if someone slips and twists an ankle while you are hiking and far from the camp base? Should you leave your companion alone and seek help?

[2coastcamper]

Well, if you can for sure verify that it's just a twisted ankle, you can most likely walk out with the person. You can likely splint it and walk out with them, using you or a branch or something of the like as support. If you leave your companion and go get help, it's either going to be a situation where your friend is going to have to walk out anyway or the cavalry is going to be called in to carry them out.

If the injury is bad enough that your friend's going to need to be stretchered/carried off the trail, both you and s/he will likely know it. If it's not that bad, you'll likely be left with no option but to help your friend off the tail.

But a third option, if it's an often used trail (like at a state park, or something), you can find another hiker or someone to help you carry your friend out. Does one of your packs have a built in whistle? (Mine's in the chest strap). That could come in handy. If not, might want to buy one an just have it as something you bring on each hiking trip.