Most tree climbing injuries are minor. Knowing how to handle them calmly keeps a scraped knee from ruining the adventure — and prepares you for the rare serious situation.
In twenty years of data from outdoor education programs, the same injuries show up over and over. The vast majority are minor and treatable on-site. Knowing what's common helps you stay calm when it happens — and calmness is contagious. If you're calm, your kid will be too.
The most common injury by far. Rough bark acts like sandpaper on forearms, shins, and palms. These look dramatic — lots of surface area, often some blood — but they're superficial.
Treatment: Rinse with clean water to remove bark debris and dirt. Apply antibiotic ointment. Cover with a large adhesive bandage or gauze pad. These heal quickly but can sting, so validate the discomfort without making it a bigger deal than it is.
Ankle sprains from jumping down (instead of climbing down) are the second most common injury. Wrist sprains from catching yourself during a short fall are also frequent. Fingers jammed between branches round out the category.
Treatment: RICE protocol — Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. Remove the shoe if it's an ankle (swelling will make this harder later). Apply a cold pack wrapped in cloth for 15 minutes on, 15 off. Wrap with an elastic bandage if available. If the child can't bear weight, it may be a fracture — immobilize and seek medical attention.
Bark splinters are larger and more jagged than the ones from indoor wood. They sometimes go in at shallow angles, making them easier to remove but more painful.
Treatment: Clean tweezers, good light, and patience. Grasp the splinter as close to the skin as possible and pull along the angle of entry. Clean the area afterward and apply antibiotic ointment. If a deep splinter breaks off beneath the skin and you can't retrieve it, see a doctor — wood splinters can cause infection if left in place.
Short falls from low branches onto soft ground typically produce bruises and the occasional knocked-out wind. These are frightening for the child but usually not dangerous.
Treatment: Comfort first. Let them catch their breath — having the wind knocked out is scary but passes in 30-60 seconds. Check for pain in specific areas. Ice any developing bruises. Watch for signs of more serious injury (see below).
The child is unconscious or was unconscious at any point. There is obvious bone deformity. The child complains of neck or back pain after a fall. There is difficulty breathing not explained by having the wind knocked out. There is a deep wound with heavy bleeding that doesn't slow with direct pressure.
For falls from any significant height (generally above 6 feet onto hard ground), follow spine injury protocol even if the child says they feel fine:
Keep a small kit in your car or backpack. It doesn't need to be elaborate — most climbing injuries need the basics. Here's what we recommend:
Let your child help assemble and carry the first aid kit. Kids who know what's in the kit and what each item is for feel more confident and less anxious about potential injuries. It's also a natural way to discuss risks without being preachy.