Getting bitten or scratched by a dog during the beautiful Campuhan Ridge Walk is a frightening experience. Stay calm. This guide provides an immediate action plan specifically for this situation, telling you what to do if you’re bitten while hiking in Bali, right on the trail, and where to go next.
Step 1: Immediately Move to a Safe Spot on the Trail
Calmly create distance between yourself and the dog. Find a safe spot further along the path to sit down, catch your breath, and assess the wound. Do not run, as this may trigger the dog to chase.
Step 2: Use Your Drinking Water to Vigorously Flush the Wound
This is the most critical first aid step you can take right now. Use the entire contents of your water bottle to powerfully flush the wound for several minutes. While soap is ideal, a strong flush with clean bottled water is the best immediate alternative on the trail to wash out saliva.
Step 3: Head Back to the Main Road and Find Soap
Do not continue your hike. Your priority now is your health. Walk back to the start or end of the trail where there are cafes or hotels. Politely ask to use their restroom to wash the wound again, this time with soap and water, for the full 15 minutes.
Step 4: Go Directly to Our Clinic in Ubud
After thoroughly washing the wound, you must get a professional medical evaluation. The risk of rabies is real, and treatment is time-sensitive. Our Unicare Clinic in Ubud is located very close to the Campuhan Ridge Walk and is prepared to handle your case immediately. A doctor must assess your risk and discuss the need for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). To understand the full medical reasons for this urgency, read our complete guide to Rabies in Bali.
Conclusion
An incident on the trail is scary, but by following this action plan for a dog bite on Campuhan Ridge, you are taking all the correct steps to ensure your safety and health. The advice in this guide is a crucial first response, and you can find more general information in our main guide for any dog bite in Ubud.
Immediate Medical Care Near Campuhan Ridge
Our Ubud clinic is your closest option for expert treatment after an incident on the ridge walk. We are open and ready to assist you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Incidents on the Campuhan Ridge Walk
How far is your clinic from the Campuhan Ridge Walk entrance?
Our Unicare Clinic in Ubud is conveniently located just a short 5-10 minute drive from the main entrances of the Campuhan Ridge Walk.
I don’t have soap with me on the trail. Is just water enough for the first wash?
It is the best first step. Flushing with a large volume of water is critical to physically remove saliva. However, you must still find soap and re-wash the wound for the full 15 minutes as soon as you get off the trail.
Are the dogs on the Campuhan Ridge known to be aggressive?
The dogs on Campuhan Ridge are typically community dogs and are used to seeing people walk by. Incidents are rare and usually occur if a dog is startled or feels threatened. It is always safest to give them plenty of space.
I only have a tiny bit of water left. Should I use it to wash the wound or drink it?
The medical priority is to wash the wound. Use the water you have to flush the bite area as best you can, and then make your way back to the main road where you can get more water and medical help.
Is there a first aid post on the ridge walk itself?
There are no official medical or first aid posts directly on the trail. The nearest facilities are the cafes at either end and the clinics, like Unicare, in central Ubud.
What’s the best way to get to your clinic from the trail exit?
The easiest way is to use a ride-sharing app like Gojek or Grab from your phone. You can also ask a local cafe to call a taxi for you.
Besides dogs, are there other animals to be cautious of on the ridge walk?
The trail is very safe. You may see birds, lizards, and insects, but dogs are the only mammals you are likely to encounter. Snakes are present but shy and avoid the busy path.
I was nipped but the skin didn’t break. Do I still need to come in?
If the skin is 100% intact with no scrapes, abrasions, or punctures, the risk of rabies transmission is zero. However, if you are in any doubt at all, a quick medical check-up provides definitive peace of mind.
My friend was bitten, not me, but they are panicking. What should I do?
Be a calm leader. Reassure them that the situation is manageable. Guide them through the steps in this article: help them wash the wound and then accompany them to the clinic.
Is it safer to do the walk with a local guide?
While not necessary for navigation, a local guide can be helpful as they often know the local animals. Their presence alone can also make community dogs less wary.
