I'd say prevention is the best cure. In the conditions
you describe even a twisted ankle could be a serious
problem.
Put together a pocket survival pouch with some basic
stuff in it, like a space blanket, some sugar cubes or
other compact, easily digested, food source, a pocket
knife, a fire starter (more for moral support than
anything else), and a basic first aid kit with some
pain killers, such as aspirin, Percogesic, or maybe
Ibuprofen. I'd skip Tylenol. Carry an ACE bandage
or similar thing for emergency splinting. Then practice
splinting some time when you're out and about.
Given where you live I'd also wear rattlesnake proof
chaps (as in pants, not english gentlemen). Being
able to rig up a shady area from a poncho (which you
carry along with some paracord) is a worthwhile survival
skill. The US military surplus ponchose are great,
cheap, and light. They have ties on them for use as
a shelter, plus they snap together to use as a sleeping
bag (with the tie in poncho liner). The Green Berets
carry a hammock, two ponchos, a poncho liner, and sometimes
a space planket, and camp in the high desert in comfort
(they also carry a mostquito net and spray bottle).
As a botanist you should be aware of what you can eat
out there:
Wild edibles -
Choya cactus. Bake it in coals for an hour or
so, burning off the spines. Tastes like a sweet potato.
Jojoba plant. lots of edible oil, calories.
"Mormon Tea". A sticklike high desert plant. Break it up
& steep. It's an anti-asthma cure and acts like Jolt Cola.
Mesquite seed pods. high in sugar. chew them. They are light
colored and are shaped like sweet pea pods.
In the outdoors, particularly in desert areas, shelter is your #1
priority. Water is #2. Food is #3.