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Wilderness First Aid
ABCs of First Aid
Shock
Fractures/Sprains
Cramps
Insect Stings
Animal Bites
Cold Illnesses (frost bite & hypothermia)
Heat Illnesses (heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat stroke, burns & blisters)
Carries
Emergency Signals
ABCs of First Aid
As with all first aid you must practice the A, B, C
A - airway
make sure that the person has an open airway. Use the head-tilt-chin-lift-thrust manoeuver.
B - breathing
look, listen and feel for breathing for 10 seconds
if not breathing give 2 slow rescue breaths
C - circulation and carotid pulse
check for 10 seconds
if pulse then continue rescue breathing -1 breath every 5 seconds, about 12 breaths/minute
if no pulse then begin chest compressions - give 15 chest compressions followed by 2 slow rescue breaths
after 4 sets of 15 compressions recheck pulse.
When victim is breathing and heart is beating stop any life threatening bleeding with pressure and a bandage.
Secondary Survey
Shock
Causes - extensive bleeding, burns, fluid loss
Signs - weakness; anxiety; confusion; pale, cold, clammy skin; weak, rapid pulse; drowsiness or unconsciousness.
Treatment - help maintain normal body temperature.
- encourage her to lie down
- monitor ABC's
- give reassurance.
head and spine - if you suspect a spinal injury immobilize the head and do nothing else.
Fractures/sprains
signs - bone protruding, unnatural position, pain with light pressure, swelling/discolouration, extreme pain with movement
treatment
splint - "splint where they lie"
- immobilize the joint above and the joint below the injury
- use padding between the injured part and the splint
- bind the splint at several points but not directly over the injury
- use a sling to support the arm
if the fracture has an open wound, stop bleeding and apply dressing and bandage before splinting.
Cramps
treatment - put muscle in a stretch position and vigorously massage
prevention - warm up and stretch well before the activity.
- eat well balanced meals rich in potassium (bananas) and sodium
Insect Stings - bees, wasps, mosquitos, tics, spiders
treatment - wash with soap and water
- remove stinger by scraping it out with your finger nail. Do not pinch the stinger.
- to reduce pain and itching
- apply ice and/or cold compresses
- apply baking soda and water (1 tablespoon to 1 pint water)
- calamine lotion or "afterbite" may help. Check first for allergies.
allergic reaction signs - swelling, breathing problems, nausea, confusion, and collapse
Prevention - shirt buttoned, sleeves down, pants in boots
- use insect repellant
- wash daily with non-perfumed soap
- drink lots of fluid.
Animal Bites
bathe area in hot water antiseptic bath to encourage bleeding
bandage with a sterile bandage
keep area clean and watch for any signs of infection.
Snake bite - treat as above
poisonous rattle snake (rare)
- apply constriction bandage (½ inch or wider) above the bite toward the heart. Not too tight. You should be able to easily insert 1 finger. Contact EMS
Cold Illnesses
Frost bite
signs - prickly sensation, lack of any sensation, white patches, heard and rubber to touch
treatment - remove victim from cold and wind
- remove all tight clothing including socks
- wrap victim in dry bedding, if necessary with someone
- place victims hands in her arm pits
- soak affected area in warm water
- give hot non-alcoholic drinks
- Do Not Rub the Area
prevention - be aware of temperatures including wind chill factor
- cove all exposed skin
- wear layers including hats and mitts
- watch for signs of discolouration in self and fellow travelers
Hypothermia
stages
1 shivering - trembling, difficulty speaking, forgetfulness, drowsy, loss of co-ordination
2 tense muscular rigidity - not shivering but muscles tense, thinking impaired, can walk but not speak
3 body's gradual failure - pulse and respiration very slow, possible coma or irrational behaivor
4 unconsciousness
5 death
treatment - note early signs. Erect a wind shelter and start a fire. Get warm
prevention - stay dry, avoid cold and wind, get rest, eat well and stay active, dress properly, avoid perspiring.
Heat Illnesses - caused by loss of water and salt from the body
Heat exhaustion
Symptoms - cool moist skin, head ache, dizziness, vomiting, weakness, rapid pulse
Treatment - replace salt lost, place in cool outer clothing, give water slowly in a 1percent saline solution
Heat cramps
Symptoms - severe cramps in limbs and/or abdomen
Treatment - move to shad. Remove outer clothing, elevate feet, massage legs. Give as much 1 percent saline as they can drink.
Heat stroke
Symptoms - hot dry skin, headache, dizziness, confusion, bizarre behaviour, weakness, rapid breathing and pulse, high temperature. Possible unconsciousness
Treatment - get EMS . Move to shade, remove clothing, sprinkle or bathe with cool water, fan, massage trunk, arms and legs.
Burns
Cool right away with large amounts of cool water.
Get EMS if: - casualty has trouble breathing
- burns cover more than 1 body part
Treatment - minor burns: Wash carefully with soap and water. Keep clean, Watch for infection
More severe burns: Cool area with water unless a large area of the body is burned. Do not attempt to clean it. Do not apply any grease of ointment. Cover the area with a moist sterile dressing and loosely bandage them in place. Do not break blisters. Treat for shock.
Blisters
Clean with soap and water.
Puncture blister with sterile needle from side
Protect with mole skin or sterile gauze
Avoid - by protecting at first signs of redness
- wear proper socks
- never wear brand new shoes on a long hike
- avoid wet feet.
Carries
litter - make a stretcher out of paddles, poles, walking sticks, ski poles etc. Make use of sleeping bags, blankets and even jackets for this
fore and aft - this carry must never be used if you suspect a spinal injury. One person carries under the arms and another person carries the lower leg.
Fireman - never use if spinal injury suspected. One person carries the injured over her shoulder, holding 1 arm and 1 leg. This is difficult for a small person to perform
2 and 4 hand seat - The injured person must be conscious and without spinal injuries for these carries.
Emergency Signals
lie on your back with arms outstretched above your head - require medical assistance
l - require doctor
l l - require medical supplies
F - require food
X - unable to proceed
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