Wilderness First Aid

Basic EssentialsHatSunscreenInsect RepellantBootsLong pants (long sleeves)Rain gearMeat Tenderizer

HydrationDid you know that if you're thirsty, you're already partially dehydrated?

Drink to prevent thirst, not to quench it.

Heat Cramps: brief but painful involuntary muscle spasms. They usually occur in the muscles being used during the exercise, and are a result of insufficient liquid intakeHeat Exhaustion: difficulty breathing, headache, feeling hot on head and neck, dizziness, heat cramps, chills, nausea, irritability, vomiting, extreme weakness or fatigue

Heatstroke: rapid and shallow breathing, rapid heartbeat, unusually high or low blood pressure, lack of sweating, mental confusion and disorientation, unconsciousness, physical collapse

Heat Exhaustionstop the activity, move into a cool environment, remove excess clothing drink hydrating liquids (NOT coffee, tea, sodas or juice!).

ABC's and other Acronyms

ABCD: First steps in assessing a victim for life threatening conditions. Sometimes E is added, for Exposure and Exam.

AAirway open?B Breathing?CCirculation (pulse, major bleeding, and skin condition) DDisability?

RAP ABC: Sequence of action for starting adult CPRSurvey the Scene FirstR Responsive?AActivate EMSPPosition victim on backAAirway open?BBreathingCCirculation (pulse)?

LAF:Procedure used to determine injuriesL Look at the area for deformity, open wounds, swellingA andF Feel for deformity, tenderness, swelling

DOTS: Sign of injuryDDeformityOOpen WoundsTTendernessS Swelling

What Is the Difference Between a Sprain and a Strain? A sprain is an injury to a ligament--a stretching or a tearing. One or more ligaments can be injured during a sprain. The severity of the injury will depend on the extent of injury to a single ligament (whether the tear is partial or complete) and the number of ligaments involved.A strain is an injury to either a muscle or a tendon. Depending on the severity of the injury, a strain may be a simple overstretch of the muscle or tendon, or it can result in a partial or complete tear.

Sprains and Strains

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Strain?Typically, people with a strain experience pain, muscle spasm, and muscle weakness. They can also have localized swelling, cramping, or inflammation and, with a minor or moderate strain, usually some loss of muscle function. Patients typically have pain in the injured area and general weakness of the muscle when they attempt to move it. Severe strains that partially or completely tear the muscle or tendon are often very painful and disabling.

FracturesPrepare the casualty for splinting.a. Reassure the casualty if he or she is conscious and able to understand. Tell the casualty that you will be taking care of him or her.b. Loosen any tight or binding clothing.WARNING: Do Not Remove Any Protective Clothing Or Boots In A Chemical Environment. Apply The Splint Over The Clothing.WARNING: Do Not Remove Boots From The Casualty Unless They Are Needed To Stabilize A Neck Injury Or There Is Actual Bleeding From The Foot.c. Remove all jewelry from the affected limb and place it in the casualty's pocket. Tell the casualty that you are doing this to prevent further injury if swelling occurs later.

2. Get splinting materials.a. Get splints (wooden boards, tree branches, poles,) long enough to reach beyond the joints above and below the broken part.b. Get materials to pad the splints, such as a jacket, blanket, poncho, shelter half, or leafy vegetation.c. Get tie materials, such as strips of cloth or belts, to tie the splints.NOTE: If splinting materials are not available, use the chest wall to immobilize a suspected fracture of the arm and an uninjured leg to immobilize the fractured leg. Continue with steps 7 and 8.

3. Pad the splints. Apply padding between the splint and the bony areas of the body. Suggested sites for padding are: wrist, elbow, ankle, knee, crotch, and the armpit.4. Check for signs of blood circulation problems below the injury.a. Check light-skinned persons for color of skin (skin may be pale, white, or a bluish gray color).b. Check dark-skinned persons by depressing the toenail or fingernail beds and seeing how fast the color returns. A slower return of color to the injured side indicates a circulation problem.c. Check to see if the injured arm or leg feels colder than the uninjured one.d. Ask the casualty about the presence of numbness, tightness, or a cold sensation.WARNING: Evacuate The Casualty As Soon As Possible If Blood Circulation Problems Are Found.

BleedingApply direct pressure Do not remove blood soaked dressingsPlace sterile or clean dressing over woundProtect yourself with gloves or plastic wrap or extra dressingElevate extremity above victims heartLocate pressure point and apply pressureKeep pressure over wound

5. Put on a splint.WARNING: If The Fracture Is Open, Do Not Attempt To Push Bones Back Under The Skin. Apply A Field Dressing To Protect The Area.a. Splint the broken arm or leg in the position you find it.NOTE: Do not try to reposition or straighten the fracture.b. Place one splint on each side of the arm or leg. Make sure the splints reach beyond the joints above and below the fracture.c. Tie the splints with improvised (or actual) cravats.1) Gently place the cravats at a minimum of two points above and two points below the fracture if possible.WARNING: Do Not Tie Any Cravats Directly Over The Fracture.(2) Tie nonslip knots on the splint away from the injury.

6. Check the splint for tightness.a. Make sure the cravats are tight enough to securely hold the splinting materials in place.b. Recheck circulation below the injury to make sure that circulation is not impaired.c. Make any adjustments without allowing the splint to become ineffective.7. Apply sling if applicable.NOTE: A sling can be used to further immobilize an arm and to provide support by the uninjured side.a. Make a sling from any nonstretching material such as a strip of clothing or blanket, poncho, shelter half, belt, or shirttail.b. Apply the sling so that the supporting pressure is on the casualty's uninjured side.c. Make sure that the hand of the supported arm is slightly higher than the elbow.

Open and Closed Fracture

Positioning Splint and Padding

Tie Nonslip Knots

Immobilized Elbow Fracture or DislocationSwathes

Immobilize Unsplinted Extremity

BleedingApply direct pressure Do not remove blood soaked dressingsPlace sterile or clean dressing over woundProtect yourself with gloves or plastic wrap or extra dressingElevate extremity above victims heartLocate pressure point and apply pressureKeep pressure over wound

Superficial cuts: wash with soap and water, apply antibacterial ointmentApply bandageCheck for last tetanus (good for 10 years)

Puncture WoundsEncourage wound to bleedTake out splinters with sterile tweezersWash with soap and water, antibiotic ointment and bandageIf larger than a toothpick, do not removeEspecially if throbbing.

BURNSCool immediately with cool water.Do not open blistersIf blisters have opened, seek medical attention

Head InjuriesA person is pushed to the ground or struck a hard object with the head but did not lose consciousness Vomiting more than once Confusion Drowsiness Weakness or inability to walk Severe headache

Bleeding or fluid coming from ear or noseContinuing or worsening headacheStiff neckBlurred visionSlurred speechMemory problemsClumsinessUnusual sensation

Tick BitesFirst, remove the tick. Forget any advice you've heard about applying petroleum jelly, fingernail polish, or a hot match to the end of the tick. Those home remedies almost never work. Instead of forcing the tick to withdraw, they're likely to kill the tick while it's embedded in the skin, which increases the risk of infection.

Although it's not foolproof, the best way to remove a tick is to pull it gently out with tweezers. Grasp the bug as close to where it's connected as you can, and slowly lift it away from the skin. Don't twist or jerk the tweezers or you may break off the tick's body, leaving the head behind, which can lead to infection. Wash the bite area and your hands with soap and water after removing the bug. If you live in an area where tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever occur, save the tick by putting it in a small container filled with rubbing alcohol. That way your doctor can test it if trouble arises. Otherwise, dispose of it in the toilet.

Spider Bites2 Central punctums (as opposed to one with an insect biteWatch, if open sore develops, see the health centerBlack widow causes pain at site and GI upset

Poison PlantsWash area with warm soap waterChange clothingCalamine and hydrocortisone cream

Shockkeep the victim as calm If thirsty, moisten lips, unless burn victim then give fluids if no danger of vomittingNever give alcoholic beveragesKEEP AN INJURED PERSON WARM ENOUGH FOR COMFORT, BUT DO NOT OVERHEAT HIM. When it is possible to place the injured person on his back on a bed, cot, or stretcher, you should raise the lower end of the support about 12 inches so his feet are higher than his head

When his face is flushed rather than pale or if you have any reason to suspect head injury, do not raise his feet. Rather, you should keep his head level with or slightly higher than his feet. When the person has broken bones, you will have to judge what position is best both for the fractures and for shock. A fractured spine must be immobilized before the victim is moved to avoid further injuries. When you are in doubt about the correct position to use, have the victim lie flat on his back. THE BASIC POSITION FOR TREATING SHOCK IS ONE IN WHICH THE HEAD IS LOWER THAN THE FEET. Do the best you can, under the particular circumstances, to get the injured person into this position. In any case, never let a seriously injured person sit, stand, or walk around.

Signs and Symptoms of Heart AttackUncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes. Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck or arms. The pain may be mild to intense. It may feel like pressure, tightness, burning, or heavy weight. It may be located in the chest, upper abdomen, neck, jaw, or inside the arms or shoulders. Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath. Anxiety, nervousness and/or cold, sweaty skin. Paleness or pallor. Increased or irregular heart rate. Feeling of impending doom.

Snake Bite

What are the symptoms of poisonous bites? While each individual may experience symptoms differently, the following are the most common symptoms of poisonous snake bites: bloody wound discharge fang marks in the skin and swelling at the site of the bite severe localized pain diarrhea burning convulsions fainting dizziness weakness blurred vision excessive sweating fever increased thirst loss of muscle coordination nausea and vomiting numbness and tingling rapid pulse

How are snake bites treated? Call for emergency assistance immediately if someone has been bitten by a snake. Responding quickly in this type of emergency is crucial. While waiting for emergency assistance:

Wash the bite with soap and water. Immobilize the bitten area and keep it lower than the heart. Cover the area with a clean, cool compress or a moist dressing to minimize swelling and discomfort. Monitor vital signs

If a victim is unable to reach medical care within 30 minutes, the American Red Cross recommends:

Apply a bandage, wrapped two to four inches above the bite, to help slow the venom. This should not cut off the flow of blood from a vein or artery - the band should be loose enough to slip a finger under it. A suction device can be placed over the bite to help draw venom out of the wound without making cuts. These devices are often included in commercial snake bite kits.

Preventing snake bites: Some bites, such as those inflicted when you accidentally step on a snake in the woods, are nearly impossible to prevent. However, there are precautions that can reduce your chances of being bitten by a snake. These include: Leave snakes alone. Many people are bitten because they try to kill a snake or get too close to it. Stay out of tall grass unless you wear thick leather boots and remain on hiking paths as much as possible. Keep hands and feet out of areas you cannot see. Do not pick up rocks or firewood unless you are out of a snake's striking distance. Be cautious and alert when climbing rocks.