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FIRST AID
Locating Water Purifying Water Storing Water If an accident occurs in the wilderness it will be your responsibility to deal with the situation. The specific sequence of actions when dealing with this situation is: Food Supply Locating Food Preparing Food Wild Game 1. Remain calm, providing your patient with quiet, efficient first aid treatment. 2. Keep the patient warm and lying down. Do not move this injured person until you have discovered the extent of the injuries. 3. Clear the victim's mouth and throat of any objects and begin mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration immediately if the injured person is not breathing. 4. Stop any bleeding. 5. Give your patient reassurance. Watch carefully for signs of shock. 6. Check for cuts, fractures, breaks and injuries to the head, neck or spine. 7. Do not allow people to crowd the injured person. 8. Do not remove clothing unless it is imperative. 9. Decide if your patient can be moved to a proper medical facility. If this is not possible, prepare a suitable living area in which shelter, heat and food are provided. Our objective is to aid you in becoming more proficient in giving aid to yourself or members of your group in case of injury.

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Shock
Shock may result from trauma, heatstroke, blood loss, an allergic reaction, severe infection, poisoning, severe burns or other causes. When a person is in shock, his or her organs aren't getting enough blood or oxygen, which if untreated, can lead to permanent organ damage or death.

Various signs and symptoms appear in a person experiencing shock:


The skin is cool and clammy. It may appear pale or gray. The pulse is weak and rapid. Breathing may be slow and shallow, or hyperventilation (rapid or deep breathing) may occur. Blood pressure is below normal. The person may be nauseated. He or she may vomit. The eyes lack luster and may seem to stare. Sometimes the pupils are dilated. The person may be conscious or unconscious. If conscious, the person may feel faint or be very weak or confused. Shock sometimes causes a person to become overly excited and anxious. Have the person lie down on his or her back with feet about a foot higher than the head. If raising the legs will cause pain or further injury, keep him or her flat. Keep the person still. Check for signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement). If absent, begin CPR. Keep the person warm and comfortable. Loosen belt and tight clothing and cover the person with a blanket. Even if the person complains of thirst, give nothing by mouth. Turn the person on his or her side to prevent choking if the person vomits or bleeds from the mouth.

Snake Bite Poisonous Plants Insects Pets Off Grid

Seek treatment for injuries, such as bleeding or broken bones that are most likely are causing the shock.

Wounds

See: Wound Treatment

Bleeding
Hygiene First Aid - Medical Psychology

See: Wound Treatment

Fractures Burns

See: Bone & Joint Injuries

Earth Brink World Events

How bad is it? First-degree burn

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2012

The least serious burns are those in which only the outer layer of skin is burned, but not all the way through. The skin is usually red, with swelling, and pain sometimes is present. Treat a first-degree burn as a minor burn unless it involves substantial portions of the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or a major joint, which requires emergency medical attention.

The Unprepared

Second-degree burn
When the first layer of skin has been burned through and the second layer of skin (dermis) also is burned, the injury is called a second-degree burn. Blisters develop and the skin takes on an intensely reddened, splotchy appearance. Seconddegree burns produce severe pain and swelling. If the second-degree burn is no larger than 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) in diameter, treat it as a minor burn. If the burned area is larger or if the burn is on the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or over a major joint, treat it as a major burn and get medical help immediately. For minor burns, including first-degree burns and second-degree burns limited to an area no larger than 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) in diameter, take the following action:

Cool the burn


Hold the burned area under cool (not cold) running water for 10 or 15 minutes or until the pain subsides. If this is impractical, immerse the burn in cool water or cool it with cold compresses. Cooling the burn reduces swelling by conducting heat away from the skin. Don't put ice on the burn.

Patriots With Their Eyes Wide Open

Cover the Burn


Use a sterile gauze bandage to cover the burn. Don't use fluffy cotton, or other material that may get lint in the wound. Wrap the gauze loosely to avoid putting pressure on burned skin. Bandaging keeps air off the burn, reduces pain and protects blistered skin.

Don'ts
Don't use ice. Putting ice directly on a burn can cause a burn victim's body to become too cold and cause further damage to the wound.
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Don't apply butter or ointments to the burn. This could cause infection. Don't break blisters. Broken blisters are more vulnerable to infection.

Pain Relief
Reye's Syndrome. Though aspirin is approved for use in children older than age 2, children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin. Children's Aspirin Warning: Reye's Syndrome

Watch Out For Infection


Minor burns usually heal without further treatment. They may heal with pigment changes, meaning the healed area may be a different color from the surrounding skin. Watch for signs of infection, such as increased pain, redness, fever, swelling or oozing. If infection develops, seek medical help. Avoid re-injuring or tanning if the burns are less than a year old doing so may cause more extensive pigmentation changes. Use sunscreen on the area for at least a year.

Third-degree Burn is a Major Burn


Requires medical attention by professionals at once. Call 911 or emergency medical help.
Until an emergency unit arrives, follow these steps: The most serious burns involve all layers of the skin and cause permanent tissue damage. Fat, muscle and even bone may be affected. Areas may be charred black or appear dry and white. Difficulty inhaling and exhaling, carbon monoxide poisoning, or other toxic effects may occur if smoke inhalation accompanies the burn. For major burns, call 911 or emergency medical help. Until an emergency unit arrives, follow these steps: 1. Don't remove burned clothing. However, do make sure the victim is no longer in contact with smoldering materials or exposed to smoke or heat. 2. Don't immerse large severe burns in cold water. Doing so could cause a drop in body temperature (hypothermia) and deterioration of blood pressure and circulation (shock). 3. Check for signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement). If there is no breathing or other sign of circulation, begin CPR. 4. Elevate the burned body part or parts. Raise above heart level, when possible. 5. Cover the area of the burn. Use a cool, moist, sterile bandage; clean, moist cloth; or moist towels.

Stay Immunized
Get a tetanus shot. Burns are susceptible to tetanus. Doctors recommend you get a tetanus shot every 10 years. If your last shot was more than five years ago, your doctor may recommend a tetanus shot booster.

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Dehydration
Signs of dehydration include:
* Dark yellow or orange urine * Infrequent urination * Reduced sweat * Thirst * Dry mouth/nose * Skin that feels dry and tight * Dizziness * Weakness * Overheating

Treatment for Dehydration


1. Move the victim to a cool area. This will help prevent heat loss from sweat, and prevent heat exhaustion or heat stroke. 2. Keep the victim still by having him or her lie down. This will prevent any more exertion, and help prevent fainting. 3. Apply cool, wet cloths to critical areas of the victim's body. These are thin-skinned areas that readily absorb moisture. Areas include: * Wrists * Neck * Collarbone * Upper arms/armpits * Inner thighs 4. Keep the cloths on to prevent evaporation, and re-moisten as needed. 5. Give water and juice in small amounts. You can also try giving the victim watery fruit, such as watermelon, if they're not nauseated. They may vomit; if they do, wait a short time and try giving fluids again. 6. Seek medical help if the victim is dehydrated from heat stroke or blood loss, or if dehydration is severe. 7. Get medical help if there is severe dehydration. Unchecked dehydration can lead to delirium and death.

Prevent dehydration
Drinking fluids frequently, even if you don't feel particularly thirsty. Plan on drinking one eight ounce bottle of water or more per hour of exercise, and include several ounces of juice or sports drink. If you're not exercising, try to drink about 8 glasses of water, tea, or other fluids in a 24-hour period.

Who's at risk.
People at a higher risk for dehydration include: * Children * The elderly * Heavy exercisers * People in hot climates (heat prompts fluid loss from sweating) * People in cold climates (cold prompts the body to reduce blood volume through fluid loss) * People on medications which contribute to dehydration * Anyone with an illness that causes fluid loss, such as influenza, high fever, etc.
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Eat hydrating foods


Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Drink extra water if you are eating dry or salty foods.

Frostbite
Frostbite occurs when the tissue of an area, most commonly the toes, fingers or face, is frozen either from direct exposure to the elements or high wind. First degree frostbite turns the area cold, white and numb. When heated the area becomes red and can be compared to a first degree burn. A blister will form after warming with second degree frostbite. Dark skin, gangrene, and a loss of some skin and tissues is common in third degree. Fourth degree frostbite causes irreparable damage. The affected area will remain cold and lifeless and generally a part of the area is lost. With adequate clothing frostbite can easily be avoided. Superficial frostbite may be treated by cupping one's hands and blowing on the affected area, warming from another warm hand or, with fingers, placing them in your armpits. For more severe cases, medical aid should be sought.

Snake Bites

See: Snake Bite Care

Bee & Wasp Stings


These fatal allergic reactions frequently, but not always, occur in people who have had a previous allergic reaction to the same type of insect. Although multiple stings increase the potential danger in allergic cases, a serious or even fatal allergic reaction can occur from a single sting in a person with no known allergic reaction.

It is estimated that at least 100 Americans a year die from allergic reactions to insect stings.

Allergic reaction to stings and bites:


The vast majority of serious medical problems and deaths result from an allergic reaction. This happens in certain people whose immune systems are overly sensitive (or allergic) to the venom. When they get stung, their body may overreact to the venom, and an allergic reaction may happen throughout their body. These people are frequently described as being allergic to specific insect stings. Although multiple stings increase the potential danger in allergic cases, a serious or even fatal allergic reaction can occur from a single sting in a person with no known allergic reaction. The vast majority of serious and fatal allergic reactions from stings cause a significant and obvious allergic reaction within an hour of being stung. Most deaths from stings occur within the 12 hours. Immediate emergency
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medical care is critical in known or suspected allergic reactions after an insect sting. In rare cases, serious or even fatal allergic reactions may not happen for up to 4 or more hours after an insect sting. Other complications: Insect stings in non allergic people, though perhaps painful, usually do not cause serious problems. However, multiple stings may cause serious complications (such as muscle breakdown or kidney failure) and, rarely, even death in non allergic people. Especially at increased risk are small children, elderly people, and people who are already weak. These serious problems may occur within the first few hours of being stung or may be delayed for days after being stung. Even a single sting in the mouth or throat can cause swelling and obstruction of the airway. Children are at increased risk for these types of breathing problems from a sting.

Hypothermia
Under most conditions your body maintains a healthy temperature. However, when exposed to cold temperatures, especially with a high wind chill factor and high humidity, or to a cool, damp environment for prolonged periods, your body's control mechanisms may fail to keep your body temperature normal. When more heat is lost than your body can generate, hypothermia, defined as an internal body temperature less than 95 F (35 C), can result. Wet or inadequate clothing, falling into cold water and even not covering your head during cold weather can increase your chances of hypothermia. Signs and symptoms of hypothermia include: * Shivering * Slurred speech * Abnormally slow breathing * Cold, pale skin * Loss of coordination * Fatigue, lethargy or apathy * Confusion or memory loss * Bright red, cold skin (infants) Signs and symptoms usually develop slowly. People with hypothermia typically experience gradual loss of mental acuity and physical ability, so they may be unaware that they need emergency medical treatment. Older adults, infants, young children and people who are very lean are at particular risk. Other people at higher risk of hypothermia include those whose judgment may be impaired by mental illness or Alzheimer's disease and people who are intoxicated, homeless or caught in cold weather because their vehicles have broken down. Other conditions that may predispose people to hypothermia are malnutrition, cardiovascular disease and an under active thyroid (hypothyroidism).

Treatment of hypothermia:
Call 911 or emergency medical assistance. While waiting for help to arrive, monitor the person's breathing. If breathing stops or seems dangerously slow or shallow, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately. Move the person out of the cold. If going indoors isn't possible, protect the person from the wind, cover his or her head, and insulate his or her body from the cold ground. Remove wet clothing. Replace wet things with a warm, dry covering.
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Don't apply direct heat. Don't use hot water, a heating pad or a heating lamp to warm the victim. Instead, apply warm compresses to the center of the body head, neck, chest wall and groin. Don't attempt to warm the arms and legs. Heat applied to the arms and legs forces cold blood back toward the heart, lungs and brain, causing the core body temperature to drop. This can be fatal. Don't give the person alcohol. Offer warm nonalcoholic drinks, unless the person is vomiting. Don't massage or rub the person. Handle people with hypothermia gently; their skin may be frostbitten, and rubbing frostbitten tissue can cause severe damage.

Treating a Foot Blister


1. Clean around the area of the blister with warm water and soap. Add anti-bacterial ointment. 2. Decide if you want to let the blister heal by itself or whether you want to drain it. As a general rule of thumb, if the blister is not making walking painful, then you should let it heal by itself. 3. Drain the blister if it is impractical to let it heal otherwise: * Sterilize a needle with alcohol and boiling water. * Insert the needle at the side and base of the blister and allow all the liquid to drain. Carefully insert at the edge of the blister and allow it to drain. * Do not remove the loose skin that covers a blister, as this opens it to infection. * Cover the blistered area with a plaster, mole skin or other protective cover. Try to avoid placing the cover on any forming new skin which will initially be tender. 4. Allow the blister to heal in the open air as much as possible. 5. If you continue the exercise which caused the blister apply a donut shaped piece of mole skin to the area. The donut hole should be the area with the healing blister skin. Leaving it uncovered will allow it to heal, while the moleskin around it will prevent other friction. 6. Check daily or each time you stop hiking. Continue keeping it clean.

Early Treatment of Foot Blisters


Blisters develop over a period of time and often you can already feel one coming up. Early detection and treatment is the key to preventing full grown Blisters. If you feel a sore place on your foot or irritation, do the following: * Take off your boots and hiking socks immediately and remove any sand or gravel from your feet. * Let your feet dry and cool down. * Cover the sore area with surgical tape, band-aid, or even better special blister Moleskin. Moleskins are artificial skin that you can cut to shape and stick to your own skin. Moleskin can be purchased in most drugstores in a variety of brands and features. * Remove the moleskin once you stop hiking and let the skin recover during the night. The next morning, you can judge for yourself to apply a new cover or not. In general, take precautions and apply moleskin even if the area is only moderately irritated.

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Diarrhea
Sorry to have to bring up the D word... but an extreme change of diet, dirty hands, cooking or eating utensils, mishandling of raw foods, such as chicken and seafood, or the consumption of tainted water may result in diarrhea which in turn will cause a loss of nutrients and precious body fluids. Take extra care in cleanliness and what you consume. Boil water for an additional three to five minutes to avoid diarrhea. Going to the toilet numerous times is uncomfortable and very inconvenient, but in itself does not kill you. It is dehydration (loss of body fluid, salt, and electrolytes) that causes death. Salt Replacement The need for extra salt (a source of sodium) depends on the severity and duration of your sickness. When sodium replacement is required, it should be provided through food, beverages, and as added salt to foods. I don't recommend the use of salt tablets. I carry about three ounces of table salt in my survival backpack, enough for salting my food, and some extra for sodium replacement when needed. Electrolyte Replacement Diarrhea justifies electrolyte replacement through raised consumption of carbohydrate from sugars or starch. If you have any foods with sugar or starch, snack on them if your stomach will tolerate food. Note: If by chance you have sugar and salt with you, mix one teaspoon of salt and six teaspoons of sugar in a quart of water and sip it along with your regular water intake.

Snake Bites Shock Wounds Bleeding Burns Insect Stings & Bites Dehydration
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Fractures Hypothermia

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