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Wilderness First Aid in Emergencies Act quickly. Have the victim lie
down. Using a clean cloth, apply direct
pressure to wound. Apply cover
bandage. If needed, apply second bandage
and increase direct pressure. Elevate
the wound above heart level. If bleeding
continues, apply pressure to appropriate pressure point as well as directly to
wound. Pressure points include inside of
upper arm, inside arm below elbow, inside and outside of wrist, back of knee
joint, crease of groin, and top of foot.
Release pressure point once bleeding is controlled. Reapply pressure at pressure point if
bleeding recurs. Use tourniquet only as
an absolute last resort in a life-threatening situation. Treat for shock. Keep the wound clean.
Breathing stopped
Place victim on back, head tilted backward. Using 2 fingers, lift chin, keeping jaw
supported and mouth open. Adult/Child:
Pinch nose shut. Place mouth over
victim’s mouth. Adults: Repeat 1 breath
every 5 seconds. Child: Repeat 1 breath
every 3 seconds. Infant: Place mouth
over nose and mouth. Give 2 slow
breaths, watching for chest to rise.
Remove mouth between each breath.
Repeat breath every 3 seconds.
Adult/Child choking (1 yr. +)
Conscious: Stand behind victim.
Place fist just above navel.
Grasp fist with other hand and give quick upward thrusts until object
comes out or victim is unconscious.
Unconscious: Lay victim on back.
1) Look in mouth for foreign object.
2) IF seen, sweep finger down inside cheek with hooking motion. 3) Give 2 breaths for adults, 1 for
children. IF air won’t go in, re-tilt
head, try again. IF air still won’t go
in, place heel of hand just above bottom of breast bone. Place other hand on top. Give 15 chest compressions for adults, 5 for
children. Repeat all steps until air
goes in.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is defined as having an internal body temperature of under 95
F. Symptoms include shivering, difficult
or slurred speech, slow breathing, cold skin, loss of coordination, fatigue, and
lethargy. Treatment: Monitor
breathing. Get victim out of cold,
indoors if possible. Protect from wind,
cover head, insulate from cold ground.
Remove wet clothing. Dry victim
rapidly. Re-warm victim in dry clothing
and/or blankets as quickly as possible or place in tub of warm, not hot,
water. Give victim warm liquids to drink
only if conscious. No alcohol. Don’t attempt to warm the legs and arms. Heat that is applied to the legs and arms
forces cold blood back toward the lungs, heart, and brain causing the core body
temperature to drop. This can be
fatal. Don’t massage or rub the
victim. Handle the victim gently,
because they are at risk of cardiac arrest.
Follow treatment for frostbite.
Get medical help as needed.
Frostbite
Get the victim out of the cold.
Warm affected areas as quickly as possible. Do not rub affected area or apply heat lamp
or hot water. Do not rub snow on
frostbitten skin. Warm hands by tucking
them under your arms or companion’s arms.
If nose, ears, or face are frostbitten, warm by covering with dry, gloved
hands. Discontinue warming techniques as
soon as the affected area(s) become flushed.
Expect swelling and pain after thawing.
Gently exercise affected area.
Elevate frostbitten areas, but not higher than heart. Get professional help as needed.
Poison
If you have cell phone and coverage, call Poison Control or 911. Follow directions. Keep sample of suspected poison and any
vomit. DO NOT give victim anything by
mouth or induce vomiting unless directed.
Shock
Lay victim on back with feet elevated.
Lay on side if vomiting, unconscious, or having difficulty
breathing. Keep victim warm, but not
hot. DO NOT give food or
drink.
Sunstroke (Heat stroke)
Symptoms may include extremely high body temperatures (106 F or higher),
absence of sweating, dry skin, rapid pulse, losing consciousness. Sunstroke is life-threatening. Get medical help as soon as possible. Lower body temperature quickly with cool, not
cold, water. Keep the victim cool until
the body temperature has returned to normal.
Do not give the person stimulating beverages such as coffee or
tea.
Tick bite
Remove tick quickly and carefully.
Use tweezers and grasp the tick near its head or mouth. Pull gently to remove the entire tick
intact. Keep tick if possible in case
you develop illness and your doctor wants to see the tick. Clean your hands and the area around the bite
with soap and water. See your doctor if
you develop a rash or fever, have muscle aches, joint pain and inflammation,
swollen lymph nodes, or flu-like symptoms.
Get immediate medical help if you have a severe headache, difficulty
breathing, paralysis, or chest pain.
Blisters
Don’t puncture the blister unless it’s painful or prevents you from
walking. If you feel you need to drain
it, wash your hands and the blister.
Clean the blister with an alcohol wipe.
Puncture the blister in at least two spots near its edge with a
sterilized needle. Carefully press to
drain fluid. Apply antibiotic ointment
to the blister, especially at puncture areas.
Wash and reapply ointment as often as needed to keep the blister
clean. Cut an opening the size of the
blister in moleskin or molefoam and place around the blister to keep pressure
off the painful area. Take pain
medication as needed.
Burns
First degree burns are the least serious and affect only the outer skin
layer. The burned area usually appears
dry, red, and mildly swollen. Cool the
burn with cold water. If a large supply
of water is not available, use cold compresses.
Do not put ice on the burn. Take
pain medication as required.
Second degree burns affect the skin’s lower layers. They are painful, swollen, and have redness
and blistering. The skin may develop a
weepy, watery surface. Second degree
burns can be caused by severe sunburn, hot liquids, or contact with hot
objects. Cool the burn with water for at
least 10 minutes. Do not put ice
directly on the burned area. Use
antibiotic ointment or other cream or ointment as prescribed by your
doctor. Cover the burned area with a dry
non-stick dressing to prevent infection.
Take pain reliever as needed.
Change the dressing daily after washing hands with soap and water. Apply a cool, clean wet compress on the burn
for a few minutes each day. Gently wash
the burn and reapply ointment. Check
daily for signs of infection such as increased swelling, redness, pain, or
pus. Avoid breaking any blisters that
form. Try not to itch healing skin. Protect burned areas with sunscreen for at
least one year.
Third degree burns are the deepest and most severe and always require
emergency treatment. They may appear
white or charred and extend through all skin layers. There may be severe pain or no pain if nerve
endings are destroyed. Do not take off
any clothing that is stuck to the burn. Be sure the victim is not in contact with any
smoldering material. Do not soak the
burn in water because this could cause shock.
Do not apply ointment or ice. The
burn can be covered with a sterile bandage or clean cloth until you receive
medical assistance. The cloth or bandage
can be moist to avoid sticking and give relief.
Do not use plastic.
This is not meant to be a complete list or solution for all
emergencies. You are responsible for all
your outdoor endeavors. Be prepared for
emergencies. Hike light. Have fun.
Be safe.
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