Survival First Aid Awareness

Survival Advanced

CUO Tonya Gentry-BrownMar 2011

Objectives

a. Describe the symptoms and basic treatment for:

1. Common injuries, cuts, bruises and sprains2. Stings and bites3. Broken bones4. Bleeding5. Burns6. Snake bite7. Hyperthermia and frostbite8. Heat stress and sunstroke9. Dehydration, and10. Shock

Introduction

• Extra care to avoid injury and illness• Learn to improvise when applying First Aid• Methods can be varied based on different

circumstances• Need to use initiative to make the treatment

suit

Minor Injuries

• Cuts, bruising and sprains• Must not be taken lightly• Broken skin (cuts and lacerations) can easily

become infected causing secondary problems• Open wounds must:

– Thoroughly cleaned (boiled and salted water)– Disinfected ( applied around wound)– covered

Stiches (Suturing a wound)

• Deep cuts may require stitches• W/ sterilised needle and thread• Make each stitch individually• Begin across middle of wound• Draw edges together then tie off• Continue outwards

Bruises

• Caused by blow or fall against hard object• Causing bleeding into deep tissue• Can be known as closed tissue wound• Bad bruising treatment is cold compress• Ice (if available) for 15-20mins• Rest and if on limb, elevate

Sprains

• Usually wrist, fingers or ankle• When joint is forced into an unusual position• Treat as you would bruising• Apply firm bandage at joint• Ice over bandage for 20 mins• Injury recovery usually 24-28 hours• Raise injured part to reduce swelling

Blisters

• Leave alone• Prevention is best (e.g. Break boots in prior to

camp)• If inside shoe

– Prevent further rubbing w/ sticking plaster– Change socks daily– Beware of hot spots

Bleeding

• Effects of serious blood loss almost simultaneous

• Cause shock very quickly• In Young Adults the loss of

– 0.5L (dizziness)– 1L (faintness)– 1.5L (collapse)– 2.2L (possible fatality)

Main Types of Bleeding

• Arterial• Venous• Capillary• Internal

Arterial Bleeding

• Pumps out in powerful spurts• In time w/ victim’s pulse rate• Most serious type• Must be treated promptly• Controlling Bleeding

– Apply pressure to points of artery– Or use a constrictive bandage

Using Constrictive Bandage• Strip of firm cloth (7.5cm wide, 75cm long)

– Improvise with clothing or triangular bandage• Bind firmly above bleeding point until pulse

can’t be felt beyond bandage. Tie Firmly.• Note time of application• After 30mins release bandage

– No bleeding – remove– Bleeding reapply check every 30 mins

Ensure bandage is visible and inform medical aid of location and time of application

Venous Bleeding

• Blood darker, flow slower– Bit more time to treat

• Apply pressure directly over– Use padded bandage– Or shell dressing

• When bleeding under control– Bind firmly in place

• Later, when bleeding stopped– Clean, sterilise and dress

Capillary Bleeding

• Only appears in drops from small blood vessels near surface

• Usually clot fairly quickly• Should be dressed and treated as for a minor

cut

Internal Bleeding• Occurs as a result of a deep wound, violent

blow to body and from fractures to bones• Symptoms

– Bruising of skin– Blood in urine/faeces– Vomiting or coughing up blood

• Treatment– Constant nursing attention– Lay down, legs slightly raised, loosen tight clothing– Do not give anything by mouth

Treatment for External Bleeding

• Pick off any foreign bodies and wipe off with dressing

• Wash wound and area around it• Press sides of wound together• Place sterile pad or adhesive dressing• Apply pressure by hand or bandage• Clean folded handkerchief sterilised w/ boiling

water or alcohol• Don’t give patient any stimulant until bleeding

has stopped, keep them quiet and reassured

Pressure Points – Constrictive Bandage

Snake Bite

• All bites should be taken seriously• Prevention is best defence

– If in known snake country - dress accordingly– Protect legs and feet (especially if moving through

shrubs or long grass)

• Snakes are masters of camouflage – often very hard to detect

Venomous Australian Snakes

Death Adder– Brownish, reddish or grey– Average 45-60cm– Sandy Areas– Highly Venomous

Aust Black Snake– Average 1.5-2m– Bluish-black, slender– Bright red belly– Rarely fatal– Flattens neck when aroused

• Aust Brown Snake– Slender, yellowish-grey to

brown– w/ pale belly– Averages 1.5-2m– Drier parts of Australia– Aggressive and very

poisonous• Tiger Snake– Average 1.3-1.6m– Thick bodied, large head– Tawny-ochre banded w/

greenish-yellow, grey or orange-brown

– Aggressive and very poisonous

• Taipan– Uniformly light to dark

brown– Yellowish-brown on sides– May grow to 3.5m– Ferocious when

provoked, deadly • Sea Snake– Indian and Pacific Ocean– Partly terrestrial– Vary in colour and size– Average 1.3-1.5m– Flattened paddle like tail– Not aggressive but some of

most poisonous in world

Snake Bites - Treatment• Limb usually hand, arm or leg• Place in resting position w/

injury below heart level (Check airway, breathing, circulation)

• Apply pressure immobilisation bandage above bitten area, down to end of limb, then back up to groin/armpit

• Bandage should be tight enough to depress the skin but not stop blood flow

• Purpose – restrict spread of toxins through lymphatic system

• Immobilise by splinting (outside of bandage)

• Continually monitor breathing and pulse rate (apply CPR if required)

• Better to move medics to patient than move them• Ensure they don’t move

• ... wash venom off the skin as retained venom will assist w/ identification

• ... cut bitten area• ... try to suck venom out of wound• ... use constrictive bandage• ... try to catch the snake

Snake Bites – Do Not:

Sting and Bites

• Most insect bites painful but not life threatening (w/ exception or Funnel Web and Red Back)

• Symptoms and treatment for 5 most common

Bee• Stings barbed end, usually left behind in flesh

w/ venom sac attached• Sting – immediate pain, causes area to

become red and puffy• Avoid injecting more venom – scrape sting

sideways w/ knife blade (DON’T PINCH OUT)• After sting is removed

– Wipe area clean– Apply cold compress and/or pain relief agent

(‘Stingoes’)

Bee – In case of allergic reaction• If has history or shows following reactions

– Rash, lumps on skin, swelling of throat or wheezing

• Treat as follows– Check responses, airway, breathing, circulation– Apply pressure bandage and immobilise– Attempt evacuation– Periodically observe and record pulse and breathing– Medication administered immediately– Carry out CR if breathing/circulation stops

European Wasp

• Only become serious threat in last few years• Wasp does not leave sting behind (may strike

several times – causing severe pain)• Attracted to meat cooking, rotting meat and

sweet drinks (sometimes trapped in soft drink cans)

• Stinging in mouth/throat cause swelling and blockage of airway

• Treatment is as for a bee

Tick• Prevalent in most parts of Australia (species that

causes paralysis - mainly eastern coastal)• Usually attach in folds of skin or body crevices• Most human cases bite causes discomfort or local

irritation of skin• Can cause paralysis (especially in small children)• Symptoms of serious tick bite

– Weakness of upper face and eyelids– Weakness in upper limbs– Weakness of muscles which aid breathing

Ticks – Bite Management• If in ear cavity kill tick and seek medical aid• Drop of turpentine/kerosene/methylated spirits

directly on body• Removing tick

– Do not squeeze body– Slide pair of scissors/tweezers either side of head and draw

out– Do not leave mouth parts in victim

• Search for more ticks (pay attn to hair, ears, under arms and other crevices)

• Do not apply pressure immobilisation

Scorpion

• Australian species usually not life threatening but do cause severe pain

• Symptoms– Immediate sense of burning pain– Throbbing and later numbness

• Treatment– Apply cold pack or compress– Seek medical Aid

Funnel Web Spider

• Mainly Sydney and coastal areas of NSW• Inhabits rock crevices, burrows, under houses,

bushes/trees• Symptoms

– Intense pain around area– Nausea, abdominal pain, breathing difficulty, numbness,

muscular weakness– Excessive saliva, noisy breathing, weeping from eyes,

cold skin, shivering

• Treatment as for snake bite

Red Back Spider

• Usually found in dark undisturbed places (e.g. old logs, under eaves of buildings, discarded tyres/iron etc.)

• Slow working venom• Symptoms – pain, nausea, dizziness,

faintness, muscle weakness, profuse sweating, swelling, rapid pulse

• Treatment - Reassure casualty, apply cold pack, seek medical aid

Fractures

• Types, causes, symptoms and treatment concerning fractures are many and varied

• Three common types– Closed Fracture (broken through but not

penetrated)– Open Fracture (broken bone protruded through)– Complicated Fracture (w/ associated injury to

major nerve, blood vessels or vital organ)

No attempt should be made to force fracture back in place

Fractures - Symptoms

• Pain Swelling• Deformity in area• Loss of Function• Bleeding (if open)• Possible shock

Fracture - Treatment

• Should be evacuated• In survival situation – nursing care probably

best• Make casualty comfortable• Check pulse and circulation of injured limb• Stop bleeding (if wound or open)• Splint and immobilise• Treat for shock

Burns• 3 stages of burns will have varying effects• Deep burns - contact w/ flame - causes charring

and destruction of tissue/bone– Little initial pain – often due to nerve endings being

seared

• Superficial Burns – flesh not destroyed but will redden and possibly blister– Usually very painful, may cause shock

• Scalds – caused by hot liquid, similar symptoms as superficial

Burns - Treatment

• Remove from further danger• Quickly extinguish burning matter on victim

(remove any hot, smouldering clothing)• If not stuck to the skin cut it away• Ensure airway is clear (if to face or neck)• Cool the burn area by holding under cold

water (usually 10-20mins or when pain no longer felt)

• When burn is cooled should be left open• If risk of infection – apply dry, non stick, sterile

dressing• If injury to feet/hands place dry padding

between to prevent from sticking together• Give patient frequent small amounts of water

to drink – fluids will need to be replaced

Heat Stress

• When the body’s cooling system fails to function properly

• Through effects of– Exposure to a hot/humid environment and/or– Excessive physical exertion

• Three conditions of heat stress may occur (from least to most serious)– Heat Cramp, Exhaustion, Stroke

Heat Cramp

• Signs and Symptoms– Nausea (possible vomiting), dizziness– Cramps in stomach, arms, legs– Muscle twitching– Feeling of weakness

• Should be taken as warning that a more serious condition may develop if not treated

Heat Cramp - Treatment

• Rest in cool shady area (at least cover from direct sunlight)

• Replace fluids (small, frequent drinks of water)• Place cold compress over affected muscles• Keep at rest

• In survival situation – may be caused by over exertion, employ on light duties until recovered

Heat Exhaustion

• Body gaining more heat than it’s losing (temperature regulating system is starting to break down)

• Signs and Symptoms– Feeling of weakness and exhaustion– Feeling hot and tired– Excessive sweating– Cramps, rapid pulse/breathing– Suffer a lack of coordination and mental confusion

Heat Exhaustion - Treatment

• Lay in cool shaded place (preferably good air circulation)

• Remove excess clothing• Gradually cool by sponging w/ water• Relace fluid loss• Rest patient (as for heat cramp)• If patient doesn’t respond seek medical aid –

treat for heat stroke

Heat Stroke• Medical Emergency• Temperature regulating system has failed and

body cannot cope w/ any more heat gain• Signs and Symptoms

– Pounding and rapid pulse– Skin flushed but dry (cease to sweat)– Sharp rise in temperature– Nausea and vomiting– Headache, disorientation, seizures and

unconsciousness

Heat Stroke - Treatment

• Remove to shaded location• Douse w/ cold water• If unconscious, place in recovery position• Loosen and/or remove any tight or excess clothing• Fan to increase air flow• Apply cold packs to groin/armpits/neck• When fully conscious give fluid and continue

cooling (until body feels cool to touch)

Dehydration

• Caused by loss of water from body due to persistent vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive sweating, severe burns or increased urination

• Or less than required water intake• Symptoms

– Dry skin, tongue and lining of mouth becomes dry, eyes sunken, urine dark, confusion

• Treatment– Sit in shade, loosen clothing, give small sips of water

Hypothermia and Frost Bite

• Failure of body’s temperature regulating system – through extreme/prolonged exposure to cold

• Body loses all surface heat (therefore deeper tissues and internal organs can cool more rapidly)

• Can happen through immersion in very cold water, trapped in snow or severe wind chill

Hypothermia - Symptoms

• Severe drop in temperature• Lack of coordination• Slow pulse• Confusion• Increasing slowness in mental/physical

responses• Cramps• Faintness and unconsciousness

Hypothermia - Treatment

• If unconscious, place in recovery position and check breathing and pulse

• Body must be dried (if wet)• Place in warm dry place, wrap in blankets

(possibly w/ another person beside)• If conscious, give warm sweet drinks (not

alcohol) and monitor progress

Frost Bite

• Result of severe freezing of tissue (usually effecting extremities of body)

• Serious injury – may effect blood circulation to limbs resulting in amputation

• May be detected by– Sudden whiteness, numbness/tingling of skin,

area firm to touch, waxy appearance, bistered– Deep frost bite white, hard to touch, painless until

warmed (and then pain may be intense)

Frost Bite - Treatment

• Remove constrictive clothing• Warm area gradually using body heat only• NEVER apply direct heat, massage or rub with

either water or snow• Give warm sweet drinks (not alcohol)• Seek medical aid

Shock

• Serious, life threatening condition• Usually result of serious injury/illness from

either burns, severe blood/fluid loss or pain• Usually does not occur immediately upon

injury – gradually develops• Signs and Symptoms

– Rapid breathing, weak and rapid pulse, pale and clammy skin, nausea and vomiting, faintness and dizziness

Shock - Treatment• Lay patient down• Elevate feet (do not elevate if legs fractured)• Treat fractures and external injuries• Stop bleeding and cover burns• Cover w/ blanket and continually monitor• Try ease pain• Reassure (if conscious)• If sure of no internal injuries give warm sweet

drinks to assist replacement of fluid

Conclusion

Cadets should now be able to describe the symptoms and identify the treatment

required for the scenarios.

AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CADETS715 (City of Belmont) Squadron

Join as a Cadet

Aged 13 – 16 year old

Join as an Adult Instructor

Aged 19 years and above

Friday Nights (in the school term)1815h – 2200hPalmer Barracks, Barker Road, South Guildford