Trek First Aid – Rotation #1

Agenda• First Aid Kits• Dehydration• Purifying Water• Heat Exhaustion, Heat Stroke, Hypothermia, & Frostbite• Fainting or Shock• Insect Bites and Stings• Something in Eye• Animal bites• Snake Bites• Excessive Poisoning

First Aid Kits• What should be in your first aid kit?• Moleskin: often comes in 3”X 6” or 6”X 6”

– have at least 2• Antiseptic wipes• Tweezers• Nitrile or latex gloves• Small scissors• Band-aids, various sizes• Gauze pads (2)• Roll of tape• Swabs/Q tips (10) • Safety pins (small, med and large)• Soap or small bottle of hand sanitizer• Antibiotic ointment• Sunscreen (SPF of 45)• Pencil and paper

Dehydration• An ounce of prevention is worth a TON of cure• Drink water, or a sports drink – no soda, it is a diuretic (makes you

pee) • You should be going to the bathroom every 2-3 hours• Monitor your urine – should be clear or a slight yellow tint if you are

hydrated– If it looks like apple juice – you are in trouble!– Headaches are another sign of dehydration

• Treatment• Drink before you feel thirsty

– There is no magic amount, depends on your body type and weight, physical exertion, general health

• Get fluids into the person – you may have to time the intake• Rest in a shaded place• If symptoms persist, get medical attention

Purifying Water• Never drink from a stream, creek or other body

of water without some sort of treatment – unless there is no other choice

• A purifier is best, it has a filter and activecarbon to take out impurities

• Filters • Tablets

– Often iodine, requires you to wait 30 min.before drinking

– Usually tastes terrible

• Boil water for 5 min.– Let the water cool

– Partially fill a water bottle, then shake to putair in the water – helps it not taste flat

Heat Exhaustion, Heat Stroke, Hypothermia

and Frostbite • Heat Exhaustion: Skin is pale, clammy from heavy sweating, nausea and fatigue,

dizziness and fainting, headache, cramps, weakness

• Treat by: Get to a cool, shady place with feet raised. Remove excess clothing. Cool by applying wet cloths, clothing and fan the victim. If fully alert, SIP water. Get help.

• Heat Stroke: Untreated heat exhaustion becomes Heat Stroke. Skin is very hot to touch, red. Rapid pulse, quick, shallow, noisy breathing. Confusion and unwillingness to cooperate. Unconsciousness

• Treat by: GET HELP!!!!! Treat like heat exhaustion, use ice packs if available. May require rescue breathing

• Hypothermia: Feel cold and numb, tired and unable to think straight, uncontrollable shivering, poor decision making, irritable, clumsy, unconscious

• Treat by: Move to shelter, remove wet clothing, replace with dry warm clothes – wrap in sleeping bag, blankets, jackets. If fully awake, drink warm liquids, get help.

• Frostbite: Extremities will be numb or hurt, grayish white patches indicate that ice crystals are starting to form

• Treat by: Move to shelter, remove wet clothing, if no chance to refreeze – warm by placing on warm skin – get help ASAP!

Fainting or Shock• Fainting or shock is a natural reaction to injury or stress• Symptoms include: Restlessness, irritability, weakness, confusion,

fear, dizziness, skin that is clammy, moist, cool and pale, a quick weak pulse, shallow, rapid, irregular breathing, nausea and vomiting, extreme thirst

• How to Treat: – do not leave them alone

– get help (send someone)

– Have them lay down

– If injuries permit, raise the legs 6 -12 in. to get blood to the vital organs

– Keep the victim warm (if it is not a heat related issue)

Insect Bites or Stings• Mosquito – get over it• Ticks: Remove with tweezers, pulling

the body close to the skin • Bees: Remove the stinger by scraping it

out with knife blade, credit card– Do not squeeze, may force in more

venom

• Spider bites: Try to identify type, get medical help

• Scorpion: Get out of harm’s way, try to identify type, wash with soap and water, apply cold compress – 10 min on, 10 min off. Avoid aspirin or ibuprofen – they make the venom spread, get medical attention

Something in Eye• DO NOT RUB IT!• Blink rapidly to get tears flowing• Flush eyes with clean water• Pull upper lid over lower to let lashes try to clear• Get medical treatment

Animal Bites• Treat as a puncture wound:

– Wash wound

– Flush with water

– Control the bleeding

– Cover with sterile bandage

– Get medical help

• Warm blooded animals can carry rabies• Unprovoked attack is usually a sign of rabies• Report the attack to the local public health• Do not kill or catch the animal (unless defending oneself)

Snake Bites• Non-venomous: Treat as a puncture

wound– Wash wound– Control bleeding– Apply antibiotic– Cover with bandage

• Venomous:– Get out of harm’s way– Remove rings, jewelry before the injury

swells– Get to a doctor quickly– Wash the wound– Keep calm– If coral snake, wrap the area snugly with an

elastic roller bandage– Keep victim calm, lying down if possible

with the injury lower than the rest of the body

Excessive Poisoning• GET HELP, Call 911, Poison Control center (800-222-1222)• Have poison containers with you when you call• Follow instructions• Treat for shock• Save any vomit• For airborne poisons:

– Check the area for your safety

– Approach safely

– Get victim to fresh air

– Check vital signs

– Get help