First - Aid Notes

Wilderness first aid provides safe but advanced techniques for dealing with emergencies when 911 is not available. These techniques apply anywhere where help is not rapid in arriving. *You have a responsibility to know how to respond in an emergency situation. **Good Samaritan laws protect you from someone seeking first aid and the wrong first aid is administered.

I.Primary Survey Correct problems related to airway obstruction, respiration, cardiac function, blood loss, and shock, and securing the scene.

A. Secure the Scene –Be sure no additional danger exists. (avalanche, falling rocks, breaking ice, etc.) –Decide if immediate evacuation is called for. –Be aware of dangers to self and others.

B. C. P. R. Only perform if you know what you are doing What does it stand for?

C. Bleeding (Always wear gloves) Pressure on wound with gauze pad or other absorbent material (Add to original and do not remove) Elevate wound above heart Roller gauze tightly but do not cut off circulation (Nails turn blue = too tight) Can press on pressure points –Inside of upper arm –Bend between hip and leg –Best for arterial bleeding Bright red and pulsing Avoid shock, keep warm and calm, give fluids, raise feet

D. Shock Depressed state of many vital body functions which can be life threatening. Inadequate oxygenated blood to the brain. Can be caused by severe injury of any type. Signs 1.pale skin, clammy 2.weakness 3.rapid pulse 4.breathing shallow, irregular 5.thirsty

Treatment of Shock 1.Keep victim lying down 2.If unconscious, lay on side 3.Raise feet slightly unless head injury 4.Prevent chilling but do not add heat 5.Give liquid only if help will not arrive soon

II.Secondary Survey Attempt to find all medical problems the patient might have Do thoroughly using vision and touch Be methodical – ask simple question

A. General Principals 1.Start at the head and work down 2.Move the patient as little as possible and attempt to not aggravate known injuries 3.Constantly communicate even if patient seems unconscious 4.Look for damage - cut clothes if necessary 5.Feel relevant body parts for abnormalities

Vital signs Can be a good indicator of how the patient is doing 1.Level of Consciousness Alert Respond only to verbal or painful stress Unresponsive 2.Pulse and Respiration Record rate Rhythm Quality

3. Skin –Color –Hot/Cool –Wet/Dry 4. Blood Pressure –Wrist = ok –Carotid only = low

Medical History 1.Allergies 2.Medication 3.Health History 4.Events Leading to Accident 5.Kind of Pain (Sharp, Dull, etc.)

Techniques for providing first aid different injuries Chest Puncture –Disinfect if possible –Cover with plastic tape all around except on one corner (lets air out)

Impaled by large object Do not remove object Cut off to close wound Secure to prevent movement Pad wound and apply pressure

When Pressure points fail to stop bleeding Apply tourniquet and Get help fast Some experts say not to use a tourniquet I suggest the same

Wound Cleaning Irrigation Use pure water of water with providone-iodine It takes 5 minutes for iodine to disinfect water Hold syringe 2-4 inches above wound Shoot ½ liter into wound Pick bits with disinfected tweezers Shoot another ½ liter into wound If no syringe poke hole in bag or bottle with hot needle Scrapes are best off scrubbed with soap

Wound Closure Put tincture of benzoin on edges Use wound closure strips to pull edges of wound together (not too tight) Pad with gauze and roller bandage Nails blue = too tight Don’t close joint wounds Don’t close dirty wounds

Splints Extend past joints on each side of fracture Can tie leg together or arm to chest Check fingers and toes for circulation Layers Pad Solid Ties Straighten broken limb by steady gentle pulling until splint is secured Elevate if possible to decrease swelling Remove constricting items

Dislocation 1st 5 min pull straight out to put back hang limb over edge tie weight to limb below dislocation Relax 20 minutes gravity pulls limb back into place

Burns Stop burning –No ice –Don’t peel off melted Wash and pat dry Remove skin from popped blister Do not pop un-popped blisters Apply antibiotics Wrap with gauze and change daily Ibuprofen for burn pain

Meds Tylenol (Acetaminophen) – fever and pain Advil (Ibuprofen) –Swelling/inflammation –Burns –Pain Benadryl - allergy

Head and Neck injuries

Snake Bites

Spider Bites

Scorpions