Wilderness First Aid Acronyms
MOI Mechanism Of Injury: What caused the injury?
SAMPLE Signs & symptoms: Ask what hurts? Allergies: do they have any? Medications: on any, last time taken? Pertinent medical history: anything like this happened before? Existing conditions? Last intake & output: Last time ate or drank? Last time urinated or defecated? Events: What led up to this injury (Mechanism Of Injury)?
ABCDE Airway - open? Breathing – is the patient? Circulation – check hands, feet Disability, possible damage to spinal cord? Environment/Exposure – where is the patient, what are they exposed to?
SOAP Subjective info (complaints) Objective info (i.e. physical exam, vital signs, SAMPLE Assess patient & situation, what do you think is wrong? Plan, what care do you give & how? Stay or evacuate?
DOTS Deformities, depressions, indentations and discoloration Open injuries, penetrating wounds, cuts, scrapes Tenderness Swelling
AVPU Alertness Verbal: Responds to verbal stimuli A + Ox4: knows who, where, when, what A + Ox3: knows who, where, when A + Ox2: knows who, where A + Ox1: knows who Verbal: Responds to verbal stimuli Pain: Responds to pain Unresponsive
SCTM Skin Color Temperature Moisture
BEAM (lift)
LOR Level Of Responsiveness – see AVPU
HAINES High Arm IN Endangered Spine Position to place patient if neck/spine injury is suspected
RICE Rest Immobilization Cold Elevation
UMBLES Inability to perform tasks: “fumbles” Confusion, apathy, sluggish, “grumbles” Slurred speech, “mumbles” Altered gait, “stumbles”
RTRG Reach with arm, paddle, or pole Throw, rope, buoy, life preserver Row out to victim & reach to help Go (swim) only, if you are excellent swimmer & have training in water rescue.
Questions??? What else could you add to your First Aid Kit?