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 Treatment 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 active carbon 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 put air 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 Venomous: 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