1. Duke of Edinburgh Award Expedition First Aid Preparation
Mrs Desveaux
School Nurse

2. Aim Good preparation to prevent accidents and injury
Suggested contents of a First Aid Kit
Basic First Aid procedures
Calling the emergency services

3. Potential First Aid Situations
Blisters
Cuts and bruises
Insect bites
Sprains and strains
Burns / sunburn
Fainting
Dehydration / heat exhaustion/ fatigue
Fractures
Unconsciousness

4. Prevention of accidents / injury
Appropriate footwear which has been well broken in and supports ankles helps prevent blisters and twisted ankles. Good tread helps prevent falls.
Two layers of socks, a thin inner pair and a thick outer walking sock reduces friction on feet and absorbs sweat to keep feet dry, both helping to prevent blisters.
If the weather is very hot trainers with a good tread and one layer of socks is better to prevent excessive sweating and softening of the feet. When resting or in camp removed trainers to allow feet to breath and skin to harden again.

5. Prevention of accident/injury
Wear a strong sunscreen and hat to prevent sunburn and renew frequently. Also advisable to wear mosquito repellant
Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and graze on snacks to keep energy levels up, get plenty of sleep.
Get plenty of sleep and an early start to avoid exhaustion from tiredness or the full strength of the sun.
Take care around camping stoves and open flames.

6. First Aid Kit Disposable gloves – 4 pairs Hand sanitizer
Antiseptic wound cleansing wipes, spray or liquid and cleansing pads.
Scissors and tweezers
Waterproof plasters assorted sizes
Plaster strip 6cm x 1 m to cut to size
Adhesive tape
Sterile gauze pads (40cm x 40cm)x6
Triangular bandages x3
Elastic bandages x 3 (5cm, 7.5cm, 10.5cm)
Safety pins x6
Cotton wool
Antiseptic cream or powder
Antihistamine cream
Antihistamine tablets (optional)
Freezegel (optional)
Paracetamol 500 mg tablets x10
Glucose sweets ( or normal boiled sweets, a quick source of sugar)
After sun cream
Oral rehydration salts x 2 sachets
A large freezer bag
Specialist blister plasters- Compeed (optional).

7. Practical discussion and demonstrations
Blisters
Cuts and bruises
Sprains and strains
Burns / sunburn
Fainting
Dehydration / heat exhaustion
Fractures
Unconsciousness

8. Wounds and bleeding Minor cuts, scratches and grazes Treatment:
Wash and dry your own hands or use hand sanitiser.
Cover any cuts on your own hands and put on disposable gloves.
Clean the cut, if dirty, under running water or use an antiseptic wipe. Pat dry with a sterile dressing or clean lint-free material. If possible, raise affected area above the heart.
Cover the cut temporarily while you clean the surrounding skin with soap and water or an antiseptic wipe and pat the surrounding skin dry. Cover the cut completely with a sterile dressing or plaster.

9. Severe Bleeding Put on sterile gloves
Apply pressure with a non fluffy pad until a sterile dressing available and elevate limb above heart, being careful if a broken bone is suspected
Treat for shock
Apply a sterile dressing and check circulation beyond dressing
Dial 114 (122) or send for help to previous check point ( follow expedition organisers instructions).
If blood seep through first bandage cover with a second. If blood seeps through second then remove and replace with a fresh dressing.

10. Wounds and Bleeding: Severe bleeding

11. Minor burn or scald
Treatment: For minor burns, hold the affected area under cold water or any other safe cooling liquid available for at least 10 minutes or until the pain subsides. Remove jewellery etc. Clean and cover the burn with a non fluffy dressing, checking the circulation beyond the dressing and observing fot signs of swelling.
If a minor burn is larger than a postage stamp it requires medical attention. All deep burns of any size require urgent hospital treatment.
Clothing on fire
Treatment
•Stop the casualty panicking or running – any movement or breeze will fan the flames
•Drop the casualty to the ground
•If possible, wrap the casualty tightly in a coat, curtain or blanket (not the nylon or cellular type), rug or other heavy-duty fabric. The best fabric is wool
•Roll the casualty along the ground until the flames have been smothered.
On all burns:
•Do not use lotions, ointments and creams
•Do not use adhesive dressings
•Do not break blisters.

12. Insect bites or stings.
If sting still present flick of with a finger nail, do not squeeze.
Clean area with an antiseptic wipe
Apply antihistamine cream
If necessary for multiple stings/ bites or excessive swelling take an antihistamine tablet.

13. Sprains and Strains Ligament injury-sprain
Muscle and tendon injury- strain
May be a stretch, tear or complete rupture
Recognition – pain, tenderness, swelling, bruising, difficulty in moving affected part
RICE- Rest, ice, compression and elevation.
For an ankle injury on a hike, do not remove the shoe, bandage over the shoe, immerse in cold water then elevate and rest limb. If able to walk, assist person to walk to camp, otherwise call for help.
If pain severe and movement affected arrange for casualty to be seen at hospital. Otherwise advise to rest and seek medical attention if required.

14. Fractures
Suspected fracture- pain, bruising, swelling, tenderness, deformity.
For arms and wrists it may be possible to immobilise, apply a sling and walk to camp, assess the individual situation and follow instructions of the expedition organiser.
For leg injuries, immoblise the limb, cover any open wounds, observe and treat shock. Do not give any food or fluids and send for help.

15. Choking Give up to five back blows
Check the mouth and remove any obvious obstruction
If obstruction still present give up to five chest thrusts.
If the obstruction does not clear after three cycles of back blows and abdominal thrusts then call 114 ( 112) and be prepared to commence CPR.

16. CPR
Repeat the compressions 30 times, at a rate of per minute (about the speed of the song 'Nelly the Elephant').
Continue resuscitation, 30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths
Do not stop unless: ◦emergency help arrives and takes over
◦they show signs of recovery such as coughing, opening eyes, speaking or moving purposefully and breathing normally
◦you become so exhausted that you cannot carry on

17. Calling for Assistance
Two members of group to return to previous check point. Rest of group to stay with the casualty. Follow instructions issued by expedition organisers as help will be nearby.
If necessary Telephone - SAMU 114
State your name and that you are acting in the capacity of a first aider
Telephone number
Exact location, roads, landmarks, access points etc
Type of emergency/injury
Name and age and sex of casualty
Details of any hazards

18. Quick tips Wear gloves to protect yourself and the casualty
Wash hands or use hand sanitizer before tending a wound
To stop bleeding- apply pressure and elevate limb above level of heart
For burns flood area with water or other harmless cooling liquid for 10 minutes
For sprains and strains – RICE rest, ice , compression & elevation
For dehydration and heat exhaustion give plenty of water and if necessary an isotonic drink
Shock and fainting- lie casualty down, reassure, raise legs above heart.
For suspected fractures or serious injuries do not move the casualty or allow to eat or drink.
Place an unconscious casualty in the recovery position

19. The Duke of Edinburgh Award
Have a safe and happy expedition