1. Trek First Aid – Rotation #1

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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!

7. 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 in. to get blood to the vital organs
Keep the victim warm (if it is not a heat related issue)

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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)

11. 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

12. Excessive Poisoning
GET HELP, Call 911, Poison Control center ( )
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