Transcript Slide 1
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 • 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 – – – – 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