Trek First Aid – Rotation #1

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 • 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 activecarbon 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 putair 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 6 -12 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 • 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 (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