When traveling in the wilderness is important to carry out a complete first aid kit and book. It is also wise to take a course in first aid. A good diet, clean and appropriate clothing will decrease the risk of harmful situations.

Disease, infections and often insect bites can be avoided when maintaining an adequate diet. It is important to bathe daily, but if not possible, be sure to wash your hands frequently. Soap can be made using ash and animal fats or by boiling the inner bark of a pine tree. Construct a toothbrush chicken at the end of a green twig. If set for your trip Remember to pack a wide range of clothes and extra shoes.

FIRST AID

If an accident occurs in the wilderness, will be your responsibility to deal with the situation. Specific sequence of actions when dealing with this situation is:

1. Remain calm, providing the patient with quiet, effective first aid treatment.
2. Keep the patient warm and lying down. Do not move the injured person until they discovered the extent of injuries.
3. Start mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration immediately if the injured person is not breathing.
4. Stop any bleeding.
5. Give your patient reassurance. Watch carefully for signs of shock.
6. Check for cuts, fractures, breaks and injuries to the head, neck or spine.
7. Do not allow people to crowd the injured party.
8. Do not remove clothing unless absolutely necessary.
9. Decide if your patient can be moved to an appropriate medical unit. If this is not possible to prepare a suitable living area, the shelter, warmth and food are provided.

Shock

Shock is a depression of all body processes and may follow any injury, no matter how minor. Factors such as bleeding, cold and pain will intensify shock. When faced with shock, the patient may feel weak and faint. The skin becomes cold and clammy and the pulse weak and rapid. The shock may be more serious than the damage itself.

Use the following method of prevention and control shock:

1. When treating lesions:
I pause for breath
II. stop bleeding
III. handle breaks and fractures
2. If there is no head or chest injuries place the patient on his / her back with head and chest lower than your feet. This will help circulate blood to the brain, heart, lungs and other major organs.
3. If severe head and chest injuries are present elevate the upper body. If breast lesions are present, raise the injured party to contribute to the smooth functioning of the uninjured lung.
4. If the injured person is unconscious, place him / her in a facedown position to prevent choking on blood, vomit or tongue.
5. Keep your patient warm and shelter.

Stopped breathing

If breathing has stopped, begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Place patient on his / her back and follow these steps:

1. To open up the neck of the patient’s airway and tilt the head back.
2. Keeping high neck, pinch the nostrils to prevent air leakage.
3. Place your mouth completely around the victim’s mouth and blow, watch the chest expansion.
4. After removal of the mouth, listen for air leaving the lungs of the patient and watch for chest to fall. Check if a block airways in the chest does not rise.

Repeat these steps for about 12 to 15 times per minute. When treating a child, cover nose and mouth with your mouth. Using small puffs of air and repeat this method 20 to 25 times per minute.

Bleeding

To control bleeding, the wounded heart lift above and apply pressure using either gauze, cloth clean, dry, algae or moss Sphagnum. Use of pulse pressure point between the wounded and the heart, if it fails to stop bleeding. If bleeding persists, use a tourniquet between the injury and heart. This method should be used only in extreme situations. After the bleeding was controlled, wash the wounded area with disinfectant and apply a dressing and bandages.

Fractures

A fracture is classified as either a simple (closed) or compound (open). Signs that a fracture is present include:

1. Pain in the affected area.
2. The area may or may not be deformed.
3. The victim is unable to give importance to the area without experiencing pain.
4. A grating sensation or sound may be present during any movement of the injured area.

Treatment is as follows:

1. If in doubt, treat the injury as a fracture.
2. Splint joints above and below the fracture.
3. If the fracture may penetrate the skin, it may be necessary to apply traction to correct deformity.
4. Make sure your pad splints.
5. Check the splint frequently to be sure they do not impede movement.
6. To cover any open wound with a clean dressing before cutting.

Strain

Dislocation occurs when a tear in the ligaments near the joint, allowing movement of bone from its socket. It is unwise to treat a deployment unless you are a trained professional as permanent damage may occur. Affected extremity should be supported with the aid of a sling or other controlled pain and aspirin or other appropriate medications.

Sprains

Treat sprains by applying cold to the area for the first 24 hours, then once swelling has decreased, to sprain star for one days. Apply heat the next day to help healing. Sprain should be splinted and rendered immobile, until the pain disappeared completely.

Strikes

Strikes or other head injuries are often accompanied by watery blood leaking from nose or ears. Other symptoms may include convulsions, unresponsiveness of students or a headache and vomiting. Keep the injured warm, distribute regularly a pain killer and allow time for the body to rest and repair.

HEAT EXHAUSTION

Heat exhaustion is not uncommon when water is not enough. The body becomes dehydrated and salt-depleted, leading to nausea, fainting, a weak, rapid pulse and / or cold and clammy skin. Treatment includes plenty of rest, liquids and salt tablets.

Sunstroke

Sunburn can occur when the body is exposed to excessive sun. Body becomes overheated and offers too much blood in the circulatory system resulting in a red hot face, rapid pulse, headache and / or dizziness. Treat sunburn rest in a cool area and apply liquid served cold. Prevent sunburn by wearing headgear itself.

MUSCLE cramps

Muscle cramps occur when muscles accumulate excessive lactid acid or a salt loss through sweating. Treatment includes rest, deep breathing and stretching. Restore the balance of salt immediately.

BURNS

Burns are most often followed by shock. Administer immediate release pain, the gauze covered in Vaseline to the affected area and bandage. The patient should drink more water than usual.

SNOWBLINDNESS

Snowblindness Symptoms include scratchy or burning eyes, excessive tearing, light sensitivity, headaches, halos around light, and temporary loss of vision. Bandages and use the victim’s eyes and a soothing cold compresses to control pain. Vision is usually restored after 18 hours without a doctor. Always wear snow goggles or sunglasses to prevent snow areas snowblindness.

Frostbite

Frostbite occurs when tissue from an area, most often toes, fingers or face is frozen or from direct exposure to the elements or high wind. First degree frostbite turns the cold, white and numb. When heated area becomes red and can be compared with a first degree burn. A blister will form after heating the second degree frostbite. Dark skin, gangrene and loss of skin and tissue is common in the third degree. Fourth degree frostbite produces irreparable damage. The area affected will remain cold and lifeless, and generally a part of the area is lost. With frostbite appropriate clothing can be easily avoided. Superficial frostbite may be treated by cupping their hands and blowing on the affected area from a second heating warm or fingers, placing them in the body. For more severe cases, medical help should be sought.

BLISTER

Blisters are the result of painful and common ill-fitting shoes. The first sign of discomfort, remove boots and socks and place a piece of tape to the affected area. If absolutely necessary, open a blister the first washing area well, then placing a sterilized needle into the side of the blister. Apply disinfectant and a bandage.

Headache

Headaches are often experienced in the mountains due to inadequate protection of the eyes, neck tension, constipation, or “water intoxication”, a swelling of brain tissue that occurs when a hiker excessive sweat over days and consume large amounts of water without taking salt tablets. Aspirin can be used to alleviate pain, but should find a source of headache to prevent further discomfort.

SNAKE BITES

Snake bites are not too common in British Columbia. One species of snake, Rattlesnake is found in a belt of land south interior. If you encounter a snake slowly ease back. A snake bite rarely causes death, victims may be left untreated for up to eight hours.

After an attack takes place:

1. Keep the person calm, reassuring them that bites can be treated effectively in an emergency room. Restrictions of movement, and keep the affected area just below heart level to reduce the flow of venom.
2. Remove any rings or constricting items because the affected area may swell. Create a loose splint to help restrict movement of the area.
3. If the bite area begins to swell and change color, the snake was probably poisonous.
4. Monitor the person have vital signs – temperature, pulse, breathing rate, blood pressure. If signs of shock (such as paleness), lay the victim flat, raise the feet about a foot, and cover the victim with a blanket.
5. Get medical help immediately.

Bee sting

Bee stings are common and harmless unless you are allergic. Remove the Stinger then apply disinfectant and water ball to reduce swelling.

A change of diet, dirty cooking utensils or drinking polluted water can cause diarrhea which in turn will cause a loss of nutrients and valuable fluids. Take additional cleaning and water boil for an additional three to five minutes to avoid diarrhea.

Hypothermia

When body temperature drops to a level that vital organs can no longer function you are experiencing hypothermia, illness or exposure. Hypothermia will develop rapidly and is caused by cold, wet and / or weather wind that chills the body at a rate faster than it can produce heat. A lack of energy producing adequate food and clothing will increase the rate at which hypothermia will affect. Always remember to bring extra clothes. It is important to tour at the speed of your slowest member of the party. Take frequent breaks and keep a close watch for members faced with signs of fatigue. Exposure to disease generally occurs at temperatures less than 10 C (50 F).

The symptoms are easily recognizable:

1. Feeling cold and exercising constantly to keep warm.
2. Uncontrollable shivering and numbness.
3. Violent shivers. Your mind becomes slow and starts to wander.
4. Violent shivering ceases and muscles begin to stiffen and become un-coordinated. Exposed skin becomes blue and thoughts are fog. The victim, usually lacks the ability to achieve how serious the situation is.
5. Pulse and respiration slow down.
6. The victim will not respond and become unconscious.
7. Section of the brain that control heart and lungs cease functioning.

Treatment must be rapid and efficient:

1. Move victim to a sheltered area of elements.
2. Remove and replace wet clothes with dry clothes and if possible, a sleeping bag.
3. Wrap hot rocks and place them close to the patient.
4. Keep unconscious victims.
5. Give victim a warm, non-alcoholic beverages.
6. Allow another person in sleeping bag to share body heat.
7. Exhale hot air near the vicinity of the patient’s mouth and nose.

Hyperthermia

Hyperthermia is a result of the body is overheated because of high air temperature, solar radiation reflected poorly ventilated clothing, low fitness and excess bulk.

Symptoms include:

1. Heat cramps may occur and should be treated by moving the victim to a shady area and supplying water and salt tablets.
2. Heat exhaustion is a mild hyperthermia and include symptoms such as headache, dizziness, fainting, clammy skin, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting. Treatment is the same as heat cramps.
3. Heat stroke is the most serious degree of hyperthermia. The victim will have little or no sweating, hot and a red face, full pulse, and become either apathetic or aggressive. Cool the victim as soon as possible, focusing in addition to the head, neck and chest. If the temperature continues to rise bodies, loss of consciousness, delirium, convulsions and eventually death may occur.

To avoid hyperthermia, avoid intense activities on hot days, wear loose clothing and a hat, drink plenty of fluids and take salt tablets.