OUTDOOR PURSUITSOUTDOOR PURSUITS

Outdoor First AidOutdoor First Aid

By By

Aaron GagnonAaron GagnonScott McMullinScott McMullin

What is first aid?What is first aid?• First aid is emergency help given to an injured or suddenly ill person using First aid is emergency help given to an injured or suddenly ill person using

readily available materials.readily available materials.

Objectives:Objectives:

1) To preserve life.1) To preserve life.

2) To prevent the illness or injury from becoming worse.2) To prevent the illness or injury from becoming worse.

3) To promote recovery.3) To promote recovery.

*Stay Calm* *Stay Calm* (shock)(shock)

When giving first aid to yourself. When giving first aid to yourself. If you panic or worry you may go in to shock.If you panic or worry you may go in to shock.

Signs of shock Signs of shock

Breathing is shallow and irregular. Breathing is shallow and irregular. Skin is pale and cold.Skin is pale and cold. Nausea. Nausea.

TreatmentTreatment Make yourself / the person as comfortable as possible. Make yourself / the person as comfortable as possible. Keep yourself warm with blankets or sleeping bags. Keep yourself warm with blankets or sleeping bags. Get help as soon as possible. Get help as soon as possible.

Breaks/FracturesBreaks/FracturesR.I.C.E R.I.C.E

• If you ever break or fracture a bone, apply the If you ever break or fracture a bone, apply the R.I.C.ER.I.C.E method method while waiting for medical help.while waiting for medical help.

RRest.est. IImmobilize.mmobilize. CCold.old. EElevation.levation.

Breaks/FracturesBreaks/FracturesR.I.C.E R.I.C.E (cont.)(cont.)

• RRestest:: Stop the activity that caused the injury and stay off Stop the activity that caused the injury and stay off it it until a doctor tells you it’s okay.until a doctor tells you it’s okay.

• IImmobilizemmobilize: : prevent movement of the injured limb.prevent movement of the injured limb.

• CColdold: : To apply cold to the injury as soon as possible.To apply cold to the injury as soon as possible.

• EElevatelevate: R: Raise the injured part if possible; to prevent aise the injured part if possible; to prevent swelling. swelling.

Burns Burns

Burns are injuries to the skin and other tissues caused by heat, Burns are injuries to the skin and other tissues caused by heat, radiation or chemicals.radiation or chemicals.

There are four different types of burns you may encounter in youThere are four different types of burns you may encounter in you

lifetime:lifetime:

• Heat Burn ( thermal burn).Heat Burn ( thermal burn).• Chemical burns.Chemical burns.• Electrical burns.Electrical burns.• Radiation burn.Radiation burn.

First Aid for heat burn First Aid for heat burn (cont.)(cont.)

1) Cool the burn until pain has lessened. This will reduce pain, 1) Cool the burn until pain has lessened. This will reduce pain, swelling and blistering.swelling and blistering.

2) Loosen or remove anything on the burned area that is tight ( e.g. 2) Loosen or remove anything on the burned area that is tight ( e.g. jewelry).jewelry).

3) when the pain has lessened, loosely cover the burn with a piece 3) when the pain has lessened, loosely cover the burn with a piece of cloth soaked with cool water.of cloth soaked with cool water.

***do not breathe on, cough, use any lotion on burned area.***do not breathe on, cough, use any lotion on burned area. do not break any blisters- doing so may promote infection.do not break any blisters- doing so may promote infection.

Frostbite Frostbite

A condition in which refers to the freezing of tissues A condition in which refers to the freezing of tissues when exposed to temperatures below zero. when exposed to temperatures below zero.

• Signs of frostbite:Signs of frostbite:

- - painful pinprick sensation.painful pinprick sensation.

- white patches on the exposed skin in - white patches on the exposed skin in - skin is firm to touch.- skin is firm to touch.

- loss of feeling in the area of the frostbite. - loss of feeling in the area of the frostbite. - In serve cases, the skin will die and turn - In serve cases, the skin will die and turn

black. black.

First Aid for frostbiteFirst Aid for frostbite

• Gradually re-warm the frostbitten part with body heat.Gradually re-warm the frostbitten part with body heat.

• Take measures to prevent these areas from freezing again: Take measures to prevent these areas from freezing again: either stop activity or dress warmer.either stop activity or dress warmer.

• If it’s a severe frostbite (deep frost bite). If it’s a severe frostbite (deep frost bite).

- slowly, gently pat your frostbitten part with - slowly, gently pat your frostbitten part with warm warm water until color returns. water until color returns.

**do not rub the area of frostbite.**do not rub the area of frostbite.

HypothermiaHypothermia

Hypothermia is caused by a drop in body core Hypothermia is caused by a drop in body core temperature, usually through exposure to cold temperature, usually through exposure to cold water or weather . Many Canadians die from water or weather . Many Canadians die from this every year.this every year.

There are three stages of hypothermia: There are three stages of hypothermia: mildmild, , moderatemoderate and and severe.severe.

Hyperthermia Hyperthermia (cont.)(cont.)

• Feeling cold and constantly exercising to keep warmFeeling cold and constantly exercising to keep warm

• Uncontrollable shivering and numbness.Uncontrollable shivering and numbness.

• Violent shivers. Your mind becomes slow. Violent shivers. Your mind becomes slow.

• Violent shivering ceases and muscles begin to stiffen.Violent shivering ceases and muscles begin to stiffen.

• Exposed skin becomes blue and thoughts are foggy.Exposed skin becomes blue and thoughts are foggy.

• Victim usually lacks the capability of realizing how serious the Victim usually lacks the capability of realizing how serious the situation is.situation is.

• Pulse and respiration slows down.Pulse and respiration slows down.

• Victim will not respond and becomes unconscious.Victim will not respond and becomes unconscious.

First Aid for HypothermiaFirst Aid for Hypothermia

Take measures to prevent further heat loss.Take measures to prevent further heat loss.

- cover exposed skin.- cover exposed skin.- if possible, move out of the cool or cold - if possible, move out of the cool or cold

environment. environment.- Change from wet clothing into dry - Change from wet clothing into dry

clothes clothes if possible. if possible.- If severe, get medical help.- If severe, get medical help.

(FYI) **For your information

More on First Aid

Absorbed poisons

Most poisons absorbed by the skin cause irritation at the place of contact, but don’t affect the rest of the body. The irritation is called contact dermatitis.

• E.g. Poison Ivy, a common plant found in the woods.

• Signs include redness, itching and blisters.

First Aid

• Flush the affected area with large amount of cool water

• Remove any clothing that has been in contact with the poison

• Wash the affected skin area thoroughly with soap and water.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion usually happens when the casualty has lost fluid through excessive sweating.

• Signs of heat exhaustion:

- excessive sweating - dizziness, blurred vision, cramp

- signs of shock, weakness, rapid shallow breathing

- unconsciousness, dilated pupils

First Aid for heat exhaustion

• Give them lots of water, liquids to drink.

• Place them at rest in a cool place away from sunlight and heat

• Remove excessive clothing and loosen tight clothing.

• Allow skin moisture/ sweat to breathe, cool off