Heat Exhaustion
What causes it?
Heat exhaustion occurs after prolonged physical
exertion in hot and/or humid weather.
What are the symptoms?
- pale, cool clammy skin
- rapid breathing
- profuse and prolonged sweating
- thirst, nausea and/or vomiting
- constant headache
- exhaustion and lethargy
How is it treated?
- ensure complete rest, in shade
- remove any unnecessary clothing
- sponge person with water
- give cool water when nausea has passed
Heat Stroke
What is it?
Heat stroke is when the body's temperature
regulation centre in the brain ceases to function
causing the body's temperature to continually rise.
Eventually brain damage and even death can result.
What are the symptoms?
- flushed, hot, dry skin
- cessation of sweating
- rapid, weakening pulse
- irrational or aggressive behaviour
- staggering, unable to walk normally
- headache
- vomiting
- collapse and seizure
- coma leading to death
How is it treated?
- call an ambulance
- ensure complete rest, in shade
- remove clothing
- cool the person using ice packs to neck,
groin and armpits
- cover them with a wet sheet and fan to
increase cooling
- give fluids if they're conscious
Fractures
What is a simple fracture?
A simple fracture doesn't pierce the skin
although if not looked after, it can become a
compound fracture.
- Tell tale signs
- swelling around the affected area
- possible discoloration of the skin
- tenderness and pain in the area
- loss of mobility in the limb
- the patient feeling or hearing a bone snap
How is a simple fracture treated?
Basic care and treatment relies on immobilisation
and splinting of the injury.
Finger - strap broken finger to adjacent finger
Lower arm - splint entire forearm and immobilise
in a sling
Upper arm - place arm in a sling and bandage
upper arm to chest
Leg -splint leg or strap legs together if patient
can be carried
Use your imagination if you need a splint. A
straight piece of wood, a rolled up newspaper or
magazine, even a rolled up blanket will do! The main
aim is to keep the limb as immobile and comfortable
as possible. Make sure the splint extends beyond
both sides of the fracture and carefully elevate the
limb to slow bloodflow to the wound.
What is a compound fracture?
A compound fracture pierces the skin which can
result in serious bleeding. Do not apply pressure to
a compound fracture to stop the bleeding.
How is a compound fracture treated?
- cover the injured part with a sterile pad
- apply a splint to keep the bone from causing
further injury to the surrounding tissues
- get medical help
- avoid moving the person but keep them warm,
comfortable and reassured.
Sprains
What is a sprain?
A sprain is a tear of the ligaments attached to a
joint. It can also include blood vessel, nerve and
tendon damage. As ankles are the most common
sprains, avoid removing boots until the sprain can
be treated.
What are the symptoms?
- sudden pain
- loss of weight-bearing ability
- bruising
- swelling
- tenderness in the area
How are sprains treated?
- rest the injury
- apply ice or a cold compress for 10 minutes
- support with a firm elastic bandage
- elevate the limb
Bleeding
What do I do first?
- wipe away blood to inspect the wound.
- apply direct pressure with a bandage or wad
of clothing. If the blood soaks through, apply
another bandage ON TOP of the first one.
- lie the patient down
- elevate the area above the heart, to reduce
blood flow.
Pressure points
If the wound is still bleeding excessively use
pressure points - press the artery closest to the
wound between your fingers and the bone behind the
artery. This may require the heel of your hand.
Tourniquet - yes or no? Only use a tourniquet when
everything else has failed and the patient's life is
at stake as it can result in the patient loosing the
limb altogether.
Burns
How are burns treated?
The faster a burn is treated the less severe it
may be.
- apply cold water immediately, preferably
fully emerging the burned area for at least 15
minutes.
- remove any burnt clothing unless it is stuck
to the skin
- leave blisters intact
- cover with a clean non-adherent burn
dressing
When should I get help?
Seek medical help when
- it's a child or elderly person,
- it covers more than one body part
- it's on a sensitive area such as hand, face
or foot
- it's third degree (the burn is through the
third layer of skin, giving a whitish or charred
appearance)
- it's caused by chemicals
- the person is in shock
What should I put on a burn?
- clean non-adherent burn dressing
- antiseptic fluid, for minor burns only
DO NOT put butter or greasy ointments on a burn.
They seal heat into the wound and can cause
infection.
Snake and spider bites
What symptoms should I look for?
- puncture marks
- pale, cool skin, sweating
- rapid, weak pulse
- rapid shallow breathing or breathing
difficulties
- difficulty swallowing and speaking
- nausea, vomiting, headache
- drowsiness progressing to coma
What should I do?
- act quickly
- apply a pressure bandage over the bite
and wind it up the limb towards the body
- immobilize the limb.
- DO NOT wash the bite - the venom
identifies the snake/spider and therefore the
appropriate treatment.
- DO NOT apply a tourniquet
- DO NOT remove the bandage and splint
- DO NOT try to capture the snake or
spider
Insect bites
What should I do if there is an allergic
reaction?
The greatest risk from insect bites is an
allergic reaction. Use antihistamine lotion (or
tablets) to treat mild reactions. If you know you
require medication for allergic reactions, make sure
you carry it with you at all times.
What helps with the itching?
Tea-tree oil and antihistamines help control
itching.
How should I remove a bee sting?
A bee sting will usually cause pain, swelling and
itching. However, a severe allergic reaction in some
people can result in respiratory failure and cardiac
arrest. In these cases apply pressure immobilisation
and get medical help immediately.
Otherwise:
- remove the sting by scraping it with a knife
edge or fingernail.
- apply a cold compress
- use antihistamine lotion or tablets, if
available
DO NOT squeeze the area around the sting as this
only injects more venom into the person
Ticks
Where do they hide?
Unfortunately ticks are very difficult to see so
each night conduct a thorough self-examination,
especially around your groin and armpits. Children
are most at risk, and should be double-checked in
susceptible areas as well as behind the ears and the
back of the neck.
What are the symptoms of tick bite?
These generally develop over several days but
allergic reactions can occur rapidly.
General symptoms include
- local irritation
- lethargy
- muscle weakness
- unsteady movement
- double vision
- breathing or swallowing difficulties
Allergic reactions may include rapid local
swelling, wheezing and breathing difficulties and
collapse.
How are they removed?
- spray with tick repellant or swab with
kerosene, if available
- remove with tweezers by grabbing the tick as
close as possible to where it is joined to the
skin and pull gently upwards, ensuring you do
not leave the head
- wash the area thoroughly and apply
antiseptic cream
- check the whole body for further ticks
Leeches
Where are they found?
Leeches are generally found in dank wet areas
such as rainforests, creeks or among fallen trees.
They can be attached to the underside of rocks,
vegetation and logs or around ponds and puddles.
They are attracted by body warmth and movement,
finding their way into socks and jeans, where they
latch onto skin and begin sucking.
How can I get rid of them?
- sprinkle the leech with salt. They curl up
and drop off
- wash the area to remove the anticoagulant
- apply a dressing until the bleeding stops
Don't ever pull a leech off your skin as the
anticoagulant remains where they were attached and
you continue to bleed!
How can I try to avoid them?
In leech infested areas always wear
- thick socks
- long trousers
- strong shoes
- rub tea-tree oil/insect repellent onto your
skin
The essential first aid kit
What should it contain?
- bandaids in a variety of sizes
- sterile wound dressings
- bandages (crepe and elastic)
- antiseptic fluid (Dettol or Betadine)
- eyebath and eye drops
- cotton tips / wool
- adhesive surgical tape
- thermometer
- scissors
- safety pins
- tweezers
- 30+ SPF sunscreen
- insect repellent
- insect bite lotion (Stingose or calamine
lotion)
- pain relief tablets
- antihistamine tablets
- tea-tree oil
Remember to update or replace items before each
trip and check the expiration dates on medications.
What's available pre-packaged?
Excellent pre-packaged
first aid kits are
available from Camping-Tents-Outlet.com.
Prices and types vary but expect to pay around
$45 for a Hikers Kit and $90 for a Family Kit.
