Wilderness First Aid: A Pocket Guide

Introduction

Assessing and Stabilizing the Trauma Victim

Primary and Secondary Surveys of a Person with Multiple Injuries

The Primary Survey: the ABCDEs; The Secondary Survey

Shock

Is the Victim in Shock?; Treatment

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Choking

Using the Heimlich Maneuver

Chest Pain

Symptoms; Treatment

Soft Tissue Injuries

Open Wounds

Controlling the Bleeding; Cleaning the Wound; Closing the Wound; Skin Avulsions and Flaps; Abrasions

Puncture Wounds

Treatment

Burns

Types; Treatment

Crush Injuries

Contusions; Subungual Hematomas

Musculoskeletal Problems: Bones, Joints, and Muscles

Sprains

Wrists, Hands, Fingers, and Toes

Strains

Fractures

Checking the CMS; Reducing and Stabilizing the Fracture; Splints; Types; Amputations

Dislocations

Types

Head and Neck Injuries

Approaching the Head- or Neck-Injured Patient

Assess the ABCDEs and Mental Status; Cervical, Thoracic, and Lumbar Spine Fractures and Low Back Strain

Head Injuries

Concussion; Intracranial Bleeding; Repairing a Scalp Wound

Evacuation

Making a Decision

Chest and Abdominal Injuries

Chest Injuries

Evaluating the Injury; Types

Abdominal Injuries

Blunt Abdominal Injuries; Penetrating Abdominal Injuries

Eye, Ear, and Nose Problems

Eye Injuries

Corneal Foreign Bodies and Abrasions; Blunt and Penetrating Eye Injuries; Snow Blindness and Frozen Cornea

Ear and Nose Disorders

Swimmer's Ear; Ruptured Eardrum; Insects in the Ear; Nosebleed

Hypothermia and Frostbite

The Cold Facts

How Heat Is Lost from the Body; How the Body Responds to Heat Loss; Predisposing Causes

Hypothermia

Recognizing Hypothermia; Treatment; Prevention: Dress for Success

Immersion Hypothermia

The Cold, Hard Facts; How Long Will You Last in Cold Water?; Getting Out of the Drink

Frostbite

Predisposing Factors; Signs and Symptoms; Treatment; Prevention

Sunburn and Heat Illness

Sunburn

Heat Illness

Handling the Heat; Types; Prevention

Lightning Injuries

Lightning's Physical Effects

Flashover Effect; Signs and Symptoms of Lightning Strike

Treatment of Lightning Injuries

Recognizing Lightning Injury; First Response; Group Therapy

Lightning Injury Prevention

What You Should Do in a Lightning Storm; Lightning Myths and Superstitions

Drowning and Near-Drowning

What It's All About

Definitions; How It Happens

Basic Lifesaving

Throw Him a Rope; Rescue Carries

Treatment

CPR; Postimmersion Syndrome

Spider, Scorpion, Insect, and Snake Bites and Stings

Spider Facts

Black Widow Spiders; Brown Spiders; Tarantulas

Scorpions

Signs and Symptoms of Scorpion Sting; Treatment and Prevention

Blood-Sucking Flying Insects

Mosquitoes; Blackflies

How to Protect Yourself Against Flying Insects

The Numbers Game; Avoidance; Physical Barriers; Chemical Deterrence

Stinging Insects

Sting Operation; Treatment and Prevention

Snakes

Identifying Snakes; Snake Physiology 101; The Cast of Characters; Modus Operandi; Signs and Symptoms of Snakebite; Treatment of Snakebite; Prevention of Snakebite

Plant Dermatitis

Primary Irritant Plants

Thorns, Bristles, Hairs, and Chemicals; Treatment

Poison Ivy Dermatitis

Geographical Distribution; Susceptibility; Signs and Symptoms; Treatment; Prevention

Infectious Diarrhea and Field Water Disinfection

Infectious Diarrhea

Giardiasis, a.k.a. "Backpacker's Diarrhea"; Treatment; Prevention

Water Disinfection

Physical Methods; Chemical Methods

High-Altitude Illness

What It's All About

Acute Mountain Sickness

Too High, Too Fast; Symptoms; Treatment; Prevention; High-Altitude Cerebral Edema; High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema

Foot Care in the Wild

Blisters

Causes; Treatment; Prevention

Other Foot Problems

Corns and Calluses; Ingrown Toenails; Athlete's Foot

Wilderness Evacuation

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Evacuation Guidelines

Rescue Carries

One-Rescuer Carries; Two-Rescuer Carries

Litters

Pole Litter; Sleeping Bag Litter; Pole-and-Rope Litter

The Wilderness Medical Kit

What to Take

Wound Care Materials; Medicines; Miscellaneous

Index

Symptom Charts

Soft Tissue Injuries

Musculoskeletal Problems

Head and Neck Injuries

Chest and Abdominal Injuries

Eye, Ear, and Nose Problems

Hypothermia and Frostbite

Sunburn and Heat Illness

Lightning Injuries

Drowning and Near-Drowning

Spider, Scorpion, Insect, and Snake Bites and Stings

Plant Dermatitis

Infectious Diarrhea

High-Altitude Illness

Foot Problems