Reasonable Rascal
09-26-01, 09:55
A. If you have an unconscious victim, you should not move them unless they are in immediate danger from fire, etc.
B. You should first attempt to arouse an apparently unconscious victim..
C. If you have an accident, or a victim of an accident, you should immediately perform a quick physical examination to determine the extent and seriousness of all injuries. Start at the top and work down. Examine both the front and back. Move the victim as little as possible. Check the pulse, observe the breathing, check for bleeding, breaks, etc.
D. The life saving steps are those steps taken to stabilize a victim until medical rectumistance can be obtained. They include:
(1) Clearing the airway.
(2) Restoring the breathing.
(3) Restoring the heartbeat
(4) Controlling the bleeding.
(5) Protecting the wound.
(6) Treat/prevent shock.
E. Burns are very painful and can cause scarring or death. Expose the burned area without pulling clothing over the burn or removing clothing stuck to the burn. Apply a loose, dry sterile dressing over the burn. Do not apply ointment or grease. Do not break blisters. Treat for shock. Prevent infection. Give small amounts of water if not nauseated and no neck or abdominal wound is evident. Give aspirin to relieve the pain. For serious burns, treat for shock and evacuate if possible.
F. Sprains and strains are common occurrences in the outdoors. Initially, treat sprains and strains with cold to prevent swelling. Wrap affected area tightly but do not cut off circulation. Give aspirin to relieve the pain and reduce the swelling. Treat with heat to ease pain and promote healing.
G. The rule for breaks is to "splint them where they lie." Immobilize the fracture without changing the position of the fracture and before moving the victim. Immobilize the joint above and below the break. Pad the splints and use nonslip knots. Treat the wounds caused by compound (open) fractures as you would any open wound. Remove watches, rings, or any binding object from the extremity to be splinted to prevent trauma caused by swelling. Give aspirin to relieve the pain and reduce the swelling. Treat for shock and evacuate if possible.
H. Snake bites are very serious and require immediate attention to prevent possible death. Remain calm. Immobilize the affected part below the level of the heart. Place a constricting band two to four inches above the wound, between the wound and the heart. Remove any articles (watch, ring, etc.) that may bind during swelling. Move the constricting band ahead of the swelling. Cool the area to slow the venom and swelling if possible. Do not give stimulants (coffee, tea, alcohol, tobacco, etc.) and do not cut the wound or suck the venom. Give aspirin to relieve the pain and reduce the swelling. Treat for shock and evacuate if possible.
I. Insect and animal bites should be cleaned to prevent infection, cooled to prevent swelling, and covered. If swelling is present, remove binding articles. Give aspirin to relieve the pain and reduce the swelling. Evacuate if possible.
J. Heat injuries include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
(1) For heat cramps and exhaustion, move victim to shade, loosen clothing, force victim to drink three to five quarts of water (salted if possible-one quarter teaspoon per quart) slowly over an 8-12 hour period.
(2) For heat stroke, immerse the casualty in the coolest water available. If limited amounts of water are available, strip the casualty, pour water on him, and fan him continuously. If the casualty is conscious, give him cool water. Evacuate immediately.
K. Cold Injuries include chilblain, hypothermia, immersion syndrome, frostbite, snow blindness, and dehydration.
L. (1) The treatment for hypothermia is the slow, even rewarming of the body. In a survival situation, strip and dry the casualty and place in a sleeping bag or bundle in blankets. Another naked person may be placed in the bag to add body heat. Warm liquids may be given slowly but should not be forced to an unconscious person.
(2) Frostbite should be treated immediately by increasing circulation (do not massage, rub with snow, manipulate, heat with open heat source, apply ointment, etc.) and increasing insulation. Do not expose a frostbitten location to the cold once it has thawed.
(3) Dehydration should be treated by warming the casualty and loosening the clothes. Minerals and fluids should be replaced slowly and as soon as possible (see heat injuries).
L. Prevention is the key to avoiding problems in a survival situation. If you don't become injured or sick, you won't need to use these techniques. The key to remaining healthy in a survival situation depends on four factors: adequate food and water, good personal hygiene, sufficient rest, and shots and immunizations being up to date. Prevention of infection is considered the primary goal of staying healthy in a survival environment.
M. Survival medicine should be considered as a last resort when no other medical option exists for the treatment of disease, wounds, or injuries. The most common areas of survival medicine deal with the treatment or symptomatic treatment of wounds, skin infection, diarrhea, intestinal parasites, and burns.
(1) The treatment of open wounds in a survival environment is critical due to the loss of blood and tissue as well as the possibility of infection. Open wound therapy is the treatment of choice in a survival situation. Clean the wound as soon as possible after it occurs. Remove clothing from the area of the wound, clean the skin around the wound, and rinse (DO NOT SCRUB) the wound with large quantities of the cleanest water available (sterile or boiled water, sea water or a saline solution made of one teaspoon salt or 12 salt tablets per liter of sterile water; fresh male urine ["straight from the spigot"] will suffice if water is in short supply and donor has no diseases). Leave the wound open to allow pus and infectious material to drain. Cover the wound with a clean dressing and bandage. Change the dressing daily and check the wound for infection. Pain, swelling, redness, increased temperature, and pus are indications of infection. If infection is present, place a warm, moist compress directly on the wound. Change the compress as it cools and maintain the compresses for 30 minutes, three to four times daily. Open the wound and drain the infected material. Use a sterile instrument (knife, piece of glass, etc.) to rectumist in the removal of all pus and crusted matter. Redress the wound, drink lots of fluid, and continue the treatment until all signs of infection are gone. If the wound is severely infected and cannot be controlled, consider the "Maggot Therapy" for treatment. This should only be considered if antibiotics are unavailable and the infection is not responding to other treatment. Expose the open wound to flies for one day, cover the wound, and check for maggots daily. Once maggots appear, keep the wound covered but check it daily. Remove all maggots and rinse the wound with large quantities of sterile water once they reach healthy tissue (increased blood, pain, and redness will result). Check the wound every four hours for several days to insure the maggots are gone. Repeat steps as necessary should the infection return or maggots reappear. Dress the wound and treat as any other open wound once the treatment is over.
(2) Skin infections such as boils, funguses, and rashes seldom become major problems but are annoying. Apply warm compresses to a boil and bring it to a head. Open the boil with a sterile object and clean out the pus and matter. Clean with soap and water and treat as a minor wound, check for infection periodically. For fungal infections and rashes, keep the area as dry and clean as possible. Expose fungus infections to as much sunlight as possible. A cold compress will relieve the itching of some rashes.
(3) Intestinal parasites are always a possibility in a survival environment. Proper hygiene and food preparation minimize the possibility of infestation. Treatments are acts that change the environment of the intestinal tract and allow the parasites to be passed. Mix four tablespoons of salt with a quart of water and drink it. Do not repeat this treatment. Eat one to one and one-half cigarettes. You may repeat this treatment in 48 hours. Drink two tablespoons of kerosene. This treatment may be repeated in 48 hours. A steady diet containing hot peppers is also effective.
(4) Diarrhea is a very serious, sometimes fatal, debilitating symptom of several diseases. It generally kills through dehydration. It should be treated promptly so as to minimize the effects. Limit your food and fluid intake for 24 hours and drink one cup of strong tea every two hours until the diarrhea slows or stops (tea contains tannic acid which is effective against diarrhea). If tea is unavailable, boiling acorns or the inner bark of hardwood trees will produce a solution that contains tannic acid. One handful of ground chalk, charcoal, or bone, mixed in a cupful of water is also effective. Add an equal portion of apple pomace (the pulpy material that remains after the juice has been squeezed out), or chopped citrus fruit rinds to the solution. Take two tablespoons of this primitive "kaopectate" every two hours until the diarrhea slows or stops. Drink lots of purified water and limit foods to bland, starchy dishes or clear broths once the diarrhea is under control.
(5) Burns in a survival situation are critical because of the pain, dehydration, and probability of infection that accompanies the destruction of tissue. Never apply grease, fats, or ointments. Remove all clothing and jewelry from the burned area that may cut off circulation during swelling. Always cut clothing away--do not pull over injured area. Cool water, applied immediately, will minimize tissue damage. Apply dressing or clean rags that have been soaked for ten minutes in a boiling tannic acid (tea, acorns, or inner bark of hardwood tree) solution and allowed to cool. Cover the burn with loose clean dressings and give aspirin to relieve the pain. Administer approximately 1 quart of water per 8 hour period to prevent dehydration. If
available, add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) per quart of water. Use salt alone if no sodium bicarbinate is available.
(6) There are many primitive or herbal medicines in use worldwide. Wild garlic and onion have low grade antibiotic qualities when eaten. "Jewel-weed" will sooth the itch of poison ivy, etc. The inner bark of the willow tree contains a salicylic acid (aspirin) like compound for the reduction of fever, swelling, and pain. Pine needle tea is an excellent source of Vitamin A. The local inhabitants of an area are excellent sources of this type of knowledge. You should only use these herbal remedies when no other medical supplies are available.
From a public-domain military site. RR
_________________
Knowledge shared is learning gained by both teacher and student.
B. You should first attempt to arouse an apparently unconscious victim..
C. If you have an accident, or a victim of an accident, you should immediately perform a quick physical examination to determine the extent and seriousness of all injuries. Start at the top and work down. Examine both the front and back. Move the victim as little as possible. Check the pulse, observe the breathing, check for bleeding, breaks, etc.
D. The life saving steps are those steps taken to stabilize a victim until medical rectumistance can be obtained. They include:
(1) Clearing the airway.
(2) Restoring the breathing.
(3) Restoring the heartbeat
(4) Controlling the bleeding.
(5) Protecting the wound.
(6) Treat/prevent shock.
E. Burns are very painful and can cause scarring or death. Expose the burned area without pulling clothing over the burn or removing clothing stuck to the burn. Apply a loose, dry sterile dressing over the burn. Do not apply ointment or grease. Do not break blisters. Treat for shock. Prevent infection. Give small amounts of water if not nauseated and no neck or abdominal wound is evident. Give aspirin to relieve the pain. For serious burns, treat for shock and evacuate if possible.
F. Sprains and strains are common occurrences in the outdoors. Initially, treat sprains and strains with cold to prevent swelling. Wrap affected area tightly but do not cut off circulation. Give aspirin to relieve the pain and reduce the swelling. Treat with heat to ease pain and promote healing.
G. The rule for breaks is to "splint them where they lie." Immobilize the fracture without changing the position of the fracture and before moving the victim. Immobilize the joint above and below the break. Pad the splints and use nonslip knots. Treat the wounds caused by compound (open) fractures as you would any open wound. Remove watches, rings, or any binding object from the extremity to be splinted to prevent trauma caused by swelling. Give aspirin to relieve the pain and reduce the swelling. Treat for shock and evacuate if possible.
H. Snake bites are very serious and require immediate attention to prevent possible death. Remain calm. Immobilize the affected part below the level of the heart. Place a constricting band two to four inches above the wound, between the wound and the heart. Remove any articles (watch, ring, etc.) that may bind during swelling. Move the constricting band ahead of the swelling. Cool the area to slow the venom and swelling if possible. Do not give stimulants (coffee, tea, alcohol, tobacco, etc.) and do not cut the wound or suck the venom. Give aspirin to relieve the pain and reduce the swelling. Treat for shock and evacuate if possible.
I. Insect and animal bites should be cleaned to prevent infection, cooled to prevent swelling, and covered. If swelling is present, remove binding articles. Give aspirin to relieve the pain and reduce the swelling. Evacuate if possible.
J. Heat injuries include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
(1) For heat cramps and exhaustion, move victim to shade, loosen clothing, force victim to drink three to five quarts of water (salted if possible-one quarter teaspoon per quart) slowly over an 8-12 hour period.
(2) For heat stroke, immerse the casualty in the coolest water available. If limited amounts of water are available, strip the casualty, pour water on him, and fan him continuously. If the casualty is conscious, give him cool water. Evacuate immediately.
K. Cold Injuries include chilblain, hypothermia, immersion syndrome, frostbite, snow blindness, and dehydration.
L. (1) The treatment for hypothermia is the slow, even rewarming of the body. In a survival situation, strip and dry the casualty and place in a sleeping bag or bundle in blankets. Another naked person may be placed in the bag to add body heat. Warm liquids may be given slowly but should not be forced to an unconscious person.
(2) Frostbite should be treated immediately by increasing circulation (do not massage, rub with snow, manipulate, heat with open heat source, apply ointment, etc.) and increasing insulation. Do not expose a frostbitten location to the cold once it has thawed.
(3) Dehydration should be treated by warming the casualty and loosening the clothes. Minerals and fluids should be replaced slowly and as soon as possible (see heat injuries).
L. Prevention is the key to avoiding problems in a survival situation. If you don't become injured or sick, you won't need to use these techniques. The key to remaining healthy in a survival situation depends on four factors: adequate food and water, good personal hygiene, sufficient rest, and shots and immunizations being up to date. Prevention of infection is considered the primary goal of staying healthy in a survival environment.
M. Survival medicine should be considered as a last resort when no other medical option exists for the treatment of disease, wounds, or injuries. The most common areas of survival medicine deal with the treatment or symptomatic treatment of wounds, skin infection, diarrhea, intestinal parasites, and burns.
(1) The treatment of open wounds in a survival environment is critical due to the loss of blood and tissue as well as the possibility of infection. Open wound therapy is the treatment of choice in a survival situation. Clean the wound as soon as possible after it occurs. Remove clothing from the area of the wound, clean the skin around the wound, and rinse (DO NOT SCRUB) the wound with large quantities of the cleanest water available (sterile or boiled water, sea water or a saline solution made of one teaspoon salt or 12 salt tablets per liter of sterile water; fresh male urine ["straight from the spigot"] will suffice if water is in short supply and donor has no diseases). Leave the wound open to allow pus and infectious material to drain. Cover the wound with a clean dressing and bandage. Change the dressing daily and check the wound for infection. Pain, swelling, redness, increased temperature, and pus are indications of infection. If infection is present, place a warm, moist compress directly on the wound. Change the compress as it cools and maintain the compresses for 30 minutes, three to four times daily. Open the wound and drain the infected material. Use a sterile instrument (knife, piece of glass, etc.) to rectumist in the removal of all pus and crusted matter. Redress the wound, drink lots of fluid, and continue the treatment until all signs of infection are gone. If the wound is severely infected and cannot be controlled, consider the "Maggot Therapy" for treatment. This should only be considered if antibiotics are unavailable and the infection is not responding to other treatment. Expose the open wound to flies for one day, cover the wound, and check for maggots daily. Once maggots appear, keep the wound covered but check it daily. Remove all maggots and rinse the wound with large quantities of sterile water once they reach healthy tissue (increased blood, pain, and redness will result). Check the wound every four hours for several days to insure the maggots are gone. Repeat steps as necessary should the infection return or maggots reappear. Dress the wound and treat as any other open wound once the treatment is over.
(2) Skin infections such as boils, funguses, and rashes seldom become major problems but are annoying. Apply warm compresses to a boil and bring it to a head. Open the boil with a sterile object and clean out the pus and matter. Clean with soap and water and treat as a minor wound, check for infection periodically. For fungal infections and rashes, keep the area as dry and clean as possible. Expose fungus infections to as much sunlight as possible. A cold compress will relieve the itching of some rashes.
(3) Intestinal parasites are always a possibility in a survival environment. Proper hygiene and food preparation minimize the possibility of infestation. Treatments are acts that change the environment of the intestinal tract and allow the parasites to be passed. Mix four tablespoons of salt with a quart of water and drink it. Do not repeat this treatment. Eat one to one and one-half cigarettes. You may repeat this treatment in 48 hours. Drink two tablespoons of kerosene. This treatment may be repeated in 48 hours. A steady diet containing hot peppers is also effective.
(4) Diarrhea is a very serious, sometimes fatal, debilitating symptom of several diseases. It generally kills through dehydration. It should be treated promptly so as to minimize the effects. Limit your food and fluid intake for 24 hours and drink one cup of strong tea every two hours until the diarrhea slows or stops (tea contains tannic acid which is effective against diarrhea). If tea is unavailable, boiling acorns or the inner bark of hardwood trees will produce a solution that contains tannic acid. One handful of ground chalk, charcoal, or bone, mixed in a cupful of water is also effective. Add an equal portion of apple pomace (the pulpy material that remains after the juice has been squeezed out), or chopped citrus fruit rinds to the solution. Take two tablespoons of this primitive "kaopectate" every two hours until the diarrhea slows or stops. Drink lots of purified water and limit foods to bland, starchy dishes or clear broths once the diarrhea is under control.
(5) Burns in a survival situation are critical because of the pain, dehydration, and probability of infection that accompanies the destruction of tissue. Never apply grease, fats, or ointments. Remove all clothing and jewelry from the burned area that may cut off circulation during swelling. Always cut clothing away--do not pull over injured area. Cool water, applied immediately, will minimize tissue damage. Apply dressing or clean rags that have been soaked for ten minutes in a boiling tannic acid (tea, acorns, or inner bark of hardwood tree) solution and allowed to cool. Cover the burn with loose clean dressings and give aspirin to relieve the pain. Administer approximately 1 quart of water per 8 hour period to prevent dehydration. If
available, add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) per quart of water. Use salt alone if no sodium bicarbinate is available.
(6) There are many primitive or herbal medicines in use worldwide. Wild garlic and onion have low grade antibiotic qualities when eaten. "Jewel-weed" will sooth the itch of poison ivy, etc. The inner bark of the willow tree contains a salicylic acid (aspirin) like compound for the reduction of fever, swelling, and pain. Pine needle tea is an excellent source of Vitamin A. The local inhabitants of an area are excellent sources of this type of knowledge. You should only use these herbal remedies when no other medical supplies are available.
From a public-domain military site. RR
_________________
Knowledge shared is learning gained by both teacher and student.