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 k9uknit
 
 |  | Re: Emergency First Aid thread that You can do
<Reply # 20 on 1/25/2010 10:43 PM >
|  | | | I just finished my first aid course today and one thing I want to add to the broken leg or arm, check the pulse in the wrist or foot. If the limb is bent as well as broken and if the pulse is extremely weak or not there it could have pinched an artery and you'll have to realign to an anatomically correct position to restore bloodflow. Otherwise the limb past the break won't get oxygenated enough and die and partial amputation may have to occur. This won't happen at worst case scenario in the first half hour so if you're in the city just get to a hospital, but if you're hours from the nearest medical facility you may need to consider this.
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Bleux
 
| | Re: Emergency First Aid thread that You can do
<Reply # 21 on 11/21/2010 3:18 AM >
| | | | Sorry that I am responding to this 10 mths after the fact, but I am new to the site.
First, let me say that I am excited to see that there are so many people out there with this kind of adventurous streak. It is wonderful to see that I am not the only person that likes to explore the abandon places of the world. Secondly, let me put it out there that I am an Iraq war veteran. I was a licensed EMT and Combat Medic with the Big Red One (1st Infantry Division) before getting blown up enough times to get a ticket home. That being said I have some experience in tending to traumatic to minor injuries in less than ideal conditions. The information provided in the lead post is a good base, but I would suggest going to an Army-Navy surplus and purchasing a Medic Field manual or Combat Life Saver manual. Learn it, live it, love it! Rule #1: learn to recognize if the wound needs and can wait until paramedics can arrive; if the answer is yes then don't touch it. Call the paramedics either way! regardless of your financial situation, a hospital cannot refuse you when in danger of losing life, limb, or eyesight. Rule #2: Learn to improvise. Sometimes you will not have the perfect tool for a job. A couple of unconventional items that can used in a pinch; tampons or sanitary napkins (these are sterile bandages if needed), duct-tape (great for holding bandages, splints and pressure dressings), dental floss (it is sterile until the seal is broken, but still cleaner that fishing line or basic thread for stitches), super glue (near identical chemical composition to liquid bandages and great for minor lacerations,) a camera tripod or walking stick (splints , you can also use and anatomical slint). I use a riggers belt at all times because it is an effect tourniquet in a pinch. These are just basics. The most important thing is to be clear headed, calm, quick on your feet (this means practice). Yes, I am suggesting you play doctor with your friends (hope they are cute). IMPORTANT NOTICE: If you render aid outside of what the law determines to be first responder level care you can face civil and possibly criminal prosecution. Hopefully the people you explore with wont sue you for trying to help, but you never know. I am not advocating anyone taking on medical responsibilities or practices outside their own LICENSED scope of practice. I welcome questions, comments, suggestions, and constructive criticism.
 
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splumer
 
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Gender: Male
| | Re: Emergency First Aid thread that You can do
<Reply # 22 on 11/22/2010 1:18 PM >
| | | | Posted by Bleux
I welcome questions, comments, suggestions, and constructive criticism.
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If you want constructive criticism, you came to the wrong place. 
But seriously, taking a wilderness first aid course wouldn't be a bad idea. I'm a Boy Scout leader, and we take one every year.
[last edit 11/22/2010 1:18 PM by splumer - edited 1 times]
“We are not going to have the kind of cooperation we need if everyone insists on their own narrow version of reality. … the great divide in the world today … is between people who have the courage to listen and those who are convinced that they already know it all.”
-Madeline Albright |
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jinx13
Location: Peninsula, San Francisco Bay Area
Gender: Male
| | Re: Emergency First Aid thread that You can do
<Reply # 23 on 11/22/2010 7:47 PM >
| | | | I don't know if this is a problem for anyone else, but I have low blood pressure. So if I'm crouching for a while (trying to frame a shot or something) then stand up too quickly I get very dizzy and my vision blacks out. Same problem if I've been out for a while and turn too fast. Scared the shit out of me before I figured out what caused that.
I'm guessing the same thing can happen if you're mildly dehydrated.
Simple fix is drink more water to raise your bp.
Gravity, it's not just a good idea, it's the law. |
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vov35
Location: Maryland
Gender: Male
| | Re: Emergency First Aid thread that You can do
<Reply # 24 on 11/22/2010 11:32 PM >
| | | | Posted by jinx13
I don't know if this is a problem for anyone else, but I have low blood pressure. So if I'm crouching for a while (trying to frame a shot or something) then stand up too quickly I get very dizzy and my vision blacks out. Same problem if I've been out for a while and turn too fast. Scared the shit out of me before I figured out what caused that.
I'm guessing the same thing can happen if you're mildly dehydrated.
Simple fix is drink more water to raise your bp.
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I get this too. Stay away from caffeine, sudafed, etc. if you want to reduce the frequency of this happening. Constricted arteries = less flow on demand.
"Only sheep need a shepherd." -- Voltaire |
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PositivePressure
Location: High and low where most don't go
Gender: Male
Set your Tesla coil to broil
| | Re: Emergency First Aid thread that You can do
<Reply # 25 on 11/23/2010 12:02 AM >
| | | | What you're describing is called orthostatic, or positional hypotension. If a person loses consciousness due to the condition, it is deemed orthostatic syncope.
When standing or rising from a seated or supine position, there is a brief moment as soon as you rise during which cardiac output is insufficient to adequately perfuse the brain (hypoxia). The body compensates via vasoconstriction/release of catecholamines (raising BP) and otherwise attempting to increase cardiac output. The body's reaction is not instant however, and the dizzy/cloudy feeling you get is the result of your brain being without an adequate supply of oxygenated blood for that brief period of time.
Losing consciousness and falling down results in the heart being able to supply the brain with adequate amounts of oxygenated blood, without fighting gravity. You regain consciousness and body systems return to normal.
People most at risk are those who are dehydrated, have chronic hypotension, are taking certain inhibitory cardiac/HTN medications, and people with blood disorders/abnormalities such as decreased RBCs, etc.
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Bleux
| | Re: Emergency First Aid thread that You can do
<Reply # 26 on 11/24/2010 4:21 AM >
| | | | Posted by splumer
If you want constructive criticism, you came to the wrong place.
But seriously, taking a wilderness first aid course wouldn't be a bad idea. I'm a Boy Scout leader, and we take one every year.
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That is very true. We have a couple of Eagle Scouts in the family and they are very knowledgeable. Since being discharged I have been tapped by my nephew's troop to give a couple of classes when they're regular guy was unable to make it. I was impressed by the amount of adaptation skills that are taught. As for the constructive criticism remark, it is just an attempt (though sometimes feeble) to avoid the verbal hazing that newbs to forums often get.
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Lincoln596
| | Re: Emergency First Aid thread that You can do
<Reply # 27 on 11/27/2010 10:33 PM >
| | | | Posted by PositivePressure
What you're describing is called orthostatic, or positional hypotension. If a person loses consciousness due to the condition, it is deemed orthostatic syncope.
When standing or rising from a seated or supine position, there is a brief moment as soon as you rise during which cardiac output is insufficient to adequately perfuse the brain (hypoxia). The body compensates via vasoconstriction/release of catecholamines (raising BP) and otherwise attempting to increase cardiac output. The body's reaction is not instant however, and the dizzy/cloudy feeling you get is the result of your brain being without an adequate supply of oxygenated blood for that brief period of time.
Losing consciousness and falling down results in the heart being able to supply the brain with adequate amounts of oxygenated blood, without fighting gravity. You regain consciousness and body systems return to normal.
People most at risk are those who are dehydrated, have chronic hypotension, are taking certain inhibitory cardiac/HTN medications, and people with blood disorders/abnormalities such as decreased RBCs, etc.
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This brings up an important condition which anyone whose explorations require working in a climbers harness. It's called orthostatic incompetence or hanging harness syndrome. Anyone who faints or becomes unconscious whilst hanging in a harness is at near immediate risk of death. Because the person cannot "fall down" as described by PositivePressure, poisons (C02 and lactic acids) build up in the lower extremities first and then eventually reach vital organs. To make matters worse, when the person is rescued they are usually laid flat on the ground by well intentioned first responders - this kills the victim because all the toxic blood now rushes like a tsunami into the organs.
If you are in a harness for a long time, flex your legs or occasionally get them above heart level. If a friend becomes unconscious in a harness - get them down ASAP and leave them in a sitting position!!!
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