Bronze Group

First Aid Awareness

Purposes of First Aid

• Preserve life

• Prevent further injury

• Promote recovery

Principles of First Aid

• Stay calm• Assess the situation• Carry out a primary survey: Dr ABC

D - Danger R - Response A - Airways B – Breathing C - Circulation

• Identify the injury or illness

Principles of First Aid cont

• Give easy, appropriate and adequate treatment in a sensible order of priority - Breathing, Bleeding, Burns, Bones

• Organise removal of casualty to secondary care where appropriate

• Make and pass on a report

Most Common Expedition Injuries

•Blisters•Cuts & abrasions•Burns & scalds•Sprains

Blisters

Prevention:

• Ensure footwear is broken in

• Wear good walking socks, clean & dry

• Change into dry socks & different footwear at campsite

• STOP IMMEDIATELY if you begin to feel discomfort

Treatment:

• If friction but no blister – cover affected & surrounding area with plaster, moleskin or other thin adhesive tape

• If blister has developed, pad it & apply clean dressing

Minor Cuts & Abrasions

Treatment

• Clean with fresh water, ideally running and cold

• Do not use cotton wool as this can leave traces in the wound

• Use a plaster or bandage depending on size of wound

Treatment of Cuts and Bleeding

S – Sit or Lay

E – Examine

E – Elevate

P – Pressure

Sit or Lay the casualty down in a position appropriate to the location of the wound and the extent of bleeding.

Examine the wound. Look for foreign objects and note how the wound is bleeding

Elevate the wound above the level of the heart.

Apply pressure over the wound to stem the bleeding. If there is an embedded object apply pressure either side.

Treatment of Nosebleeds

• Sit down with head tipped forward

• Nip the soft part of the nose. Maintain constant pressure for 10 minutes.

• Breath through the mouth.

• Use disposable cloth to mop any blood while the nose is nipped.

• Try not to breath through nose for an hour or so after the bleed.

• If bleeding persists call for emergency help.

Minor Burns & Scalds

Prevention:

• Always take care when cooking

• Always place the stove on the ground, never on a picnic table or other elevated surface

• Ensure the whole group is aware of hot pans and boiling water

• Avoid spillages• Always take burns

seriously and report to a supervisor

Treatment:

• Immerse in cold, running water for at least 10 mins

• Remove any rings from fingers, watches or bracelets from wrists

• Cover with a sterile, non-fluffy dressing, clear cling film or small plastic bag

• DO NOT apply creams, lotions or fat to the injury

Sunburn

Prevention:

• Cover up

• Apply water-resistant sun block every few hours

Treatment:

• Treat as a minor burn and inform your supervisor

Insect Bites

Prevention:

•Use insect repellent

Treatment:

• Keep clean and treat as minor abrasion

• Some people suffer a reaction to bites – report this to your supervisor

• If known to suffer a reaction, keep anti-histamine cream or tablets in your personal first aid kit and use as necessary

Sprains

Treatment

•Rest

•Ice

•Compression

•Elevation

• Stop and rest

• Apply a damp towel or t-shirt to help reduce swelling

• Elevate injured limb to reduce swelling

• If the pain does not ease, treat as a more serious sprain or fracture

Fractures

Symptoms

Pain / Loss of Power / Unnatural movement / Swelling or bruising / Deformity / Tenderness

Treatment

• Keep injury still

• Call for emergency help if:• There is suspected spin, neck or head injuries.• There is deformity, irregularity or unnatural movement• The casualty is in a lot of pain and you can’t easily get them to

hospital

• Keep casualty warm until medical assistance arrives – do not allow them to eat or drink.

• Don’t try bandaging the injury – just keep it still.

Hypothermia – Cold Exhaustion

Call supervisor / Leader

Prevention:•Warm & windproof Clothes (as appropriate)•Sufficient rest & food•Keep an eye on each other – Buddy system

Symptoms:•Feeling cold•Less communicative•Disorientation•Loss of coordination

Treatment• Get to shelter• Remove wet clothes, replace with dry clothes and wrap with

sleeping bag / space blanket etc• Warm drinks & high energy food

Heat Exhaustion

Call supervisor / Leader

Prevention:•Appropriate Clothing•Sufficient rest, drink & food•Keep an eye on each other – Buddy systemSymptoms:•Headache & dizziness•Confusion•Feeling sick (nausea)•Sweating & clammy skin•Stomach cramps & rapid breathing

Treatment• Get to cool place – out of the sun• Try to cool down, splash water on the skin or apply dampened towel

or cloth.• Drink water (not too quickly)

Dehydration

Call supervisor / Leader

Prevention:• Drink plenty of water through out the day particularly before starting &

when reaching camp• Keep an eye on each other – Buddy system

Symptoms:• Tiredness & disorientation• Thirsty• Very concentrated yellow urine• Vomiting

Treatment• Rest• Drink water - small amounts at a time

Asthma Attack

Call supervisor / Leader

Treatment:

•Keep calm

•Sit patient upright

•Help patient use inhaler

•If attack is severe or lasts a long time call for emergency services

Symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing

• Wheezy breath

• Pale & clammy skin

• Grey / blue lips

Allergic Reaction - Anaphylaxis

Call supervisor / Leader

Symptoms:

•Swelling of the face, tongue, lips, neck and eyes

•Difficulty breathing

•Fast weak pulse

•Red blotchy rash on the skin

•Anxiety

Response:• Call for emergency help• Sit or lie the patient down• If patient has an EpiPen help them to inject themselves

The Recovery Position

Why a recovery position?

•When a casualty is unconscious and lying on their back their airways can be blocked by the tongue or vomit.

•Placing a casualty in the recovery position protects the airways from both these dangers keeping the airway clear and reducing risk of inhaling vomit

What is the recovery position?

•To keep their airway clear and reduce risk of inhaling vomit

•To keep their airway clear and reduce risk of inhaling vomit

The Recovery Position

First Aid Kits

•To keep their airway clear and reduce risk of inhaling vomit

All first aid incidents, however small, must be reported to a Leader / Supervisor

Minor incidents – this could be when you next see them later in the day

Other incidents - contact them immediately particularly if:• An incident is serious enough that an individual is unable

to continue• You have to call 999 / 112• You are in doubt about whether or not you should call

them.