emergency procedures - wildlifecampus · emergency procedures introduction safety is the primary...

– Game Lodge Management Course

This course material is the copyrighted intellectual property of WildlifeCampus. It may not be copied, distributed or reproduced in any format whatsoever without the express written permission of WildlifeCampus

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Module # 6 - Component # 2

Emergency Procedures Introduction Safety is the primary concern of every lodge owner, and one must be fully

aware of the sequence of events, which must be followed in an emergency. These

procedures may vary from camp to camp. The following guideline procedures must be read carefully, you will be expected to know these.

Please send your head office a copy of an emergency procedure that would work

for your camp, so they can print it for your lodge information brochure. All your staff should know what these procedures are. Please do an emergency drill at least

twice a year.

In the event of an emergency caused by fire, flood, accidents, disturbance etc. it

is the employees’ duty to first safeguard the lives and property of the guests.


This course material is the copyrighted intellectual property of WildlifeCampus. It may not be copied,

distributed or reproduced in any format whatsoever without the express written permission of WildlifeCampus

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How to Handle a Crisis

The possibilities are endless regarding crisis situations. This is just a short synopsis

on what to do and what not to do in certain situations. The information given here relates mostly to game drive situations. Most of the points outlined here can

be adapted to other situations.

The following points are important:

Do not panic.

Assess the situation.

Do not be afraid to take advice, but remain in charge.

Think logically. Think of the pros and cons of any decisions you might have to make.

Give clear instructions.

Assess your group of people. Keep your guests calm.




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Procedures for vehicle OR radio break down

If your vehicle breaks down in the bush, firstly check for minor problems.

Only call base for assistance when you are sure that you cannot fix the problem yourself.

If your radio starts playing up, first check the wiring, fuses and the handset. If you cannot fix it, and you are in an area where you know there are other

vehicles operating, conduct a brief search for the other vehicle. Once you meet

up with another game drive, tell them your planned route, estimated time of arrival and ask them to radio the base explaining your circumstances.

If you believe that there are no other vehicles in the vicinity, or you fail to

locate them reasonably soon, return to base camp. You do not want to take the chance of being some distance from your destination, without radio

communication, and needing urgent assistance.

If a guest is sick or needs to return to the base camp in a non-emergency

manner, organise someone from the base to come and pick the person up

to avoid having to take all your guests back to camp.

In serious cases, such as a heart attack, a snake bite or any other similar

emergency happening to a guest, it is essential to radio the base to check

that they will have everything organised for your arrival.




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Options when BOTH radio and vehicle breakdown

Send your tracker back to base on foot. If you decide on this option, give him

your rifle (only if he is adequately trained in its use) since you will have less chance of encountering a dangerous situation than he will.

Walk your guests back, but only during daylight hours and if all your guests are willing to do this.

Wait for your party to be missed at the base camp and they will send out a search party for you.

Technology has come to play its part in the

guiding industry as in everywhere else. In addition to handheld and vehicle mounted radios most guides

also carry cellular phones. Therefore, should both

your vehicle and radio fail most guides should still have this further means of communication.

In all situations, do not allow guests to wander away from the vehicle. Make

sure that you know where all your guests are at all times.




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First Aid Kits

First Aid kits are of vital importance for any lodge or bush

camp. They are even more important should the lodge or camp be

relatively inaccessible, where

professional medical help may take several hours to reach the camp.

Therefore, at each camp/lodge there

must be a detailed First Aid kit that is sufficient for dealing with bad

injuries – e.g. animal attack, mauling etc.

The following are the suggested medical requirements that should be available while guiding in a remote area. It is wise to have a central area, i.e. the base camp

where most of the medical equipment is kept, and smaller medic kits in the

vehicles, boats or canoes. When out walking one should have a basic resuscitation kit available. You can never have enough triangular bandages and field dressings.

The main medical kit in camp should be kept in a cool and accessible place, checked regularly and restocked. The medications must be kept up to date.

Should you be uncertain as to how to use the medications, it is imperative that

you seek advice from suitably qualified personnel. With the advent of modern

communications (cellular phones, satellite phones, HF radios etc.), advice should be available easily and at any time.

These lists are in no way meant to provide for every medical malady that can occur, but with this equipment you should be able to provide a comprehensive first

aid service to your clients or camp staff.

With respect to all the medical information contained within this course, WildlifeCampus stipulates the information provided is for completeness and

general interest only.

WildlifeCampus does not endorse, sanction, suggest, advocate, support

or recommend the use of any medications, drugs or medical equipment.

Medical treatment, prescriptions and the application of medical equipment must

only be administered under the direct supervision of a suitably qualified and

experienced medical professional.

Under no circumstances should an untrained person attempt to give, apply or

administer medications or medical assistance unless directly supervised by a

trained and qualified medical professional.

Check First Aid Kits of lodge, boats and vehicles on a weekly basis. Make sure you

replace all items that are used or expired as per minimum standards.




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Medic’s Pannier - Base Camp

Resuscitation

Item Size Quantity

Heavy-duty scissors 1 1

Airways: Size 3 and 4 2 1

Ambu bag 1 1

Collar foam neck brace 1 1

Collar foam arm sling 2m 1 roll

Field dressings 15 x 15 cm 5

Gauze swabs 75 x 75 mm (100) 2 packs

Velband cotton bandage 100 mm 5 1

Kling cotton bandages 50 mm 5

100 mm 5

150 mm 5

Crepe bandages 50 mm 5

100 mm 5

150 mm 5

Elastoplast 50 mm 2

Micropore plaster 25 mm 2

Band Aid strips box of 25 2




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Suture Kit

Instruments Quantity

Needle holder 1

Fine artery forceps 2

Non-toothed tweezers 1

Scissors 1

Suture material nylon 3/0 3

Chromic catgut 3

Skin stapler kit 1

Injectable Ampoules

Item Quantity

Adrenaline 1:1000 1 cc 3

Antihistamine – Phenergan 25 mg/ml 3

Anti-inflammatory – Voltaren 75 mg/m 5

Antispasmotic – Buscopan 1 cc 3

Anti nausea – Stemetil 12,5 mg/ml 3

Cortisone – Solu Cortef 100 mg/ml 3

Local anaesthetic solution – Lignocaine 1% 20 mls 1

Valoron drops – 10 mls 1

Syringes 5 cc 10

Needles 18 + 20 10 of each

Alcohol prep. swab – Webco 20




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Medications

Put into zip lock bags with clear labels and dosing instructions.

Item Qty Indication

Aspirin – Dispirin 20 Pain and fever

Paracetamol – Panadol 20 Pain and fever

Paracetamol/Codeine – Panacod 20 Pain and fever

Myprodol 20 Pain and fever (stronger)

Ibuprofen – Brufen 20 Anti-inflammatory

Imodium 30 Diarrhoea relief

Stemetil 5mg 20 Stomach cramps

Buscopan 20 Stomach cramps

Amoxycillin – Amoxil 2 x 15 Antibiotic

Cotrimozidol – Bactrim 2 x 20 Topical antibiotic

Ciprobay 2 x 10 Sedative for trauma / shock

Doxycicline 2 x 10 Anti-malarial

Quinine sulphate 2 x 10 Anti-malarial

Fansidar 2 x 3 General antibiotic

Clarityne 2 x 10 Antihistamine

Celestamine 2 x 10 Antihistamine

Prednisone 2 x 10 Anti-allergy

Sudafed 2 x 10 Sinus relief

Imovane 1 x 10 Sleeping tablet / Tranquilizer

Valium 5mg 1 x 10 Tranquilizer

Valoid 1 x 10 Anti-nausea

Germelene 1 Burn cream

Miscellaneous

Item Quantity

Electrolyte rehydration powder 10 packets

Eyepads 5

Asthma pump 1

Cold remedies 1

Oil of cloves (toothache) 1

MIMS local anaesthetic fluorescent stain 2

Occ. Chloro 1% eye ointment 2

Micropore plaster 5mm 1

Malaria test kit 5

Latex sterile gloves size 7 ½ 4 pairs

Latex gloves large unsterile 10 pairs




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Ointments

Item Quantity

Paraffin in gauze/Tullegra strips 10 x 2

Betadine ointment 30g 2

Savlon ointment 30g 2

Zinc oxide/castor oil30g 1

Hydrocortisone cream 20g 1

Antihistamine/Anthisan 20g 1

Savlon/Hibitane sachets 20mls 10

Eardrops- Sofredex 1

Thermometer 3

Stethoscope 1

Safety pins 20

Oxygen is an invaluable addition in most stressful and debilitating situations. Oxygen field sets are readily available from most first aid outlets. These can be

carried in vehicles, boats and canoes.




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Medical Pack for Vehicles, Boats and Canoes

This should include the minimum that is immediately available. It should be totally

waterproof in the event of rain, or if the boat, canoe or mokoro capsizes.

Equipment

Airway

Triangular bandages

Field dressings Scissors

Crepe bandages: 50mm & 150 mm

Latex sterile gloves size 7 ½

Elastoplast Vacolitre Ringer’s lactate

Cannula

Admin. set

Tablets

Paracetamol

Stemetil

Imodium

Ibuprofen – Brufen

Celestamine Darolyte

Injectables

Adrenaline ampule

Antihistamine ampule

Cortisone ampule Appropriate syringes and needles

Webco swabs

Electrolyte rehydration powder x 2 Asthma pump




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Medical Pack for Walking

Small pack fitted into a rucksack.

These are considered the minimum requirements for walking.

Equipment

Field dressings

Triangular bandages

Scissors Latex sterile gloves size 7 ½

Crepe bandages: 50 mm & 150mm

Airway/ Van der Merwe tube for mouth-to-mouth

Asthma pump Esmark rubber bandage for tourniquet

Injectables

Adrenaline ampule

Antihistamine ampule Cortisone ampule

Needles, syringes, Webco swabs

Tablets & Medicines Paracetamol

Stemetil

Immodium Ibuprofen – Brufen

Water purification tablets

Darolyte

Vacolitre Ringer’s lactate Cannula

Admin. set

Electrolyte rehydration powder x 4 packets




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Client First Aid Kit

Clients should be advised to have with them a simple and basic first aid

kit. The contents should include:

Malaria prophylaxis tablets

Insect repellent – spray and roll-on Imodium for gastro-enteritis

Stemetil/Valoid for nausea

Simple Analgesics – Paracetamol, Paracetamol-Codeine Sunblock lotion and roll-on

Dark glasses

Own current medication

Current contraceptives One course of antibiotics

Antiseptic cream and tablets (Benadril)

Antihistamine cream Micropore plaster

Band aid strips

It will help you when guiding to know about any allergies that your clients may

have. Before each safari activity, ask if anyone is allergic to bees or pollen or

possibly has an asthmatic or medical condition that you should know about.




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Camp Regulations in respect of First Aid All senior staff including guides must have completed a recognized first aid course, preferably with an annual refresher course that will be done in camp. These

certificates should be validated annually.

All grades of staff must be fully briefed by the manager on duty as soon as possible

after an emergency occurs, as to their responsibilities, duties and requirements

during an emergency.

Guests must be made aware, entering the tent for the first time after arrival, that

there is a page regarding emergency procedures in their lodge information

brochure.

Guest must also be made aware of the following emergency procedures on the

page in the information booklet:

Location of firefighting equipment

Camp Layout, including management accommodation.

Fog Horn and / or whistle location and usage. Hand held radio in common area e.g. bar or lounge.

Meeting point in case of fire.

In the bush, radios or cell phones are your

lifelines. Each camp must have 24-hour

emergency assistance available through

telephone or radio, which must have contact with a full back up service, i.e.

Europe Assistance or Med – Rescue.

All lodge managers must carry a

Leatherman or similar type sharp knife at

all times to use for cutting safety belts, clothing etc. in case of emergencies.

All emergency phone numbers and radio frequencies must be kept next to the

radio or phone.




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Emergency Procedures

Rescuing drowning people

If a person is panicking in the water, do not get in reach of the person or they

will grab on to you and take you down with them.

Calm the person down as much as possible and re-assure them that you know

what you are doing – as you are approaching him/her.

Take the person from behind. Lie back in back-stroke position, with your left arm around the persons’ chest.

Swim to safety using your legs and free arm.

After accident procedures

It is very important to be sympathetic and to treat the guest with tender love and care, without making a big issue out of the accident.

Never admit guilt or accept responsibility verbally or in writing.

Notify your MD and GM and send a detailed report as soon as possible.

Investigate the incident and find out if the guide acted responsibly and

professionally.

Treat all guests involved in the accident equally.

Motor Vehicle Accident

Procedures to be followed in the event of a motor vehicle accident

Report the accident to local police / traffic authority. Obtain a police reference

number.

Do not admit liability or sign any documents admitting liability even if you were in the wrong.

Obtain the other parties information:

Name and contact numbers.

Vehicle details.

Name and address of independent witness.

Advise Head Office and most senior contactable manager.

Complete claim form and fax form and driver’s license of driver to Head Office. Obtain two quotations for the repair of the vehicle.




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Procedures in the event of an evacuation

In the camps, make emergency radio contact with the relevant persons, giving

details and fill in any relevant Medivac, medical questionnaire and Insurance Broker forms. All forms must be filled out completely, supplying ALL necessary

details. These forms must be handed to the relevant contact person.

Complete the form “Patient information” which you should have in your camp. If

not get some from your head office. This information should be sent to the local

management office for faxing to relevant authorities.

The following details will be required from you:

Your name and contact number. Patient name, sex and age.

Name of the country and location of the lodge.

The problem i.e. whether the guest has been in an accident or if the emergency is illness related.

Symptoms, pulse, temperature and status of patient (Stable / deteriorating /

critical). Is the patient bleeding? (Which body part?)

Is the patient conscious?

The location of the patient.

The nearest landing facilities. Is the patient receiving medical attention and if so by whom?

Full details of the guest’s Travel Insurance.

After accident procedures for guides in the field

Make sure you and your guests are not in any danger. Do not risk your life or the life of your guests.

Communicate with the camp if necessary.

Carry out primary first aid if necessary or advised by paramedics by radio contact.

Act professionally and do not panic.

Take control of the situation. Be comforting towards your guests.

Ask your guests if they would like to carry on with their activity or if they want

to return to camp.

Offer your guests’ drinks and give them time to relax before continuing with the activity.

If guests have fallen into the water, keep them warm once you rescued them.

Offer them a blanket or something else, even your jacket if needed. Do not make a fuss over the accident, especially after you have arrived back at

camp.




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Malaria

Every year, over a hundred million episodes

of malaria occur in Africa. More than a million people die per year, and deaths have exceeded

two million in the past. It is by far the biggest

infectious killer on the continent, eclipsing AIDS and other infectious diseases with a higher

profile. Malaria is not a disease that should be

taken lightly. Every 20 seconds sees another death from malaria in Africa.

Malaria parasites belong to the genus

Plasmodium, which occurs in many mammalian and avian species. The species of parasites that

affect humans are spread by the female of

certain species of Anopheles mosquito, an insect that feeds on blood to provide itself with adequate nutrition to develop eggs. The parasite passes through the

bloodstream into the liver cell. Here it stays – for between a week and several

months – before replicating and sending out further parasites into the blood.

These are the parasites that initiate the disease – by destroying red blood cells

and causing the remaining blood cells to become ‘sticky’. Small vessels (especially

those in the brain and the kidneys) become blocked by the clumps of blood cells and the complications of cerebral and malignant malaria ensue. The infection is

propagated when another mosquito bites the infected person and the

parasite is drawn up into the mosquito’s gut, evolving into the parasite form that can infect another human via the mosquito’s salivary glands.

Factors that encourage the propagation of malaria include:

High Anopheles populations after wet, warm periods

High density of infected people in the area

High minimum night-time temperatures

Even when the recommended precautions have been taken, the occasional case of

malaria may still occur. Pregnant women should not expose themselves to the risk of acquiring malaria. If a pregnant woman contracts malaria, not only does she

stand a 75 per cent chance of losing the baby, but also, she has a significantly

higher chance of dying herself.

Young children under five years should be kept out of malaria areas. The fatality

rate (an indication of the number of deaths from the disease) is frighteningly high

in this age group.




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How does one become infected? Under normal circumstances, January to May are the months when you are most

likely to contract malaria. The incubation period for malaria is 10 to 35 days.

Malaria can be prevented and controlled through adult mosquito control, larval

mosquito control and parasite detection, and minimizing contact with mosquitoes and awareness of symptoms. Parasite detection is when you take random blood

smears amongst your staff to see if they are asymptomatic parasite carriers, who

are a constant source of infection for mosquitoes. You can control carriers by giving

them “parasite shock” treatment at the start of the high-risk malaria season. This is the same treatment you would give someone whom has malaria.

Minimize contact with mosquitoes by wearing protective clothing (particularly after sunset), using mosquito nets and using insect repellent is also a way of preventing

malaria.

Larval mosquito control is a difficult and time-consuming method of control,

and not practical in areas where our lodges are situated. You can control larval

mosquitoes to a point by making sure you have no stagnant water (water in natural

ponds, manmade ponds, old tyres, empty drums, tins, etc) in or around the lodge.

If guests use LARIAM as a prophylactic they should drink lots and lots of water

and very little alcohol to prevent any strong side effects. On the night that they take the tablet they should not drink any alcohol and MUST drink plenty of fluids.

If, despite taking precautions, someone starts showing the symptoms, treat for malaria. Initially malaria shows flu like symptoms and develops as follows:

Intermittent fever

Severe headache Sensitivity to light

Aching muscles and joints

Inability to sleep Nausea / vomiting

Severe cough

Tender abdomen

Diarrhoea Lower backache

Decreased urine output

Concentrated urine Disorientation

Confusion

Unconsciousness

Patients will not necessarily display all symptoms. No person staff or guest must

be treated without consulting a medic first!

Valoid: Give to staff member before taking Fansidar.




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Fansidar: 3 tablets immediately. If possible, however, give one anti-emetic

(Valoid) 30 minutes before administering the Fansidar. Panadol: 2 tablets every 6 hours for fever.

Self-Treatment of Malaria (Emergency Treatment Only)

Valoid before each dose of Quinine.

600mg Quinine every 8 hours.

1g Paracetamol every 6 hours.

Vitamin B complex

100mg Doxycycline twice a day.

Rehydrate.




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Anti- Malarial Prophylactics

These medications have been around for many years and have been continually

updated to address what had become known as Chloroquine -resistant malaria, Chloroquine being the previously most used prophylactic.

The drug and others including Daramal, Daraclor, Chloroquine, Proguanil, Paludrine, Larium, Mefloquine and others has now been replaced with Malanil also

known as Malarone.

Lariam was popular for a while in the mid 1990’s but many people experienced a

wide set of hallucinogenic side effects.

The great advantage of Malanil is that it is the first of these Class of drugs that are safe to give to children as well as adults. Besides not being resistant to the

current parasites it also provides for a far greater compliance by those taking

it. Where previous drugs had to be taken for a week before hand and up to 6 weeks after leaving a malaria area, Malanil is taken a day before, one daily and a week

afterwards.

The downside of the drug is that it is only available by a doctor’s prescription

and is comparatively expensive; but not as expensive as contracting malaria.

For people who work continually in malaria areas, drug prophylaxis is not recommended due to eventual liver damage. Rather an acute awareness of

symptoms and the non-pharmaceutical methods of prevention are practiced.

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