wilderness first aid outline

This page can't begin to teach you everything about each of these subjects. It is only an outline of the major points of the material, meant to be used with a full Red Cross First Aid text and class lecture.

The curriculum is in dark blue. Headings with no text accompanying them are covered fully in the Red Cross text or in class lecture. Headings with text accompanying them may only include part of what is covered in class.

Describe how to respond to and provide care for a person who is suddenly ill in a wilderness environment

1.Tell how to prevent poisoning emergencies, remove an embedded tick, and treat a snake bite - with knowledge of the wrong ways typically used.

Tips to prevent poisoning emergencies, from NOLS Wilderness first aid and other sources

read labels for information on toxic substances

if you cut down on weight by packing various over-the-counter medicines in small containers, copy and pack the use instructions with them

cook outside or in well-ventilated tents or snow shelter (But remember that if you cook in a tent you risk food odor contamination and future visits by animals.)

check a sweet drink container for possible insects before you drink from it

NOLS says to identify plants before you eat them (but you have a huge risk it you eat mushrooms and even many leafy greens or seemingly tasty berries)

be aware of foot placement

look before you reach under logs, overhangs or onto ledges

collect firewood before dark

shake out clothing, footwear and sleeping bags

ticks- see your text and don't try to apply fingernail polish, alcohol, a hot match, petroleum jelly, lotions or other potions, they do not work and they increase the risk that the tick will salivate or regurgitate into you and increase infection

Guidelines for Initial Snakebite Care

Take victim to medical care immediately

Gently wash wound if possible

Immobilize affected part

Remove any jewelry that might constrict swelling

Mark the initial swelling with a pen and the time

Minimize victim’s movement

Keep affected part lower than heart

Summon more advanced medical personnel or get to the hospital as quickly as possible for anti-venom to be administered

Do not use kits with razor blades/suction, do not apply ice, cut the wound, apply constricting bands or use an electric shock

(Of the average 7,000 people bitten by snakes in the US every year, less than 5% die. 30% of adult rattlesnakes bites have no venom injected. )

2.List risk factors and care for exertional heat stroke

Those at Greatest Risk for Heat-related Illness

Young children and the elderly

Those involved in strenuous activity in a hot environment

Those with preexisting health problems

Those using alcohol, illicit drugs or medications like antihistamines

Those who have had a heat-related illness in the past

Unaccustomed to the heat

Those who are dehydrated

Signs and Symptoms of Heat-related Illness

Headache

Cool, moist, pale, or ashen skin (earlier stages)

Dry, red, hot skin (later stages)

Nausea

Exhaustion

Progressive loss of consciousness

Rapid, weak pulse (later stages)

Rapid, shallow breathing (later stages)

High body temperature (later stages)

Care for Heat Exposure

Remove victim from hot environment

Give small amounts of cool water to conscious victim

Have victim lie down in a cool or shady area and elevate legs if possible

Loosen or remove clothing

Apply cool, wet towels or cold packs to wrists, armpits, groin, and legs

Fan victim

3.Describe assessment, prevention and treatment of mild severe hypothermia

Hypothermia is when your entire body cools, "a decrease in the core temperature of the body that impairs intellectual, muscular and cardiac function" (Medicine for Mountaineering).

It is the number one cause of death in the wilderness and it is almost always preventable.

Factors Affecting Normal Body Temperature

Air temperature: cold, but does not have to be near or below freezing

Air temperature hot, especially with humidity

Wind, especially if victim is wet/sweaty

Clothing - inadequate (see a description of good stuff at Snow or rain camp must-haves)

Intensity of activity - fatigue

Body’s ability to adapt (physical fitness level)

alcohol - causes skin blood vessels to vasodilate, more warm blood supply moves to outer skin layer - hypothermic person gets colder as a result

not eating enough - not enough fluids causing dehydration

ignoring any of the above, which can start a precipitous fall into hypothermia or heat stroke

Those at Greatest Risk for Cold Exposure

Young children and elderly

Those without adequate equipment, clothing, or training for cold environment

Those with health problems

Those using illicit drugs, medications, or alcohol

People who don't realize they can get hypothermia

Signs and Symptoms of Hypothermia

Various sources have different definitions of what constitutes mild, moderate or severe hypothermia.

Cool skin

It starts with feeling cold. Your body tries to correct this by making you shiver. It can progress quite quickly from this stage if not corrected. Shivering, that progresses to shivering you can't stop voluntarily and then to waves of violent shivering

Poor coordination (sometimes uncoordination can precede shivering) (a good skier who becomes clumsy, someone who can't zip up their jacket, hiker who stumbles on loose rock and falls behind the group, someone who can't pass a heel-to-toe walk) A staggering gait can be an early sign even though body temperature is still normal because cold directly affects nerves to legs

Glassy stare, Difficulty speaking, (the brain can be one of the first things to go because it is most sensitive to cold)

Indifference, apathy, personality changes, especially irritability

Decreasing level of consciousness

Rigid posture, curls into fetal position

Care for Hypothermia

Initially, exercise can warm people up the fastest, such as hiking briskly to nearby shelter.

Remove victim from cold, wet, windy environment, protect from any further heat loss.

Remove wet clothing and put on dry clothing. Put on more layers of clothing, wind protection.

Summon more advanced medical personnel

Reassure victim

Handle victim gently

Place victim in dry blankets or clothing and wrap in plastic if available. Ensolite pad under the victim, space blanket around them. Put person in a sleeping bag with a warm person. Hot water bottle, drinking water bottle full of warm water, warm rocks placed against side of chest, neck and abdomen (but the victim might not notice if these are too warm so test them yourself).

More calories if they can eat. Warm food is good but not necessary. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, nicotine.

For our level of training and due to space limitations, treatment of severe hypothermia will not be covered here. Prevent it.

4.List the causes of, prevention of, how to limit damage from and treatment of frostbite

causes (from NOLS Wilderness first Aid and other sources)

preoccupation with having fun and you don't notice painfully cold toes transitioning to toes with no feeling that won't wiggle

cold, especially with wind chill

moisture (replace wet clothing or cover and insulate wet clothing)

wrong clothes (many survival books will tell you: Cotton Kills! / no percentage of cotton in your socks or long underwear; see a description of good clothes at Snow or rain camp must-haves)

lack of insulating clothes, lack of good raingear

contact with supercooled metal or fuel

any interference with blood circualtion, such as a cramped position, tight clothing ( even wristwatches), local pressure (tightly laced boots)

dehydration (10% dehydration causes 30-40% decrease in thermal control)

Prevention ( see above): and make everyone in your group stop occasionally and wiggle their fingers and toes, flex their facial muscles. Watch each other for gray or distinctly white skin.

Frostbite

Superficial frostbite (frost nip is reversible - put your fingers in your armpits or on partner's stomach)

Most common form of frostbite

Skin is frozen, underlying tissues are not

Involves loss of feeling and sensation

Person feels tingling sensation when rewarmed

Deep frostbite

Skin is white and waxy

Skin is firm when palpated

Swelling and blisters may be present

When rewarmed, skin appears red with areas of purple and blue

5.Describe signs, symptoms, principal reasons for and treatment of dehydration

Signs and symptoms of dehydration (from NOLS Wilderness First Aid and other sources)

"Early Signs

Heat oppression

Thirst

Irritability

Dizziness

Dark, concentrated urine

Headache

Loss of group cooperation

Later signs

Weakness and nausea

Loss of balance

Changes in mental awareness

Tenting

Serious signs

Sunken eyes

Loss of consciousness

Delirium

Treatment for Dehydration

DRINK, DRINK, DRINK"

(Red Cross first aid station protocols: rehydrate as rapidly as tolerated, but at least 16-32 ounces of water an hour)

(NOLS) In severe cases, evacuation may be necessary

Dehydration at Altitude (from Medicine for Mountaineering)

main cause is the need for rapid and deeper breathing

also decreased fluid consumption caused by need to purify water or melt snow, and the dulling of the sensation of thirst that accompanies the loss of appetite at altitude

solution: force yourselves to drink large amounts of water. Thirst alone is often not a reliable indicator. Needs can be greater than four liters per day.

6.List risk factors for altitude sickness. List signs, symptoms and treatment of acute mountain sickness, high altitude pulmonary edema, and high altitude cerebral edema

At altitude has info about sunburn, hiking, diet at higher altitudes. It includes the lecture material from the class why your tent mate might seem to stop breathing and links to High Altitude Cerebral Edema and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema tutorials.

Do not use a Gamow bag (portable hyperbaric device) as a substitute for descending.

7.List and explain the reasons behind the symptoms of shock

Signs and Symptoms of Shock

Restlessness/irritability

Drowsiness/loss of consciousness

Rapid pulse, breathing

Pale, ashen, or bluish/cool/moist skin

Excessive thirst

Nausea and vomiting

Body Compensates for Blood Loss

The heart beats faster

Breathing rate increases

body moves blood / fluid from areas where it is less needed (stops making saliva, less blood to skin -- superficial blood vessels contract; less blood to digestive system) to where it is needed (brain)

8.Demonstrate first aid for an insect sting and know ways to avoid insect stings

Brightly colored clothing, flowery prints and black attract insects more than white, green, tan or khaki without prints/patterns. Wear shoes and keep arms and legs covered if possible. Long-sleeved shirts and pants work to some degree 24 hours a day, but we counted fifty mosquitos in my husband's back during a lunch stop up on a Mount Rainier trail.

In brush, put your socks up over pant legs.

Perfumes in lotion, suntan lotion, deodorant and other cosmetics attract.

Don't bring clothes camping that have been rinsed or dried with mosquito-attracting scented softeners (plus, dryer sheets can make a greasy stain on clothes if they get stuck to them, and the softeners can decrease the lofting and wicking of garments).

My allergist told me to take vitamin B1 for a month before camping trips, but a brochure on West Nile virus from the Santa Clara County (California) Vector Control District said "Vitamin B1 and ultrasonic devices are not effective in preventing mosquito bites."

Along with adults wearing long sleeved clothing and using an effective repellant, it recommends "place mosquito netting over infant carriers when you are outdoors with babies."

Food attracts, store it in closed containers; avoid open garbage receptacles. We've had some success when we grill a salmon by leaving the head a bit of a ways aside awhile before we start cooking to attract any yellowjackets to it instead of our meal. (Of course we don't set it where it will simply attract insects to other campers and of course we pick up the head after the meal and we wouldn't do this where or when there was any chance of an animal finding the head.)

A fact sheet on the subject of yellow jackets from the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program said, in part:

"Outdoors do not drink soft drinks or other sugary drinks from open containers. Use cups with lids and straws, and look before you sip. Do not carry snacks containing meat or sugar in open containers.

Avoid going barefoot, especially in vegetation.

Do not squash a yellowjacket. When crushed, many yellowjacket species emit a chemical that can cause other nearby yellowjackets to attack.

Always examine wet towels or wet clothing before you pick them up outdoors."

insect repellant has answers to questions about the percentage of DEET needed in an effective insect repellant, toxicity allergies, and more.

Can a person who is prescribed an epi-pen risk going into the wilderness? Anaphylaxis quick facts

G.Describe how to respond to and provide care for a person who is injured in a wilderness environment

Burns:

From Practice Guidelines for Wilderness Emergency Care by the Wilderness Medical Society

BURNS

Ibuprofen is the best over- the-counter pain management for burns. If small enough, cover with Spenco second skin.

Do not pack burns in ice which are over 20% of body surface

Do not leave wet coverings on burns for more than two hours to reduce the risk of hypothermia

Elevate burned extremities to reduce swelling

Have victim gently and regularly move burned areas as much as possible

from From Medicine for Mountaineering

Fluid loss (from damaged capillaries allowing blood serum to pour into the burned tissues), occurs with all burns, both partial and full thickness, but in previously healthy young adults does not achieve life-threatening proportions if the burns cover less than ten to fifteen percent of the body surface.

A person with a major burn usually dies within 12 to 19 hours unless appropriate fluid therapy is instituted.

Burn shock causes a burn victim to vomit anything taken by mouth. If they are not vomiting, the fluids often remain in the stomach and are not absorbed. Because appropriate fluids (IVs) are rarely available in wilderness situations, a major burn in a remote area usually requires immediate evacuation by the fastest means possible.

All full thickness burns larger than one inch diameter eventually require surgical therapy- debridement and skin grafting.

Mild = blistering partial thickness burns of less than 15% of the body surface, with less than two percent full-thickness burns.

Moderate and major = requires hospitalization = worse than mild, including significant burns of the face, eyes ears, feet or genitals and buttocks.

If any question about the severity of the burn exists... evacuate. Persons with major burns are often deceptively alert for several hours until fluid losses become severe.

A temporary filling can be made by mixing zinc oxide powder and eugenol, or improvised from candle wax, skiwax, or sugarless gum.

1.Describe signs, symptoms and care for a head injury. Tell when to monitor victim for 24 hours versus when to evacuate

American Academy of Neurology

3 Grades of Concussion

Mild: No loss of consciousness and less than 15 minutes of symptoms, such as headache, vomiting, ringing in the ears, dizziness, confusion, memory lapse or blurry vision

Moderate: Same symptoms, but they last longer than 15 minutes. If they persist for longer than an hour, see a doctor. A stiff neck, convulsions and unusual sleepiness can signal something more serious, such as bleeding in the brain.

Severe: Loss of consciousness, even if for a few seconds.

Cause can be a sudden jolt to body as well as a hit in the head. Most heal themselves, but...

After a concussion: avoid sports for 2 weeks after symptoms disappear. Sustaining a second injury, no matter how minor, before the first one heals can lead to lingering symptoms such as amnesia, irregular sleeping, slurred speech, and unexplained depression.

Avoid alcohol and antihistamines for 2 weeks; any substance that can cause drowsiness can make it harder for doctors to diagnose the true problems.

Multiple concussions have a cumulative effect on brain tissue.

Even one minor concussion can make you four times more susceptible to another one.

See also concussion symptoms at: Simple secondary survey study sheet

2.Demonstrate the modified jaw thrust method of opening the airway of a suspected spinal injury victim

3.List steps of a rapid, simple neurological examination to detect signs of stroke or head injury fast, basic neurological exam

4.Relate ways to assess an orthopedic injury without x-rays available

Common Signs and Symptoms of Musculoskeletal Injuries

Pain

Swelling

Deformity

Discoloration

Bone protruding from wound

Inability to use affected part

Grating bones

Snapping or popping sound

Cause of injury, such as fall from height

5.Describe improvised back country splints and knee immobilizer

6.Discuss wound management in the wilderness, the risks of and reasons to apply a tourniquet, how to improvise the irrigation of a wound and improvise a roller bandage

From Red Cross first aid station medical protocol

Refer to a physician for a tetanus shot:

Persons with minor, uncontaminated wound(s) and no shot within 10 years.

Persons with major and/or contaminated wound(s) and no shot within 5 years.

All cases that may require stitches.

7.List common back country causes of and the RICE treatment of athletic injuries

... before a Triathlon we volunteered at, while the lifeguards were setting up gear, an athlete had dislocated his finger but the EMTs had not yet arrived so the guards were asked to give first aid. The athlete did not realize his finger would start to swell and had not taken off his wedding ring or elevated his hand to reduce the swelling. This could be even worse in a backcounty setting with no advanced help expected to arrive. Anticipate swelling and remove jewelry.

swollen finger with wedding ring still on: a man holds a bag of ice to his dislocated finger which quickly started to swell, but he did not know to take off his wedding ring

H.Discuss some of the difficult decisions that may have to be made when caring for a victim in a delayed-help situation

1.Name the steps for leaving a victim alone, including the recovery/drainage position

2.Practice deciding when and how to transport victim

Basic Guidelines for Moving a Victim

Only move a victim you can safely handle

Bend at knees and hips

Lift with you legs, not your back

Take short steps

Move forward when possible

Look where you are walking

Protect victim’s head, neck, and back

3.Explain when to stop CPR and list times to continue CPR for over 30 minutes

also note:

Near-drowning victims have been successfully resuscitated after over an hour of submersion in cold water (5 to 10 degrees C). Favorable outcome is associated with young age, clean water, cold water, short immersion and pulse present or returning on scene with rescue breathing

ALL near-drowning patients who may have aspirated water must be evacuated. Even if victim feels okay it is possible to develop delayed problems.

I.Outline how a leader plans ahead for dealing with emergencies in the back country

At the Scene, Evaluate-

Location

Problems

Dangers

Number of victims

Behavior of victims/bystanders

Need for additional assistance

Ensure Your Safety By-

Evaluating potential dangers

Wearing proper gear

Doing what you are trained to do

Summoning additional resources

obtaining consent

If a conscious, sane, sober adult does not give consent DO NOT give care - call 911 (and document lack of consent)

Implied consent means the victim would agree to care if they could.

Confused or seriously ill

Mentally incompetent

Drunk

Actively drowning

Minor with no parent or guardian present

Possible Dangers at an Emergency Scene

Crime

Traffic

Fire

Electricity

Water/ice

Hazardous material

Unstable structures/vehicles

Natural disasters

Multiple victims

Hostile situations, including people, animals

1.Identify resources and limitations: supplies, which party members have knowledge about region, trial, map and compass skills, pre-existing medical or physical limitations

2.Relate how to prepare with proper equipment including appropriate clothing, footwear, first aid supplies, devices for signaling and communication.

3.Describe additions to a standard first aid kit to prepare for backpacking

4.Discuss how to agree in advance upon decision making; which made by group, which by leader. Which unsafe actions are only the decision of the individual, which can be banned by the group

5.Relate details of how to get help: location of, and resources at, nearby trailheads, location of nearby phones and specific numbers to call for help, jurisdiction and resources of rescuing agency

Every overnight backcountry traveler should leave their intinerary with a friend and report in when they finish their adventure. If they do not report in the friend should know who to contact to go find them. Below is an example of what can go wrong when you don't follow this basic advice:

from the NPS morning report

Yosemite National Park (CA)

Stranded Hiker Rescued From Park’s High Country

On November 10th, rangers learned that a solo backcountry hiker was overdue from a hike to an unknown location somewhere within the park. Steve Frazier had begun what he’d planned to be a five day trip in perfect weather on October 28th. Over the next three days, Frazier hiked more than 20 miles into the heart of the park’s wilderness. He set up camp at an elevation of 9,700 feet near Red Devil Lake as snow began falling on the evening of October 30th. This was the first significant storm of the developing winter season and it continued for three days, blanketing the High Sierra under nearly two feet of snow. The snow obscured the trail Frazier had been following, effectively trapping him at that location. He spent the next twelve days hunkered down in his tent, hoping to be rescued and rationing his remaining two days of food. Since Frazier had not told anyone of his plans, though, the rescue was long in coming. It was only after a list of missed commitments and appointments began to accumulate (including a missed plane flight home on November 9th), that questions regarding his whereabouts began to arise. Amazingly, searchers spotted the missing hiker and his camp from the air on their very first pass over the area and soon contacted a very happy Frazier, who was in remarkably good shape for someone who’d had almost no food for 12 days. Frazier made some initial bad decisions, particularly in his failure to leave a detailed route plan with someone who could report him overdue on an agreed-upon date, but made better decisions when the storm hit. He’d attempted to hike out, but didn’t go far before he realized that it was too difficult in deep snow and that he’d likely get into more trouble. So he stayed in his tent, rationed his food, stomped out an 'SOS' in the snow, used his pot as a shovel to keep a clear area around the tent, and above all kept a positive attitude. [Submitted by Keith Lober, Emergency Services Coordinator]

J.Detail prevention of accidents and injuries in a wilderness environment

From National Outdoor Leadership School, (NOLS)

NOLS Common Problems

Majority of all injuries are athletic injuries, such as sprains, strains, etc. to knees, ankles and back from slips and falls around camp or when hiking

Common Causes of Athletic Injury on NOLS courses

Playing games such as hug tag and hacky sack

Tripping while walking in camp

Stepping over logs

Crossing streams, including shallow rock-hops

Putting on a backpack

Lifting a kayak or raft

Falling or misstepping while hiking with a pack (on any terrain)

Falling while skiing with a pack

Shoveling snow

Bending over to pick up firewood

1/3 of reported field incidents = wounds

Blisters are an everyday occurrence = moleskin, second skin, athletic tape

Most common illnesses are preventable gastrointestinal

-- Disinfect water, wash your hands, waterless soaps can be useful when water is scarce

"Hypothermia, seizures, heat stroke and pregnancy occurred but with low frequency."

Condidtions most frequently requiring evacuation were: "fractures, dental emergencies, tick fever. athletic emergencies and non-specific body pains."

Prevention is the best medicine:

careful gear selection to keep pack weight manageable

fitness, stretching, nutrition

careful walking helping each other over obstacles

stopping before you are tired

From Mountaineering First Aid (The Mountaineers, Seattle)

contributing causes of accidents from the American Alpine Club's Accidents in North American Mountaineering

Bad judgment using equipment:

using inadequate equipment: no hard hat, etc.

failure of rappel

placing no or inadequate protection

Performance/judgment error:

climbing alone

loss of control on voluntary glissade

party separated, stranded

Environmental conditions:

falling rock

darkness

avalanche

Equipment failure:

ascender breakage

1.Differentiate between behavior toward black bears and grizzly bears, and show food storage safety factors.

how bears break into cars, what to do if you see a bear and more is at: Bears

Using a campsite food storage locker

your safety in grizzly bear territory tells you what to do if you see a bear in the distance or a bear charges you and has info about Bear Pepper Sprays and what might happen before a bison charges

you can read about safety at wildlife jams

Camping solutions for women has tips for and answers typical questions from first-time women campers, including the question: Can menstruating women camp or backpack around bears?

Rocky Mountain mammal size comparisons has pictures of a black bear and grizzly bear for comparison

2.Appraise contributing causes of mountaineering, traffic, hiking, water-related and animal related accidents typical to National Parks

Causes of accidents in Yosemite

Animals suddenly crossing the road

speed

narrow, slippery and winding roads

ignoring road warning signs

alcohol

didn't anticipate slow-moving snowplow around the next curve

standing at the edge of rapids and waterfalls to get a better view

wading, swimming above waterfalls

unaware of the strength, speed of fast water

didn't wear a lifejacket

tied rafts together

didn't properly supervise children

ignored safety railings and warning signs

tried to imitate rock climbers

took shortcuts between hiking trails

tried to feed animals

got too close to get a photograph

Backpacker magazine quoted a ranger on the subject of trip safety:

"The death certificate usually says 'killed by a fall' or 'died of exposure' or some such thing," says Butch Farabee, superintendent of Padre Island National Seashore, Texas, and the national Park Service's search and rescue expert. "But it should read 'killed by stupidity.' Most people just don't get it. The number one cause of injury and death is unpreparedness. You must always ask yourself, 'What if?' What if it rains for three days straight? Is my tent waterproof? What if I lose my compass? What if the rescue party doesn't find me?"

The climbing rangers in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park agree. They've found that less than 1 percent of backcountry accidents are due to natural causes, like falling rocks, avalanches, and animal attacks. The rest are due to 'pilot error.' In other words, people don't die from unexpected snowstorms; they die from not expecting and preparing for unexpected snowstorms.

Hiking Advice has hot weather hiking advice, hiking logistics and the answer to the question: When is the best time of day to cross a mountain stream?

3.State basics of safe axe and knife use

4.Compare various methods of water purification

5. List the "Ten (or Fifteen) Essentials"

from the Mountianeers:

Map of the area

Compass GPS is not infallible

Extra clothing, including raingear Improve your inexpensive rain gear

Sunglasses and sunscreen (5 sun protection factor is a joke, you need 30 plus)

Extra food and water

flashlight with extra batteries and bulb (and/or headlamp)

First aid kit with adequate supplies for heavy bleeding

candle or other Fire starter (cotton balls or dryer lint soaked in petroleum jelly, or some kinds of chips)

Matches in a waterproof container and a lighter

pocket knife

other essentials could include:

second (full) water bottle and a means to refill it, such as a water filter or chemicals (filtering beats iodine or boiling)

Ice axe, crampons for glacier or snowfield travel (if required)

duct tape, some copper wire, safety pins, and other repair needs (but carefully checking gear before you leave can prevent the need)

insect repellant has answers to questions about the percentage of DEET needed in an effective insect repellant, toxicity allergies, and more.

Signaling devices, whistle, mirror, a row of rocks pointing to you (cell phone? Cell phones in the wilderness)

ground insulation, tube tent or other quick shelter

eyeglasses mini-repair kit

aluminized flexible mylar emergency blanket

6.Describe safe and dangerous positions during a lightning storm

During a thunderstorm, don't take a shower or use a sink, including washing dishes. Don't talk on a land line phone. Don't use your I pod. Thunderstorm and lightning safety includes the answer to the question: Why can't you swim during a lightning storm? A strike on a lake doesn't kill all the fish in the lake.

If someone gets hit by lightning, or even nearly hit, they may be thrown a distance, so if they need ventilations (also known as rescue breathing and/or artificial respiration) you'll need to treat them as a spinal injury and use a modified jaw thrust rather than head-tilt chin-lift. If you are out in the wilderness, away from quick EMS help, you might need to give ventilations for a whole hour or even longer. Don't give up if they still have a pulse.

Medicine for Mountaineering says:

"Clearly the emergency treatment for a lightning victim consists of immediate, and sometimes prolonged, artificial respiration. (Cardiac resuscitation should be given also, if needed, but the heart most often resumes beating on it's own.) Over seventy percent of the persons struck by lightning have enough disruption of brain function to lose consciousness. Recovery of enough function to resume breathing commonly takes as long as twenty to thirty minutes, and occasionally takes hours.

If more than one person has been struck by lightning, which commonly occurs, attention should be directed first to the ones who are lying still, not breathing and appear dead. Those who are groaning or rolling around, although unconscious, are breathing and do not require immediate attention."

You can reassure anyone who might have lost vision or has some paralysis that it is common with a lightning hit, and is usually temporary. Short term memory may be lost for a few days.

K.List basics of protecting and transporting a victim

1.Name factors in deciding whether and how to transport

2.Tell safety factors in a rescue helicopter landing area, and how and when to approach a helicopter

The very basics are, if a helicopter comes to rescue you / a member of your group, stay away from where it is landing, any and all debris in the area will be blown around by the rotors. Your eyes and ears (and the victim's) need protection. Wait for a crew member to come to you OR wait for the pilot to indicate it is safe to approach. Approach and depart in view of the pilot - do not run. Always approach from downhill in a crouching position. Never go near the heicopter rear tail rotor.

Helicopter safety video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzif-RSaQmE

3.Describe how to place insulation under victim

4.Explain constructing natural, artificial or snow shelters, using vehicles

_____________________________

Updated Monday, October 20, 2014 at 10:51:55 AM by Mary Donahue - donahuemary@fhda.edu
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