A standard first aid course teaches you how to quickly recognize a life-threatening emergency, and how to manage it until professional medical attention arrives.
But what if your situation does not follow the steps you learned in your standard first aid class? What if you have to manage a serious injury on your own for hours or days before professional medical care arrives?
Cuts
Depending on the injury some cuts can easily be treated at home using basic first aid. You should always seek medical attention for any bleeding wounds that are more severe or persistent.
To prevent infection, clean and disinfect the wound. Cover the wound with a clean dressing that is changed frequently.
In addition, you may want to apply a small amount of antiseptic to the cut or graze. This is an excellent choice.
You can stop bleeding by applying pressure to the wound with a cloth or gauze. Continue to apply pressure to the area until bleeding stops.
Scrapes
Everybody is likely to be exposed to cut, scrape, or puncture wounds. These wounds are quite common in the wilderness. However, knowing how to treat them properly can help you avoid infection and keep your health.
With a few quick actions, most small cuts and scrapes stop bleeding quickly. You can apply a gauze pad or clean cloth to the wound to stop the blood flowing.
A bit of rubbing aloe vera can also be applied to a cut. This will help to remove dirt and other particles from the wound.
Also, rubbing alcohol will clean the skin and kill bacteria which could cause infection. Next, cover the wound using a sterile gauze pad or bandage. The dressing or bandage should be changed on a daily basis to avoid infection.
Burns
First aid will be required for anyone who is injured by direct contact with a flame, liquid, hot object or flame. First aid involves removing the source of the pain, applying heat to the affected area, and then covering it with a bandage.
You shouldn't use ice for cooling the burn, as it can cause additional damage to the skin. It can also lead to shock (a sudden drop on your body temperature).
You can protect the burnt person by taking off all tight clothing, belts, jewelry and other items from the area. If necessary, offer pain medication to reduce the symptoms of burning.
If the burn is severe, affecting the eyes or covering a large area of the body, dial 111 to get an ambulance. If the burn is minor, second-degree, you can attempt to treat it at home using these steps.
Broken Bones
Bones are living tissues and can get bruised in lots of ways. They can also be broken if something hits them with enough force.
Most fractures are treated with a cast or splint to keep the injured bone from moving while it heals. This allows bone to heal naturally and decreases pain and bleeding.
Some broken bones require surgery to reduce the break and help it heal. The treatment will depend on the location of the injury, the severity of the fracture, and your age and medical history.
It is important to get professional help immediately if you suspect that you have suffered a serious injury. Call 999 for an ambulance or Triple Zero (000) if you can't get to an A&E.
FAQ
How to Navigate Without a Compass, or with it?
While a compass won't show you where you are, it will help you locate your way home if you lose track of your direction.
There are three methods you can use to navigate.
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By landmarks
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By magnetic North (using an compass).
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By stars
You recognize landmarks when you see them. They include trees, buildings, rivers, etc. Landmarks can be useful because they are a visual indicator of where you're at.
Magnetic North is simply where the Earth's electromagnetic field points. If you look up at a skyline, you will notice that the sun seems to be moving across it. The earth's magnetic field actually causes sun to move around. So, while the sun seems to move across the sky, it really moves around the horizon. At noon, the sun is directly overhead. At midnight, you will see the sun directly below. The earth's magnetic field is constantly changing, so the exact direction of the magnetic North pole changes every day. This means that sometimes you may be off course for quite a while.
Another method of navigating is using stars. Stars appear to rise and set over the horizon. These are points in space you can use to find your exact location relative to other locations.
Why are knot-tying skills very important for survival?
Everywhere you look, people use knots to connect items like fishing lines, ropes, ladders, and so on. They also have many other uses, including tying bags shut, securing objects to trees, and creating makeshift shelters. When you are required to tie yourself to a tree, rope, or secure your shelter, the ability to make knots can be a lifesaver.
What is the most crucial survival tool for you if you're lost?
The compass indicates which direction north is. It also shows us the distance we have traveled since our origin point. The compass may not always help you find your way if you're travelling to a mountainous area. But if you're on a flat plain, the compass will usually give you what you need to know.
If you don’t have a map or compass, an object like a stone or tree could be used as a reference. Even though you still need a landmark to help you orient yourself, it's a good idea to have one.
Statistics
- Not only does it kill up to 99.9% of all waterborne bacteria and parasites, but it will filter up to 1,000 liters of water without the use of chemicals. (hiconsumption.com)
- Without one, your head and neck can radiate up to 40 percent of your body heat. (dec.ny.gov)
- In November of 1755, an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 6.0 and a maximum intensity of VIII occurred about 50 miles northeast of Boston, Massachusetts. (usgs.gov)
- The Dyrt PRO gives 40% campground discounts across the country (thedyrt.com)
External Links
How To
How to Build a Fish Trap To Survive
A fish trap is a device designed to catch fish. It is made up of two parallel bars, the "trays", that form a funnel-shaped shape. The water flows through one trap end. Water collects at its bottom in the first tray. This causes the water to rise. As the water levels rise, the second bar is broken, allowing trapped fish to swim free.
Fish traps have existed since antiquity and were used originally to catch salmon. They are still in use today. However they are also used to catch many freshwater catfish such as carp and bass.
If you have a large enough fish pond, you can make your own trap. The trap's interior will need to be lined with some material. If you don't have a lot of space, then you can buy a commercial fish trap kit online. These kits often include everything you will need to make the trap.
Here are some tips to help you build your fish trap.
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Ensure the sides of the trap are strong, so the water doesn't leak through them.
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Try to choose a place that has plenty of sunlight so that the sun will warm up the water.
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Avoid rough surfaces such as concrete and stone to trap sand particles.
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Make sure there is no debris in the trap area so the fish can't get trapped.
Once you have constructed the fish trap you will need to place it at the edge of your pond. Do not worry if fish escape. They will return to the trap in a few days. The trap should remain wet so there is no need to clean it. You can always remove dead fish from the pond later if you find them.