Equipment Outfitters

Cuts

Cuts are not uncommon out-of-doors and are usually the result of incorrect handling of knives and tools. Sharp tools, incidentally, are less likely to slip and cause injury than blunt ones, so keep your sharp tools sharp, but covered.

Wash a cut well and, if it is very deep, press the edges together, and bind firmly. If a vein or artery is cut it may need to be tamped with the fingers until, as the clotting starts, the bleeding slows. Bad cuts may require stitching and puncture wounds, or cuts from rusty wire or farm implements, may need an anti-tetanus injection. Bad cuts and all puncture wounds should be seen by a doctor. Grazes should be washed to remove any ingrained dirt before covering. A light application of an antiseptic cream like Savlon may be soothing. Read the rest of this entry »

Blisters

Blisters are the bane of outdoor people and as with most problems, prevention is far better than cure.

Break your boots in until they are completely comfortable and always wear well-washed, well-fitting socks. Pamper your feet, keeping the nails trim, the feet clean and the socks dusted with powder. Hot feet blister more easily than feet in dry, cool socks.

If, or rather, when, you get a blister, act as follows: At the first sensation of an imminent blister, or a ‘hot spot’ on the foot, remove the boot and sock. If the skin is merely red and tender, cut a square of ‘Moleskin’ and cover the area, which may prevent further trouble. Read the rest of this entry »

Shock

Shock is present, even if not apparent, in all major and most minor accident situations.

Apart from any injury, the victim has suffered a blow to the nervous system, which can lead to a temporary functional failure of some parts. Shock, together with the injuries, can lead to death. Shock is very serious and is usually present, so always treat for shock, even if the victim seems, or declares himself to be quite all right.

The victim may be pale, grey and sweating, or shivering with an irregular pulse, perhaps hysterical. Make him lie down and rest. Treat the injuries as best you can, cleaning up any blood, acting confidently. Your confidence will do a great deal to help reassure the casualty, and reassurance is what he needs to fight the shock. Clear away all spectators unless they can help. If you can cheer the casualty a little and reassure him by your words and actions that all will soon be well, you have helped him considerably. Here again, a knowledge of first aid will give you the confidence he badly needs. Read the rest of this entry »

Breathing stopped

If a casualty stops breathing for any period longer than a very few minutes, he may die, or if alive still suffer irreversible brain damage. If a casualty is not breathing it is vital that mouth-to-mouth or mouth-tonose resuscitation commences AT ONCE, and is continued until breathing re-starts. Be prepared for this to take some time. With any casualty check for chest movement, or a sensation of breathing at mouth and nostrils. A mirror may help here, as any breath will fog the glass. If there is no breath, commence resuscitation at once.

The action for mouth-to-mouth is as follows:

1. Lay the casualty on his back and tilt the head back to open the airways.
2. Check mouth for obstructions and remove them.
3. Pinch the nostrils together and place your mouth over that of the casualty to make a seal. Read the rest of this entry »

A good knowledge of first aid is essential out-of-doors. Accidents in the wild are happily rare, but when they do occur, proper medical assistance is rarely immediately available. Moreover, in the natural course of events, there is liable to be a succession of minor injuries like cuts or blisters, which, with a little knowledge and a first-aid kit, can soon be put right. But first, what exactly is first aid?

First aid is the assistance given to a casualty at or about the time the injury actually occurs. First aid aims to keep the victim alive, prevent the injury from getting worse, help eventual recovery, and last but by no means least, relieve the pain. Read the rest of this entry »