Equipment Outfitters

Swimming into the deepest reaches of the ocean is a feat that many divers have experienced to a degree. Some may go below 200 feet (60m), others deeper. All would be lost without the air they bring with them. There is a special breed of diver who can go deeper than most, without air tanks. These freedivers have pushed the limits of unassisted breathing dives to below 400 feet.

Tofreedive to depths of even 50 feet (15m) is an unsettling prospect for all but the strongest swimmers. To dive much deeper requires holding a breath for minutes. In fact, the world’s best freedivers hold their breath for periods that rival many marine mammals. Read the rest of this entry »

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 »

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 »