FIRST AID IN THE BUSH

1
FIRST AID IN THE BUSH

• Cathy Crittenden
• Guides Queensland
• Scroggin 2008

2
HAVE FUN BE SAFE
3
What is it ?

• First Aid the initial emergency care given
  immediately upon arrival at the scene to an ill
  or injured person.
• - continues until professional medical
  assistance takes over the care.
• The Australian Bush rural undeveloped land or
  country areas in Australia.

4
What do you need?

• Commonsense is the most important
• The ability to stay calm
• Basic first aid knowledge
• The ability to look outside the square
• Hiking first aid kit
• Knowledge of surroundings and resources available
• Another person

5
LEGAL STUFF

• As a first aider you are under no obligation to
  help an injured person unless you owe that person
  a duty of care.
• You should always seek permission from a
  conscious casualty prior to rendering any
  assistance
• You can provide first aid in accordance with your
  level of training and experience.

6
000

• 000 is the primary emergency number
• 112 is an alternative for mobile phones
• CB radios channel 9 for 27MHz and channel 5 for
  UHF.

7
Heat exhaustion

• Heavy sweating
• Paleness
• Muscle cramps
• Tiredness
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• fainting

• Skin may be cool and moist
• Pulse will be fast and weak
• Breathing will be fast and shallow
• Untreated, it can progress to heat stroke

8
Heat exhaustion treatment
9
Heat exhaustion treatment

• Cooling measures
• - cool, non alcoholic beverages
• - rest in the shade
• - cool the body sit in the creek or sponge
  the victim. Do not allow too much cool.
• - lightweight, non restrictive clothing
• - quiet atmosphere and reassurance.

10
HEAT STROKE

• Like heat exhaustion but worse
• Sweating has stopped
• Irrational or aggressive behaviour
• Staggering and fatigue
• Visual disturbances
• Collapse and seizures
• Unconsciousness

11
HEAT STROKE

• Call 000 or whatever
• Same as heat exhaustion but also treat as shock
  and get them out quick
• Cold packs to areas with major blood vessels
  close to skin
• Give fluids if possible

12
Cold injuries

• Occurs when there is freezing to tissue
• Can also occur when air temperature is not
  freezing and when there is a high wind factor or
  wet clothing.
• Chilblains exposed to dry cold
• reddened tips, can have blisters
• Trench foot (immersion injury) exposed to wet
  cold blisters are deeper
• No permanent damage other than cold sensitivity
• No actual freezing of tissue

13
Frostbite

• Frostbite area of the body freezes
• - ice crystals form in the cells
• - ice crystals cause cells to
  rupture
• - leads to cell death no
  recovery
• Starts similar to chilblains then skin loses its
  blood supply, then loses feeling numb.
• At this stage there will be loss of skin layers
  but no permanent damage.

14
Frostbite

• If freezing continues skin becomes frozen
  hard with blisters after 1-2 days.
• Blisters may become hard blackened
• Most heal over 3-4 weeks leaving sensitivity to
  heat cold.
• Further freezing involves muscles, tendons, blood
  vessels nerves.
• Extremity is hardened, feels woody, deep purple
  or red with blisters
• Can take several months to determine extent of
  damage

15
Treat cold injuries

• Do not thaw if there is risk of refreezing
• Immerse injured part in tub of hot water at
  40-42C
• Re warming will induce pain
• Avoid warming over a fire can dry out injured
  tissue
• Blisters can be treated as a burn
• Seek medical advice when able

16
Burns

• 1st degree is superficial, red skin, painful
• 2nd degree red skin blistering, pain more
  intense
• 3rd degree skin white no sensation skin
  death
• Burns result in infection fluid loss
• Burns over 15 of body surface can lead to shock

17
Burns

• Burns to head neck can result in swelling
  lead to airway obstruction
• Burns extending circumferentially around a body
  part can restrict blood flow to part below
  require surgical release escharotomy

18
Treating Burns

• Remove any constricting jewellry
• Dowse affected area with cool water a.s.a.p
• how long? 20 minutes is good
• Immerse if possible
• NO ice or near freezing water
• Exposure to air causes pain
• Can use aloe vera gel, no creams or ointments
  unless mild 1st degree

19
Treating Burns

• Air causes pain and burns leak
• Cover with non-adherent dressing
• glad-wrap is good
• time to eat those sandwiches
• Give fluids keep body warm
• Loss of fluid and severe pain shock
• If the burn is large, a hospital visit maybe.

20
SNAKEBITE

• Ouch what was that?
• Usual treatment but immobilize and get to medical
  help
• Dial 000? Why not.
• Stretcher out if possible
• DO NOT wash the bite

21
Lacerations

• Stop bleeding
• Wash it with what water is good
• Cover it
• The cut is too big tape it together duct tape
  is good
• Splint it maybe.

22
Impaled Object

• Pull it out? is it big or little
• Its big oh dear it might bleed
• Stabilize it.
• Pad around firmly and tape in place.
• Clothes and duct tape are good make a doughnut

23
Fractures/Sprains

• Is the bone visible?
• Stop bleeding
• Clean
• Cover
• Stabilize

24
Transport

• Remove from the bush
• Make a transporter
• You have all that is required
• Wood and clothes if no rope. Even a sleeping bag
  can be used.
• How many first aid kits are in your group/

25
RESOURCES

• Many first aid kits one large kit
• If you are not too far out in the bush (day trip
  only) you will be nearer help but have less
  resources to use
• If you are further away (expedition) you will be
  further away from help but have more resources
• You can only do what you can with what you have
  so dont stress!

26
Thats It