While out in the wilderness emergencies can pop up at any time. Breathing problems, choking, broken bones, scraps and more are all results of accidents or sudden issues that can suddenly appear. It is important that you and your friends know some of the basics to help save a life if that time arises. Because GearUpTactics cares about your well-being, here are some basic things to know about before your next trip to the wilderness.
CPR is a great tool to keep in your knowledge bank for several different reasons. If you’re eating around the camp fire and a friend starts choking, if your friend is drowning, or someone falls into cardiac arrest, are just a few reasons why CPR is something you would want to know. We at GearUpTactics would like to strongly suggest that you take a CPR class to help inform you of the proper way to perform this technique without causing further injury to the person in need. Some employers offer this course or a quick Google search within your area can help you find a nearby facility where this class is taught. There are tools that can help aid you in the process of performing CPR such as a resuscitator bag or portable aid kits that will pack away with your camping gear.
Broken bones can be more harmful to the victim if not treated or not tended to properly. Imagine being on a hike with some friends and you slip on a rock breaking a leg. There are no emergency rooms or doctors for miles, so what do you do? The first thing we recommend is to take a basic First Aid course. These classes will teach you the fundamentals of making a splint to set the broken limb which will alleviate some of the pain and allow the victim to be moved easier out of the wilderness. Clean water should always be on hand, so make sure to rinse off any where the bone may be protruding, but do not rub the exposed area because this could allow for infection if something foreign gets in the body. This area should be wrapped with a piece of clean cloth such as a shirt or towel to prevent contaminants from entering to open wound. Once the wound is wrapped and the splint is set, get the injured party to the nearest medical facility for proper treatment. If their leg is broken, help them walk but do not apply pressure to that leg.
Burns and scraps can be minor or severe. They can be caused by a short fall, camp fire, animal attack or something else entirely. Again, taking a First Aid program will educate you on the best way to treat these injuries. However, here are a couple pointers to aid you. For scraps and burns we recommend cleaning the area with water or alcohol to prevent infection. Infections in the wild without treatment have the potential to lead to extra pain or discomfort, loss of limb, and everything in between. Once the area has been cleaned, wrap the injury with a clean cloth and tie it off tight enough that it will not come lose or allow for debris to enter the body. Make sure the cloth is not so tight that it cuts off circulation to the appendage. If severe we believe it best to leave and get the person to a medical professional because antibiotics or other treatment may be necessary. If you and your party decide not to leave, keep an eye on the burn or scrap. Check for discoloration aside from normal bruising, assess the pain level of your injured party, and reclean the area as needed.
The need for CPR, treatment for broken bones, and care for burns and scraps are the difference between life and life altering situations. We at GearUpTactics care about your safety and well-being. This is why we recommend having a First Aid kit available for any situation you may encounter on the road, camping trip or anywhere else you may venture. We also highly suggest finding a CPR and First Aid class near you that will help aid you in the proper techniques of treatment. It is better to be prepared for an emergency, than have one and not know what to do.