There are lots of things that can happen to the body in the outdoors; some that are intentional, and many more that are accidental. Basic first aid can be administered to people with mild injuries. However, when injuries are more serious or life threatening, medical attention is best left to experts. Barring that, there are those instances where basic first aid has saved someone’s life, making it an important skill set for all outdoor enthusiasts — and otherwise — to keep current with. Here are just a few basics to get you on the right track.
Bleeding
If someone is bleeding from an injury, a provider of basic first aid can apply pressure to the area. Depending on the nature and location of the wound, applying pressure can effectively slow the bleeding. Our bodies house between five and six quarts of blood, so minor blood loss will hopefully not be life-threatening. Keeping pressure on the wound is important, as well as a clean piece of material and medical tape to keep over the wound to protect it from contamination. Professional medical attention may still be required because too much blood loss can lead to shock and death.
Shock
Shock can kill! A person in shock needs stabilization or they can quickly and easily die. Shock is a condition in which a person’s organs are not receiving blood and oxygen. A sign of shock is when a person’s body is unresponsive, and their skin turns bluish. A body in shock needs immediate warmth, and the body’s legs should be slightly raised, all of which can be attended to with basic first aid knowledge. Once the victim is stabilized, call for medical help immediately.
Burns
Burns are common injuries, and they can be minor or major. For minor burns, like those on a person’s hand, you can run cold water over the burned surface. It may be difficult because even minor burns can be extremely painful. Major burns require immediate medical attention. Objects stuck to the burned area can cause excruciating pain for the burn victim. The best you may be able to do with basic first aid is cover the burn area until professional medical help arrives. The American Red Cross offers CPR and AED training and certification to the general public. It’s important to get yourself trained, as you never know when you may be the person on the spot that acts quickly enough to save another person’s life.
Related articles: 10 Essentials for Your First-Aid Kit & Nature’s First Aid Kit
Featured Image from Ilja Frei/Unsplash
