Chapter 18 - Safety and Emergency Skills
On-line Lesson 

Additional Reading: Backcountry Hygiene

SAFETY IN OUTDOOR LIVING

Many people avoid the outdoors because of fear of the unknown.  With proper knowledge, training, and supervision, there are probably few problems that confront those who take part in organized camping.

COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS AT CAMP

·     Upper respiratory infection

·     Sore throat:  strep and viral

·     Earache

·     Foreign object in eye or ear

·     Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eye)

·     Headache

·     Contact dermatitis

·     Minor lacerations and abrasions

·     Skin fungus infections

·     Lice

·     Constipation

·     Nausea and vomiting

·     Homesickness

·     Severe bleeding

·     Nosebleed

·     Acute abdominal pain

·     Heat exhaustion

·     Fractures

·     Head injury

·     Spinal injury

·     Near-drowning

·     Animal and snake bites

·     Drug sensitivity, especially to penicillin

·     Scabies (caused by mites)

·     Diarrhea

·     Painful menstruation

·     Sprains and strains

DEALING WITH EMERGENCIES

Many of these camp health problems are actually accidental injuries that must often be dealt with under emergency situations. If someone is injured in the woods, you cannot simply call a doctor, you must rely on your own common sense and resources that are on hand.

FIRST AID KIT

First aid kits designed for camper use can be purchased, however many camps prefer to assemble their own.

·     A lightweight plastic box with compartments or a special bag with pockets makes a good container.

·     Your local health personnel should be in charge of filling with appropriate supplies.

·     No expedition, even a very brief one, should leave camp without a first aid kit.

SOME COMMON AILMENTS TO CONFRONT HIKERS

·     Blisters

·     Sunburn

·     Heat exhaustion

·     Dehydration

·     Altitude sickness

·     Hypothermia

·     Stomach problems

MAKING DRINKING WATER SAFE

Water Filters Information

No matter how clear or sparkling water looks, even in remote wilderness areas, it may carry serious diseases and must be sterilized.  Giardia has now become a serious problem caused by drinking infected water from streams or lakes in the high mountains.  Use one of the following methods to purify water:

·     Boil it.

·     Use an approved water filter designed for this purpose.

·     Use iodine or Halazone tablets according to the directions printed on the container.

·     Use household chlorine bleach adding 8 drops to 1 gallon of raw water, mix and let stand for 30 min.

POISON IVY, POISON OAK, POISON SUMAC

It is estimated that at least two out of three people are allergic to at least one of these plants.  The allergic reaction results when urushiol, the oily substance from these plants, comes in contact with the skin.

·     Reaction occurs 5-20 days after exposure and lasts for 7-20 depending on degree of exposure.

·     Urushiol can spread to all parts of the body including eyes, mouth and genitals.

·     Even soot or smoke from burning plants can cause a reaction.

·     It can be spread through clothing, tools and pets that have had contact with urushiol.

·     Symptoms include redness, burning, itching followed by rash, swelling, watery blisters.

·     If exposed, wash with copious amounts of water, treat with cortisone cream, antihistamines.

·     Prevention is far better than treatment so identifying and eradicating these plants in your camp area is a necessity.

CREATURES OF THE WILD

There are actually few dangerous animals roaming about in the backcountry but occasionally some stray from the norm.  An animal will not usually bite or otherwise cause harm unless surprised or frightened.  The following is a list of some animals or insects you need to be aware of depending on the location of your camp:

Information regarding all of these safety issues including prevention and treatment previously reviewed should be acquired during the pre-camp staff training.  CPR/First Aid certification should be a requirement and is usually included in the staff training.

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