From PCSAR
- 1.0 hr
- SAR Fundamentals Manual:
- Ch.9 "Some Survival First Aid Considerations"
- appendix B
- Basic SAR Skills Manual:
- Ch.11 "First Aid"
- F-9 "Hypothermia"
- Hypothermia
Outline
[From Jake's outline]
Chapter outlines
Chapter 9
Survival First Aid p.121
W/appendix B
Don't jeopardize your team by becoming a victim your self.
Self first Aid
Diagnose your aches and pains before they bring you down.
Hypothermia
Medical condition or illness that is caused by the body's inner
temperature being lowered so far below normal as to cause a person to
become ill. Also known as exposure.
Causes:
Falling in cold water
Traveling in the cold while wet
Improper dress
Alcohol
Drugs
Urban hypothermia. (lack of funds to pay bills)
A person can be considered hypothermic when their core temperature is
below 35*c.
Heat transfer:
Radiation
Conduction
Convection
evaporation
hydration play a role in hypothermia, thermal control is lost or reduced.
Dehydration occurs faster in colder weather and at elevation.
Signs of hypothermia
Severe hypothermia
shivering may stop all together.
Unable to walk, poor muscular co-ordination.
Confusion, incoherent, irrational behavior.
May become careless, self preservation.
At less than 30.5*c muscles become rigid.
Semiconscious.
After 28*c unconsciousness
After 26*c cardiac arrest.
Freezing injuries.
Frost bite
Frost nip
Trench foot (foot immersion)- exposure of skin to cold wet
conditions.
Chilblain- exposure of dry skin to cold.
Heat related problems.
Heat cramps- profuse sweating and salt depletion.
Heat exhaustion- extreme version of heat cramps.
Dehydration, seen with unconsciousness.
Headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea.
Cool moist skin
Heat stroke- life threatening.
Can cause brain damage.
Skin is hot, reddened, and dry.
Headache, dizziness, dry mouth, coma, and seizures.
Quickly becomes confused.
Treatment is aimed at lowering body temp., as soon as possible.
Remove clothing and place the victim in a cool place with low
humidity.
Solar injuries
Sunburn
Snow blindness
Altitude Related Problems
Mountain sickness-MAS- found over 8000 feet, not acclimating to
elevation, going up too quick.
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Sleepiness
Weakness
Apathy, and headache
HAPE- High altitude pulmonary edema,
Fluid on the lungs
Climbing above 8000 ft too quickly.
Lethal if not treated.
Same symptoms as MAS
White or red(bloody) mucus when coughing.
Weakness
Short of breath.
Can start as low as 4000 ft. called mid altitude sickness.
HACE- High altitude cerebral edema
Fluid on the brain
Inability to walk a straight line
Change in consciousness,
Impaired judgment.
Water Deprivation
Dehydration, losing of body water, hypohrdration, levels too low.
Thirst may be absent at altitude.
Blisters
Don't get them, and treat them asap.
Snakes- overhead
Insects
Tick removal
Poisonous plants
General Considerations for the SAR Casualty
Use common sense
Remain calm
Always hope for the best, but presume the worst.
Never perform something you are unsure of.
Never move a seriously injured person, unless they are in danger
from the environment, or for medical reasons.
Don't allow a person to "walk it off"
Never approach and injured person from above.
Re-evaluate at regular intervals.
Keep lots of notes.
Have a witness to remove restrictive clothing and jewelry, and
place the objects in a safe place.
Remember:
if nothing else, do no more harm.
