Outdoor First Aid

Thinking on your feet whilst on an Adventure

Outdoor Education is lots of fun, rewarding and based around the experiences
that you have.
However, with adventure and being outdoors, there are risks.
What are some risks or dangers?
 Water hazards
Insect Bites Extreme heat and cold
Snake Bites Dangerous weather
Broken/sprained limbs THE ELEMENTS AND
THE GREAT OUTDOORS!
Falling rocks/branches
On your table, there are a variety of first aid procedures.
What first aid response would you use for each of the
following?
What is your job in Outdoor first aid?
First responder and prevent decline
in condition?
Blister Symptoms
- Red & tender patch of skin
- Small lump or pocket filled with fluid and in
some instances, blood
- Slight burning sensation of the affected area
Common Causes of Blisters
- Wrongly fitted & new shoes
- Friction
- Burns
- Moisture (Causes rubbing and friction)
First Aid Treatment of Blisters
- If possible, try not to pop the blister (can cause of infection)
- Popping the blister - clean area, disinfectant, needle etc.
- Allow fluid to drain & leave skin in place (Infection)
- Apply antiseptic followed by a dressing or sticking plaster (No tape)
- Change the dressing everyday
Seeking further medical attention if necessary
- Blister is caused by burns
- Blister starts producing pus or green and yellow fluid (Infection)
- The affected area is inflammed
Prevention of Blisters
- Wearing appropriate and fitted shoes
- Moisture wicking socks/changing socks
- Apply a foot spray deodorant to reduce sweating
- Change socks if they become wet promptly
- If a ‘hot spot’ is felt, immediately act and apply tape, band aid etc.
- Be extremely careful when dealing with heat, flames and chemicals
Personal Experience/Recommendation
- Don’t buy new shoes right before camp
- Wear shoes in
- Gel like bandaids
- Sport tape
Ankle Sprain Symptoms
- Swelling around the ankle within minutes or up to several hours
- Pain and discomfort around the ankle joint when walking and moving
- Potential bruising around the ankle joint
First Aid Treatment of Ankle Sprains
- Stop activity right away to assess the injury
- Rest temporarily
- Apply ice packs if available
- Bandage the joint firmly (including up the calf and around the foot)
- Tape the ankle depending on extent of injury and further movements
Complications
- Tricky situation when bushwalking
- Evaluating the extent of the injury
- Can they continue?
- Do they need medical attention?
- Affected student and teacher to make decision
Moving Ahead with The Ankle Sprain
- Student believes they can keep going
- Sharing the load (other students to help with baggage etc.)
- Strapping the ankle for support and to avoid further injury
- Assisting injured student where necessary (difficult paths etc.)
Ankle Strapping
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRO-HZXQTlI
Bandage Demonstration
Bee Stings
- Remove the sting by sliding your fingernail across the skin, rather than trying to pull it out
(as it may get stuck in your finger). Wash the area and apply ice to reduce the swelling.
- If the patient has an allergy to bee stings they can fall into a life-threatening state of
anaphylactic shock.
- The only treatment is an injection of adrenaline. Immobilise the patient, apply pressure to
the bite and seek immediate medical help.
Snake Bite
- Seek immediate medical help. Not all Australian snakes are venomous but you should follow the basic
first aid techniques for safety reasons.
- DON’T wash the skin, as traces of venom left behind might be needed by medical personnel to identify
the snake, in order to treat the bite affectively.
- Use a pressure immobilisation bandage and splint the limb. If the patient was bitten on the torso, make
sure your bandaging doesn’t restrict their breathing.
Tick Bite
- If a tick has burrowed into the skin, grasp it behind the head with a pair of tweezers, getting as close to
the skin as possible.
- Gently pull it straight out with steady pressure, making sure you remove the entire body.
- After removal of the tick, wash the area with warm soapy water and then a mild antiseptic.
- Cover the area with a ‘bandaid’ type dressing for 24 hours.
- DO NOT use methylated spirits, alcohol or anything else to kill the tick before removing it as it may
cause more venom to be injected into the patient.
 Hypothermia
Occurs when body temperature drops below 35 degrees celsius
Can occur in cold, wet and windy outdoor environments and can be life
threatening if not treated or prepared for.
 Prevent Hypothermia by:
Seek shelter when cold or rough weather presents itself and prevent prolonged exposure
Wear several layers of clothing and waterproof/heat retaining clothing
Spare clothing
Prevent restricted blood circulation
Hydrate and eat regularly
 Symptoms of Hypothermia include, for different severities:
Pale and cool to touch.
Sluggish in responses, drowsy and/or decreasing in consciousness/unconscious
Numbness in fingers/toes/hands/feet
Shivering (Or after a time no longer shivering but other symptoms remain)
Slowed heart rate, breathing and blood pressure
Hard to detect pulse
Pupil of eye not responding to light appropriately
 Prevent further heat loss. You can do this by:
Conduction – Remove from cold, and place in warmer place.
Convection – Shelter and remove from windy or wet environment.
Radiation – Cover the person as much as possible to avoid further heat loss.
Evaporation – Dry person to avoid heat being lost through sweat.
 First Aid for Hypothermia:
Use any source of heat available and introduce gradually (Hot water bottles, heat packs, close to a fire etc)
Place around torso, armpits and groin
Dry the person and/or remove wet clothing
Share body heat if necessary
Get into blanket or a sleeping bag if/when possible.
 Hyperthermia
When the body can no longer regulate its own
temperature.
Caused from over exposure to heat and the
elements, or overexertion outdoors.
 Symptoms of hyperthermia:
Dehydration and thirst
Muscle cramping or spasms
Nausea or vomiting
Fast breathing or shallow breathing
High core body temperature,
fast heart rate,
Delirium. lightheadedness or headache
Fainting
 Treatment of hyperthermia:
Try to get to a cool location or shade
Drink water
Take a cool bath in a water source
Place ice bags or cool wet towels under your arms, groin and torso area.