First Aid

HOW TO TEND TO MINOR AND MAJOR INJURIES by Arma

Survival Mindset
Prepare yourself mentally to overcome hardships and discomfort. Fear increases adrenaline and attention to deal with dangers, but it must be harnessed to avoid panic.
Panic attacks are destructive, waste energy and screw-up thinking - all breaking down one's spirit. You must focus your mind to analyze and deal with the situation and concentrate on tasks to get you out safe.

Leech bite
 Leave It Be.
As long as it isn't inside of an ear, nose, mouth, or vagina it is safe to let it suck until it is full and fall off naturally. Leeches usually can suck about 20 minutes worth of blood at which time they will drop off to digest it.

 Removing It.
Removing it should be done carefully. Take your finger nail or another thin flat object (a razor blade is an option). Locate the head, this will be the smaller and narrower portion of the leech. Slide your thin flat object between the head and the skin. This will detach the sucker. Repeat the same move on the body of the leech detaching that as well. Then quickly flick the leech away. If you are not quick the leech will bite you again and reattach itself to your skin.

 Clean the Wound.
Once the leech is gone it is important to wash the wound with soap and water and then to bandage it. It may bleed for some time since the leech has enzymes in its mouth to keep the blood from clotting. However, you should be just fine in a short while. If you need to, change the bandage to make sure that it is soaking up the blood. Keep an eye on it over the next few days to make sure you don't get an infection.

Bruises
Bruising occurs after traumatic injury and consists of swelling and discoloration under the skin but no disruption of the skin.
The treatment for a bruise is most effective right after the injury while the bruise is still reddish.
• A cold compress such as an icepack or a bag of frozen peas should be applied to the affected area for 20-30 minutes in order to speed healing and reduce swelling. Do not apply ice directly to the skin. Wrap the icepack in a towel.
• If the bruise takes up a large area of the leg or foot, the leg should be kept elevated as much as possible during the first 24 hours after the injury.
• Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be taken for pain as instructed on the bottle. Avoid aspirin because aspirin slows the blood from clotting and may, in fact, prolong the bleeding.
• After about 48 hours, heat in the form of a warm washcloth applied to the bruise for 10 minutes or so 2 or 3 times a day may increase blood flow to the bruised area allowing the skin to reabsorb the blood more quickly. Ultimately, the bruise will fade in color.
 In traditional herbal medicine, a compress or ointment of sweet clover is applied to bruises. It should be applied to cover the bruise, and several applications per day may be necessary to improve healing.

 Arnica is considered by some practitioners to be among the best vulnerary (wound-healing) herbs available. As a homeopathic remedy, arnica is often recommended as both an internal and topical means to treat minor injuries. Some healthcare practitioners recommend mixing 1 tablespoon of arnica tincture in 500 ml water, then soaking thin cloth or gauze in the liquid and applying it to the injured area for at least 15 minutes four to five times per day.



 Comfrey is also widely used in traditional medicine as a topical application to help heal wounds.


Stings
1. Have someone stay with the victim to be sure that they do not have an allergic reaction.
2. Wash the site with soap and water.
3. The stinger can be removed using a 4x4-inch gauze wiped over the area or by scraping a fingernail over the area. Never squeeze the stinger or use tweezers. It will cause more venom to go into the skin and injure the muscle.
4. Apply ice to reduce the swelling.
5. Do not scratch the sting. This will cause the site to swell and itch more, and increase the chance of infection.
Allergic Reactions to Bee Stings

Allergic reactions to bee stings can be deadly. There are several signs of an allergic reaction to bee stings. Look for swelling that moves to other parts of the body, especially the face or neck. Check for difficulty in breathing, wheezing, dizziness or a drop in blood pressure. Get the person immediate medical care if any of these signs are present. It is normal for the area that has been stung to hurt, have a hard swollen lump, get red and itch. There are kits available to reduce the pain of an insect sting. They are a valuable addition to a first aid kit.
Alternative/Natural Treatments
Herbal Therapies - Apply aloe or apply calendula ointment four times a day.
Aromatherapy - Lavender or Tea Tree Oil applied neat may sooth the sting and reduce the chances of infection. Lavender or Tea Tree Oil applied neat may sooth the sting and reduce the chances of infection.


If bitten by a brown recluse or black widow spider
1. If possible, make a positive identification. If the spider bite is on an arm or a leg, tie a snug bandage above the bite to help slow or halt the venom's spread. Ensure that the bandage is not so tight as to cut off circulation in the arm or the leg.
2. Use a cold cloth at the spider bite location. Apply a cloth dampened with cold water or filled with ice.
3. Seek immediate medical attention. Treatment for the bite of a black widow may require an antivenom medication.

Poisonous plants
For poisoning by swallowing:
1. Check and monitor the person's airway, breathing, and pulse. If necessary, begin rescue breathing and CPR.
2. Try to make sure that the person has indeed been poisoned. It may be hard to tell. Some signs include chemical-smelling breath, burns around the mouth, difficulty breathing, vomiting, or unusual odors on the person. If possible, identify the poison.
3. Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by the health care professional.
4. If the person vomits, clear the person's airway. Wrap a cloth around your fingers before cleaning out the mouth and throat. If the person has been sick from a plant part, save the vomit. It may help experts identify what medicine can be used to help reverse the poisoning.
5. If the person starts having convulsions, give convulsion first aid.
6. Keep the person comfortable. The person should be rolled onto the left side, and remain there while getting or waiting for medical help.
7. If the poison has spilled on the person's clothes, remove the clothing and flush the skin with water.

DO NOT
 Do NOT give an unconscious person anything by mouth.
 Do NOT induce vomiting unless you are told to do so by the doctor. A strong poison that burns on the way down the throat will also do damage on the way back up.
 Do NOT try to neutralize the poison with lemon juice or vinegar, or any other substance, unless you are told to do so by the doctor.
 Do NOT wait for symptoms to develop if you suspect that someone has been poisoned.

Fractures
For open fractures
• Control bleeding before treatment
• Rinse and dress the wound
For open / closed fractures
• Check the breathing
• Calm the person
• Examine for other injuries
• Immobilize the broken wound
• Apply ice to reduce pain / swelling
• Give treatment
DO NOT
• Massage the affected area
• Straighten the broken bone
• Move without support to broken bone
• Move joints above / below the fracture


References:
http://www.privateintranet.com/healthcontent/ailmentsanddiseases/bee_stings.htm
http://www.nature-escapes-kuala-lumpur.com/hazard-signs.html
http://www.nature-escapes-kuala-lumpur.com/wilderness-first-aid-kit.html
http://www.evitamins.com/healthnotes.asp?ContentID=1172006#Introductory
http://firstaid.webmd.com/bruises-treatment
http://www.medindia.net/patients/Firstaid-fracture.htm
http://www.nasdonline.org/docs/d000701-d000800/d000800/d000800.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-spider-bites/FA00048
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000003.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-insect-bites/FA00046
http://www.helium.com/items/903715-tips-on-removing-leeches