The standard first aid course will teach you how to recognize and respond quickly to life-threatening emergencies until professional help arrives.
What if your situation is not the same as what you were taught in your first aid class? You may have to handle a serious injury yourself for several hours or even days before professional medical assistance arrives.
Cuts
You can treat some cuts at home, depending upon the injury. However, larger or gaping cuts that don't stop bleeding require medical attention.
To prevent infection, the wound must be cleaned thoroughly and disinfected. You should also cover the cut with a clean bandage and change it often.
You may also want to add a little antiseptic to the cut. For this purpose, pine sap is a great choice.
You can stop bleeding by applying pressure to the wound with a cloth or gauze. Place another cloth over the bleeding area and continue to apply pressure until it stops.
Scrapes
We will all be subject to puncture wounds, scrapes, and cuts from time to time. They are common in wilderness life. Knowing how to treat them correctly can help prevent infection.
Most small cuts and scrapes will stop bleeding quickly with just a few simple actions. You can apply a gauze pad or clean cloth to the wound to stop the blood flowing.
You can also apply a bit of rubbing alcohol to a cut or scrape. This will help remove dirt and other particles that may be stuck in the wound.
Rubbish alcohol can also be used to clean the skin and kill any bacteria that could lead to infection. Then cover the wound with a sterile bandage or gauze pad and tape. The dressing or bandage should be changed on a daily basis to avoid infection.
Burns
First aid will be required for anyone who is injured by direct contact with a flame, liquid, hot object or flame. First aid involves removing the source of the pain, applying heat to the affected area, and then covering it with a bandage.
Do not use ice to cool off the burn. It can further cause tissue and skin damage. It can also cause shock (a sudden drop of body temperature).
You can protect the burnt person by taking off all tight clothing, belts, jewelry and other items from the area. You can also offer pain medication to ease the burning sensations.
If the burn is severe, affecting the eyes or covering a large area of the body, dial 111 to get an ambulance. If it is a minor second-degree burn, you can try to treat the injury at home using the steps above.
Broken Bones
Bones are living tissue and can become bruised in many ways. If they are struck with enough force, they can be broken.
To prevent fractures from happening, a cast or brace is applied to the affected bone. This allows the bone to mend naturally and reduces pain and bleeding.
Some broken bones require surgery to reduce the break and help it heal. Treatment depends on the type of injury, the severity and your medical history.
You should seek professional assistance immediately you suspect a serious heart attack. If you are not able to get to A&E or an ambulance, call 999.
FAQ
What is the most vital item to survive?
The most important thing you need to survive is food. Shelter is just as important as food. If you don’t eat you won’t live very long.
How to remain calm and composed in a survival situation
You will do well in almost any situation if you have patience and calm. It's easy, especially in a survival situation where you are isolated from civilization, to panic. You can be calm and patient no matter what happens.
It is important to understand that you can't change the outcome of any situation. You only have control of how you react. Even if you didn't do everything you wanted, this will still allow you to feel good about your self.
You must be calm and collected when you're in a survival situation. This means that you must be mentally and emotionally prepared.
Mental preparation is about setting realistic expectations for yourself and setting clear goals.
Physical preparation includes ensuring you have enough food and water to last until rescue arrives.
Once you've done those two things, you can relax and enjoy the experience.
Why are knot-tying skills important for survival
Knots are used by people all over the world to tie together items such as ropes, fishing lines, ladders, etc. They are also useful for tying bags shut and securing objects to trees. When you are required to tie yourself to a tree, rope, or secure your shelter, the ability to make knots can be a lifesaver.
How to Navigate Without a Compass or With One
Although a compass does not tell you where you're going, it can help you get back to your home in case you lose your bearings.
There are three options for navigation:
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By landmarks
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By magnetic North (using a compass)
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By stars
Landmarks are objects that you recognize when you see them. They are trees, buildings or rivers. They are useful as they can be used to show you where you are.
Magnetic North simply means the direction where the Earth’s magnetic field points. The sun appears to be moving across sky if you look up. The sun actually moves around the earth because of the earth's magnetic fields. Although it appears that the sun is moving across the sky and around the horizon, it actually does so. At noon, the sun is directly overhead. At midnight, you will see the sun directly below. The earth's magnetic field is constantly changing, so the exact direction of the magnetic North pole changes every day. This means that your course could drift a lot in a single day.
Another method of navigation is to use stars. Stars appear to rise and set over the horizon. These are fixed points in space that you can use to determine your location relative to other locations.
Statistics
- Not only does it kill up to 99.9% of all waterborne bacteria and parasites, but it will filter up to 1,000 liters of water without the use of chemicals. (hiconsumption.com)
- In November of 1755, an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 6.0 and a maximum intensity of VIII occurred about 50 miles northeast of Boston, Massachusetts. (usgs.gov)
- We know you're not always going to be 100% prepared for the situations that befall you, but you can still try and do your best to mitigate the worst circumstances by preparing for a number of contingencies. (hiconsumption.com)
- so you can be 100 percent hands-free, and there's less chance you'll put your torch down and lose it. (nymag.com)
External Links
How To
How to Make a Fish Trap That Will Survive
A fishtrap is a device to catch fish. It consists of two parallel bars (the "trays") that form a funnel shape. The water flows through one trap end. Water collects at its bottom in the first tray. This causes the water level in the tray to rise. The water level rises and falls through the second bar. This allows the fish trapped to escape.
Fish traps are an ancient invention that was originally used to catch salmon. They still function, but they can now be used to catch many kinds of freshwater catfish.
You can make your fish trap yourself if you have access to a large enough pond. You'll want to use some kind of material to line the inside of the trap. A commercial fish trap kit can be purchased online if space is limited. These kits often include everything you will need to make the trap.
These are some important things to remember when making your own fish trap
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To prevent water from leaking through the trap's sides, ensure they are strong.
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Choose a spot that gets plenty of sun to warm the water.
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Use a smooth surface like concrete or stone for the bottom of the trap because rough surfaces tend to attract sand and gravel particles.
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Keep the trap's area free from debris, so fish won't have any problems getting caught.
After you've constructed the fishtrap, you need to place it close to the edge. If the fish escape, don't panic. The trap should be left alone for a few more days to allow them to return in. The trap should remain wet so there is no need to clean it. You can later remove any dead fish that are found in the pond.