First Aid/Medical/Hygeine Flashcards
Going to the Bathroom
Don’t go to the bathroom too close to your shelter.
Create a “scent boundary” around your shelter to let animals know you are there.
Don’t attract flies—go to the bathroom in a hole and cover it with dirt.
Keep your body clean.
Charcoal for Your Stomach
If you have an upset stomach or you ate something bad, try eating a bit of charcoal. Charcoal is very absorbent. It can absorb too much stomach acid and even some poisons.
Sunscreen
Sun burns can really suck away your energy.
Even being outside on a cloudy day can burn your skin.
Put sunscreen on your face, neck (especially the back, even under your shirt a bit), ears, arms, and legs.
Once, Grandpa Wisniewski was sunburned on the top of his feet and he couldn’t walk all day!
Burns
Burns are common out in the wild.
Cool the area off as soon as possible. Wash with clean water.
Apply burn cream to the area.
I’m not sure if you should put a bandage over it or not.
Cuts
Wash the wound with clean water or alcohol.
Put Neo-Sporin on the wound before covering it with a band-aid. It will kill germs that might have gotten in there.
Keep the wound clean.
If it’s a really bad cut, use clotting material to stop the bleeding. Then, cover with gauze and tape. Keep constant pressure on the wound to pinch the blood vessels closed.
Keep an eye out for predators that can smell that you are wounded.
Sprained Ankle
Ankle injuries are common in the wild. Not being able to walk can be deadly.
Wrap the entire ankle in an Ace bandage.
Idea: wrap the bandaged foot in plastic to keep it dry. Try using a stick like a cane to make walking easier.
Splint
A splint is a way to keep a joint from moving so that it can heal and so that it will hurt less. Improvise a splint with sticks, bark and gear wrapped in a shirt, tape, cordage, or an ace bandage. Be creative.
Headache
Headaches are caused by a lot of things such as dehydration, lack of sleep, lack of food, sickness, infection, sore neck muscles, uncomfortable headgear and too much sun.
Ibuprofen can help. Sometimes just drinking water and resting will help it go away.
Stomach Ache
Usually a stomach ache is caused by too much acid in your stomach. This can be caused by stress, eating something weird or not eating.
Tums can help. If you don’t have Tums, try a little charcoal. Water or food can also help dilute the acid.
How to Make Yourself Throw Up
This is gross, but if you think you ate or drank something that’s making you feel sick, it might be better to get it out quickly. Sticking your finger down your throat will make you vomit. It’s not pleasant, but it might be better than being sick out in the wild.
Infection
When germs get in your body they can cause an infection. This can cause everything from discomfort, redness, swellling, hot spots, fever, sickness and death.
Hypothermia
This is being so cold you are at risk of dying. Hypothermia can happen in temperatures above 50 degrees. Create as many layers on your body as you can. Get dry and stay dry.
It might be better to take wet clothes off than to leave them on.
Look for signs like shivering and blue lips.
Note: it is actually difficult to get warm by an open fire.
Make a simple crutch
Try to craft a simple crutch from one piece of wood. If you hurt your ankle, a simple crutch might allow you to find help.
