MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES
MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES OVERUSE SYNDROMES Whenever a muscle is overused—that is, exercised past its state of conditioning—there is actual destruction of the muscle tissue and generation of lactic acid. Given a…
INJURIES AND ILLNESSES DUE TO COLD
INJURIES AND ILLNESSES DUE TO COLD HYPOTHERMIA (LOWERED BODY TEMPERATURE) The body generates heat through metabolic processes that can be maximized with involuntary shivering to roughly 5 times the basal…
UNDERWATER DIVING ACCIDENTS AND DROWNING
UNDERWATER DIVING ACCIDENTS AND DROWNING On land at sea level, the human body is constantly exposed to 14.7 lb (6.7 kg, or 1 atmosphere) of pressure from the weight of…
GROUND-TO-AIR DISTRESS SIGNALS
GROUND-TO-AIR DISTRESS SIGNALS If a party is trapped or lost, and helicopter or airplane search parties are likely to be in the region, it may help to attempt to signal…
EMERGENCY CHILDBIRTH
EMERGENCY CHILDBIRTH When a woman is ready to give birth, the contractions of labor are usually intense and uninterrupted, or separated by intervals of less than 3 to 5 minutes….
LIGHTNING STRIKE
LIGHTNING STRIKE Lightning strikes the earth at least 100 times per second during an estimated 3,000 thunderstorms per day. Fortunately, the odds of being struck by lightning are not very…
LOST PEOPLE
LOST PEOPLE People lost in the wilderness often act in a predictable manner. Rapid location of a lost person can make the difference between life and death. These general guidelines…
INJURIES AND ILLNESSES DUE TO HEAT
INJURIES AND ILLNESSES DUE TO HEAT BURN INJURIES See page 108. HEAT ILLNESS (HYPERTHERMIA) The human core temperature is maintained at 98.6°F (37°C), with little variation from individual to individual….
IMMUNIZATIONS
IMMUNIZATIONS Because the spectrum of infectious diseases changes with time and location, travelers to or between foreign countries should be aware of the necessity for immunizations. The Centers for Disease…
