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 MEDICINE
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…
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….
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…
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…
FIRST-AID KITS
FIRST-AID KITS First-aid kits should be designed according to the environment to be encountered, number of travelers, medical training of the party leaders, and distance from sophisticated medical care. The…
WATER DISINFECTION
WATER DISINFECTION Water purification is the removal of chemical pollutants by filtration through activated charcoal or active resin compounds. This usually improves the taste, but does not decrease the incidence…
MOTION SICKNESS
MOTION SICKNESS Motion sickness (seasickness, or “mal de mer”) is a common, annoying, and sometimes disabling problem for boaters and divers. Motion sickness is a complex phenomenon that involves the…
MALE GENITAL PROBLEMS
MALE GENITAL PROBLEMS PAINFUL TESTICLE If a male complains of a painful testicle, examine both testicles. Look for discoloration or swelling. If a testicle has been injured by a blow,…
