Outdoor Survival Tips
Helpful Tips for New ATV Riders
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Medical Situations
The first steadfast rule in any emergency situation
is DO NOT PANIC, you will not function effectively and you will further endanger
yourself and/or the injured person. Always think calmly and clearly and remember
your primary responsibility during any medical situation "is to do no harm".
ANKLE SPRAINS
- Sit or lie down as soon as possible, get weight off
of ankle
- Apply cold; snow, ice or water to reduce swelling
- Elevation of the limb can help reduce swelling · If
severe sprain, bind ankle firmly with bandage or cloth
- If walking is essential, make a crutch from tree
limb
- The best cure is to take the time to rest the sprain
WRIST SPRAINS
- Apply cold; snow, ice or cold water to reduce any
swelling
- Support with a sling from handkerchief, bandanna or
bandages
- If needed, bind arm to body so that wrist will not
be used NOTE: If symptoms are severe and continuing there may be a fracture.
Immediately immobilize the area and seek immediate medical help.
MINOR BURNS
- If burned skin is white immerse in cool water until
the pink hue of the skin returns, this could be for as long as 30 minutes.
- DO NOT break any blisters caused by a burn.
- DO NOT wipe the area; gently blot with soft cloth to
remove moisture and any dirt.
- Bandage loosely to hold out air, a good measure is
to cover with a small plastic bag if possible.
MAJOR BURNS
- Treat immediately for shock, calm victim down and
place them at rest
- Give liquids, but STOP if victim becomes nauseated.
· DO NOT attempt to treat major burns.
- Stabilize victim and immediately transport to get
victim to medical help. HEAT EXHAUSTION
- The symptoms are moist clammy skin, weakness and
nausea. There is also a possibly of victim being delirious. Try and calm them
down.
- Get victim out of sun and into shade immediately.
- Lie victim down comfortably on their back. · Raise
their feet to get the head level lower than their feet.
- Cool victim by giving fluids, remove excess gear
only, DO NOT remove their clothes. If possible do not apply ice directly. If
possible use towels saturated with cold water to drape over arms and legs.
- Have victim drink consistently but slowly, if
available Gatorade, or another sports drink to help replenish their lost
electrolytes.
- If signs of improvement do not occur quickly, seek
out immediate medical help.
HYPOTHERMIA
- The symptoms are usually slurred speech, clumsiness
and uncontrollable shivering.
- Strip the victim, dry the victim as much as possible
and get them back into dry clothing.
- Place victim in sleeping bag if available, wrap in
blankets or pile on extra cloths.
- Provide any body shelter available, a tent, a tarp,
make a lean-to or find natural shelter out of the cold and wind.
- Start a fire as soon as you can after getting the
victim dry, DO NOT place victim in wet cloths near a fire.
- DO NOT give warm drinks, they can possible be
harmful at this stage.
- DO NOT ever give a victim of hypothermia any
alcoholic beverage.
- DO NOT let victim fall asleep.
- Increasing body temperature is critical, if needed
remove your clothing and get into sleeping bag with victim. Chest to chest
contact is best
- Warm rocks around your fire and carefully wrap them
in dry clothing and place next to victim.
- GET IMMEDIATE MEDICAL HELP.
EYE PROBLEMS
- If you are alone try and see object by using your
signal mirror.
- Try and gently remove object with tip of moistened
handkerchief, bandanna or gauze bandage. Have someone else do this if they are
available.
- DO NOT try and remove any object that is firmly
embedded in the eye, get to a medical facility as quickly as possible.
- Blinking alone may remove any small surface objects
such as sand, gravel or dirt.
- Believe it or not, blowing your nose hard may help
dislodge any small object in your eye.
- Flush with clean water from nose side towards
outside edge of eye.
- If none of above works, lightly bandage BOTH eyes
and get the person to medical help as quickly as possible. The reason for
covering both eyes is to reduce strain on injured eye.
SUN BLINDNESS or SNOW BLINDNESS
- Bathe eyes with wet cloth unless temperature is
below freezing.
- DO NOT use eye drops.
- Cover both eyes and keep eyes closed so as not to
expose to any light.
- Depending on how serious your exposure it could take
up to 24 hours before complete improvement is noticed.
- DO NOT expose your eyes to bright light soon after
treatment as blindness can possibly occur if further damage is done.
- Get to a medical facility as soon as possible if
condition persists for more than a few hours.
CHOKING
- Food caught in throat
- If victim can speak do nothing and allow him to
disgorge the food.
- If victim cannot speak and is gasping for air, stand
the victim upright and position yourself behind him/her.
- Reach around and place the thumb side of your fist
on their abdomen just above their navel.
- Grab that fist with your other hand. · Give 6 to 10
vigorous thrusts, pulling up and in towards your chest.
- If the victim still cannot speak and the food is not
as yet dislodged, repeat the maneuver described above until it releases.
As you will notice above in all the listed areas,
getting professional medical help can be a critical necessity depending on the
situation that seem or that you deem to be anywhere near perilous. Do not take
any chances, if you have any doubt please seek immediate professional medical
assistance.
For further information on any first aid related
situation please consult a reputable first-aid manual. Small pocket size
versions that you can carry in your survival or first aid kit are available
online at amazon.com, in bookstores and at most outdoor stores.
If you spend a lot of time in the outdoors and are
responsible for your groups safety it is highly recommended that you take a
certified Red Cross first-aid course at your local tech school, YMCA or Red
Cross Center. This is a worthwhile investment of your time, as you may need the
techniques in your everyday life as well as out in the field.
NOTE: This article is a collection of information
and suggestions garnered from personal outdoor experience. It is in no way to be
construed as the only measure in reacting to a medical situation, it is intended
only as a defensive and preparatory posture of ideas and suggestions. ALWAYS
rely on professional medical advice.
This page is provided as a service to North East
Wisconsin Riders Inc. ATV Club visitors. North East Wisconsin Riders Inc.
ATV Club can not be held responsible for errors contained in this page or any
other section of this website. North East Wisconsin Riders Inc. ATV Club
strives to ensure that all our content is kept up-to-date. North East Wisconsin
Riders Inc. ATV Club is an all volunteer organization and please remember North
East Wisconsin Riders Inc. ATV Club is NOT offering any legal advice. We
are simply trying to raise awareness. As an ATV owner it is your responsibility
to know and understand the rules and regulations regarding your ATV and the
surrounding community. Lets all try to work together to educate each other.
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