Outdoor Recreational Activities & Emergency Management Notes

Facing a Medical Emergency

  • D-R-S-A-B-C

    • Danger: Ensure the surroundings are safe.

    • Responsiveness: Check if the casualty responds to voice and touch.

    • Send: Call or shout for help.

    • Airway: Clear the airway by tilting the head back and lifting the chin.

    • Breathing: Look, listen, and feel for breathing.

    • CPR: Perform CPR if the person is unconscious, has no pulse, and isn't breathing.

CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)

  • CPR is a life-saving technique when breathing and heartbeat stop.

  • Involves C-A-B

    • Compression: Restore blood circulation.

    • Airway: Clear the airway.

    • Breathing: Breathe for the person.

  • How to Administer CPR

    • Place the victim on a firm surface.

    • Hand position: Imaginary line from armpit to the center of the chest.

    • Place the heel of one hand on the lower breastbone, other hand over the first, interlacing fingers.

    • Push down at least 2 inches (5 cm) for adults.

    • Give 30 compressions in 18 seconds or less (100/minute).

    • Give two rescue breaths after 30 compressions.

    • Repeat until help arrives or there are signs of movement.

  • Rescue Breathing

    • Tilt forehead back, lift chin to open the airway.

    • Pinch the nose, cover the mouth with yours, and blow.

    • Watch for chest rise.

First Aid for Common Injuries

  • Cuts, Scrapes, and Punctures:

    • Clean with soap and water, apply antibiotic cream, cover with sterile bandage.

    • Apply direct pressure for bleeding; raise limb above the heart.

    • Avoid tourniquets unless bleeding is severe and doesn't stop.

    • Seek immediate help for severe/internal bleeding, chest/abdominal wounds, or blood spurting.

  • Sprains, Strains, and Fractures:

    • Grades classified by severity (I-III): mild, partial, complete tearing.

    • RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) for Grades I and II.

    • Immobilize and seek immediate help for head, neck, or back injuries; bone protruding; bleeding that won't stop; or blood spurting.

    • Immobilize the injury, clean and dress cuts, apply pressure to bleeding, and gently tape the injured area to a support.

  • Concussions:

    • Caused by a blow to the head or neck.

    • Symptoms: cuts, contusions, loss of awareness, confusion.

    • Seek immediate help for repeated vomiting, unequal pupils, agitation, unconsciousness, drowsiness, neck pain, slurred speech, or seizure.

  • Blisters:

    • Cover with adhesive; use donut-shaped moleskin for sole blisters.

    • Clean popped blisters, apply antibiotic cream.

    • Drain if necessary with a sterilized needle, then apply antibacterial solution and cover.

  • Burns or Scalds:

    • Stop, drop, and roll if on fire; remove burned material unless stuck to skin.

    • Remove constrictive clothing.

    • First-degree: Cool running water, sterile bandage; avoid butter/ointment.

    • Second-degree: Cool water for 10-15 minutes, sterile bandage; elevate if possible, prevent shock.

    • Seek immediate help for deep burns, charred skin, large blisters, or burns on hands, feet, face, or genitals.

    • Burn Classification:

      • First Degree: (\text{No blisters}) , dry pink, painful, heals in 2-5 days.

      • Second Degree: \text{Moist, oozing blisters}, very painful, heals in 5-35 days.

      • Third Degree: \text{Leathery, charred}, little pain, months to heal.

First Aid for Common Illnesses

  • Fever:

    • Low-grade (below 38°C): rest and fluids; medicine if needed.

    • Above 38.8°C: oral medicine, sponge bath, fluids, light clothes.

    • Seek medical help for unresponsiveness, breathing issues, bluish lips, convulsions, confusion, or sudden rashes.

  • Headache:

    • Administer paracetamol, ibuprofen, or aspirin.

  • Altitude Sickness (HACE):

    • Symptoms: confusion, impaired coordination, lethargy.

    • Descend 1500-2000 feet immediately for severe symptoms.

    • Give oxygen, warmth, liquids, and pain relievers.

  • **Hyperthermia (Heat-Related):

    • Heat cramps: cool down, replenish electrolytes, massage muscles.

    • Heat exhaustion: similar to heat cramps.

    • Heat stroke: cool the person with wet sheets, cold water, ice packs; fan for ventilation. Don't give liquids if not alert.

    • Seek immediate help if the patient loses consciousness, is disoriented, has a fast pulse, seizures, red/dry skin, high temperature (above 39.4°C), and reduced sweating.

  • Hypothermia:

    • Move to shelter, remove wet clothes, warm slowly (trunk first).

    • Wrap with blankets; exhale warm air near mouth/nose.

    • CPR if necessary.

    • Seek immediate help if the patient shows confusion, memory loss, low body temperature (below 35°C), loss of consciousness, and shallow breathing.

Hazards and Risks

  • Hazards: potential to harm.

  • Risks: likelihood of realizing hazards.

  • Sources of Hazards:

    • Human Factor: participant (group size, skills, health) and leader (knowledge, coordination).

    • Equipment: basic gear, clothing, and footwear.

    • Environment: weather, temperature, terrain, rock stability, darkness.

Accident Model and Risk Reduction

  • Accidents occur when risks overlap.

  • Reduction: planning, staff training, client awareness.

Pre-Trip Planning

  • Site Plan, Route Plan, and Evacuation Routes:

    • Itinerary: activities and schedule from departure to arrival.

    • Transportation: distance, options, alternate routes.

  • Logistics:

    • School activity requirements: scope, approval, parental consent.

    • Check equipment and create a list of essentials.