ifit4x4
by Piet van Heerde
iplan4x4
itour4x4
MEDICAL EMERGENCY
isave4x4
A medical emergency is one of the things that people think about the least but if it happens it is one of the most important things to treat properly. It is very important to make sure everybody in the party is is feeling well and is medically looked after. It is important that at least one person in the group is a qualified first aider and that his qualification is up to date.
There are two different types of medical kits, one is where there is an emergency and someone needs to be attended to with first aid, and the second is when someone is ill and needs to be treated with medicine.
First aid kit:
There are lots of different kits on the market. One of the most important things to look out for when buying a first aid kit is that it contains at least the components listed here, (downloadable word file) . And the of course to have it all packed in a sturdy bag or box, packed at an easily accessible place, out of direct sunlight.
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Basic medicinal kit:
The other kit is for somebody that needs medicine, and you will use the medicinal kit, this is a more personal kit and will contain medicines and tablets that you might need, you might also need prescriptions for some of those, (take the prescriptions along on the trip when crossing borders). Every person or vehicle will have it's own. Not everybody is a doctor and therefore you can not have a common medicine box for everybody.
Although to have a qualified first aider in the group is the best it often happens that he or she is not available at the time of emergency. Following is some basic procedures to follow for most common emergencies. Remember to treat any head injury as a possible neck or spinal injury.
A sprayed ankle or knee is the most common injury that can occur in the bush. Follow the steps and monitor the injury. When applying a bandage make sure that is is not too tight and that normal blood flow can take place.
When you are in the bush you will most probably be cooking on an open fire or gas, and there is always an open flame. Be extra careful and make sure that children are safe. Wear those fire gloves that you got for X-mas and be careful of the "einagottatjie".
Another risk in the bush is your vehicle, very often when driving at slow speed someone's vehicle will overheat. Be very careful when opening the radiator cap. Or when replacing a flat tyre, make sure you are clear of the hot exhaust.
Treating a fracture is very important, you need to be very careful and make sure to immobilize the injury well. Transporting a patient in a vehicle over uneven terrain needs extra special care. You have to be innovative for making splints, use the number plate, tent poles, branches of trees, anything.
It is best to get to better medical attention as soon as possible.
Heavy or not so heavy bleeding could both be treated by applying pressure. It is best to put some gause over the wound before applying pressure. If the bleeding is very bad, be innovative and use something to adsorb the blood, a good example is to use a tampon or something similar.
If there is an protruding object in the wound, never pull it out but make a dressing that can go around it and support the object in order not to cause more damage and get higher level of medical attention as soon as possible.
A very big person could be made to lie down and you can give the abdominal thrusts from there. A small child could get the same treatment, blows on the back or thrusts lying down, but be careful not to push or hit too hard.
The common distress signal for choking is when someone grabs his throat and start acting differently as if seeking for help.
When you suspect someone is not breathing, you should listen, feel and see. Listen with your ear close to his mouth and nose, you can feel his breath on your cheek and you may see his chest moving up and down. If there is no breathing first check if there is any blockage in his airway, do a mouth sweep with your fingers, do remove any obstacle before artificial respiration can start. If you do have a mouthpiece now is the time to insert that. Tilt his head back. With your one hand, make sure to close his nose to prevent the double barrel snot gun from going off. Blow a strong breath of air into his lungs and see if the chest is rising. Always check for pulse as well, if no pulse, start CPR.
They say that you will know when someone is having a seizure or epileptic attack. Give the space, move anything that can injure him out of the way. Never put anything in their mouth, especially fingers, they might bite.
Put the patient in the recovery position.
Depending on how severe the attack is, do monitor the patient for breathing and heart pulse, if not present, start with CPR. Get medical help as soon as possible. Never laugh it off if someone shows symptoms of having a heart attack. Loosen all restrictive clothing, ask if the patient has any medication to take.
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Get medical attention as soon as possible