First Aid for Common Illnesses or Sickness in the Outdoors Flashcards
what are 5 common illnesses
- fever
- headache
- altitude/mountain sickness
- hyperthermia
- hypothermia
3 over the counter medicines that can be given if a person experinces low-grade fever but feels uncomfortable
paracetamol, ibuprofen, or acetiminophen
this medicine is not to be adminitered to anyone below 18
Aspirin
what temperature is considered to be low-grade to no fever
38 * C or 100.4 *F
if fever is —–C or —-F patient must take oral medicines
38.8C or 102F
what clothes should be worn to mae temperature low
light clothes
for a fever, emergency should be sought when the person is:
/ unresponsive
/ having difficulty breathing pr is wheezing
/ has lips turning bluish
/ experiences convulsions or seizures
/ seems confused; and
/ observes sudden onset of rashes
it is because the body was not able to acclimatize to high altitude and was not able to increase ventilation to compensate for the low level of oxygen in higher altitude
Altitude Sickness
are often experienced in trekking or hiking due to lask of eye protection from the sun’s rays tensions in the neck, dehydration, swelling of brain tissue due to excessive sweating over a period of days, and consu,ption of large amounts water without taking salt tablets
headaches
these three over the counter medicines can help with headaches
paracetamol, ibuprofen, or aspirin
it happens because of the raye of ascent into higher altitudesoutspaces the body’s ability to adjust to those altitudes
altitude/mountain sickness
what are some triggering factors for altitude sickness
- may be ascending too quickly
- overexertion in ascent
- inadequate fluid intake
- hypothermia
- alcohol consumption
what are 2 types of altitude sickness?
HAPE
HACE
what does HAPE mean?
High altitude pulmonary edema
what doea HACE mean?
high altitude cerebral edema
in this type of altitude sickness fluids accumulate in the lungs and make breathing extremely difficult
HAPE
in this type of altitude sickness refers to the build up of fluid in the brain causing swelling and changes the person’s mental state
HACE
it is when he or she loses coordination, becomes comatose, and then dies
HACE
are these symptoms HAPE or HACE?
- a person developing —– begins having trouble keeping up with the group
- walking and coordinaton become impaired
- as the brain continues to swell, lethargy and then comatose will develop
HACE
it typically occurs after more than one day spent at high altitude
HAPE
are these symptoms of HACE OR HAPE?
- shortness of breath at rest or experince tightness of chest
- gurgling or rattling breath
- cough with frothy or pink sputum
- lips or fingernails turn bluish or grayish
- repiratory failure
- drowsiness
HAPE
if symptoms of HAPE or HACE occur immediately descend to how many feet?
1,500 to 2,000 feet
this may be caused by an increase in air temperature, solar, or reflected radiation, poor ventilation in clothing, low fitness level, and excess bulk or the reduced ratio iof skin area to body mass
hyperthermia
is a condition where the body produces or absorbs heat more than it can dissipate
hyperthermia
they are painful, involuntary muscle spasms which are more intense than the typical nighttime leg cramp where the muscles affected includes the calves, arms, abdominal wall, and back
heat cramps
it has three sub-classifications
hyperthermia
people suffering from hyperthermia experinces these three which are?
- heat cramps
- heat exhaustion
- heat stroke
usually happen during heavy activity in hot environments
heat cramps
this happens when the muscles accumulate exccessive lactic acid or a loss of fluid and electrolyte through perspiration
heat cramps
these are steps to treat?
- cool down and replenish loss eletrolyte through clear sports drink
- gently stretch and massage affected muscle group
- do not resume the strenous activity and rest until cramps fo away
- take salt pill with water at the start of specific muscle pain
heat cramps
this case requires first aid similar to what is administered in case of heat cramps
heat exhaustion
it is when the water is not sufficient for the body’s demand in a particular outdoor activity, the body becomes dehydrated and salt-depleted
heat exhaustion
this results in nausea, faintness, a weak rapid pulse and/or cold, and sweaty skin
heat exhaustion
it is the most serious degree of hyperthermia
heat stroke
these are symptoms of?
- losses consciousness
- becomes disoriented
- pulse rate siddenly become fast
- seizures
- has warm, red, dry skin, and body temperature above 103*F
- reduced sweating
heat stroke
what tempreature indicates heat stroke? in fahrenheit
103*F
it occurs when the body chills fster than the body’s ability to produce heat due to exposure to cold, wet, and/or wind weather
hypothermia
generally occurs in temperatures of less than 35*C
Hypothermia
not taking enough energy-producing food and not having proper clothing speeds up —-
hypothermia
what temperature in Celsius do Hypothermia occur?
less than 35*C
what common sickness should these steps be applied?
- move the person to a sheltered area and restore warmth slowly
- remove wet clothes and replace with dry clothes
- wrap with blankets or sleeping bag
- exhale warm air near the vicinity of the patient’s mouth and nose
- note that rapid warming can cause heart arrhythmia so it is advised not to immerse the person in warm water. War person’s trunk first — not the hands and feet — as warming extermeties first can cause shock
- find wat for the victim to stay conscious
- begin CPR if necessary and continue until emergency personnel arrive
hypothermia
one should call for medical help if body temperature drops below —– in (celsius and fahrenhiet) for hypothermia
35 * C and 95 F
when experiencing hypothermia, which part of the body should be warmed first?
person’s trunk
when one experience hypothermia, is it okay for them to fall asleep?
yes or no
no
for hypothermia one should call for medical help if a person: (4 reasons)
- shows confusion, memory loss, or slurred speech
- body temperature drops below 35C (95F)
- loss of consciousness
- shallow breathing
