First Aid

Treating a bee or wasp sting as soon as it happens will help reduce its effects, which will be at their worst 15-20 minutes after the incident.

• For a bee sting, check to see if the stinger is still present. If it is, carefully remove it without pressing on the poison sack.

• Cool the affected area to reduce the effect of the venom. Use clean water from a drink bottle or a stream to help with this.

• Take an antihistamine tablet to reduce the reaction.

• Monitor for the signs of a severe allergic reaction. If you know someone is allergic, ensure they have their adrenaline handy in case of anaphylactic reaction.

• Apply an antihistamine cream to the site to reduce the pain.

Bleeding injuries cover both minor and severe bleeds. These can occur internally or externally.

Minor external bleeds can be stopped easily with some light pressure on the wound and by applying a bandage. However, moderate to severe bleeds may need more advanced treatment. In these cases, use your emergency communication device, such as a personal locator beacon, to get help.

After an accident, immediately check the patient’s entire body, including under their clothing, for any bleeding. Treat any bleeding, as below, and call for help immediately for severe bleeding.

For minor cuts and scrapes: Use direct pressure to slow the bleeding, and then clean and cover the wound. Use plasters or gauze and tape to protect the area. Antiseptic cream or spray is a good idea to prevent infection.

For more serious injuries:

• Apply direct pressure on the wound until the bleeding stops. Hold a clean dressing or absorbent clothing directly against the wound (without removing it) for at least a minute. Get the person comfortable.

• If the bleeding does not stop, add more absorbent material, without removing the original layer. 

• For severe bleeding, use a pressure dressing or tourniquet to limit the blood loss. Call for help using your emergency communication device.

• If you believe there might be internal bleeding, call for help immediately. 

• Monitor for symptoms of shock, such as a rapid heart rate; shallow, fast breathing; a weak pulse; and pale or gray-blue skin. If any of these signs are present, get help immediately.

Blisters are best avoided rather than treated. If you get a ‘hot spot’ on your feet, stop and cover the affected area with a plaster or medical tape (duct tape works well, too) as soon as possible to limit further rubbing. If a blister has formed, cover with gauze or gel dressing and tape. If the blister is enlarged with fluid, you can drain the fluid by piercing the outer edge with a clean sharp object, such as a sterile needle (do not use items you can’t be certain are sterile) and then cover it with a plaster to prevent infection.

A burn can be incredibly painful and distressing, and will require evacuation if it is serious. To prevent burns, take particular care around campfires, hut fireplaces and cooking areas. Always cook in the designated hut/campsite cooking areas and minimise the movement of other people through the area. Be especially careful around boiling water and in the cooking area of a hut or campsite. For more information, see our Cooking section.

If someone gets burnt:

• Ensure the source of the burn, such as a cooker, is turned off and removed from the area (if possible) so no one else can get burnt.

• Cool the burn site with cold water for at least 20 minutes or longer. Use cold flowing water from a stream or water tank. Do not use cream or oil unless they are specifically for burn injuries. Be careful not to pop any blisters or cause further damage to the burn area.

• Protect the burn area with a clean loose non-adhesive bandage, clean cling film (clear plastic wrap) or a clean plastic bag. Do not try to remove stuck clothing or other debris from the burn area.

• Keep the patient warm. Hypothermia can be a danger if you use cold water for a long period. Where you can, use tepid water if the patient is getting cold.

• Administer painkillers if needed.

• Monitor for symptoms of shock, such as a rapid heart rate; shallow, fast breathing; a weak pulse; and pale or gray-blue skin. If any of these signs are present, get help immediately.

The easiest way to avoid dehydration is by drinking water and eating regularly throughout your activity, minimising exposure to the sun and wind, and taking breaks to avoid overexertion.

If someone shows signs of moderate dehydration, such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, confusion or muscle cramps, add electrolytes or rehydration tablets to their water to restore the electrolyte balance in their body. These are great items to carry in your first aid kit.

Severe dehydration can include nausea, vomiting, extreme dizziness, slurred speech or fainting. This is an emergency and needs to be treated by a medical professional.Get help immediately using your emergency communication device. Until help arrives, keep the patient as comfortable as possible, sheltered from the sun and wind, and safe from falling over. Encourage them to sit down and take small sips of cool water. Where you can, apply a cool cloth, such as a wet t-shirt, to their forehead or around their neck.

A fracture is a broken bone that has not pierced or broken through the skin. In some cases, it may be impossible to tell if there is a fracture and an x-ray will be required to diagnose it.

An open or compound fracture is when the broken bone punctures the skin. 

Both situations present a severe injury, and you must act quickly to treat the patient and get help using your emergency communication device. 

• Make the patient as comfortable as possible. 

• For open fractures, clean the wound as much as possible and cover it with clean plastic or other non-stick dressing. Do not attempt to move the limb or touch the bone. 

• Immobilise (restrain) the broken limb, and the joints above and below the break. Your aim is to reduce the amount of movement they feel and keep the limb as stable as possible. 

You can make a splint using a walking pole, sturdy branch or other items you might be carrying, such as a foam sleeping mat. Tie the splint in place to hold it steady using some rope or spare boot laces (or anything that you can find), ensuring that you don't tie it too tight to stop the circulation (blood flow) around the limb. 

Monitor for symptoms of shock, such as a rapid heart rate; shallow, fast breathing; a weak pulse; and pale or gray-blue skin. If any of these signs are present, get help immediately.

Heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is caused by dehydration and overheating, and can lead to heat stroke if not treated. Symptoms include profuse sweating, cramps and dizziness. Cool the patient by removing layers of clothing and getting them to drink cold water. Remove them from the direct sunlight and shelter them from the wind. Applying wet material to parts of their body will also help – a towel is ideal but use whatever you have on hand.

Heat stroke

Heat stroke is when the body’s core temperature is over 40 degrees Celsius, the patient has stopped producing sweat, has red skin, a rapid pulse and is displaying signs of confusion. This is a critical situation, and you must cool the patient down and get help immediately. Remove unnecessary clothing and get them to drink cold water, if possible. Applying wet material to parts of their body will also help – a towel is ideal but use whatever you have on hand. Keep them out of direct sunlight and shelter them from any wind.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia is when the core body temperature drops to 35°C or below and the body cannot make up for the heat loss. At this level, normal brain and muscle function are impaired. When the body cannot cope, it goes into survival mode, shutting down non-essential functions. This is an emergency situation, and you must get help immediately. 

Preventing hypothermia

Effective planning will help reduce the chance of getting hypothermia.

• Wear the right fabrics: Clothing only retains the heat that your body produces. Certain fabrics, such as wool and synthetics, are the best for outdoor activities as they draw moisture away from the body and retain warmth. Avoid cotton clothing – when cotton gets wet it ceases to insulate you. Carry multiple layers so you can add more if you get cold and take off layers if you get too hot.

• Take wind and rain protection: A good outer layer is essential for protecting you from rain and wind, and will significantly reduce your chance of hypothermia. Be smart about when you put this on – don’t leave it until you’re already wet or cold.

• Eat nutritious food and stay hydrated: Food gives us the energy required to keep the body warm. On cooler days, you’ll need more food. Drink regularly throughout the day. Starting and ending the day with a hot beverage is also a good idea.

• Have a solid plan: Choose a trip that suits the skills and fitness of everyone in the group. Before you go, check the forecast and be prepared for the conditions or change your plans if necessary.

Recognising the signs of hypothermia

If walking in cold, wet and/or windy conditions, watch for early signs of exhaustion and hypothermia. Be aware that when a person is becoming hypothermic, they will often insist that they are okay.

Early signs of hypothermia include:

• Lack of co-ordination

• Confusion and disorientation

• Slurred speech

• Irrational behavior.

If a person is cold and shivering, they have not yet become hypothermic, but they’re likely to be headed that way.

Treating the patient

If the patient is conscious and still talking, prevent further heat loss. Note, in this state, they will be able to swallow safely.

• Insulate them from the ground– a foam bed roll or pack is good for this.

• Remove wet and cold clothing – if they are under shelter, help them out of their wet clothes and into dry clothes. If this is not possible, cover them in a tarpaulin or bivy bag (a waterproof ‘vapour barrier’) until they are in a shelter, like a hut or a tent, where you can help them get changed.

• Ensure they eat and drink– carbohydrates, including sugars, will help their body to produce heat.

• Encourage gentle movements – if they are conscious and talking, and have eaten, gentle movement will help to generate warmth. Get them to move their legs and arms until they feel well enough to walk around. 

If the patient is semi-conscious or unconscious, call for help immediately as this is a critical situation and they must be evacuated as quickly as possible. Preventing further heat loss is imperative to prevent cardiac arrest. Note, in this state, they may not be able to swallow safely. 

Remember:

• Do not give them food or drink because they may choke.

• Get them to a shelter by carrying them horizontally. Do not allow them to stand or walk as they could collapse.

• Insulate them from the ground using a sleeping mat or pack.

• Minimise further heat loss – protect them from the wind by wrapping them in a tarpaulin or bivy bag, sleeping bag or dry clothes to minimise further heat loss, as this could cause cardiac arrest.

• Apply warm water bottles to their armpits, neck and chest. This will reduce further heat loss.

Sharing body heat in a sleeping bag is ineffective for rewarming a patient who is already mildly or severely hypothermic. In this case, they need urgent medical attention. If you do choose to share your body heat, be aware of the risks this presents to the ‘warmer’ person and ensure someone else is monitoring them to make sure they are not losing too much heat.

A sprain is an injury to the soft tissue around a joint. A strain is a tear in the muscles. When someone has a sprain or strain try to keep them moving with gentle exercise. It may help to carry their pack or reduce its weight. If they cannot continue to move, stop and use the ‘rest, ice, compression, elevation and diagnosis’ (RICED) treatment approach. If they can’t continue walking, you may need to call for help using your emergency communication device.

• Rest – stop moving.

• Ice – apply chilly water or ice for up to 20 minutes.

• Compression – apply an elastic bandage or cohesive bandage firmly, ensuring not to cut off circulation. 

• Elevation – raise the affected limb (above heart level) to reduce swelling.

• Diagnosis – if there is no significant improvement after 72 hours, see a medical professional.

If someone is unconscious, this is a medical emergency, and you must call for help immediately. 

To treat someone who is unconscious, use the following process. A good way to remember this is with the acronym DRS ABC.

• Danger: Check the scene for danger to yourself, the group and the patient.

• Responsiveness: Check for responsiveness. Shout "Are you alright?" and tap the patient on the shoulder.

• Send for help (use your emergency communication device).

• Airway: Open the airway using a head tilt and chin lift, or a jaw thrust (if you suspect a spinal injury).

• Breathing: Check for breathing. Look, listen and feel for breath. If the patient is breathing, place them in the recovery position. 

• CPR: If the patient is not breathing, begin CPR by giving them 30 chest compressions, and then two breaths. Repeat until help arrives, the patient begins breathing or you are physically unable to continue. If you are unable to do mouth-to-mouth breathing, do chest compressions only. 

In an urban environment, call 111 and send someone to find an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), attach the device to the patient and follow the voice prompts.