MEDICAL EMERGENCIES Snake bite Bee stings HeatCold PunctureLacerations

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES Snake bite/ Bee stings Heat/Cold Puncture/Lacerations CPR/Stroke Broken bones

SCENE SAFETY

ALWAYS REMEMBER ABC! Airway, Breathing, Circulation Radio/call for help Give a short concise report Make a decision on how best to transport if needed If you need a helicopter get GPS coordinates

SNAKE BITES

ACUTE VENOMOUS SNAKE BITE Assess for oozing at the site of the bite. Notify next caregiver of the presence or absence of oozing. Remove potentially constricting clothing or jewelry. Document the progression of swelling along with the times of when the notation is made. Attempt to note progression every 15 -30 minutes.

Do not apply ice or restrict blood or lymph flow with a tourniquet or constricting band. Keep the site of the bite lower than the heart and restrict patient activity. Attempt to identify snake. Do not attempt to capture a live snake. NOTES: Oozing at the site of the bite indicates envenomation. Notify the receiving hospital as early as possible. Mixing of the antivenom can take 30 minutes.

BEE STINGS If you can, remove the stinger as soon as possible, such as by scraping it off with a fingernail. Don't try to remove a stinger below the skin surface. A stinger may not be present, as only bees leave their stingers. Other stinging insects, such as wasps, do not, they can sting multiple times Wash the affected area with soap and water.

Apply a cold compress. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as needed to help ease discomfort. If the sting is on an arm or leg, elevate it. Apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to ease redness, itching or swelling If needed assist patient with their Epi. Pen. ?

Heat Emergencies Rapid cooling is indicated for patients with symptoms indicative of heat stroke. Cooling measures should include removing patient clothing/coverings. Evaporative cooling by wetting the patient’s skin and using fanning to move air around the patient is most effective.

Cold packs to the axilla and groin may also assist with cooling. Do not stimulate shivering. Cooling measures as indicated for patients with symptoms indicative of heat exhaustion. These patients are most likely to be active, healthy individuals in need of hydration due to increased exertion and fluid loss from perspiration. Fluids may be given to patients with suspected heat exhaustion or heat cramps only if the patient has a gag reflex and is not altered in mentation. Give small sips of water or electrolyte solutions only. Hold if the patient develops nausea.

HYPOTHERMIA Remove patient from cold environment. Avoid rough handling. Remove wet clothing. Dry the patient and cover with dry blankets. Warming measures. Consider the use of warm blankets. Consider chemical hot packs for mild hypothermia. Take precautions to prevent burns.

WILDLIFE

PUNCTURE/LACERATIONS Wash your hands. This helps prevent infection. Stop the bleeding. Apply gentle pressure with a clean bandage or cloth. If needed, as a last resort, apply a tourniquet. If an object is still in the victim and you will do more harm by removing it, secure it in place.

Clean the wound. Rinse the wound with clear water for five to 10 minutes. If dirt or debris remains in the wound, use a washcloth to gently scrub it off. See a doctor if you can't remove all of the dirt or debris. In the event of a gunshot wound look for an exit wound Apply an antibiotic. Apply a thin layer of an antibiotic cream or ointment (Neosporin, Polysporin). Cover the wound. Bandages help keep the wound clean.

CPR Open Airway, is there breathing? Check for a pulse, is there one? If no pulse and no breathing begin CPR. 30 compressions/2 breaths. If there is a pulse but no breathing, then give a breath every 5 seconds. Take a CPR class or go online for more training.

SUSPECTED CVA/STROKE Patient assessment B-Balance. Loss or change in balance or coordination E-Eyes. Sudden vision changes F-Face. Facial droop A-Arm. Arm Drift S-Speech. Slurred or confused speech T-Time. What time did symptoms begin? When was patient last known well?

BROKEN BONES What are the symptoms of a broken bone? A broken bone can cause one or more of the following signs and symptoms: Intense pain in the injured area that gets worse when you move it. Numbness in the injured area. Bluish color, swelling, or visible deformity in the injured area. Bone protruding through the skin. Heavy bleeding at the injury site.

Stop any bleeding. Apply pressure to the wound with a sterile bandage, a clean cloth or a clean piece of clothing. Immobilize the injured area. Don't try to realign the bone or push a bone that's sticking out back in. If you've been trained in how to splint and professional help isn't readily available, apply a splint to the area above and below the fracture sites. Padding the splints can help reduce discomfort.

Apply ice packs to limit swelling and help relieve pain. Don't apply ice directly to the skin. Wrap the ice in a towel, piece of cloth or some other material. Treat for shock. If the person feels faint or is breathing in short, rapid breaths, lay the person down with the head slightly lower than the trunk and, if possible, elevate the legs.

USFS Job Hazard Analysis Activate EMS Refer to Field Medical Evacuation Plan. Render first aid to sick or injured until relieved by a higher-level medical responder. Do not abandon the patient. Use Blood borne Pathogen precautions.

Use care when moving patients and transporting the injured. Do not move patient if head or back injury is possible unless absolutely necessary. Maintain communications. Notify your supervisor. Complete necessary paperwork.

The End Have a great and safe lookout fire season!! Photo courtesy of Mike Wecker