Table of Contents
Introduction 8
1 First Aid Supplies 14
First Aid Supplies for a Long-Term Storage Area 15
Long-Term Supplies that Require Training 25
Disinfectants 28
Over-the-Counter Medicines 29
Prescription Antibiotics 31
Prescription Medicines for Allergic Reactions 34
First Aid for Bug Out Bag and Hiking Kits 34
Immunizations 36
2 Resuscitation 38
What to Do When a Person Collapses 39
How to Perform Chest Compressions 39
Breathing 41
Ensuring an Open Airway 43
Choking 45
3 Water and Hydration 48
Water Requirements for Proper Hydration 49
Conserving the Water You Have 52
The Type of Water Is Important 53
How to Make Water Drinkable 54
Water Disinfection Method 1: Boiling 55
Water Disinfection Method 2: Iodine 55
Water Disinfection Method 3: Chlorine 57
Water Disinfection Method 4: UV Rays 58
Water Disinfection Method 5: Microfiltration 59
Dehydration 60
Dehydration Caused by Diarrhea and Vomiting 62
4 Exposure: Hyperthermia and Hypothermia 66
Dress for Survival 67
Hyperthermia (Overheating) 67
Muscle Cramping 71
Heat Exhaustion 71
Heatstroke 73
Hypothermia 75
How to Treat Hypothermia 77
Frostbite 83
5 Skin Wounds 88
Makeshit Wound-Treatment Tools 89
How to Sterilize Instruments 90
What to Do Before and After a Procedure 91
Cuts and Lacerations 91
Step 1 Stop the Bleeding 93
Step 2 Assess the Damage 95
Step 3 Clean the Wound 98
Step 4 Decide on Treatment 101
Step 5 Close the Wound 102
Step 6 Watch for Infection 106
How to Treat a Skin Infection 106
Cuts in the Mouth or Tongue 107
Removing Small Foreign Objects in the Skin 108
Animal Bites 109
Bites from Mammals 109
How to Treat Mammal Bites on the Hand 111
Rabies 111
Snakes 114
Gunshot Wounds 116
Burns 121
First Steps for Dealing with a Burn 123
Signs of a First-Degree Burn 123
Signs of a Second-Degree Burn 124
Signs of a Third-Degree Burn 125
Life-Threatening Complications from Burns 127
6 Reactions: Anaphylaxis, Skin Irritations and Poisoning 130
Anaphylaxis: A Potentially Deadly Reaction 131
Stinging Insects 134
Bark Scorpion 136
Spiders 138
Mosquito Bites 141
Diseases Transmitted by Mosquitoes 142
Ticks 146
Diseases Transmitted by Ticks 147
Fleas 149
Chiggers 151
How to Prevent Parasitic Insect Bites 152
Poison Ivy, Poison Oak and Poison Sumac 153
Stinging Nettles 158
Cactus 159
Ingesting Poisonous Plants 159
7 Bones and Joints 162
Definitions 163
RICES Treatment for Bone, Muscle and Joint Injury 163
How to Make a Splint 165
Spine Injuries 165
Rib Injuries 169
Collapsed Lung 170
Pneumonia 172
Flail Chest 173
Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Injuries 173
Clavicle (Collarbone) Injuries 174
Humerus (Upper Arm) Injuries 175
Elbow Injuries 176
Forearm Injuries 177
Wrist, Hand and Finger Injuries 178
Hip and Thigh Injuries 179
Knee Injuries 180
Lower Leg Injuries 180
Ankle Injuries 181
Foot and Toe Injuries 182
Index 184
