First Aid in the Bush

In any suspected first aid situation: APPLY DRSABCD (Doctors ABCD).

DANGER, RESPONSE, SEND FOR HELP, AIRWAY, BREATHING, CPR,
DEFIBRILLATOR
BLISTERS
Prevention: wear appropriate and sturdy footwear, wear socks that suck up
moisture, strap the area prone to getting blisters, use ENGO blister prevention
patches.
During: If you recognize an irritated area then stop and act immediately
After: you MUST avoid infection, reduce pain and speed up healing >
- an intact blister: apply adhesive non sticky wound dressing, reduce friction and
pressure, lance with caution and use antiseptic when fluid is drained.
- a broken blister: use antiseptic and cover with adhesive wound dressing
- unroofed blister: hydrocolloid dressing (second skin)
SPRAINS AND BREAKS
Prevention: core strength and power exercises, sturdy supportive footwear, strap area prone
to injury.
in any case of a sprain or break: apply DRSABCD & analyse pain area with severity
based on patients judgment.
Bearable and continuable pain: Use RICE (rest, ice, compress and elevate) when resting.
Apply firm compression bandage and minimize weight bearing and carried load. Strap area. CALL AMBULANCE IF: injured spine
Unbearable pain and not continuable (Closed fracture/torn ligament): immobilize limb or head, breathing difficulty, open
(apply splint or sling), call for help (base camp and ambulance if needed), make patient fracture, loss of feeling/colour, unable to
comfortable. safely transport child to hospital
Severe (open fractures): Call ambulance, stop bleeding by applying pressure around injury, yourself, suspected hip or pelvic fracture
apply bandages either side of exposed bone, immobilize limb with splint, monitor patient, no
food or drink (in case of surgery requirement). ASTHMA
Prevention: Ensure child always has Ventolin carried on them
During: A: Assess the severity (mild, moderate, severe). S: Sit person upright. T: Treat with
puffer (shake, 1 puff into spacer, take 4 breaths from spacer, repeat until 4 puffs taken -
SHAKE, ONE PUFF, 4 BREATHS*X4, WAIT 4 MINS - no improvement = 4 more puffs),
H: HELP, call 000 if no improvement, M: Monitor (4 separate puffs every 4 minutes until help
arrives), A: all okay!

INSECT BITE
Bee:
 Remove the sting as soon as possible, washing the site.
 Apply cold treatment
 Raise the bitten area
 Seek further medical advice if rashes, loss of breath, swelling occurs.
SNAKE BITE
Spider:
Prevention: - Wearing protective clothing that covers skin
- Userepellent
Cleanand
the reapply
wound -often
wash away toxins
 Apply an ice pack
- Ensure you have emergency kit in case of allergy
 Raise
Treatment: limbDRSABCD.
Follow

Call for emergency 000.advice if symptoms get worse.
Seek prompt
Lie the subject down, asking them to keep still.
If on a limb, apply an elasticised roller bandage over the bite site as soon as possible.
Then apply another elasticised roller bandage just above the fingers or toes and moving upwards on the
bitten limb as far as can be reached. Ensure that the bandage is applied as tightly as possible to the limb.
You can use clothing or other material if a bandage is not available as long as it applies pressure.
The subject must remain still and observed until medical help has arrived.