Please see the Mayo Clinic web site for further details
1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses likely to occur in backcountry outings, including
hypothermia
any condition in which the temperature of a body drops below the level required for normal metabolism and/or bodily function to take place
Stage 1
Body temperature drops 1 deg C - 2 deg C below normal
Mild to strong shivering occurs
Unable to perform complex tasks with the hands; the hands become numb
Breathing becomes quick and shallow
Goose bumps form, raising body hair on end
Stage 2
Body temperature drops by 2 deg C - 4 deg C
Shivering becomes more violent
Muscle mis-coordination becomes apparent
Movements are slow and labored, accompanied by a stumbling pace
mild confusion, although the victim may appear alert
Victim becomes pale. Lips, ears, fingers and toes may become blue.
Stage 3
Body temperature drops below approximately 32 deg C or 90 deg F (normal is 37 deg C or 98.6 deg F)
Shivering usually stops
difficulty speaking, sluggish thinking, and amnesia start to appear
inability to use hands and stumbling are also usually present
the exposed skin becomes blue and puffy
muscle coordination very poor, walking nearly impossible
the victim exhibits incoherent/irrational behavior including terminal burrowing behavior or even a stupor
Pulse and respiration rates decrease significantly but fast heart rates can occur
Major organs fail
First Aid
Take the person inside to room temperature and cover him or her with warm blankets
If going indoors is not possible, get the person out of the wind and use a blanket to provide insulation from the cold ground
Cover the person's head and neck to help retain body heat
Once inside, remove any wet or constricting clothes and replace them with dry clothing
Warm the person. Apply warm compresses or packs to the neck, chest wall, armpits and groin
If the person is alert and can easily swallow, give warm, sweetened, nonalcoholic fluids to aid the warming
Assume that you should obtain a doctor if the victim has been exposed for 24 hours or more
DO NOT use your own body heat to re-warm the subject, this may very well cause you to become hypothermic
DO NOT assume that someone found lying motionless in the cold is already dead
DO NOT use direct heat (such as hot water, a heating pad, or a heat lamp) to warm the person
DO NOT give the person alcohol
DO NOT rub the person's limbs because this may cause further tissue damage
WARNING Any rough handling of an extremely hypothermic person could cause their heart to stop
Get them out of the cold, but do it gently
heat exhaustion
The Stage before heatstroke when body fluids are lost through sweating, causing the body to overheat
mental confusion
muscle cramps
often nausea or vomiting
heatstroke
when the body produces or absorbs more heat than it can dissipate, life-threatening
At this stage the victim will likely NOT be sweating
Victims may become confused, may become hostile and may seem intoxicated
often experience headache
blood pressure may drop significantly
possible fainting or dizziness
heart rate and respiration rate will increase
skin will become red
As heat stroke progresses
a pale or bluish skin color
Complaints of feeling hot may be followed by chills and trembling
Some victims, especially young children, may suffer convulsions
temporary blindness may also be observed
body organs begin to fail
First Aid
The victim should be moved to a cool area (indoors, or at least in the shade) and extra clothing removed to promote heat loss
The person can be bathed in cool water or wrapped in a cool wet towel
Cold compresses to the upper body, head, neck, and groin will help cool the victim
A fan may be used to aid in evaporation of the water
administer drinking water
The victim should be placed into the recovery position to ensure that their airway remains open
DO NOT use ice and a very cold water tub
DO NOT use alcohol and caffeine drinks
DO NOT use Alcohol rubs
frostbite
medical condition whereby damage is caused to skin and other tissues due to extreme cold. At or below -15 deg C (5 deg F)
discoloration of the skin
burning and/or tingling sensations
partial or complete numbness, and possibly intense pain
gangrene may follow, and amputation may eventually be required
If left untreated, frostbitten skin gradually darkens after a few hours
Skin destroyed by frostbite is completely black and looks loose and flayed, as if burnt
First Aid
Move the victim to a warm, safe area
Place the affected areas in very warm (NOT hot) water, until the areas are soft and sensation has returned
This is going to hurt and you may want a pain killer
Wrap the affected areas with dressings and/or cloths
DO NOT rub or massage affected areas
WARNING if it is unlikely that the affected areas can be kept thawed, treatment should not be carried out
thawing followed by a second round of freezing can cause more extensive and severe damage to the frostbitten areas
WARNING If hypothermia has occurred, treat the hypothermia first
Dehydration
a condition in which the body contains an insufficient volume of water for normal functioning
headaches
a sudden episode of visual snow
decreased blood pressure
dizziness or fainting
thirst and discomfort
possibly loss of appetite and dry skin
constipation
low endurance
rapid heart rates
elevated body temperatures
rapid onset of fatigue
decreased urine volume, abnormally dark urine
unexplained tiredness
dry mouth
Untreated dehydration generally results in delirium
unconsciousness
death
First Aid
Drinking water and stopping fluid loss
Water is preferable to sport drinks
To stop fluid loss from vomiting and diarrhea, avoid solid foods and drink only clear liquids
DO NOT drink seawater, urine or alcohol
Sunburn
a burn to living tissue such as skin produced by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, commonly from the sun's rays
Redness of skin
followed by varying degrees of pain
First Aid
Remove the victim from the sun and cool the skin
Applying products containing aloe, aloe with Lidocane, or vitamin E
Leave blisters intact to speed healing and avoid infection
Drinking fluids
Eating high protein foods will assist tissue repair
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can also reduce pain
One method to treatment involves applying a clean washcloth soaked with cool milk like a cold compress
DO NOT apply ice or butter or any other type of grease to burns
Stings
First Aid
Move to a safe area
Removal of the barbed stinger
The stinger should be removed as fast as possible
Avoid pinching the stinger but do what it takes and don't delay
Once the stinger is removed, reduce pain and swelling with a cold compress
Apply calamine lotion or a baking soda paste with a ratio of 3 teaspoons baking soda to 1 teaspoon water
The paste goes on the hole - not the rash
Ice is better than aspirin
If the victim is allergic the victim must be treated to prevent shock
People known to be highly allergic should carry appropriate medication and be rushed to a physician
An antihistamine containing diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Tylenol Severe Allergy) will help
Tick bites
First Aid
Remove the tick promptly and carefully
Use tweezers to grasp the tick near its head or mouth and pull gently to remove the whole tick without crushing it
If possible, seal the tick in a jar and keep it for a week or two
Your doctor may want to see the tick if you develop symptoms of illness after a tick bite
Use soap and water to wash your hands and the area around the tick bite after handling the tick
Call your doctor if you aren't able to completely remove the tick or you develop
A rash, A fever, Muscle aches, Joint pain and inflammation, Swollen lymph nodes, Flu-like symptoms
A severe headache, Difficulty breathing, Paralysis, Chest pain or heart palpitations
Snakebite
First Aid
Move to a safe area
Remain calm
Immobilize the bitten arm or leg and try to stay as quiet as possible
Remove jewelry, because swelling tends to progress rapidly
Apply a loose splint to reduce movement of the affected area, but make sure it is loose enough that it won't restrict blood flow
Seek medical attention as soon as possible, especially if the bitten area changes color begins to swell or is painful
DO NOT try to capture the snake
DO NOT use a tourniquet or apply ice.
DO NOT cut the wound or attempt to remove the venom.
DO NOT administer pain killers
Blisters
First Aid
If the blister isn't too painful
Do everything possible to keep it intact
Unbroken skin over a blister provides a natural barrier to bacteria and decreases the risk of infection
Cover a small blister with an adhesive bandage like moleskin
Cover a large one with a porous, plastic-coated gauze pad that absorbs moisture and allows the wound to breathe
DO NOT cover a burn or blister with a towel or blanket, because loose fibers might stick to the skin
DO NOT puncture a blister unless it's painful or prevents you from walking or using one of your hands
If you have diabetes or poor circulation, call your doctor before considering the self-care measures below
Wash your hands and the blister with soap and warm water
Swab the blister with iodine or rubbing alcohol
Sterilize a clean, sharp needle by wiping it with rubbing alcohol
Use the needle to puncture the blister
Aim for several spots near the blister's edge
Let the fluid drain, but leave the overlying skin in place
Apply an antibiotic ointment to the blister and cover with a bandage or gauze pad
After several days use tweezers and scissors sterilized with rubbing alcohol to cut away all the dead skin
Apply more ointment and a bandage
Call your doctor if you see signs of infection around a blister, pus, redness, increasing pain or warm skin
Altitude sickness
a condition that is caused by acute exposure to high altitudes
It commonly occurs above 2,400 metres (approximately 8,000 feet)
A headache occurring at an altitude above 2,400 meters (8000 feet), combined with any one or more of the following symptoms
Lack of appetite, nausea, or vomiting
Fatigue or weakness
Dizziness or light-headedness
Insomnia
First Aid
often a decent of 2000 feet will cure Altitude sickness (Climb High sleep low)
consciously take ten to twelve large, rapid breaths every five minutes
If overdone, this can remove too much carbon dioxide and cause tingling in the extremities of the body
lots of water, a little chocolate and an asprin can help
If it evolves into pulmonary edema, seak medical attention emediatly
Cut finger
First Aid
Apply ice to reduce swelling and cover it with a clean, dry cloth
Wrap the severed part in damp gauze (saline would be ideal for wetting the cloth)
place it in a watertight bag and place the bag on ice
DO NOT try to preserve the loose part by placing it directly on ice
Seak medical attention emediatly
Knocked-out tooth
First Aid
Put the tooth in milk
Seak medical attention (There's a chance the tooth could be reimplanted)
DO NOT scrub the tooth hard even if it's dirty (a gentle rinse is OK)
Sprained ankle
First Aid
Treat a sprain with ice
Go to the ER if it is very painful to bear weight, You might have a fracture
DO NOT use a heating pad
Nosebleed
First Aid
Sit upright and lean forward and pinch your nose steadily (just below the nasal bone) for five to 10 minutes
If the bleeding persists for 15 minutes (or if you think you are swallowing a lot of blood) go to the ER
DO NOT lean back. And after the bleeding has stopped, don't blow your nose or bend over
Bleeding
First Aid
Apply steady pressure to the wound with a clean towel or gauze pack and wrap the wound securely
Keep the victim warm
Seak medical attention if the bleeding doesn't stop, or if the wound is gaping or caused by an animal bite
DO NOT use tourniquets unless you are willing to lose the limb
Seizures
First Aid
Lay the victim on the ground if possible in an open space and roll the victim onto his or her side
Seak medical attention emediatly
DO NOT put anything in the victim's mouth
2. Describe from memory the priorities for survival in a backcountry or wilderness location.
A positive mental attitude is essential
Shelter
Usually the most important survival priority
Water
Humans can live for about three to ten days without water
The length of survival mostly depends upon climate conditions and physical exertion
Fire
Helps to purify water
Cooks food
Signals
Provides warmth
Boosts morale
Fire repels bears, insects and snakes
Food
Humans can survive for weeks without food
but hunger impairs judgment and clarity of mind
and makes one weak and susceptible to disease.
These priorities may shift depending on the environment
In a desert environment, water is typically more immediately important than fire
with the priorities (perhaps) reversed in a cold-weather survival situation
3. Describe ways to (a) avoid panic and (b) maintain a high level of morale when lost.
Make a good shelter and camp tools
Build a fire
Make signals
Make games, playing and laughing
Helping others. When helping someone else you have to conquer your own personal fears
Eat tea gum or candies
4. Tell what you would do to survive in the following environments:
Cold and snowy
Wet (forest)
Hot and dry (desert)
Windy (mountains or plains)
Water (ocean or lake)
5. Make up a personal survival kit and be able to explain how each item in it is useful
at least the 10 essentials (some suggestions include)
1 Flash light (LED button light)
2 Fire kit (Flint and steel, paper matches, tea candle in tin, magnifying glass)
3 Signaling device (whistle, Mirror, ground-to-air card)
4 Extra food and water (Boyan cubes, Glyserin tablets, Salt, Snare wire, fishing kit, condom, Heavy Tin foil or Metal container)
5 Extra clothing (Needle and thread, Mole skin)
6 Navigational Aid (Mini compass, paper and pencil)
7 First Aid kit (Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl, Aspirin, Coton, Bandidges, Crazy glue, Potassium permanganate)
8 Emergency shelter (Orange garbage bags, space blanket, coil saw, cord)
9 Knife (Double blade Knife, surgical blades)
10 Sun protection (Bite and Burn creams, sun lotion 15 SPF or +)
Les Stroud Made this medium size survival kit in Season 3 Episode 3 of Survivorman
1 Flash light (Head lamp)
2 Fire kit (Flint and steel, strike anywhere matches, coton)
3 Signaling device (Orange garbage bag)
4 Extra food and water (Coffee tin and lid, 22 Rifle [10 bullets, coton, flint], fishing kit [line, hooks, sinkers, lours])
5 Extra clothing (Duct tape)
6 Navigational Aid (Map)
7 First Aid kit (Multi tool)
8 Emergency shelter (Space blanket, Saw, Rope, Axe)
9 Knife (Hunting Knife)
10 Sun protection (There may have been more in his kit than I could see)
6. Show that you can start fires using three methods other than matches.
Friction, Percussion, Compression, Sunlight, Electric or Chemical
7. Do the following:
Tell five different ways of attracting attention when lost.
Show how to use a signal mirror.
Include the thumb technique
Describe from memory five international ground-to-air signals and tell what they mean.
All is well Gone This Way Need Doctor Need Med Supplies Safe to Land Stuck here Need Food-Water
* * * * * * * * * *****
* * * * * * * * * * *
* * ******* * * * * * * *****
* * * * * * * * * * *
*** *** * * * * ********* * * *
8. Show that you can find and improvise a natural shelter minimizing the damage to the environment.
Choose a level spot on a south facing slope with radiant rocks
Make a good wind, sun, snow and rain block
you must stay dry (Water conducts heat away from the body 27 times faster than dry, still air)
drip lines can be added to draw cords to prevent rain and snow drip from getting in your shelter
Make a soft and warm ground insulation (up to 80% of heat will be lost to the ground)
A reflector made of logs, stones or a space rescue blanket will warm the shelter
Do not use stones from a stream bed, they may explode when heated
9. Spend a night in your shelter.
10. Explain how to protect yourself against
Insects
Fire repels bears, insects and snakes
Ferns can also be added on a shelter to provide insect repellent
Use repellant or clothes and mud will protect your skin from insects
The leaves of elderberry bushes or yarrow plant can be used for an insect repellent
crush and rub them on your body or place in your clothing
Reptiles
Fire repels bears, insects and snakes
Good boots
Caution when walking and climbing
Bears
Avoidance
Fire repels bears and insects and snakes
Travel in groups
Keep food (deodorant, toothpaste, etc) separate from camp 100 meters+ away and 4 meters+ up
Keep camp clean
Make noise and travel in groups
DO NOT wear scented products
If you do encounter a bear
Keep your pack on (Bears atack the back of the neck)
If the bear is not threatening you, back away slowly, providing an open escape route for the bear
Keep dogs away from bears. A dog can excite a bear, which may then follow the dog back to the owner
DO NOT climb a tree. Most bears climb trees faster and better than humans
DO NOT turn your back to it or run, a fleeing human being stimulates its instinct to chase. The bear IS faster than you!
If you are charged or attacked
DO NOT panic
Stand your ground (avoid direct eye contact) - if you have pepper spray, get it ready
Sometimes a bear will make several bluff charges
Do not use pepper spray unless you are sure the bear is not bluffing
If the bear stops after a bluff charge
Slowly wave your arms
Talk softly and back away slowly
If the bear doesn't stop, use your pepper spray at 40 - 50 feet
Create a wall of pepper spray in front of you
If it is a grizzly
Play dead (LAST RESORT and ONLY if it has contacted you)
Lie flat on your stomach with your hands clasped behind your neck (protect the back of your neck)
Remain silent
If it is a black bear
DO NOT play dead
Do whatever you can to fight off the bear
DO NOT play dead if you know that any bear is eating you
Mountain Lion (Cougar)
Exaggerate the threat to the animal through intense eye contact
Use loud but CALM shouting
Use actions that make a person appear larger and more menacing
Stay tall and avoid bending over
Fighting back with sticks and rocks may also cause a cougar to disengage
DO NOT corner it, as with many animals, a cougar may attack if cornered
DO NOT turn your back to it or run, a fleeing human being stimulates its instinct to chase
DO NOT play dead
DO NOT limp or show injury
11. Show three ways to treat water found in the outdoors to prepare it for drinking.
Water can be purified with filters, boiling or chemicals
rain water is typically safe
clean Water can be collected from condensation traps or solar stills
Clothing can be used to collect clean dew from vegetation
Tie a tee shirt to your leg and walk through dew covered grass in the morning or evening
DO NOT drink Animal blood
it may be diseased and because of the nutrients it contains, it requires energy to digest
DO NOT drink Urine it contains salt and other toxins
it can be refined in a solar still
DO NOT drink cactus juice
While some cacti do have fluid inside, it is a highly acidic solution and would induce vomiting
In extremely dry environments, it is necessary to take extra care to prevent water loss
Breathing through the nose to prevent water vapor escaping through the mouth
Not smoking
Resting in the shade and avoiding strenuous labor during sunny, hot periods
Not eating too much (the human body uses a lot of water to digest food - especially fats and proteins)
Not drinking alcohol, caffeine or chocolate, which hastens dehydration
12. Show that you know the proper clothing to wear in your area on an overnight in extremely hot weather and extremely cold weather.
13. Explain why it usually is not wise to eat edible wild plants or wildlife in a wilderness survival situation.
Many survival books promote the "universal edibility test" (lip test)
However, many experts (such as Ray Mears) deprecate this method
a very small amount of some "potential foods" can cause anything from gastric distress to illness or death
LES STROUD QUOTES
============================
My favorite multi-tool is the Leatherman Wave. Other than the multi-tool, an ax is an amazing item to have.
Don't forget to keep a sharpening file with it and learn how to sharpen it makes a big difference.
A bandana is always useful and, of course, a fool-proof way to start a fire is essential.
There is no question that having a multi-tool or fold-up knife with a saw blade is a fantastic advantage.
That little saw blade makes fashioning tools and traps a lot easier.
I would always keep with me a surefire way to make a fire (so to speak)
Books:
The Psychology of Wilderness Survival, Gino F. Ferri
Wilderness Living and Primitive Skills, John and Geri McPherson
Bushcraft, Mors Kochanski
Outdoor Survival Skills, Larry Dean Olsen
The Art of Survival, Cord Christian, Troebst (out of print)
Any of the Peterson Field Guides (wild edibles, etc.)
FOR CAMP
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Friday
Hike in
Give shelter demo
Allow time for boys to make over night shelters
Dinner
Scouter's minute
Hand out study materials
Give potable water challenge
Give snare challenge (catch a log)
Read survival scripture
The Nephites gather to the land of Cumorah for the final battles
Mormon hides the sacred records in the hill Cumorah
The Lamanites are victorious, and the Nephite nation is destroyed
Hundreds of thousands are slain with the sword. [A.D. 385]
Morm. 6: 11
11 And when they had gone through and hewn down all my people save it were twenty and four of us,
(among whom was my son Moroni) and we having survived the dead of our people, did behold on the morrow,
when the Lamanites had returned unto their camps, from the top of the hill Cumorah,
the ten thousand of my people who were hewn down, being led in the front by me.
Boys sleep in overnight shelters
Saturday
Breakfast
Review the survival requirements
First aid role plays
Show survival kit samples
water condom
Potassium permanganate
Alternate fire demo
Potassium permanganate
Wet paper matches demo
popcan chocolate demo
Pop corn challenge
Mirror signal challenge
Maggot, ant egg, cricket, prickly pear, dandy lion and meal worm challenge
Lunch
Cattail soup (fall or winter)
Nutritious and productive root vegetable
Generally harvested in the fall and winter
The pollen is also sometimes used as a flour supplement
The young grass flowering stalks, when fried, become tender
Patrol Mapping Challenge
compare to toppo
Make a weapon and Tree Measure challenge
Scouter's minute
Hand out challenge rewards
Hike out