4 minute read
Wilderness first-aid can deliver you home alive
The dope on chemicals
Chemicals can effectively control pathogens, but they may not be effective against organic contaminants. Here’s how they work: • Iodine: Iodine is lightweight, reliable and trouble-free. It is available as a liquid, crystals or tablets. The directions on the label will tell you how much to use and how long to wait; more iodine and longer waiting periods are needed in cold or dirty water. Health Canada advises that if Chryptosporidium is suspected, water should be filtered first. Do not let the iodine-water sit for more than a few days at a time. For health reasons, it is not a good idea to use iodine for days on end, but having some on hand could help out if the weather turns bad or you are tired and a fire is hard to start. • Chlorine: At room temperature and in clear water, add two drops of chlorine bleach to every litre of water. After shaking, let the water stand for 30 minutes, or longer if the water is very cold. This should be effective against most pathogens. Health Canada advises that if Chryptosporidium is suspected, water should be filtered first. Keep in mind that chlorine loses its effectiveness more quickly than iodine does. • Chorine dioxide: The extra atom in chlorine dioxide results in a chemistry that is very different than that of chlorine. Chlorine dioxide kills up to 99.9999% of the bacteria that are present and does not leave a bad taste in the water. It has a very long shelf life and it’s sold in a two-part system that you mix, then shake or stir, then let stand for 15 minutes. For Chryptosporidium, as it is a hardshelled organism, you need to double or triple the amount used and let it sit for at least six hours, or filter the water first. When used as the label directs, chlorine dioxide poses no significant adverse risk to human health.
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Wilderness first-aid can deliver everyone home alive
By Scott Shailer
IT’S A BEAUTIFUL crisp fall morning and the sky is raining mountain bikes. You and your friends jump the fallen slash at the edge of the forest, all knobby tires and glinting spokes.
Suddenly, your buddy does a swan dive over the handlebars and smashes his helmet open on a piece of granite the size of a fridge. He’s unconscious, you have no phone, extra clothing or medical supplies — what do you do?
This is a tough situation, but having some knowledge of wilderness first-aid will allow you to adequately assess the situation and arrive at the most appropriate course of action.
There are many levels of wilderness first aid available. I took a Wilderness First Responders course from Sirius Wilderness Medicine, which is fast becoming the standard level for outdoor adventure guides. Each level of proficiency empowers you to deal with a wilderness accident more efficiently.
While on course, we were informed that venturing more than two hours from immediate care places you in a wilderness setting. This means the far reaches of Gatineau Park and many summer cottages are considered remote because it takes so much time before professional services can arrive.
As the old proverb goes, an ounce of prevention is better then a pound of cure. In addition to maintaining equipment and emergency supplies, it’s important to keep your body and mind in top shape. Ensure everyone gets ample rest, fluids and fuel to remain vigilant and alert.
Accidents do happen, but you can guard against fatigue-related mishaps. It’s recommended you carry at least one first aid kit with enough supplies to accommodate the size of your group and the duration of your adventure. Carrying the kit is not enough — knowing how to locate its contents quickly and using them effectively is essential.
Wilderness first responder courses develop several other important skills. There is an old saying that should be changed too: “perfect practice makes perfect.” The course teaches how to deal with multiple medical conditions and it’s fortified with supervised practice sessions, with and without standard medical supplies. We learned how to make improvised splints and neck braces when required. This subject matter is important, but it is also fun to learn.
The Wilderness First Responder course is more than just practicing first aid. It imparts knowledge in medical terminology and complications. It’s good to learn how to both subjectively and objectively assess a patient’s needs relative to your environment and the problems you may encounter.
In the backcountry or out at the cottage, I feel more confident that I can help out in the case of a medical mishap. I’m not a doctor, but the course has prepared me to deliver a reasonable standard of care in a wilderness setting. I wish others would take the course, so I can feel safer in the outback, too. Hope to see you in the lake, on the trail or against the cliff.
For more information about this and other courses, please contact SiriusMed at Tel: (819) 242-2666 • Email: info@SiriusMed.com
