Re: Wilderness first aid
Steven Featherkile (madwolf@EARTHLINK.NET)
Wed, 14 May 1997 08:56:13 -0700
Nathan Mann wrote:
>
> How about a few ancidotes where scouts (or leaders) were involved in wilderness
> first aid? (These may be useful as good examples, bad examples, or comic relief)
>
> This past year, a local troop was exploring Buckner Cave
>
> The troop was in the back reaches of the cave, probably 3/4 around a loop. They
> came upon a group of 3 local teenage boys, one laying on the floor and the other
> two huddled, not knowing what to do. They were in shorts and T-shirts, and only had
> one working flashlight. The boy laying shivering on the floor appeared to be
> in bad shape. He had a nasty knot on his head where the cave had 'kissed' him.
> He was not coherent, his color not great. His buddies were clueless. He had
> been on the floor over an hour, and had been getting worse, according to his
> friends.
>
> The scouts assessed the situation, and dispatched three of their fastest guys to
> seek outside assistance, while the rest remained with the injured teenager.
>
> They combined their excess clothing to make a pad for him to lay on, rather than
> directly on the cold floor of the cave. They got him into pants and
> long-sleeved shirt(jacket?). Elevated his feet. As he recovered, they gave him
> some water, pain relief, and as he got feeling better, some snacks.
> Bottom line:
> o The teenager *could* have gotten MUCH worse, had help not arrived.
> o Many times, simple treatments can help a lot.
> o Those scouts will remember, as will those teenagers. Lessons for everyone.
Nathan,
Great story. Those who, by their posts say that they would wait for the
"pros" to get there probably would have let the kid lay on the floor and
slip further into hypothermia. Bottom line, get the training.
Steve Featherkile
SM T319
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
