First Aid
Blisters are the most common First Aid problem for walkers but also one of the most preventable. Wear two pairs of socks and make sure your walking boots are worn in before any long walks.
At the first sign of blisters stop and protect the sore area--use adhesive tape (eg leucoplastTM) to fully cover the site. If blisters form they can be pricked with a flame sterilised needle. Drain the fluid, apply antiseptic and tape the site, this will usually allow you to finish the walk. For bad blisters tape a foam pad around the blister to protect it from abrasion against the boot.
Hypothermia is the physical and mental collapse that accompanies chilling of the body's inner core. It is caused by exposure to cold, and is intensified by wet and windy conditions. Most cases develop when air temperatures are between -1 and 10°C. It is the most common killer of walkers in wilderness areas.
Prevention
To avoid hypothermia, dress to stay warm and dry and beware of the chilling effect of wind. Always keep your sleeping bag and a spare set of clothes dry (in a tough plastic bag inside your pack)--they are essential for treating hypothermia. Symptoms: Early signs of hypothermia are persistent shivering, frequent stumbling and exhaustion. Get the victim out of the wind and rain and into dry clothes. Give warm sugary drinks and place them in a dry sleeping bag.
In advanced cases, shivering stops, the patient becomes irrational and, if untreated, will lapse into coma. Death soon follows. Treatment is the same as for milder cases but have someone get into the sleeping bag with the person to transfer body heat via skin to skin contact. If breathing stops give mouth to mouth resuscitation. Aim to slowly and gently re-warm the victim. Even if the patient appears to have recovered it is necessary to treat them as a stretcher case. Get medical assistance to the patient as soon as possible.
Do Not:
Rub the victim's skin, give them alcohol, apply direct heat to any part of their body or give them stimulants (including coffee or chocolate). These 'treatments' cause heat to be lost from the body's core and lead to a worsening of the condition. A gentle, evenly distributed warmth is required.
This condition is usually caused by physical exertion during prolonged exposure to heat - your body simply overheats. Prevention: take it easy in hot weather, and drink plenty of water. Symptoms: pale, moist and clammy skin, dizziness, headache, normal or sub-normal temperature and possible vomiting. Treat by resting in a cool shaded area. Have the victim lie down with feet elevated. Give them lots of fluids (eg an electrolyte replacement drink such as StaminadeTM). Continue until symptoms disappear.
If untreated heat exhaustion can become Heat stroke (hyperthermia--the opposite of hypothermia). Symptoms include: dry, flushed skin, dizziness, nausea, muscle spasms and unconsciousness. Treat as above but also include rapid body cooling techniques such as emersion in water, wetting clothing and fanning. Continue to replace body fluids. Seek medical aid urgently.
There are 3 species, all are venomous but rarely attack unless provoked. Most bites occur when people try to kill snakes (this is illegal in National Parks where all wildlife is protected) or when they are accidentally stepped on. Snakes are particularly aggressive during the mating season, (Feb, Mar). If you see a snake, give it a wide berth.
If someone in your party is bitten treat them in the following manner:
