Cramps

There are two basic causes of cramping. One is inadequate oxygenation of muscle, and the other is lack of water or salt. Cramps from poor oxygenation can be improved by rapid deep breathing, and stretching the muscle. Cramps from lack of salt and water can be treated by stretching the muscle, drinking water and eating salt. Pounding on the muscle can increase soreness.

What happens in a cramp is that lactic acid builds up because of normal anaerobic muscle metabolism. When the muscle burns sugar without enough oxygen, it makes lactic acid. The lactic acid finally becomes concentrated enough to trigger the contraction of the muscle. When the muscle lacks salt, the nerves firing the muscle are unable to recharge properly, causing a similar effect.

Exposure

Exposure, sometimes called hypothermia is a normal hazard of temperate wilderness. It occurs when a person's core body temperature falls below 33.7C (92.6F). If a person is wet, in a mild wind, it can occur in less than an hour at temperatures as high as 15°C (59°F).

The basic early symptoms are uncontrollable shivering, stiffness and confusion. The conclusive evidence is a cool or cold stomach. If the hypothermia has not yet advanced to a critical stage, basic treatment is to warm the person in a sleeping bag. People with hypothermia may have such depressed metabolisms that they can no longer heat themselves. However, if the hypothermia has become severe - the victim is confused or unconscious - it is critical not to warm them suddenly. Evacuation would be the preferred option, with warming undertaken in a controlled medical environment. Sudden warming of a severely hypothermic person can send the heart into a fatal, irregular beating pattern or arrhythmia.

The following article gives just one example of why you might want to make sure you get some good training in Wilderness First Aid. If you saw this in the wilderness and out of reach of 911, would you know what to do?

Do you recognize the signs of a stroke? Do you know what to do if someone you know has a stroke in your presence? Do you know the 4 ways to identify a stroke?

When you have a stroke most people do not realize what has happened. If you have fallen, you can explain it away many different ways. I was clumsy I tripped over my own 2 feet. I tripped over a hole in the yard. I stumbled over something on the floor. You could be fine for hours until the horror that you are not alright finally hits.

There are 4 ways to identify a stroke.

(1) Look at the persons tongue. Have the person in question stick our their tongue. Is it crooked? Does it go to the left or right.

(2) Ask the person in question to raise both arms.

(3) Ask the person to smile.

(4) Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence.

This is a life and death situation. Acting fast and good common sense is the key to saving your loved ones life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Meckler

The Use of Iodine in Wound Management

Iodine is often used in Wilderness First aid for wound management. It is useful to keep some in a firstaid kit along with syringes. Iodine is something that everyone interested in wilderness survival should know about. Read the following article to learn more.

Iodine has long been in use as an antibacterial agent and a skin disinfectant. It was discovered in 1811, and gained widespread popularity during the American Civil War, where it was used liberally to treat the wounds of soldiers. In its original form, iodine caused pain and irritation when applied to wounds, it has been shown to impair the function of cells involved in wound healing, and it also had the unfortunate side effect of skin discoloration.

Since the late 1940's, newer, safer, and less painful formulations of iodine in the form of iodophors have come into use. These products release sustained low levels of iodine, which bind to proteins, fatty acids, and nucleotides. These products have a broad spectrum of activity against bacteria, mycobacterium, fungi, and protozoa.

Cadexomer Iodine

Cadexomer iodine is a slow release antimicrobial which has the capability to absorb excess wound exudate while maintaining a sustained level of iodine in the wound bed. Cadexomer iodine is available both as a dressing and as an ointment. In studies it has been shown to be effective in reducing counts of MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It is estimated that 1 gram of Cadexomer iodine can absorb as much as 7 ml of fluid. The iodine is slowly released as the iodine is absorbed, which helps to reduce the bacterial load while simultaneously debriding the wound. It requires moisture to be activated. Unlike povidone iodine dressings which release iodine immediately upon application, the sustained release of iodine from cadexomer iodine dressings does not cause cytotoxic effects.

Potential Contraindications

Studies have shown that cadexomer iodine is effective in healing chronic ulcers; however, one of the serious potential side effects of using iodine for the treatment of wounds is that there is the potential for the absorption of iodine. For this reason, thyroid function should be monitored in patients who use this therapy for extended periods of time. In addition, iodine can interact negatively with lithium, and should be used with caution in patients who are on lithium concurrently. Iodine should not be used at the same time as mercurial antiseptics, such as mercurochrome.

Given the growing concern over the rise of antibiotic-resistant organisms, cadexomer iodine is an effective alternative for the treatment of chronic wounds. Reports of resistance to iodine are scarce, despite the fact that iodine has been in use for over 150 years. Cadexomer iodine can be safely used on most patients (providing they are not sensitive to iodine itself) and provides good coverage of bacteria, mycobacterium, fungi, and protozoa, as well as being effective against MRSA.

Woundeducators.com strives to bring you the most current knowledge in the field of wound care management. Interested in becoming certified in this growing field? Please contact us for further information or if we can answer any questions in regards to how you can enhance your career in this exciting and rapidly-expanding field.

WoundEducators.com offers comprehensive online wound management training programs designed to educate and prepare health care practitioners to become certified in the rapidly growing field of wound management. Visit us at: http://woundeducators.com for more information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laurie_Swezey

First aid for choking

What do you do when someone is choking and you can't just go and dial 911?

First aid for choking has changed recently. So pay attention.

1) Someone choking and conscience and coughing
a) Encourage them to cough. As long as they can cough they might just cough the object up.
b) Try to get them to remain as calm as possible. Let them know that they are not alone.

2) Someone choking and conscience and not coughing, no airflow
a) Stand behind them and wrap your arms around to their stomach. Position your hands hand over fist on their stomach, directly in line with the top of their hips.
b) Bring your hands in and up in short, quick thrusts. Continue this until object is dislodged or the person loses consciousness

3) Someone choking and unconscience
a) Falling and hitting the floor may have dislodged the object from the airway, so first check for an open airway
b) If airway is still blocked perform chest compressions, the same as CPR chest compressions. Perform these chest compressions until object dislodges.

Wilderness First Aid Courses

Looking for a First Aid Course? Or are you interested in Wilderness Medicine? First Aid is an important part of any Wilderness Training. What if you are alone in the wilderness, do you know how to take care of yourself?

Here is a short list of where you might go to become certified in wilderness first aid. I believe the largest wilderness first aid provider in Canada is Wilderness Medical Associates. This is the organization that my Wilderness First Responder certification is through.

Wilderness Medical Association -Canada
http://www.wildmed.ca/

Wilderness Medical Association - US
http://www.wildmed.com/

Western Adventure Education
http://www.waveonline.ca/medical.html

Outward Bound Courses
http://www.outwardbound.ca/results_index.asp?Category=63

Paddlefoot Courses
http://www.paddlefoot.ca/outdoor_training_courses.htm

NOLS
http://www.nols.edu/courses/find/byskill/wildernessmedicine.shtml

Slipsteam Wilderness First Aid
http://www.wildernessfirstaid.ca/

Red Cross Wilderness First Aid
http://www.redcross.ca/