UNDERWATER DIVING ACCIDENTS AND DROWNING
UNDERWATER DIVING ACCIDENTS AND DROWNING On land at sea level, the human body is constantly exposed to 14.7 lb (6.7 kg, or 1 atmosphere) of pressure from the weight of…
GROUND-TO-AIR DISTRESS SIGNALS
GROUND-TO-AIR DISTRESS SIGNALS If a party is trapped or lost, and helicopter or airplane search parties are likely to be in the region, it may help to attempt to signal…
EMERGENCY CHILDBIRTH
EMERGENCY CHILDBIRTH When a woman is ready to give birth, the contractions of labor are usually intense and uninterrupted, or separated by intervals of less than 3 to 5 minutes….
LIGHTNING STRIKE
LIGHTNING STRIKE Lightning strikes the earth at least 100 times per second during an estimated 3,000 thunderstorms per day. Fortunately, the odds of being struck by lightning are not very…
LOST PEOPLE
LOST PEOPLE People lost in the wilderness often act in a predictable manner. Rapid location of a lost person can make the difference between life and death. These general guidelines…
INJURIES AND ILLNESSES DUE TO HEAT
INJURIES AND ILLNESSES DUE TO HEAT BURN INJURIES See page 108. HEAT ILLNESS (HYPERTHERMIA) The human core temperature is maintained at 98.6°F (37°C), with little variation from individual to individual….
IMMUNIZATIONS
IMMUNIZATIONS Because the spectrum of infectious diseases changes with time and location, travelers to or between foreign countries should be aware of the necessity for immunizations. The Centers for Disease…
FIRST-AID KITS
FIRST-AID KITS First-aid kits should be designed according to the environment to be encountered, number of travelers, medical training of the party leaders, and distance from sophisticated medical care. The…
MOTION SICKNESS
MOTION SICKNESS Motion sickness (seasickness, or “mal de mer”) is a common, annoying, and sometimes disabling problem for boaters and divers. Motion sickness is a complex phenomenon that involves the…
WATER DISINFECTION
WATER DISINFECTION Water purification is the removal of chemical pollutants by filtration through activated charcoal or active resin compounds. This usually improves the taste, but does not decrease the incidence…
