The document provides information on survival first aid, including treating common injuries like cuts, bruises, sprains, stings, bites, broken bones, bleeding, burns, and snake bites. It describes symptoms and basic first aid treatments for each, emphasizing the need to improvise treatment based on circumstances and prioritizing avoiding infection. Specific treatments covered include cleaning and dressing wounds, applying pressure immobilization for snake bites, and cooling burns.

1. Survival First Aid Awareness Survival Advanced CUO Tonya Gentry-Brown Mar 2011

2. Objectives Describe the symptoms and basic treatment for: Common injuries, cuts, bruises and sprains Stings and bites Broken bones Bleeding Burns Snake bite Hyperthermia and frostbite Heat stress and sunstroke Dehydration, and Shock

3. Introduction Extra care to avoid injury and illness Learn to improvise when applying First Aid Methods can be varied based on different circumstances Need to use initiative to make the treatment suit

4. Minor Injuries Cuts, bruising and sprains Must not be taken lightly Broken skin (cuts and lacerations) can easily become infected causing secondary problems Open wounds must: Thoroughly cleaned (boiled and salted water) Disinfected ( applied around wound) covered

5. Stiches (Suturing a wound) Deep cuts may require stitches W/ sterilised needle and thread Make each stitch individually Begin across middle of wound Draw edges together then tie off Continue outwards

6. Bruises Caused by blow or fall against hard object Causing bleeding into deep tissue Can be known as closed tissue wound Bad bruising treatment is cold compress Ice (if available) for 15-20mins Rest and if on limb, elevate

7. Sprains Usually wrist, fingers or ankle When joint is forced into an unusual position Treat as you would bruising Apply firm bandage at joint Ice over bandage for 20 mins Injury recovery usually 24-28 hours Raise injured part to reduce swelling

8. Blisters Leave alone Prevention is best (e.g. Break boots in prior to camp) If inside shoe Prevent further rubbing w/ sticking plaster Change socks daily Beware of hot spots

9. Bleeding Effects of serious blood loss almost simultaneous Cause shock very quickly In Young Adults the loss of 0.5L (dizziness) 1L (faintness) 1.5L (collapse) 2.2L (possible fatality)

10. Main Types of Bleeding Arterial Venous Capillary Internal

11. Arterial Bleeding Pumps out in powerful spurts In time w/ victim’s pulse rate Most serious type Must be treated promptly Controlling Bleeding Apply pressure to points of artery Or use a constrictive bandage

12. Using Constrictive Bandage Strip of firm cloth (7.5cm wide, 75cm long) Improvise with clothing or triangular bandage Bind firmly above bleeding point until pulse can’t be felt beyond bandage. Tie Firmly. Note time of application After 30mins release bandage No bleeding – remove Bleeding reapply check every 30 mins Ensure bandage is visible and inform medical aid of location and time of application

13. Venous Bleeding Blood darker, flow slower Bit more time to treat Apply pressure directly over Use padded bandage Or shell dressing When bleeding under control Bind firmly in place Later, when bleeding stopped Clean, sterilise and dress

14. Capillary Bleeding Only appears in drops from small blood vessels near surface Usually clot fairly quickly Should be dressed and treated as for a minor cut

15. Internal Bleeding Occurs as a result of a deep wound, violent blow to body and from fractures to bones Symptoms Bruising of skin Blood in urine/faeces Vomiting or coughing up blood Treatment Constant nursing attention Lay down, legs slightly raised, loosen tight clothing Do not give anything by mouth

16. Treatment for External Bleeding Pick off any foreign bodies and wipe off with dressing Wash wound and area around it Press sides of wound together Place sterile pad or adhesive dressing Apply pressure by hand or bandage Clean folded handkerchief sterilised w/ boiling water or alcohol Don’t give patient any stimulant until bleeding has stopped, keep them quiet and reassured

17. Pressure Points – Constrictive Bandage

18. Snake Bite All bites should be taken seriously Prevention is best defence If in known snake country - dress accordingly Protect legs and feet (especially if moving through shrubs or long grass) Snakes are masters of camouflage – often very hard to detect

19. Venomous Australian Snakes Death Adder Brownish, reddish or grey Average 45-60cm Sandy Areas Highly Venomous Aust Black Snake Average 1.5-2m Bluish-black, slender Bright red belly Rarely fatal Flattens neck when aroused

20. Aust Brown Snake Slender, yellowish-grey to brown w/ pale belly Averages 1.5-2m Drier parts of Australia Aggressive and very poisonous Tiger Snake Average 1.3-1.6m Thick bodied, large head Tawny-ochre banded w/ greenish-yellow, grey or orange-brown Aggressive and very poisonous

21. Taipan Uniformly light to dark brown Yellowish-brown on sides May grow to 3.5m Ferocious when provoked, deadly Sea Snake Indian and Pacific Ocean Partly terrestrial Vary in colour and size Average 1.3-1.5m Flattened paddle like tail Not aggressive but some of most poisonous in world

22. Snake Bites - Treatment Limb usually hand, arm or leg Place in resting position w/ injury below heart level (Check airway, breathing, circulation) Apply pressure immobilisation bandage above bitten area, down to end of limb, then back up to groin/armpit

23. Bandage should be tight enough to depress the skin but not stop blood flow Purpose – restrict spread of toxins through lymphatic system Immobilise by splinting (outside of bandage) Continually monitor breathing and pulse rate (apply CPR if required) Better to move medics to patient than move them Ensure they don’t move

24. ... wash venom off the skin as retained venom will assist w/ identification ... cut bitten area ... try to suck venom out of wound ... use constrictive bandage ... try to catch the snake Snake Bites – Do Not:

25. Sting and Bites Most insect bites painful but not life threatening (w/ exception or Funnel Web and Red Back) Symptoms and treatment for 5 most common

26. Bee Stings barbed end, usually left behind in flesh w/ venom sac attached Sting – immediate pain, causes area to become red and puffy Avoid injecting more venom – scrape sting sideways w/ knife blade (DON’T PINCH OUT) After sting is removed Wipe area clean Apply cold compress and/or pain relief agent (‘Stingoes’)

27. Bee – In case of allergic reaction If has history or shows following reactions Rash, lumps on skin, swelling of throat or wheezing Treat as follows Check responses, airway, breathing, circulation Apply pressure bandage and immobilise Attempt evacuation Periodically observe and record pulse and breathing Medication administered immediately Carry out CR if breathing/circulation stops

28. European Wasp Only become serious threat in last few years Wasp does not leave sting behind (may strike several times – causing severe pain) Attracted to meat cooking, rotting meat and sweet drinks (sometimes trapped in soft drink cans) Stinging in mouth/throat cause swelling and blockage of airway Treatment is as for a bee

29. Tick Prevalent in most parts of Australia (species that causes paralysis - mainly eastern coastal) Usually attach in folds of skin or body crevices Most human cases bite causes discomfort or local irritation of skin Can cause paralysis (especially in small children) Symptoms of serious tick bite Weakness of upper face and eyelids Weakness in upper limbs Weakness of muscles which aid breathing

30. Ticks – Bite Management If in ear cavity kill tick and seek medical aid Drop of turpentine/kerosene/methylated spirits directly on body Removing tick Do not squeeze body Slide pair of scissors/tweezers either side of head and draw out Do not leave mouth parts in victim Search for more ticks (pay attn to hair, ears, under arms and other crevices) Do not apply pressure immobilisation

31. Scorpion Australian species usually not life threatening but do cause severe pain Symptoms Immediate sense of burning pain Throbbing and later numbness Treatment Apply cold pack or compress Seek medical Aid

32. Funnel Web Spider Mainly Sydney and coastal areas of NSW Inhabits rock crevices, burrows, under houses, bushes/trees Symptoms Intense pain around area Nausea, abdominal pain, breathing difficulty, numbness, muscular weakness Excessive saliva, noisy breathing, weeping from eyes, cold skin, shivering Treatment as for snake bite

33. Red Back Spider Usually found in dark undisturbed places (e.g. old logs, under eaves of buildings, discarded tyres/iron etc.) Slow working venom Symptoms – pain, nausea, dizziness, faintness, muscle weakness, profuse sweating, swelling, rapid pulse Treatment - Reassure casualty, apply cold pack, seek medical aid

34. Fractures Types, causes, symptoms and treatment concerning fractures are many and varied Three common types Closed Fracture (broken through but not penetrated) Open Fracture (broken bone protruded through) Complicated Fracture (w/ associated injury to major nerve, blood vessels or vital organ) No attempt should be made to force fracture back in place

35. Fractures - Symptoms Pain Swelling Deformity in area Loss of Function Bleeding (if open) Possible shock

36. Fracture - Treatment Should be evacuated In survival situation – nursing care probably best Make casualty comfortable Check pulse and circulation of injured limb Stop bleeding (if wound or open) Splint and immobilise Treat for shock

38. Burns 3 stages of burns will have varying effects Deep burns - contact w/ flame - causes charring and destruction of tissue/bone Little initial pain – often due to nerve endings being seared Superficial Burns – flesh not destroyed but will redden and possibly blister Usually very painful, may cause shock Scalds – caused by hot liquid, similar symptoms as superficial

39. Burns - Treatment Remove from further danger Quickly extinguish burning matter on victim (remove any hot, smouldering clothing) If not stuck to the skin cut it away Ensure airway is clear (if to face or neck) Cool the burn area by holding under cold water (usually 10-20mins or when pain no longer felt)

40. When burn is cooled should be left open If risk of infection – apply dry, non stick, sterile dressing If injury to feet/hands place dry padding between to prevent from sticking together Give patient frequent small amounts of water to drink – fluids will need to be replaced

41. Heat Stress When the body’s cooling system fails to function properly Through effects of Exposure to a hot/humid environment and/or Excessive physical exertion Three conditions of heat stress may occur (from least to most serious) Heat Cramp, Exhaustion, Stroke

42. Heat Cramp Signs and Symptoms Nausea (possible vomiting), dizziness Cramps in stomach, arms, legs Muscle twitching Feeling of weakness Should be taken as warning that a more serious condition may develop if not treated

43. Heat Cramp - Treatment Rest in cool shady area (at least cover from direct sunlight) Replace fluids (small, frequent drinks of water) Place cold compress over affected muscles Keep at rest In survival situation – may be caused by over exertion, employ on light duties until recovered

44. Heat Exhaustion Body gaining more heat than it’s losing (temperature regulating system is starting to break down) Signs and Symptoms Feeling of weakness and exhaustion Feeling hot and tired Excessive sweating Cramps, rapid pulse/breathing Suffer a lack of coordination and mental confusion

45. Heat Exhaustion - Treatment Lay in cool shaded place (preferably good air circulation) Remove excess clothing Gradually cool by sponging w/ water Relace fluid loss Rest patient (as for heat cramp) If patient doesn’t respond seek medical aid – treat for heat stroke

46. Heat Stroke Medical Emergency Temperature regulating system has failed and body cannot cope w/ any more heat gain Signs and Symptoms Pounding and rapid pulse Skin flushed but dry (cease to sweat) Sharp rise in temperature Nausea and vomiting Headache, disorientation, seizures and unconsciousness

47. Heat Stroke - Treatment Remove to shaded location Douse w/ cold water If unconscious, place in recovery position Loosen and/or remove any tight or excess clothing Fan to increase air flow Apply cold packs to groin/armpits/neck When fully conscious give fluid and continue cooling (until body feels cool to touch)

48. Dehydration Caused by loss of water from body due to persistent vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive sweating, severe burns or increased urination Or less than required water intake Symptoms Dry skin, tongue and lining of mouth becomes dry, eyes sunken, urine dark, confusion Treatment Sit in shade, loosen clothing, give small sips of water

49. Hypothermia and Frost Bite Failure of body’s temperature regulating system – through extreme/prolonged exposure to cold Body loses all surface heat (therefore deeper tissues and internal organs can cool more rapidly) Can happen through immersion in very cold water, trapped in snow or severe wind chill

50. Hypothermia - Symptoms Severe drop in temperature Lack of coordination Slow pulse Confusion Increasing slowness in mental/physical responses Cramps Faintness and unconsciousness

51. Hypothermia - Treatment If unconscious, place in recovery position and check breathing and pulse Body must be dried (if wet) Place in warm dry place, wrap in blankets (possibly w/ another person beside) If conscious, give warm sweet drinks (not alcohol) and monitor progress

52. Frost Bite Result of severe freezing of tissue (usually effecting extremities of body) Serious injury – may effect blood circulation to limbs resulting in amputation May be detected by Sudden whiteness, numbness/tingling of skin, area firm to touch, waxy appearance, bistered Deep frost bite white, hard to touch, painless until warmed (and then pain may be intense)

53. Frost Bite - Treatment Remove constrictive clothing Warm area gradually using body heat only NEVER apply direct heat, massage or rub with either water or snow Give warm sweet drinks (not alcohol) Seek medical aid

54. Shock Serious, life threatening condition Usually result of serious injury/illness from either burns, severe blood/fluid loss or pain Usually does not occur immediately upon injury – gradually develops Signs and Symptoms Rapid breathing, weak and rapid pulse, pale and clammy skin, nausea and vomiting, faintness and dizziness

55. Shock - Treatment Lay patient down Elevate feet (do not elevate if legs fractured) Treat fractures and external injuries Stop bleeding and cover burns Cover w/ blanket and continually monitor Try ease pain Reassure (if conscious) If sure of no internal injuries give warm sweet drinks to assist replacement of fluid

56. Conclusion Cadets should now be able to describe the symptoms and identify the treatment required for the scenarios.

57. AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CADETS 715 (City of Belmont) Squadron Join as a Cadet Aged 13 – 16 year old Join as an Adult Instructor Aged 19 years and above Friday Nights (in the school term) 1815h – 2200h Palmer Barracks, Barker Road, South Guildford