See Wilderness First Aid and training under Emergency for Outing Leader Info.


Treating small cuts and scrapes:
(NYT Aug., 7, 2006 and Helping Wounds Heal, Some Tips From Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource) It is better to keep the wound moist and covered so that blood vessels regenerate faster and inflammation is minimal. Some people are very sensitive to Neomycin which is contained in Neosporin®, and many generic triple antibiotic ointments. Polysporin® does not contain Neomycin. Vaseline or Aquaphor will do just fine as a moistening agent. Don't use Providone iodine solution (betadine®), alcohol or hydrogen peroxide because they are too strong and can damage cells, interfering with healing; Plain vaseline is enough.
DonŐt leave the scab on too long, lest it leave a larger scar than you would want.
Seek medical help if you think you need stitches, you can't clean the wound, or if the injury was caused by an animal or human bite. You should also seek medical attention if it has been 10 years or longer since your last tetanus shot.

See also Wounds under health.

Remedy tricks:

  • Drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost immediately-- without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional "pain relievers."
  • Colgate toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns.
  • Try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids peppermints. They'll clear up your stuffed nose.
  • Smart splinter remover. Just pour a drop of Elmer's Glue-All over the splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter sticks to the dried glue.
  • Balm for broken blisters... To disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few drops of Listerine. a powerful antiseptic.

Links:
Wilderness First Aid under Emergency
See Glossary under emergency
High Altitude Guidelines
Anaphylaxis
Traveler's Diarrhea
Altitude Sickness
Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) Training
Wilderness Medicine Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses.
Adaptability: Adapting to High Altitude
International Society for Mountain Medicine (ISMM)
The High Altitude Medicine Guide
Outdoor Emergency Care at the National Ski Patrol
Stanford Hospital Approved Abbreviations Acronyms and Symbols
Wilderness Survival Gear
Sample First Aid Kit List at the Sierra Club

last updated 5 Sep 2007