Auerbach - Medicine for the Outdoors

1. Figures in General First-Aid Principles
2. Figures in An Approach to the Unconscious Victim
3. Figures in Chest Injury
4. Figures in Chest Pain
5. Figures in Bleeding
6. Figures in Shock
7. Figures in Head Injury
8. Figures in Fractures and Dislocations
9. Figures in Burns
10. Figures in Abdominal Pain
11. Figures in Emergency Childbirth
12. Figures in Head (Also Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat, and Mouth)
13. Figures in Disorders of the Gastrointestinal Tract
14. Figures in Skin Disorders
15. Figures in Minor Bruises and Wounds
16. Figures in Musculoskeletal Injuries
17. Figures in Male Genital Problems
18. Figures in Injuries and Illnesses Due to Cold
19. Figures in Injuries and Illnesses Due to Heat
20. Figures in Snakebite
21. Figures in Insect and Arthropod Bites
22. Figures in Lightning Strike, Tornado (Cyclone), Hurricane (Typhoon), Flood, Earthquake, Tidal Wave (Tsunami), Landslide (Mudslide), Volcano, and Snow Avalanche
23. Figures in Hazardous Aquatic Life and Aquatic Infections
24. Figures in Underwater Diving Accidents
25. Figures in Animal Attacks
26. Figures in Wild Plant and Mushroom Poisoning
27. Figures in Transport of the Injured Victim
28. Figures in Ground-to-Air Distress Signals
29. Figures in Procedures
30. Figures in Appendix Four
31. Figures in Appendix Six

This Appendix lists drugs that are mentioned in the book, and some that are not mentioned but that might be carried and taken by persons you may encounter.

Before administering any medication, ask the recipient if he suffers from allergy to it. If so, don't administer the drug or anything that you feel is similar to it. Use medications only if you have a reasonable understanding of what you are treating. Always have a doctor or pharmacist explain the actions and side effects of any drug you obtain to be carried with you. Exercise extreme caution and don't administer drugs to pregnant women, infants, or small children unless absolutely necessary. Drugs have many side effects. Some of the common ones are noted. Be familiar with the drugs you carry.

Many drugs are used to suppress symptoms (such as abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and headache) of potentially serious disorders. In these cases, don't overmedicate the victim if you need to watch for a worsening condition.

Drugs are listed here by purpose. I have listed some products that are available over-the-counter; however, many of the drugs require a prescription. This is not a comprehensive formulary, but rather emphasizes the medications most likely to be used or encountered.

Doses are listed in absolute amount (generally, for adults) or in amount to be given per body weight or per age (generally, for children). For determination of weight, 1 kilogram (kg) equals 2.2 pounds (lb). The drug should be administered orally unless otherwise specified.

Because children usually require a fraction of the dose used for adults, they may need to have the drug in special tablet or liquid form. The average weights for children, according to age, are as follows:

1 year10 kg (22 lb)

3 years15 kg (33 lb)

6 years20 kg (44 lb)

8 years25 kg (55 lb)

years30 kg (66 lb)

11 years35 kg (77 lb)

Corticosteroids (steroids) are interchangeable to a certain degree. If you must substitute, here is a rough measure of equivalence: 20 mg prednisone equals 16 mg methylprednisolone equals 3 mg dexamethasone.

Drugs are listed in the following order:

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)