Hubbard - Living Ready pocket manual : first aid : fundamentals for survival

The Survival Doctor

Living Ready Books

Iola, Wisconsin

www.LivingReadyOnline.com

Use of the information in this book is at your own risk, intended solely for self-help, in times of emergency or when medical help is not available, and does not create a doctor-patient relationship.

Readers are strongly cautioned to consult with a physician before acting on the information described in this book. This book is based on information from sources believed to be reliable, and every effort has been made to make the book as complete and as accurate as possible based on information available as of the publication date, but its accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. Despite the best efforts of the author and publisher, the book may contain mistakes, and the reader should use the book only as a general guide and not as the ultimate source of information about the subject of the book.

The book is not intended to reprint all of the information available to the author or publisher on the subject, but rather to simplify, complement and supplement other available sources. The reader is encouraged to read all available material and to learn as much as possible about the subject.

The author and publisher are not engaged in rendering medical services, and the book is not intended to diagnose or treat medical or physical problems. If medical, professional or other expert assistance is required by the reader, please seek the services of a competent expert.

This book is sold without warranties of any kind, express or implied, and the publisher and author disclaim any liability, loss or damage caused by the contents of this book.

Youre starting a campfire. Suddenly theres an explosion and your pant leg is on firethe searing pain and the burning flesh is yours. What do you do? In situations like this, even the best of us usually panic, if only for a few seconds. We might run or try to pat out the fire with our hands. Who knows? For a fraction of time we stop thinking rationally, and those around us do, too. Fortunately, someone in the group typically gathers his senses quickly and smothers the fire with water or a blanket or a roll on the ground.

The way I see it, there are two problems with medical emergencies.

1. You never know when theyre coming.

2. You dont know what kind of health threat they will cause.

You could be firing up your grill, chopping vegetables in your kitchen or going on the same hike youve been on ten times before when BAM, out of nowhere, the grill explodes, you drop the knife and cut your foot, or you fall and hurt your ankle. We dont expect everyday activities to turn into emergencies, but they often do.

And you could train to know everything there is to know about treating a broken bone or a head injury and then have an allergic reaction to a bee sting or cut an artery in your leg.

Emergency situations are unplanned and unpredictable, which can cause you to panic even if its only for a few seconds. Your body goes into fight-or-flight mode. Its one of our most basic survival skills. Adrenaline kicks in, your heart speeds up, your muscles tense. And all that extra blood flow and energy goes into your muscles and leaves your brain, slowing your mental reaction, if only for a moment.

So, how do you prepare for the unexpected? What can you do to regain your focus and make smart, lifesaving decisions as quickly as possible in an emergency? I propose you prepare in the same way medical doctors prepare, by following these two steps.

There are a few basic first aid procedures and principles doctors memorize early in their training. The point is to make these lifesaving skills their natural reaction to a medical emergency.

Memorize steps for how to handle a few common problemslearn how to administer CPR, how to help someone whos choking and how to treat a cut, a burn and a broken bone. Much of this information is covered in this little book, and Ive highlighted the important steps you need to memorize. Dont worry, each step is not more than a line or two.

Following these basic procedures will buy you time in an emergency and help improve the odds of survival if you face a medical emergency. Many of the basic treatments for the most common injuries are not that difficult to perform, and you can learn to do them very well. Knowing one or two basic treatments and performing them in an emergency can change an injured persons status from dying to serious but stable.

After a doctor or other medical personnel has taken care of the most immediate health threats, she can step back, take a deep breath, gather her wits and start thinking of the next steps. You can do the same thing. If this book is handy (carry it with you in your pack or first aid kit), youll want to consult it to see what to do next. Doctors consult sources all the timebooks, online articles and colleagues.

No matter how smart a doctor is, its impossible to know every detail of what to do in every emergency situation. But a doctor does know the basics, has read about most of the rest and knows where to find the information if he needs to refresh his memory. Take this same approach to learning and practicing first aid.

Dont be intimidated by the wealth of information available about medical emergencies. Find books, hands-on courses, webinars and websites you can trust. Read, watch, listen and do. You cant possibly memorize all the specifics, but the general knowledge will be in the back of your mind. And youll know the resources to consult when you need to check the details.

Then, keep this book handy. Know where it is. Pack it on your trips. Maybe youll want to get an extra copy to keep in your cabin or RV.

There are two vital responses you should perform first in any medical emergency:

1. Check for potential dangers and hazards to yourself before you rush in to help the victim. For example, if someone has been electrocuted by a downed wire, you wont help anyone, including yourself, by rushing in without taking precautions so you wont become another victim. Your safety comes first.

2. Call 911 immediately. Make this call before you attempt to aid the victim.