Resources

Wound management is one of core responsibilities for a wilderness care provider. It is the most common procedure in first aid – handing out band-aids for scrapes and cuts. Although generally routine, managing a severe bleed or highly contaminated wound is life saving. This treatment guideline addresses the complex process of managing these two potentially lifethreatening
problems.

Over the past 10 to 20 years no other aspect of prehospital care has changed as much as spine management. Practices that were thought as the “gold standard” are now considered injurious and dangerous to the patient. This treatment guideline represents current understanding and consensus within the wilderness medical industry.

One of the first principle of first aid is to reduce suffering. Pain management is one of the main means to achieve this goal. Research has demonstrated that pre-hospital pain management has both short term and long-term benefits. In the short term the patient is more comfortable and can tolerate an evacuation over rough terrain much better. In the long-term, patients who receive pain management pre-hospital require less pain medication once in the hospital and in some studies have had shorter stays in the hospital because of early pain control.

Over the past few years there has been a significant increase in rate of accidental opioid overdoses. Recreational drugs are frequently being mixed with various substances including a broad range of opioids. The risk of unintentional overdose is much higher because of the unknown mixtures in recreational drugs. Consequently, the potential of encountering an opioid overdose is increasing as well.

In wilderness and remote environments access to professional medical care is not always available. Under these austere situations, a sick or injured person may need medical care beyond what is considered traditional first aid.
With the safety of the ailing individual in mind, it is reasonable for an appropriately trained and certified caregiver to provide additional medical care to the patient in order to save a life, prevent further injury, and promote
recovery.

Asthma is a common respiratory condition that effects the lower airways. These allergic reactions (asthma attacks) can be acute or chronic and can have a wide range in severity. Triggers include cold air, exercise, allergens, infection, and/or stress.