{"id":3136,"date":"2017-05-02T11:52:06","date_gmt":"2017-05-02T17:52:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/corehike.org\/?p=3136"},"modified":"2021-11-07T13:31:36","modified_gmt":"2021-11-07T20:31:36","slug":"wilderness-emergencies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/corehike.org\/?p=3136","title":{"rendered":"Wilderness Emergencies – May 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"

What\u2019s in your pack?\u00a0 What\u2019s in your plan? Takeaways from CORE\u2019S Wilderness Safety Workshop at Bragg Creek Community Center, April 22, 2017.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Contributors: Ron Gamp, David vanden Eikhov, Mindy Woolcott<\/u><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"Backpack\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"First<\/a><\/td>\n\"Emergency-Survival<\/a><\/td>\n\"Triangular<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

It\u2019s a mountain hike. Something goes wrong. Could be caused by weather, or an accident on the trail, or a hiker\u2019s asthma attack. Could be caused by a bear. A lightning strike. A landslide. Someone gets lost.<\/p>\n

How prepared are we hikers and what do we do in an emergency? Stay…Go? Split up the group or remain together?<\/p>\n

\u201cGetting to the top is optional, but coming home is not!\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Hikers need to quickly assess situations, adapt materials they have with them, and act in the best interests of both the injured hiker and the group at large.<\/p>\n

Here are a few takeaways from CORE\u2019s workshop.<\/p>\n

1.) In an emergency, a \u2018victim\u2019 will likely be in shock. Know the signs of shock and act accordingly.<\/p>\n

A\u00a0 B\u00a0 C<\/strong><\/p>\n

Airway.<\/strong> Make sure the person is breathing and facilitate that by loosening tight clothing at the neck, assessing breath, turning the person over on their side…<\/p>\n

Body Temperature.<\/strong> Put layers of insulating material (clothes, leaves, jackets) under the person so that they don\u2019t lose all their body heat from their backs. Cover them up if possible.<\/p>\n

Circulation.<\/strong> Stop the bleeding<\/p>\n

2.) In an emergency, decide if someone must go and seek help while another stays with the injured person. Assessing is difficult. Decide: will what I do cause harm? If not, will what I do help? How much time will pass before professional interventions can occur? Decide what to do, then live with the decision.<\/p>\n

3.) Before an emergency, at the hike\u2019s start, decide WHO has the phone number for the nearest INFO center (or emergency number for the area where you are traveling), and make sure the group has been registered. Who will take responsibility for contacting the center in an emergency?<\/p>\n

All hikers should have personal health concerns, medication lists and contact numbers written and attached on their backpacks.<\/p>\n

So, what\u2019s in the backpack?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Some suggestions… basic.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Reflector blanket, Triangular cloth for sling. Duct tape and scissor. Bandaids. Water purifying tablets (optional), Aspirin, Ibuprofin, Tylenol for pain, Enough water, food, gloves, hat.<\/p>\n

\"Canadian<\/a><\/p>\n

How about the Red Cross App on one\u2019s phone?<\/p>\n

.<\/p>\n

.<\/p>\n

Planned route. Phone number of nearest Information center or emergency number for the area you are hiking in.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

When lost, hug a tree and shelter in. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Don\u2019t move!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

P.S. Enjoy the hike!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A few more details<\/strong><\/p>\n

Emergencies in the wilderness can and do happen. Following is a list of things to consider both when you are preparing for a trip and when something unforeseen happens.<\/span><\/p>\n