Basic First Aid

Basic first aid is only the immediate and temporary care of an injury until medical assistance is obtained. Every hunter should take a first-aid course to learn what to do in case of injuries. Below are some common injuries that could occur while hunting and a basic field first-aid procedure.

Bleeding

Severe bleeding is a life-threatening medical emergency. The rapid loss of just two pints of blood can result in shock and loss of consciousness. A victim can bleed to death in a short time.

To stop bleeding:

• Apply direct pressure on the wound.
• Cover with a sterile gauze pad—or the cleanest cloth readily available. Concerns about infection are secondary when it comes to preventing massive blood loss.
• Press the pad firmly over the wound using the palm of your hand. Don’t lift the pad to check the wound—it will only renew bleeding.
• When a pad becomes soaked, put a fresh one directly over the old pad.
• If the wound is on a limb and there’s no fracture, raise the limb above the level of the heart. Gravity will reduce the blood pressure in the limb.

Direct pressure and elevation are usually sufficient to stop bleeding. If profuse bleeding continues, try shutting off circulation in the artery that supplies blood to the injured limb.

Broken Bones

You can assume someone has a broken bone if pain lasts more than a few minutes, moving the injured area is difficult, or there is swelling in the injured area.

If you have to transport the victim a long distance, it’s best to immobilize the joint above and below the break to prevent further injury and relieve pain. Don’t try to straighten the limb—splint it the way you found it.

For a broken foot or sprained ankle, splint without attempting to change the position of the ankle or broken bone. A tightly rolled blanket, thick padding, or pillow can be used to splint the ankle and foot. With the injured foot placed on the center of the blanket roll or pillow, bring the roll up each side of the ankle and strap or tie securely.

To splint a broken leg:

• Place a blanket or some other type of thick padding between the legs.
• Bind the injured leg to the uninjured one with strips of cloth.
• Bind the legs together snugly at several places above and below the painful area.

Moving an Injured Person

Moving a victim with a back or neck injury should be left to paramedics or other professionals since permanent damage could result from improper handling. If a victim must be pulled to safety, move him or her lengthwise and headfirst, supporting the head and neck. Keep the spine in alignment.

Burns

First– and second–degree burns with closed blisters are best treated with cold water.

• Immerse the burned area, or cover it with cloths that have been soaked in cold water—don’t use ice water.
• Avoid using butter or any type of greasy ointment because they can interfere with healing and cause an allergic reaction.

Second- and third-degree burns with open blisters should be wrapped with a loose, dry dressing.