Joined
·
11,161 Posts
1. Hyperthermia (heat stroke) - check body temp, may be 108+ - cool them down ASAP - some Critical care specialists don't recommend ice, but I've done too many in the field that have done well. Ice bags on head and groin and cool them down to 103. You can use isopropyl alcohol and cool water, but it takes much longer to cool them down. IV fluids are a good idea, even if you get them cooled down - helps to perfuse the kidneys and reduces the risk of DIC, a very serious complication to heat stroke
2. wounds and lacerations where the blood is arterial (bright red and pulsing) - apply pressure to stop the bleeding and seek immediate medical
attention
3. penetrating wounds to the eye - I keep atropine ophthalmic drops in my medical kit. We once had a dog get a thorn penetrating into the eye - the eye immediately fills with blood - the sooner you get the pupil dilated the better (less chance of adhesions within the eye) Put atropine if available into the eye at the rate of one drop every 10 minutes for up to 1 hour and find an ophthalmologist
3. penetrating chest wounds - try to obstruct the air blowing out of the chest, leave the object in place and seek immediate medical attention
4. gastric dilitation (bloat) seek immediate medical attention - if it's far away it's sometimes possible to pass a stomach tube and temporarily relieve the pressure, but most require surgical intervention
5. broken limbs - fashion a temporary splint from foam pipe insulation or a magazine formed into a tube, and try to immobilize the limb to prevent further damage
These are the worst field emergencies that come to mind, but I will add more if anyone has suggestions or additions
2. wounds and lacerations where the blood is arterial (bright red and pulsing) - apply pressure to stop the bleeding and seek immediate medical
attention
3. penetrating wounds to the eye - I keep atropine ophthalmic drops in my medical kit. We once had a dog get a thorn penetrating into the eye - the eye immediately fills with blood - the sooner you get the pupil dilated the better (less chance of adhesions within the eye) Put atropine if available into the eye at the rate of one drop every 10 minutes for up to 1 hour and find an ophthalmologist
3. penetrating chest wounds - try to obstruct the air blowing out of the chest, leave the object in place and seek immediate medical attention
4. gastric dilitation (bloat) seek immediate medical attention - if it's far away it's sometimes possible to pass a stomach tube and temporarily relieve the pressure, but most require surgical intervention
5. broken limbs - fashion a temporary splint from foam pipe insulation or a magazine formed into a tube, and try to immobilize the limb to prevent further damage
These are the worst field emergencies that come to mind, but I will add more if anyone has suggestions or additions