If you are treating only one injured person, you should take the follow
ing steps:
Check breathing: Check the victim’s airway. Make sure it’s open and the victim
is breathing. If not, start mouthtomouth resuscitation.
Check for unconsciousness: If the victim is unconscious but breathing,
place him or her on one side with the top leg at a right angle to the body.
Use his or her hand to support the head and tilt the head back to ensure
an open airway.
Check for bleeding: Stop any bleeding.
Check for shock: Treat shock. Major and Minor Injuries
WILDERNESS INJURIES USUALLY FALL into one of two general categories: major
or minor. Luckily, most are minor. Although these will not stop you in your
tracks, remember that any minor injury left untreated in the wilderness
can quickly become a major one. For this reason, all injuries in the wilder
ness should be taken seriously.
For example, if you’re in the Amazon and suffer a small cut, you’ll
still be able to function normally. However, that little cut can rapidly grow
infected and become a major problem. If you are walking and get a blister
on your foot, you may be able to keep up the pace (and endure the pain)
for a day or two more. But left untreated, that blister can virtually cripple
you, preventing you from reaching safety.
I was once in an adventure race with three other teammates, when
one of the members of our group began to experience irritation and chaf
ing in her groin. We had to keep moving and didn’t treat her when it was
still a minor discomfort, and as a result, within 24 hours it turned into a
fullblown infection, to the point where she could no longer walk.
stroud’s Tip
Don’t ignore any injury, no matter how minor.(^304) | Survive!