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First Aid information for Summer |
The great majority of insect stings cause only minor discomfort
from a local reaction. About 1 million Americans are severely allergic
to the venom of bees, hornets, yellow jackets, and fire ants. Those who
are hypersensitive to bee venom should exercise extreme caution in the
outdoors during months when bees are active. They should protect
themselves with long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and clothing of subdued
colors and patterns that do not attract insects.
They should not apply colognes or perfumes. If approached by a bee,
sensitive individuals should not panic, duck, or move suddenly, but should stay
calm and slowly walk away from the insect. Hypersensitive individuals who spend
a great deal of their time in areas populated by bees (farms, orchards, rural
parts of the country) should receive desensitization shots. (See "Allergic
Reactions and Anaphylactic Shock" for symptoms of hypersensitive reaction.)
TREATMENT FOR HYPERSENSITIVE INDIVIDUALS
TREATMENT FOR THE NONSENSITIVE
Check the sting site for the venom sac (bee stings only) and
stinger. If these are embedded in the skin, remove by scraping over the area
with a knife blade, fingernail, or sharp object. Do not try to grasp and pull
the stinger out; this action is likely to release more venom into the skin from
the venom sac.
Apply an ice pack to the sting site or flush it with cold water to reduce
swelling and relieve pain.
Dab on calamine lotion or a nonprescription corticosteroid cream to ease
itching and swelling. Other remedies include unseasoned meat tenderizer, which
contains papain, an enzyme that breaks down toxins in the venom. Aspirin or
antihistamines may also be used to alleviate moderate, localized reactions.
Carry a bee sting (anaphylaxis) treatment kit at all times. (These kits
are commercially prepared and available by prescription.) Use a syringe
preloaded with adrenaline. After administering adrenaline, call the emergency
squad or take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room.
If a treatment kit is not available, take the person to the nearest
hospital emergency room or doctor immediately.
If any signs or symptoms of generalized reaction to the bite occur before
reaching the hospital, tie a light tourniquet 2 to 4 inches above the bite
(between the bite and the trunk of the body).
Remove stinger as instructed below
Cooking outdoors was once only a summer activity shared with family and
friends. Now more than half of Americans say they are cooking outdoors year
round. So whether the snow is blowing or the sun is shining brightly, it's
important to follow food safety guidelines to prevent harmful bacteria from
multiplying and causing foodborne illness. Use these simple guidelines for
grilling food sa
From the Store: Home First
When shopping, buy cold food like meat and poultry last, right before
checkout. Separate raw meat and poultry from other food in your shopping cart.
To guard against cross-contamination -- which can happen when raw meat or
poultry juices drip on other food -- put packages of raw meat and poultry into
plastic bags.
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Plan to drive directly home from the grocery store. You may want to take a
cooler with ice for perishables. Always refrigerate perishable food within 2
hours. Refrigerate within 1 hour when the temperature is above 90 °F.
At home, place meat and poultry in the refrigerator immediately. Freeze
poultry and ground meat that won't be used in 1 or 2 days; freeze other meat
within 4 to 5 days.
Defrost Safely
Completely defrost meat and poultry before grilling so it cooks more
evenly. Use the refrigerator for slow, safe thawing or thaw sealed packages in
cold water. You can microwave defrost if the food will be placed immediately on
the grill.
Marinating
Meat and poultry can be marinated for several hours or days to tenderize
or add flavor. Marinate food in the refrigerator, not on the counter. If some of
the marinade is to be used as a sauce on the cooked food, reserve a portion of
the marinade before putting raw meat and poultry in it. However, if the marinade
used on raw meat or poultry is to be reused, make sure to let it come to a boil
first to destroy any harmful bacteria.
Transporting
When carrying food to another location, keep it cold to minimize bacterial
growth. Use an insulated cooler with sufficient ice or ice packs to keep the
food at 40 °F or below. Pack food right from the refrigerator into the cooler
immediately before leaving home. Keep the cooler in the coolest part of the car.
Keep Cold Food Cold
Keep meat and poultry refrigerated until ready to use. Only take out the
meat and poultry that will immediately be placed on the grill.
When using a cooler, keep it out of the direct sun by placing it in the
shade or shelter. Avoid opening the lid too often, which lets cold air out and
warm air in. Pack beverages in one cooler and perishables in a separate cooler.
Keep Everything Clean
Be sure there are plenty of clean utensils and platters. To prevent
foodborne illness, don't use the same platter and utensils for raw and cooked
meat and poultry. Harmful bacteria present in raw meat and poultry and their
juices can contaminate safely cooked food.
If you're eating away from home, find out if there's a source of clean
water. If not, bring water for preparation and cleaning. Or pack clean cloths,
and wet towelettes for cleaning surfaces and hands.
Precooking
Precooking food partially in the microwave, oven, or stove is a good way
of reducing grilling time. Just make sure that the food goes immediately on the
preheated grill to complete cooking.
Cook Thoroughly
Cook food to a safe internal temperature to destroy harmful bacteria. Meat
and poultry cooked on a grill often browns very fast on the outside. Use a food
thermometer to be sure the food has reached a safe internal temperature. Whole
poultry should reach 180 °F; breasts, 170 °F. Hamburgers made of ground beef
should reach 160 °F; ground poultry, 165 °F. Beef, veal, and lamb steaks,
roasts and chops can be cooked to 145 °F. All cuts of pork should reach 160 °F.
NEVER partially grill meat or poultry and finish cooking later.
Reheating
When reheating fully cooked meats like hot dogs, grill to 165 °F or until
steaming hot.
Keep Hot Food Hot
After cooking meat and poultry on the grill, keep it hot until served - at
140 °F or warmer.
Keep cooked meats hot by setting them to the side of the grill rack, not
directly over the coals where they could overcook. At home, the cooked meat can
be kept hot in a warm oven (approximately 200 °F), in a chafing dish or slow
cooker, or on a warming tray.
Serving the Food
When taking food off the grill, use a clean platter. Don't put cooked food
on the same platter that held raw meat or poultry. Any harmful bacteria present
in the raw meat juices could contaminate safely cooked food.
In hot weather (above 90 °F), food should never sit out for more than 1
hour.
Leftovers
Refrigerate any leftovers promptly in shallow containers. Discard any food
left out more than 2 hours (1 hour if temperatures are above 90 °F).
Safe Smoking
Smoking is cooking food indirectly in the presence of a fire. It can be
done in a covered grill if a pan of water is placed beneath the meat on the
grill; and meats can be smoked in a "smoker," which is an outdoor
cooker especially designed for smoking foods. Smoking is done much more slowly
than grilling, so less tender meats benefit from this method, and a natural
smoke flavoring permeates the meat. The temperature in the smoker should be
maintained at 250 to 300 °F for safety.
Use a food thermometer to be sure the food has reached a safe internal
temperature.
Pit Roasting
Pit roasting is cooking meat in a large, level hole dug in the earth. A
hardwood fire is built in the pit, requiring wood equal to about 2 1/2 times the
volume of the pit. The hardwood is allowed to burn until the wood reduces and
the pit is half filled with burning coals. This can require 4 to 6 hours burning
time.
Cooking may require 10 to 12 hours or more and is difficult to estimate. A
meat thermometer must be used to determine the meat's safety and doneness. There
are many variables such as outdoor temperature, the size and thickness of the
meat, and how fast the coals are cooking.
Does Grilling Pose a Cancer Risk?
Some studies suggest there may be a cancer risk related to eating food
cooked by high-heat cooking techniques as grilling, frying, and broiling. Based
on present research findings, eating moderate amounts of grilled meats like
fish, meat, and poultry cooked -- without charring -- to a safe temperature does
not pose a problem.
To prevent charring, remove visible fat that can cause a flare-up. Precook
meat in the microwave immediately before placing it on the grill to release some
of the juices that can drop on coals. Cook food in the center of the grill and
move coals to the side to prevent fat and juices from dripping on them. Cut
charred portions off the meat
First rule: Assume all snakes are poisonous! Consider a snake bite an
emergency whether the snake is poisonous or not. Rattlesnakes do not have to be
coiled to strike!
Symptoms:
Poisonous snake bites may appear as two punctures on the skin.
Nonpoisonous snake bites are usually shaped like a "U".
The site will swell rapidly and be painful to the touch.
The severity of the bite will depend upon the type of snake, the age of the
dog, size of the dog, number of bites, the location of the bites, and the amount
of venom injected.
Snake venom can often produce deep blue markings around the bite area.
The acute phase may be accompanied by vomiting, convulsions and neurological
impairment; the dog may become depressed, paralyzed, comatose, and may die.
These symptoms may be preceded by respiratory distress.
Despite dramatic reaction, most dogs recover from snake bites.
First Aid:
If you suspect that the bite is from a poisonous snake:
Wrap some ice in a cloth and apply it to the swollen, painful area for 10
minutes. Wait 5 minutes, then reapply for another 10 minutes. The ice will slow
the spread of the venom.
Keep the dog warm.
Rush the dog to a veterinarian. It is very helpful to call the Vet on the way
there, so that they may have the proper anti-venom ready at your arrival.
If the snake is identified as non-poisonous:
Wash the bite wound with soap and water, then apply antibiotic ointment.
Seek Veterinary care for observation and antibiotic therapy because reptiles
carry many infectious bacteria in their mouths.
Taken from "Emergency First Aid for your Dog" and "Love of
Animals".
When out hiking it is advisable to carry a Sawyer venom extractor. These are
available at outdoor outfitter type stored. It is designed and used mostly for
snake bites, but is also effective for bee stings, spider bites, and for
mosquito bites, and has a variety of adapter heads depending on the nature of
the bite. It is much more effective than making slits or other tactics to get
venom out. You simply place it over the bite, activate it, and it literally
sucks the venom out.
Ticks are parasites that feed on warm-blooded vertebrates. Some ticks are
harmless; others carry a variety of diseases, including Rocky Mountain spotted
fever and Lyme disease. Although the names imply that these diseases are
confined to particular geographical areas, in fact, Rocky Mountain spotted fever
occurs in all states except Maine, Alaska, and Hawaii, and Lyme disease has been
reported in most states.
PREVENTING TICK BITESIn areas with heavy tick populations such as woods,
dense brush, or high grass, stay on well-worn trails.
Wear proper protective clothing such as long pants, boots, and a long-sleeved
shirt. Apply an insect repellant that protects against ticks.
Keep shirt tucked in to keep insects out of your clothing. Inspect your
clothing and skin regularly for the presence of ticks.
Shower and wash your hair. It takes 4 to 6 hours for most ticks to become
firmly attached, and showering is a quick way to rid yourself of loose ticks.
Inspect pets that venture into tick-infested areas at least daily and remove
any ticks.
TREATMENT
Do not try to remove the tick by rubbing or pulling it out. This may leave
the head imbedded in the skin.
Although experts disagree on this point, we recommend covering the tick with
a few drops of thick oil such as olive or mineral oil, or kerosene or gasoline.
This will suffocate and immobilize the tick.
Gently remove the tick with a pair of tweezers, taking care to remove the
head. Do not handle or crush the tick between your fingers. (Use the same
caution in removing ticks from dogs and other pets.)
Carefully wash the bite area as well as your hands and the tweezers with soap
and water. Apply alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to the area and cover with a
sterile bandage.
Consult a doctor to see if further treatment is needed. Take particular note
of symptoms such as fever, rash, generalized aches and pains, headaches, or
other signs of illness following a tick bite. If symptoms occur, see a doctor at
once
SNAKE BITES
While there are about 45,000 snake bites a year in the United States, only
about 7,000 of these injuries involve poisonous snakes, resulting in about 10
deaths annually, only one-fourth the number that die from bee stings.
Poisonous snakes are found in every state except Maine and Alaska. Sixty
percent of the venomous snake bites are caused by rattlesnakes; the other 40
percent result from bites from copperheads, cottonmouths (water moccasins), and
coral snakes. Although not all bites from poisonous snakes result in the release
of poison, once the skin is punctured by snake fangs you should assume that
poison is present and act accordingly. It is urgent that a snakebite victim be
taken to a hospital for antivenin serum as quickly as possible, certainly within
4 hours. (The serum is not effective if administered more than 12 hours after
the bite.)Hikers or campers who plan trips to remote areas without easy access
to transportation or medical assistance should carry a snakebite kit and be
trained in its proper use. Hikers should also know how to distinguish between
two major types of venomous snakes.
Pit Vipers. This family of snakes includes rattlesnakes, copperheads, and
cottonmouths. They have triangular heads with a pit between the nostril and eye
on both sides of the head, elliptical pupils, and two fangs. All pit viper bites
are treated with the same antivenin.
Coral Snakes. Also called the harlequin or bead snake. Coral snakes are
banded in red and black interspersed with white or yellow rings. They have
teeth, fangs, a black snout, and lack facial pits. An easy way to distinguish
this type from nonpoisonous banded snakes: "Red on yellow/kill a
fellow;/red on black/good for Jack."
TREATMENT OF SNAKE BITES
Reassure the person and keep him supine and as quiet as possible.
Try to identify the snake but do not waste time looking for it if it has
disappeared. If you are not sure of the snake's type, but it is easy to kill
without danger to yourself, do so with extreme caution. Remember that a snake's
biting reflex allows it to still bite up to 60 minutes after it has died. For
proper treatment with the correct antivenin, it is especially important to
identify an exotic snake from a zoo or one kept as a pet.
Apply a light constricting band 2 to 4 inches above the bite if it is on an
extremity. Do not totally restrict blood flow; check to make sure that a pulse
is present below this light tourniquet. If swelling takes place at the level of
the band, remove and replace it a few inches above the swelling.
Do not allow the victim anything to eat or drink. Especially do not allow the
ingestion of alcoholic beverages (this includes beer, wine, and wine coolers).
Bring the victim to the nearest hospital or emergency service.
If you are far from a hospital, you should suck the venom out of a poisonous
snake bite within ten to fifteen minutes after being bitten: Use a sterilized
razor to make quarter-inch deep incisions along the fang marks. (But cut
lengthwise on arms and legs, not across. And do not make incisions over a coral
snake bite.) If available, use the suction cup supplied with snake bite kits to
withdraw the venom. Otherwise suck it out by mouth, but do not swallow—spit
the venom out. Rinse your mouth afterward, if possible. Do not suck the venom
out if you have a cut or sore in your mouth.
After withdrawing the venom, take the victim to an emergency room as soon as
possible.
Its that time of year when snake will start coming out of hibernation
The coral snake and 11 species of rattlesnakes
found in Arizona are among the most diverse and fascinating animals in the
world.
First Aid:In many cases, first aid performed in the field by the patient or
companions only causes additional injury. Ice, incision and suction, tight
tourniquets, administration of drugs or alcohol, and most recently, electric
shock, have all been associated with complications negating their alleged
benefits. These measures may also delay the patient's transortation to
professional medical care. The following recommendations minimize the potential
for complications or delays in treatment:
- Calm and reassure the patient.
- Remove any constricting items, such as jewelry, from the affected limb.
- When practical, immobilize the affected limb at approximately heart level.
- Do not bring the snake to the health care center for three reasons: (1)
the snake may bite again; (2) capture may delay transportatin to
professional care; and (3) management will not be significantly different.
- Be aware that making an incision carries an inherent risk of
complications. Vacuum pump devices have been shown to remove up to 30% of
the venom without an incision if applied within 3 minutes.
SNAKE
BITES If your dog is bitten by a snake, there
may be no cause for concern, as the majority of snakes are nonpoisonous. The
bites of harmless snakes show teeth marks in the shape of a horseshoe, but there
are no fang marks.
The
Arizona Herpetological Association is a not for profit organization funded
by donations and
please consider either contributing with the AHA.
1. Use an insect repellent that contains DEET, wear
long sleeves and pants when possible and avoid outside activities at dawn and
dusk, the times when mosquitoes are most active.
2. Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic
pots, discarded tires and other water-holding items.
3. Drill holes in the bottom of recycling
containers that are left outdoors.
4.Clean clogged roof gutters, particularly if
leaves frequently block the drains.
5.Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows
when not in use.
6.Do not leave water in birdbaths for more than
four days.
7.Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish.
8. Clean and chlorinate swimming pools not in use.
9. Use landscaping to eliminate standing waters
that collects
. They only differ when it comes to the degree of detail they provide for
landmarks or way points, trip histories, environmental conditions, and such, as
well as the speed and accuracy of their calculations.
To choose the right GPS receiver for your needs!
First think about how you want to use it. Some receivers are designed to work
best in one particular situation -- such as boating, hiking, or driving. While
most are easily transferable for use in more than one environment, it may be in
your best interest to purchase one that was designed specifically for your
primary needs.
How you will use your GPS unit will ultimately affect your decision to
purchase a handheld unit or a dash-mounted one. It will also dictate which
features and optional accessories will be most important. For example, if you
plan to use your GPS receiver mostly while driving, then look for a unit
(handheld or dash-mounted) that provides excellent mapping capabilities that
cover a lot of ground. On the other hand, if plan to use your GPS receiver while
hiking, biking, or backpacking more so than driving, then consider a handheld
unit that is light, compact, and waterproof.
Things to Consider Before
MAPPING CAPABILITIES
If you will be using your GPS receiver primarily in your vehicle, then built-in
road maps are a prerequisite for you. As a bonus, most units allow you to
download additional maps for areas that are of particular interest to you.
However, GPS receivers vary widely in the degree of detail provided in their
on-screen maps. If you would like to view the surrounding terrain of a
particular landmark area, then a GPS receiver with advanced mapping capabilities
is better than the standard base model. Handheld units typically provide
significantly less mapping ability than the larger, dash-mounted units. Further,
if you intend to use the mapping feature and view a lot of on-screen maps,
readability is better on a color screen display than on a black & white one.
A color display will make distinguishing rivers, roads and borders much easier,
especially while driving.
RECEPTION & ACCURACY
For quicker and more accurate calculations, look for a GPS unit with a 12
channel parallel receiver system. The more channels the unit has, the more
satellites it will be able to pick up and lock onto simultaneously, resulting in
faster and more reliable calculations -- especially in difficult terrain and
tree covered areas. Dash-mounted GPS receivers tend to receive stronger signals
from satellites for quicker and more accurate readings, however, the standard
antenna that comes with the unit rarely provides adequate reception in all
instances, making it necessary to purchase an external amplified antenna.
POWER
Unless you plan to use your GPS receiver in your vehicle at all times, then you
will want to consider batteries and optional power supplies. Look for a unit
that consumes fewer batteries than most. Typically, GPS units require 2 to 4 AA
batteries, and they last anywhere from 15-24 hours. Some of the best features
(altimeter, compass, illuminated screens, backlit keypads, mapping features)
tend to decrease battery life. Use of the battery-save mode (if available) will
save on the life of your batteries. If you will use your GPS while driving,
you'll want a unit that can operate off a cigarette lighter, rather than on
batteries all the time.
DURABILITY
If you tend to be rough with your gear, then consider a fairly rugged GPS unit
that has a durable casing and can sustain bumps and drops without compromising
its functionality. Many of today's models are shockproof and waterproof, in
differing degrees. If you ever plan to use your GPS receiver while boating, then
you may want to get one that actually floats. And remember, in cold weather,
your GPS receiver will continue to provide accurate data, however, the LCD
display screens tend to display the information quite slowly.
CAPACITY
To get the most out of your GPS receiver, the more space your unit has to store
way points and information about specific locations, the better. For maximum
storage of way points and maps, at least 8 megs of memory is recommended. Like
usual, more is better; 16 mags or 32 megs would be ideal. And, if you want your
GPS receiver to grow with you over time, then you'll want to get one that has
expandable capabilities allowing you to upgrade the unit to keep up with the
latest in technology.
Preparation key to survival
National
Recommendations for Disaster Food Handling
The primary objective of this project was harmonization of food handling
recommendations for disaster and emergency situations. This objective was
accomplished through the following steps:
- Analyze current national food handling recommendations for disaster and
emergency situations.
- Determine inconsistencies in current recommendations.
- Achieve consensus and validation of recommendations by private and public
sector experts across the nation.
- Develop a marketing plan to assure use of recommendations.
- Publish the consensus recommendations and make them electronically
accessible.
General Procedure: Publications on food handling under disaster situations were
collected from every credible source that could be identified. Information in
over 200 publications was summarized with special focus on identifying
inconsistent recommendations. A team of food microbiologists addressed each
inconsistency and proposed the safest resolution. A consensus workshop was held
to review proposed recommendations and reach consensus on recommendations for
each disaster situation. The consensus panel, listed below, is gratefully
acknowledged for their essential role in this project
Food Safety
Publications
Food Safety and Inspection Service
United States Department of Agriculture
Washington, D.C. 20250-3700
Ready.gov
American College of Emergency Physicians
Are You Ready?
A Guide to Citizen Preparedness
Are You Ready? A Guide to Citizen Preparedness
brings together facts on disaster survival techniques, disaster-specific
information, and how to prepare for and respond to both natural and man-made
disasters
The threat of terrorism forces us to make a choice. We can be afraid, or we
can be ready. Today America's families declare, "We will not be afraid. We
will be ready!" The Department of Homeland Security announces Ready.Gov to
help American families prepare for even unlikely emergency scenarios.
President Bush and Secretary Ridge announced two more homeland security
strategies Friday. The strategies are part of a continuing effort to protect
against future terrorist attacks and, equally important, to educate the public
through an ongoing campaign about how to prepare for even unlikely emergency
scenario
Red Cross Urges Preparedness as Terror Threat Lowers
The organization is encouraging residents to maintain their resolve for
readiness, and follow some basic steps to prepare for any disaster
Ancient Pathways, LLC
Since 1989, Ancient Pathways has been offering
experientially-based courses in Outdoor Survival and Primitive Technology
Flagstaff Arizona
Survive
Outdoors Inc
Wilderness Survival
survivalX.com
