YOur FirSt AID Box OUCH!
Flowers and berries, although typically bright and beautiful, aren’t always as sweet and innocent as they appear. Some are so poisonous that they can even knock you over just by their scent or a single bite.
www.thinkoutsideboxes.com
FIRST AID It's scary to think about someone getting hurt. But the truth is that accidents can and do happen. They happen when people are careless and when they are careful. Sometimes, kids are the ones who get hurt. Other times, grown-ups get hurt. Either way, it's good to know what to do if someone needs emergency medical help. In emergency situations, even young kids can make a big difference when they know the right thing to do. This booklet is full of information that can help you when playing or hiking outside, but can also be useful at home. Practice these key skills so you can be prepared for an emergency. That said, please also know that we can't cover everything in this booklet, and that this booklet is only a guide and does not replace medical advice. As always, we'd love to hear about your experiences, so please keep us updated @thinkoutsideboxes.
Your THiNK OUTSiDE Team
What these icon mean
Learn it
Try it
Live it
What part of first aid are pirates best at?
C. P. ARRRR.
This Month's Gear SKin repair spray
FIRST AID KIT
Safe, non-toxic, natural, and non-sting kids first aid spray Can be used on minor cuts, scrapes, rashes, sunburns, and more
60 Essential supplies Light-weight Water-resistant nylon
THERMOMETER
Digital thermometer Dual scale of Celsius and Fahrenheit Water-resistant
Resource Cards Water resistant reference cards covering first aid basics
ELASTIC BANDAGE
Soft and durable Can be used for securing splints or dressings Velcro closure
Tongue Depressors
Find out in this booklet when tongue depressors come in handy!
Familiarize yourself with the items in your new first aid kit to really understand what they are for. If you have more than one of an item in your kit, you may want to take it out and explore it in more detail.
Special Notes A tourniquet is a tight band. It is used only in rare occasions to stop the flow of blood to a wound. DO NOT tighten a tourniquet around a limb if it isn't an emergency. PBT bandages are soft thin bandages to help wrap an open wound.
I once heard a joke about amnesia, but I forgot how it goes.
BEING PREPARED The best way to handle an emergency is to be prepared for one. Knowing what to do ahead of time can help you stay in control so that you can help.
1.
When you're outdoors, make sure you have a way to call for help even if you don't have a phone. You can use the whistle f rom your backpack.
2.
Know how to dial 9-1-1 (or your local emergency number, if you live outside the United States or Canada).
3.
If you have access to one, carry a cell phone or know how to use your parent's cell phone.
4.
Learn first aid. Look for basic classes in your area through your local Red Cross, the YMCA, 4-H clubs, your school, your local hospital, or other organizations.
Know your Limitations & Plan Ahead To avoid potential injuries in the great outdoors, know your limitations: What is your physical endurance and strength level and how much experience do you have hiking? Prepare for your trip, whether it be a hiking, skiing, biking, or a back-packing trip; keep your own limitations and experience level in mind! Plan your exact route in advance using a map. Always bring a map and compass or GPS device with you (our May Navigation box will go over how to use these items) and follow the trail signage. Also, research the area for information on possible hazardous terrain or animals you could encounter.
FIRST AID First aid refers to the steps you can take before a person gets expert medical help when they have been injured or fall severely ill. Imagine that you are out on a walk. Your f riend decides to run ahead. He suddenly trips over his open shoe laces. He is really hurt and bleeding. The first thing you do is to look around for a grown-up so they can help you. If you can't find an adult, follow these steps:
Do the D.R.A.B. Assessment Check how seriously your f riend is injured using the D.R.A.B. assessment: DANGER Before running to your f riend, make sure it is safe. Don't go near him if this would put you in danger, too. Moving vehicles, electrical wires, damaged structures, or falling objects are all signs that it isn't safe to go to your f riend. RESPONSE Talk to your f riend. Does he answer questions? Does he appear to be awake or unconscious? The emergency operator will need to know how he responds. AIRWAY If your f riend is unconscious, gently tip his head back to make sure the tongue is not blocking the airway. Ask your parent to practice on them a few times, so this won’t feel awkward. BREATHING Check for breathing. Most healthy adults take 2 to 3 breaths every 10 seconds. Again, you can practice this with an adult so you really know how to do this.
Do not move your friend at all as he could have a neck or other bone injury. Moving him could make his injury worse
Call 9-1-1 Calling for help is the most important thing you can do in an emergency. If you're going to be the one making the phone call, here's what to do: Take a deep breath to calm yourself down. Find a phone and call 9-1-1. Tell the operator there's an emergency. Say your name and where you are. If you know the exact address, share it with the operator. Explain what happened and how many people are hurt. Give as many details as you can. Pay good attention and carefully follow all of the operator's instructions. Stay on the line until the operator says it's OK to hang up. If the scene is safe, return to your f riend and wait until help arrives. Keep him calm by keeping yourself calm as well.
EMERGENCY ROLE PLAY You just learned what to do in an emergency. The best way to remember it is to practice. Ask a family member to act out the following scenario with you.
SCENE A teenager has fallen f rom a swing in the park. She is clearly in pain and is holding her leg, which has a bleeding wound. There is nobody nearby, except for you and your older cousin. You walked to the playground f rom your home, which is only a 2-minute walk. You and your cousin look around to see if you can find any grown-ups. There are none, so you do the D.R.A.B.
DOING THE D.R.A.B. ASSESSMENT Assessing the scene is very important because you need to make sure it is safe for you to approach the injured girl. Talking to the injured person can also give you important information about her injury.
DANGER? You look around the area where the teenager lies on the ground. The only danger you see is that the swing is still swinging. So you carefully walk over to stop the swing. RESPONSIVE? You walk up to the teenage girl and kneel down next to her. (A parent will play the injured teenager) YOU
GIRL YOU
"Can you tell me where it hurts and how much it hurts?" "My shin really hurts and I think it might be broken, because moving it hurts so much and it is bleeding." "Do you have parents we can call for you?"
GIRL
"Yes, but my phone is dead and I don't know their phone number."
YOU
"OK, I will call 9-1-1"
When she responds, you not only have a lot of information, but you also know that she is conscious and can breathe, so you can skip
AIRWAYS and BREATHING.
While your cousin stays with the girl, you use your cousin's cell phone to dial 9-1-1. (A parent will play the operator)
CALLING THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT Operator
"What is the emergency?"
You
"A teenage girl has fallen f rom the swing onto her leg. She is bleeding and in a lot of pain. She thinks her leg might be broken."
Operator
"Who are you and where are you?"
You
"I'm Jay Bee and I'm at the playground near my house. I live at 32 Rose St in Faketown Ohio."
Operator
"Who is with you?"
You
"My older cousin. This is her phone. She is currently talking to the injured person."
Operator
"Is the injured person conscious?"
You
"Yes."
Operator
"Is she bleeding a lot?"
You
"Yes."
Operator
"OK. I will dispatch an ambulance to your location. Please stay with the girl until help arrives. Keep her calm and let her know that help is on the way. Don't move her. If the bleeding is heavy and you have a clean shirt, place it onto her wound to help stop the bleeding. If it hurts her, don't do anything and just wait." You walk back to the injured girl to stay with her and your cousin until the medics arrive.
COMMON AILMENTS As you know, there are many different ways you can get hurt or become sick in the outdoors. Your Resource Cards list many of them, but here are a few of the more common ones:
Altitude Sickness Altitude sickness, as the name suggests, often happens to people who are hiking tall mountains. Air becomes thinner at higher elevations, making it more difficult for a person to get enough oxygen into the bloodstream.
COMMOn SYMPTOMS Headache Fatigue Dizziness Nausea / Vomiting
TREATMENTS Drink a lot of water and rest. If symptoms persist for more than a few days or become worse, reduce elevation and quickly seek medical help.
What did the doctor say to the gingerbread man with a broken leg?
Minor Bleeding
Minor cuts and scrapes can easily happen when we are having fun outside. While they can cause some bleeding, they are usually not severe and blood loss is minimal. The most severe type of bleeding occurs when an artery is cut
COMMON TYPES Cuts Abrasions or Scrapes Punctures
NotE If the wound is deep, you may need to apply wound-closure strips to prevent wound from re-opening. Then seek medical treatment.
TREATMENTS Gently clean wound with anti-septic swab or soap and water. Pat dry and bandage the wound. Periodically check wound to ensure bleeding has stopped. If bleeding is heavy, raise the injured body part to slow it down.
asked if The doctor g it. he tried icin
Fractures, Sprains, and Strains Broken bones, sprains, and easily happen by taking a wrong step, making a weird twist, or falling. Commonly, they occur to your ankle, knee, wrist, finger, toe, or shoulder. The human body has over 200 bones and each can get broken. Also, our bodies are made out of ligaments, tendons, and muscle fibers that can also get injured.
COMMON SYMPTOMS The symptoms of these injuries are very similar: Severe pain Swelling and bruising Mobility loss of affected area
Note If you suspect a potential spine or skull injury, keep the person immobilized still) until help arrives.
TREATMENTS Immobilize the area through a simple splint or by 'dressing' it. Keep a suspected broken limb in the position you find it. Follow the R.I.C.E. rule. Call medical help if injury is severe or worsens
what did the bear say when he fell down the stairs?
R.I.C.E. Think R.I.C.E. for the first 48 hours after a sprain or strain injury: REST Rest the injured part until it's less painful. ICE Wrap an icepack or cold compress in a towel and place over injured part immediately. Continue for no more than 20 minutes at a time and only four to eight times a day. COMPRESSION Support the injured part with an elastic compression bandage for at least 2 days. ELEVATION Raise the injured part above heart level to decrease swelling.
Oh, how em-bear-assing!
Nose Bleeds The lining of your nose contains many tiny blood vessels that are easily damaged. Nose bleeds are typically harmless and last for less than 30 minutes.
COMMOn Causes Dry air Allergies Nose picking Getting hit in the nose
TREATMENTS Help the injured to sit down and lean forward. Pinch soft part of nose for 10 minutes. Try this 3 times for a maximum of 30 minutes each. Once bleeding has stopped, clean the area. If bleeding is severe, seek medical help
Head Injuries A head injury is any injury to your brain, skull, or scalp. It can range f rom a mild bump or bruise to a concussion or f ractured skull. Most kids hit their heads at some point in their lives. Luckily, most of the time, these head injuries are only to the scalp and typically not dangerous, even though they hurt, can cause mild headaches, and may form bumps.
COMMOn Causes Reduced level of response or unconsciousness Severe headache Unequal pupil size Blood or watery fluid coming f rom ears or nose Abnormal breathing Obvious serious wound Neck pain or stiff ness
TREATMENTS If responsive and injury is not severe, help the injured to sit up and reassure him or her. Apply an ice pack. Control any bleeding by applying pressure around the wound. If injury is mild, continue to watch it for the next 24 hours. If injury is severe or worsens over time, call for medical help.
Burns and scalds Especially with being outside around a campfire, burns can happen easily by touching fire or hot objects. At home, burns can also be caused by electricity. In contrary to burns, which are caused by dry heat, scalds are caused by wet heat, such as hot liquids or steam.
3 DEGREES OF BURNS Red, nonblistered skin (1st degree) Blisters and severe pain (2nd degree) Waxy and white, charring (3rd degree)
TREATMENTS Run cool (not cold) water over the burn until the pain eases. Lightly apply a gauze bandage. Offer pain medicine. Do not break any blisters that may have formed. If burns are severe, call 9-1-1 immediately
Stings and Bites While summer is a wonderful time to spend outdoors, it also brings with it many little animals that can sting or bite you. The most common one is the mosquito; others are spiders, bees, wasps, and ticks
A bug repellent can help protect you against some of these bites, but not all of them, especially not stings f rom bees.
TREATMENTS Common Symptoms Redness or swelling around the affected site. Severity will depend on what has bitten or stung you. A severe allergic reaction is a possible complication
Scrape off sting if possible. Clean area with soap & water. Apply an icepack and/or anti-itching lotion. If the pain or swelling continues, seek medical help.
Check homemade remedies in your Resource Cards!
BANDAGING YOUR HAND Ever heard of the phrase: "Practice makes perfect"? Well, it means that the more you practice a certain task, the better you get at it. That's also true for first aid. So let's test your skill set with bandaging someone's hand (or you can use a foot) with this fun step by step graphic. Use the elastic bandage that came in your box!
1.
2.
Wrap the bandage around your wrist twice (inside to outside).
Then move the bandage diagonal f rom thumb to your little finger.
3.
4.
Finally, move the bandage diagonal back to your wrist and repeat a few times.
Now move the bandage across the f ront of your fingers.
5. When you feel that your hand is in a stiff position (not too tight though!), secure your bandage.
BANDAGING YOUR HEAD Look for the triangular bandage in your first aid kit. It's such a versatile tool to have. For example, you can use it to bandage someone's head if they are hurt. Practice with the step by step graphic below.
1.
Place the bandage on the head with the longest edge over forehead.
3.
Now move the ends to the f ront of the forehead and tie in the middle.
2.
Then take the long sides of the bandage and cross them over, pressing firmly.
4.
Finally, carefully secure the back's loose end to the top of the bandage with a safety pin or duct tape.
MAKE A FINGER SPLINT A splint is any stiff device that can be used to support an injured or broken limb. For example, tongue depressors are great splints for your fingers. A splint needs to be positioned in such a way that the injured limb can't bend, which generally means to splint f rom a joint above the injury to a joint below it. You can practice here:
1.
Measure the length of the finger to determine the size of splint. Tongue depressors work as a great splint for fingers, but need cut to size.
2.
Put one splint at the top of the finger and the other atthe bottom of the finger.
3. Using surgical tape (or rope), wrap
it about 2 to 3 times around both your injured finger and an adjacent finger. Wrap it between your 1st and 2nd knuckles, keeping your finger as straight as possible!
Ensure splint is snug on your finger - not too tight or too loose. Pinch nail of injured finger for 3 secs to check blood circulation. If it doesn't turn pink, the splint is likely too tight and needs readjusted.
NOTE: If you need to splint a larger area, like an arm, you could use a rolled-up newspaper or towel as your stabilizer. Or you could simply wrap the injured arm to your chest.
MAKE AN ARM SLING A sling is a bandage used to support an injured arm or shoulder so it stays in a still position. It's important not to use a sling for too long to avoid adding weight and pressure to your neck. Practice making an arm sling using your elastic bandage and this step-by-step guide. For an easier and quicker fix, you could also use the triangular bandage that came in your first aid kit.
Gently wrap the bandage around the injured arm 3-4 times with the bandage wrapping up and outside of the wrist, towards the neck.
Carefully run the bandage around the back of the neck to provide support in keeping the injured arm stable and close to the body.
Finally, wrap the end of the bandage one more time around the injured arm and secure the end of the bandage using the velcro.
MAKE YOUR OWN STRETCHER When a person has a neck or spine injury, it is always best to not move them until medical teams arrive. However, in some cases, you may have to remove someone f rom a dangerous situation or to move them closer to help. A sturdy stretcher, or a gurney, is the best way to keep a person stable and f ree f rom further injury, or to assist if they simply can't walk. Below are four ways to make your own durable stretcher. Be flexible with materials and with what you can find outside.
1.
Using the middle part of a rope, create a zigzag pattern that is about 1 ft longer and 1 ft wider than the injured.
2. Secure ends of rope to each loop with a tight knot, like a clove hitch.
Stabilize stretcher by adding more rope through each loop. For more stability, add thin poles through the loops
3.
1.
Find 2 long poles or sturdy branches the length of the injured person and connect them with 4 evenly spaced duct tape straps. Press sticky sides of tape together for strength.
Add a long piece of duct tape down the middle of the stretcher for stability.
2.
3. Run diagonal strips between the attachment points.
Doctor, I’ve Swallowed a Spoon
Sit Down an d don’t Stir
Spread out a tarp and lay a long pole down at about 2/3 of the tarp.
1.
2. Fold short side of tarp over pole or branch. Lay a second long pole on the edge of the previous fold to leave enough room for the injured person.
Fold last section of tarp over the second pole. The weight of the injured person will hold the tarp in place.
3.
1.
Push/pull two long poles or branches through the jacket sleeves.
Invert the sleeves of a jacket so that they run along the inside of it. Repeat with as many jackets as needed for the length of the person.
2.
3. Attach a smaller pole at each end, using diagonal lashings, to create more stability and to keep the jackets stretched.
GLOBAL FEATURE:
La Visite National Park Haiti La Visite National Park is one of two national parks of the Republic of Haiti. The 11,419 hectares of land is located south of Port-au-Prince and is part of the Massif de la Selle mountain range. It has a peak elevation of 7,460 ft or 2,275 m. The park is known for its pine and hardwood forests. Its most widespread tree in the park is the Hispaniola Pine.
The park is home to over 80 different species of birds, 17 species of f rogs, and 18 species of reptiles. La Visite National Park greatly illustrates the serenity and beauty of Haiti and their love for nature. The park's eco-f riendly approach ensures that visitors respect the protected grounds and wildlife within it.
Natural Disaster-prone Haiti covers 10,714 sq mi (or 27,750 sq km) of the island known as Hispaniola, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. The country is located in the Caribbean’s "Hurricane corridor" and is regularly impacted by natural disasters, such as the devastating 2010 earthquake.
In fact, Haiti is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world when it comes to natural disasters. And being one of the world's poorest countries, only about one-third of the Haitian population has access to health care. In addition to not being able to afford treatment, the country currently only has one doctor and 1.8 nurses per 10,000 inhabitants and experiences a significant shortage of medicine and medical equipment, While there has been a visible presence of foreign medical aid since 2010, such as Doctors Without Borders, these aid organizations can often only treat the most urgent cases.
Pretty much every person has had a fever at some point in their life. A fever is the condition where your temperature is higher than usual. Most people have a body temperature of around 98.6°F (37°C); it often is a little lower in the mornings and a little higher at night. When you are sick, bacteria or viruses may exist in your body and cause an infection. Researchers believe that increasing your body heat is your body's way to fight these germs, making your body a less comfortable place for them Use thermometer to check your body temperature by holding its tip under your tongue until it beeps.
You have a fever when your temp is above 100.4°F (38.0°C).
Fighting a Fever For most kids, fevers aren't a big problem. Once the cause of the fever goes away, your body temperature returns to normal. Most of the time you don't even need to take any special medicine, unless your fever is making you uncomfortable or it is too high (above 102°F or 39°C). Fever reducing medicine should only be given to you by a trusted adult or doctor. Here are a few natural ways to help relieve discomfort f rom a fever: Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration Rest to recover and avoid raising your body temperature with too much activity Stay cool: Dress lightly; Keep your room at a cool temperature; Sleep only with a sheet or light blanket and no socks; Put a cool wet rag on your head or feet to cool your body down further
SILLY STORY POSTCARD
Did you notice the silly story postcard in your box? Invite a f riend or family member to help you. Here is what you do:
1. 2.
Identify a f riend or family member who you want to send the postcard to.
3.
Fill in the blanks with the words you are given. Don't worry if the words don't seem to fully match the story; in fact, a silly story makes this activity even more fun!
4.
Send them the postcard with the completed story so they can read how their answers came to life
Call that person and ask them to give you words based on what's mentioned on the postcard in white. DO NOT read the story to them, but tell them that it is related to time spent outside. For example, for the first blank space, ask for a 'noun'. For the next two blank spaces, ask for an 'adjective' and a 'noun'. And so forth.
JOKES
Why was the clown crying? Because he broke his funny bone
What did the right eye say to the left eye? Between you and me, something smells.
I told my doctor I broke my arm in two places. He told me to stop going to those places.
Why did the cookie go to the doctor? Because he felt crummy.
Look at those two photos and see if you can find all 7 differences between them.
PUZZLED
Girl hair; Stones in top left corner; Boy’s pant seam; wood in bottom left corner; Girl’s sweater shorter on bottom; Wound less red; Yellow flowers in tp right corner.
Each of us is unique. We all come in different shapes, sizes, and with different strengths and abilities. Some things that are easy for you to do may be very difficult for another child to do. Sometimes children need help to do things. This help may come in the form of a wheelchair or braces, or it can come in the form of another person assisting them.
Development Disabilities The Center of Disease Control (CDC) estimates that about 15% of children in the United States have a developmental disability, which includes a complex group of disorders that cause physical impairments, intellectual disabilities, speech disorders, and medical conditions. Common disabilities include autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida
Be Kind and Helpful It can take a lot of courage for kids with both physical and mental disabilities to keep trying and working through challenges. So whenever you see someone struggling, remember that a kind word goes a long way. Offer them your help, or simply be their f riend. All of us want to be seen and valued.
Embrace Uniqueness Remember that every person is different and deals with their own situation in their own way. Accept their uniqueness and listen to them about what they need and how you can best support them
NATIONAL PARK SPOTLIGHT
Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is located on the Olympic Peninsula in the NW corner of Washington state. It protects nearly a million acres of wilderness, offering everything f rom tide pools to mossy rain forests to glacier-topped mountains. The land was designated as a park in 1937. The Olympic Peninsula is separated f rom the mainland by Puget Sound and the Straight of Juan de Fuca. It receives more rainfall than any other place in the United States, except for Hawaii. On the mountaintops, much of this precipitation falls as snow which helps feed more than 250 glaciers. This makes it the most glaciated terrain in the U.S. outside of Alaska! The melt run-off f rom these glaciers flows into many of the state's major rivers, winding its way to the Pacific Ocean.
FUN FACT If you go, keep an eye out for THE elk. They can grow to massive sizes here!