a. Burns.
(1) Cool the burned area with water.
[a] - Use immersion or cool compresses.
[b] - Avoid aggressive cooling with ice or frigid water.
(2) Remove watches, jewelry, constrictive clothing.
(3) DO NOT remove embedded, charred material that will cause burned areas to bleed.
(4) Cover with sterile dressings.
(5) DO NOT use lotion or grease.
(6) Avoid moving or rubbing the burned part.
(7) Drink extra water to compensate for increased fluid loss from burns. (Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt [if available] to each quart of water.)
(8) Change dressings when soaked or dirty.
b. Eye injuries.
(1) Sun/snow blindness (gritty, burning sensation, and possible reduction in vision caused by sun exposure).
[a] - Prevent with improvised goggles. (See Chapter VI,page VI-3, Figure VI-2.)
[b] - Treat by patching affected eye(s). Check after 12 hours. Replace patch for another 12 hours if not healed.
[c] - Use cool compresses to reduce pain.
(2) Foreign body in eye.
[a] - Irrigate with clean water from the inside to the outside corner of the eye.
[b] - If foreign body is not removed by irrigation, improvise a small swab. Moisten and wipe gently over the affected area.
[c] - If foreign body is STILL not removed, patch eye for 24 hours and then reattempt removal using steps (a) and (b).
c. Heat injury.
(1) Heat cramps (cramps in legs or abdomen).
[a] - Rest.
[b] - Drink water. Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt per quart.
(2) Heat exhaustion (pale, sweating, moist, cool skin).
[a] - Rest in shade.
[b] - Drink water.
[c] - Protect from further heat exposure.
(3) Heat stroke (victim disoriented or unconscious, skin is hot and flushed [sweating may or may not occur], fast pulse).
[a] - Cool as rapidly as possible (saturate clothing with water and fan the victim). Remember to cool the groin and armpit areas. (Avoid overcooling.)
[b] - Maintain airway, breathing, and circulation.
d. Cold injuries:
(1) Frostnip and frostbite—
[a] - Are progressive injuries. Ears, nose, fingers, and toes are affected first. Areas will feel cold and may tingle leading to—Numbness that progresses to—·Waxy appearance with stiff skin that cannot glide freely over a joint.
[b] - Frostnipped areas rewarm with body heat. If body heat WILL NOT rewarm area in 15 to 20 minutes, then frostbite is present.
[c] - Frostbitten areas are deeply frozen and require medical treatment.
(2) Hypothermia—
[a] - Is a progressive injury. Intense shivering with impaired ability to perform complex tasks leads to—Violent shivering, difficulty speaking, sluggish thinking go to—Muscular rigidity with blue, puffy skin; jerky movements go to—Coma, respiratory and cardiac failure.
[b] - Protect victim from the environment as follows: Remove wet clothing, Put on dry clothing (if available), Prevent further heat loss, Cover top of head, Insulate from above and below, Warm with blankets, sleeping bags, or shelter.
e. Skin tissue damage.
(1) Immersion injuries. Skin becomes wrinkled as in dishpan hands.
[a] - Avoid walking on affected feet.
[b] - Pat dry; DO NOT rub. Skin tissue will be sensitive.
[c] - Dry socks and shoes. Keep feet protected.
[d] - Loosen boots, cuffs, etc., to improve circulation.
[e] - Keep area dry, warm, and open to air.
[f] - DO NOT apply creams or ointments.
(2) Saltwater sores.
[a] - Change body positions frequently.
[b] - Keep sores dry.
[c] - Use antiseptic (if available).
[d] - DO NOT open or squeeze sores.
f. Snakebite.
(1) Nonpoisonous. Clean and bandage wound.
(2) Poisonous.
[a] - Remove constricting items.
[b] - Minimize activity.
[c] - DO NOT cut the bite site; DO NOT use your mouth to create suction.
[d] - Clean bite with soap and water; cover with a dressing.
[e] - Overwrap the bite site with a tight (elastic) bandage (Figure V-6). The intent is to slow capillary and venous blood flow but not arterial flow. Check for pulse below the overwrap.
[f] - Splint bitten extremity to prevent motion.
[g] - Treat for shock (page V-7, paragraph 1c).
[h] - Position extremity below level of heart.
[i] - Construct shelter if necessary (let the victim rest).
[j] - For conscious victims, force fluids.
g. Marine life.
(1) Stings.
[a] - Flush wound with salt water (fresh water stimulates toxin release).
[b] - Remove jewelry and watches.
[c] - Remove tentacles and gently scrape or shave skin.
[d] - Apply a steroid cream (if available).
[e] - DO NOT rub area with sand.
[f] - Treat for shock; artificial respiration may be required (page V-1, paragraph 1a).
[g] - DO NOT use urine to flush or treat wounds.
(2) Punctures.
[a] - Immerse affected part in hot water or apply hot compresses for 30-60 minutes (as hot as victim can tolerate).
[b] - Cover with clean dressing.
[c] - Treat for shock as needed.
h. Skin irritants (includes poison oak and poison ivy).
(1) Wash with large amounts of water. Use soap (if available).
(2) Keep covered to prevent scratching.
i. Infection.
(1) Keep wound clean.
(2) Use iodine tablet solution or diluted betadine to prevent or treat infection.
(3) Change bandages as needed.
Figure V-6. Compression Bandage for Snake Bite
j. Dysentery and diarrhea.
(1) Drink extra water.
(2) Use a liquid diet.
(3) Eat charcoal. Make a paste by mixing fine charcoal particles with water. (It may relieve symptoms by absorbing toxins.)
k. Constipation (can be expected in survival situations).
(1) DO NOT take laxatives.
(2) Exercise.
(3) Drink extra water.
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