Ultimate Camping Thread

i used a tourniquet when i cut my finger off.....i saved a lot of blood that way lol. they also used one when they did the surgery to clean it and correct the joint and ligaments in my finger

 

Ouch.

I guess for fingers it wouldn't be that bad. But I'd only use one if I planned on or already had lost that limb. When you take it off, that sudden rush of pressure is most likely going to blow out any clot you have, and if you leave it on for more than an hour or two you'll get compartment syndrome. That's what I've been taught anyways.

 

I have seen QuikClot in a few outdoor gear stores. It seems like a cool product (that I hope to never have to use). Adventure Medical is putting it in some of their kits.

 

Putting my second Bug out Bag together, well really my first GOOD one together, new guy at work is old school dude, he had some good ideas.

 

It is applied directly to the bleeding wound. It is a "hemostatic dressing" - like gauze with some crazy clotting compound in it.

 

While we're on the topic of first aid, I have a question that I tried finding answers for but never got a clear one for...what do I do if I get bitten by a rattlesnake while out backpacking?

 

Yeah i picked some of this stuff up. I have yet to use it but a friend of mine used the stuff after he got a nasty cut from a construction accident. He said the stuff works great and he had a pretty good size laceration. It was about 1/4" wide, about 6" long, and about 1/4" deep

 

Also, monitor for anaphylaxis; apply compression wrap with 6" ACE wrap starting above the wound going up then down; monitor pulses; treat wound and immobilize; EVAC No cold, No tourniquet, Don't cut and suck - from my wfr book

 

wrap an ace bandage starting 3 inches above the wound, wrapping up a few time then back down over the bite. or tourniquet about 3-5 inches above bite. keep bite and low and far way from heart as possible. keep heart rate down and call and or send for help if possible. if no help is around you will most likely die

never suck venom from a bite. for one your not gonna get anything, two even if you were able to get your mouth down to your calf and suck any venom out its going into your mouth and getting absorbed by the tissue and arteries in you mouth.
EDIT: dont ever cut a bite either...when it swell, which it will..and a lot, your skin will split open with the cut

 

beat me to it....

 

ooppss just saw your link my bad

 

Hmm. Not the answer I wanted but o well. LOL. I was hoping you guys would say something like, "If you clap 3 times and shake your right leg it goes away instantly" but I guess its gonna be some serious stuff if I get bit.

I do a lot of Solo backpacking and have encountered a handful of rattlers and never felt like they were going to strike but there can always be that one time. Its tough because what if you're deep into a trail and you need help? You can't try and run to help bc that elevates heart rate, but you don't wanna lie there and die either. Decisions decisions.

 

thats why its good to have some sort of communication.

 

X2

 

BINGO!!!! you can take first responder classes for fairly cheap. You get first aid,cpr, and aed training. Well worth the money

 

Nice ill have to look into that today. When u guys suggest having communication, are we talking about just cell phones? Or are there other pieces of communication that are more effective while out in the wilderness? Bc I never get reception out there.

 

a lot of the newer phones, especially smart phones have a 911 sat. beacon on them. You can also enable your sat. or gps and I think there is a way to alert someone.