Wilderness and Rescue First Aid

Wilderness Manual — *Wilderness and Rescue First Aid*

Wilderness Medical Associates Wilderness and Rescue First Aid text book for Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) courses in Kelowna and Vancouver, BC.

The Wilderness Medical Associates Wilderness and Rescue First Aid text book is available in printed and online formats, and serves as a more technical and comprehensive companion piece to the WMA Wilderness and Rescue First Aid Field Guide.

You will refer to the information and principles outlined in the Wilderness and Rescue First Aid text book throughout your Wilderness Medical Associates Wilderness Advanced First Aid, or Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) course in Kelowna and Vancouver, BC. A significant component of your WFA or WAFA training involves familiarizing yourself with the text book and Field Guide, and learning how to utilize the information when you encounter an emergency.

The printed materials for your Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) course will be sent out to you 2 weeks prior to your scheduled course start date, but you can access the Wilderness and Rescue First Aid text book through the Wilderness Medical Associates' online learning platform as soon as you complete your course registration.

Wilderness and Rescue First Aid contents:

SECTION I: GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Chapter 1: General Principles of Physiology and Pathology

Oxygenation and Perfusion
Three Critical Systems, Three Serious Problems
Patterns and Trends
Mental Status and Level of Consciousness
Swelling and Pressure
Obstruction to Infection
Ischemia and Infarction
Anticipated Problem
Most People Live
Chapter 1 Review: General Principles of Physiology and Pathology

Chapter 2: General Principles of Wilderness Rescue

Serious or Not Serious
The Risk/Benefit Ratio
Probability and Consequence
Generic to Specific
Ideal to Real
Focus on Important
The Problem List
Medicine is Dynamic
Chapter 2 Review: General Principles of Wilderness Rescue

Chapter 3: Patient Assessment and the SOAP Format

Gathering Information
The Scene Size-Up
SOAP Format
The Primary Assessment
The Secondary Assessment
Creating a Problem List: SOAP
Chapter 3 Review: Patient Assessment and the SOAP Format

SECTION II: CRITICAL BODY SYSTEMS

Chapter 4: The Circulatory System

Structure and Function
Shock
Volume Shock
Acute Stress Reaction
Risk Benefit in Shock
Chapter 4 Review: The Circulatory System

Chapter 5: The Respiratory System

Structure and Function
Respiratory Problems
Generic Treatment for Respiratory Distress
Specific Treatments for Respiratory Distress
Upper Airway Obstruction
Lower Airway Obstruction
Alveoli
Chest Wall and Diaphragm
Nervous System Drive
Risk Versus Benefit
Chapter 5 Review: The Respiratory System

Chapter 6: The Nervous System

Structure and Function
Brain Failure
Assessing the Level of Consciousness
Causes of Brain Failure
Increased Intracranial Pressure
Non-Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic Brain Injury
Assessment of TBI
Risk Versus Benefit in TBI
Post-Concussive Syndrome
Stroke
Seizure
Treatment of Seizure
Exercise Associated Hyponatremia
Treatment of Exertional Hyponatremia
Chapter 6 Review: The Nervous System

SECTION III: CRITICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS AND TREATMENT

Chapter 7: Basic and Advanced Life Support

Respiratory Failure
Circulatory Failure
Cardiac Arrest
Severe Bleeding and Shock
Brain Failure
Risk Versus Benefit in BLS
Chapter 7 Review: Basic and Advanced Life Support

Chapter 8: Allergy and Anaphylaxis

Allergy
Anaphylaxis
Treatment of Anaphylaxis
Risk Versus Benefit
Chapter 8 Review: Allergy and Anaphylaxis

Chapter 9: Severe Asthma

Risk Versus Benefit
Chapter 9 Review: Severe Asthma

Chapter 10: Problems with Sugar

Diabetic Emergencies
Hypoglycemia
Treatment of Hypoglycemia
Risk Versus Benefit
Chapter 10 Review: Problems with Sugar

SECTION IV: TRAUMA

Chapter 11: Pain Management

Pain Medication
Risk Versus Benefit
Chapter 11 Review: Pain Management

Chapter 12: Musculoskeletal Injury

Structure and Function
Unstable Injury
Traction into Position
Special Wilderness Considerations
Clavicle Fracture
Compartment Syndrome
Open Fracture
Stable Injury
Overuse Syndromes
Risk Versus Benefit
Chapter 12 Review: Musculoskeletal Injury

Chapter 13: Spine Injury

Field Assessment of Spine Injury
No Spine Injury
Positive for Spine Injury
Risk Versus Benefit
Chapter 13 Review: Spine Injury

Chapter 14: Wounds and Burns

Wounds
Wound Assessment
Low-Risk Wounds
High-Risk Wounds
Field Treatment of Wounds
Impaled Objects
Bandages and Dressings for a Hostile Environment
Traumatic Amputation
Treatment of Traumatic Amputation
Rabies
Wound Infection
Treatment of Wound Infection
Burns
High-Risk Burns
Treatment of Burns
Blisters
Treatment of Blisters
Risk Versus Benefit in Wound Care
Chapter 14 Review: Wounds and Burns

SECTION V: ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE

Chapter 15: Thermoregulation

Hypothermia
Mild Hypothermia
Severe Hypothermia
Heat-Related Illness
Heat Exhaustion
Heat Stroke
Risk Versus Benefit
Chapter 15 Review: Thermoregulation

Chapter 16: Cold Injuries

Frostbite
Superficial Frostbite
Deep Frostbite
Prevention of Frostbite
Trench Foot
Treatment of Trench Foot (or Hand)
Risk Versus Benefit
Chapter 16 Review: Cold Injuries

Chapter 17: Altitude Illness

Cerebral and Pulmonary Edema
High-Altitude Cerebral Edema
High-Altitue Pulmonary Edema
Other Altitude Illnesses
Risk Versus Benefit
Chapter 17 Review: Altitude Illness

Chapter 18: Water Related Injury

Drowning
Treatment of Drowning Injury
Risk Versus Benefit
Chapter 18 Review: Water Related Injury

Chapter 19: Lightning Injuries

Lightning Injuries
Scene Safety
Treatment of Lightning Injury
Prevention of Lightning Injury
Risk Versus Benefit
Chapter 19 Review: Lightning Injuries

Chapter 20: Toxins, Envenomation, and Disease Vectors

Ingested Toxins
Drug Overdose
Food Poisoning
Topical Toxins
High-Risk Topical Exposure
Inhaled Toxins
Injected Toxins
Snakebites
Coral Snakes
Marine Toxins
Spiny Injury
Nematocyst Sting
Insects and Arachnids
Black Widow
Brown Recluse
Scorpions
Tick Paralysis
Arthropod Disease Vectors
Mosquitoes
Fleas, Lice, and Mites
Insect Repellents
Risk Versus Benefit
Chapter 20 Review: Toxins, Envenomation, and Disease Vectors

SECTION VI: BACKCOUNTRY MEDICINE

Chapter 21: An Approach to Illness

Generic Assessment of the Ill Patient
Risk Versus Benefit
Chapter 21 Review: An Approach to Illness

Chapter 22: Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat

Red Eye
Treatment of Red Eye
Foreign Body Injury
Sunburn
Infection
Chemical Exposure
Contact Lenses
Nosebleed
Dental Problems
Dental Trauma
Dental Infection
External Ear Infection
Treatment of Swimmer's Ear
Middle Ear Infection and Sinusitis
Treatment of Middle Ear Infection and Sinusitis
Sore Throat
Risk Versus Benefit
Chapter 22 Review: Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat

Chapter 23: Abdominal Pain

Practical Abdominal Anatomy
Assessment of Abdominal Pain
Hollow Organ Problems
Other Abdominal Problems
Risk Versus Benefit
Chapter 23 Review: Abdominal Pain

Chapter 24: Chest Pain

Myocardial Ischemia
Risk Factors
Risk Versus Benefit
Chapter 24 Review: Chest Pain

Chapter 25: Gastrointestinal Problems

Diarrhea
Assessment of Diarrhea
Treatment of Diarrhea
Constipation
Treatment of Constipation
Nausea and Vomitting
Treatment of Vomitting
Risk Versus Benefit
Chapter 25 Review: Gastrointestinal Problems

Chapter 26: Genitourinary Problems

Urinary Tract Infection
Treatment of Urinary Tract Infection
Testicular Pain
Risk Versus Benefit
Chapter 26: Genitourinary Problems

Chapter 27: Respiratory Infection

Respiratory Infection
Treatment of Respiratory Infection
Risk Versus Benefit
Chapter 27 Review: Respiratory Infection

Chapter 28: Behavioral Issues

Assessment of Behavioral Problems
Field Treatment of Behavioral Problems
Drug and Alcohol Overdose
Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal
Chapter 28 Review: Behavioral Issues

Chapter 29: The Expedition Medical Officer

Responsibilities
Medical Screening
Risk Versus Benefit
Chapter 29 Review: The Expedition Medical Officer

Appendix A: Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Mnemonics

Appendix B: Conversion Tables

Appendix C: Glasgow Coma Scale

Glossary

Index

A printed copy of the Wilderness Medical Associates Wilderness and Rescue First Aid text book is included with your Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) course registration, and mailed to you 2 weeks prior to your course start date.