Medicine for the Outdoors

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The Divers Alert Network ( www.diversalertnetwork.org ) maintains a 24-hour hotline (919-684-9111) to assist with care coordination and evacuation assistance for diving accidents. On land at sea level, the human body is constantly exposed to 14.7 lb (6.7 kg, or…

Anyone who gets an infection following a wound acquired in a natural aquatic environment should be treated with an antibiotic to cover Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species (use dicloxacillin, erythromycin, or cephalexin), and a second antibiotic to cover Vibrio or Aeromonas…

Natural phenomena have medical considerations, such as broken bones, lacerations, crush wounds, hypothermia, drowning, and others discussed throughout this book. Because it can be lifesaving, it’s very important to know how to seek safety and behave during a severe weather…

Bees, wasps, hornets, and ants Honeybees, bumblebees, wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets each possesses a stinger, which is used to introduce venom into the victim. Most stings occur on the head, neck, arms, and legs. “Killer bees” are an Africanized…

Venomous snakes Snake bites are an enormous problem worldwide, leading to death and disfigurement. A global agenda will hopefully encourage production of improved region- and snake-specific antivenoms. Two types of venomous snakes are indigenous to the United States: pit vipers…

Altitudes of 8000 to 14,000 ft (2438 to 4267 m) are attained regularly by skiers, hikers, and climbers in the continental United States. Outside the United States, mountain climbers can reach altitudes of up to 29,032 ft (8849 m) (Mount…

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Burn injuries See page 128. Heat-related illness (hyperthermia) Human core temperature is maintained at 98.6°F (37°C), with little variation from individual to individual. Heat is generated by all of the metabolic processes that contribute to life, from the blink of…

Hypothermia (lowered body temperature) The body generates heat through metabolic processes that can be maximized with involuntary shivering to roughly five times the basal level (up to 10 times with maximum exercise). However, shivering is abolished after a few hours…