Survival Skills - First Aid

First Aid

First aid (wilderness first aid in particular) can help a person survive and function with injuries and illnesses that would otherwise kill or incapacitate him/her. Common and dangerous injuries include:

• Bites
• Bone fractures
• Burns
• Headache
• Heart attack
• Hemorrhage
• Hypothermia (too cold) and hyperthermia (too hot)
• Infection through food, animal contact, or drinking non-potable water
• Poisoning from consumption of, or contact with, poisonous plants or poisonous fungi
• Sprains, particularly of the ankle
• Wounds, which may become infected

The survivor may need to apply the contents of a first aid kit or, if possessing the required knowledge, naturally occurring medicinal plants, immobilize injured limbs, or even transport incapacitated comrades.