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What if ... ?

What do you take with you? How do you use some equipment? What do you do in certain situations?

In your pack

  • Bad weather protection e.g. a jumper and coat

  • Torch

  • Hat

  • Sunscreen ​

  • First-aid Kit

  • Insect Repellent

  • Food

  • At least 2 liters of water

  • Watch

  • Paper & Pencil

  • Whistle

  • Map & Compass or GPS

  • Lighter or Matches

Use of UHF radio

  • Every group should have a pair of UHF radios (walkie-talkies)

  • Before leaving the cars, one radio to a person at the front the group, one to the back of the group

  • Radios turned on at the agreed channel, for example channel 19. Keep them on all day

  • Check the working before leaving

  • If the group is separated for more than 5 minutes, contact each other

  • End of the day, hand them back in to the walk leader for return to the Equipment Officer

Snake bite

  • Lie the patient down, keep them calm & still

  • Compression and speed are important

  • Small clean bandage over the bite to absorb any venom

  • Firmly and quickly apply a small bandage over the bite area

  • A large bandage to wrap the limb from end to body. The fingers/toes must remain pink and warm. The limb in a comfortable position

  • Immobilise the limb

  • Mark the bite location and time on the bandage

  • Get help to the patient (rather than patient to the help)

Pro tip: snakes can't stand alcohol or vinegar. To get them to release a bite (e.g. a python) drop a few droplets in the mouth.

Someone is injured

  • Prevent the situation getting worse

  • Apply first aid

  • Reassure the patient

  • Create/Find a shelter

  • Make a plan to get help

    • Perhaps call for help​

    • Perhaps send part of the group to get help

    • Perhaps just wait to be located

  • Ensure everybody knows the plan

  • Stick to the plan

  • Keep trying to make contact

  • Make sure you're visible

Basic First Aid

  • Stabilise

  • Stop the bleeding

  • Keep them breathing

  • Get help

  • Limited food

  • Give pain killers

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