SAFETY AND

EMERGENCY SKILLS

Safety in Outdoor Living

INTRODUCTION

Injuries, Sickness and Treatment

EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

Blisters
are the most common ailment to confront the hikers.
Cause: moisture, temperature, and friction of the skin
against a tough surface such as a boot.

Sunburn
can be serious as well as painful condition, and there can
be a relationship between repeated overexposure to the
suns rays and skin damage, including skin cancer.

Heat Exhaustion
When people participate in vigorous activities, especially
during the heat of hot summer days, they must be wary of
heat exhaustion.

Dehydration
Prevention consuming adequate amounts of liquid
throughout the day.

Altitude Sickness
Cause lack of oxygen in the bodys central nervous
system, but disappear once victim has adapted to the
altitude

Hypothermia
Cause occurs well above freezing temperatures, and
even in summer months. Caused by exposure to cold, and
also aggravated by moisture, wind and exhaustion.

Stomach Problems
Causes - can be traced to rancid food and germs left on
the dishes not thoroughly washed and sterilized.

Identifying Plants, Prevention and Treatment

TOXIC PLANTS

Buta-buta
juice from the tree is very caustic and poisonous, being
said to cause blindness when it touches the eyes, and to
blister the skin

Talong-punai
plant causes hallucination

Dieffenbachia
If the plant is chewed the crystals are released and can
cause intense pain and possible swelling of the mouth.

Trompeta
has been used as hallucinogen and intoxicant from the
hyocyamine content

Pong-pong
It yields a potent poison, often used for suicide or murder

Prevention
eradication of such plants from frequently
used areas
familiarize such plants to avoid direct
contact
protect skin areas by wearing long sleeves,
long trousers, and gloves
upon returning to camp, remove clothing
immediately, scrub your skin with several
applications of laundry soap, rinsing well
after each, then apply rubbing alcohol

Symptoms
Redness, burning and itching in a localized
area that could spread
Rashes, swelling and watery blisters
Fever, itching and general discomfort

Treatment
For severe cases, consult a doctor.
DO NOT scratch
Application of Cold Compress followed by
a drying agent such as calamine lotion or
compresses dipped in cornstarch in water
or in a solution of one level teaspoon of
Boric acid mixed with two glasses of water

Snakes and Unwelcome Guests

PESKY CREATURES OF
THE WILD

Snakes
The hot and humid tropical climate
in the Philippines makes many
islands ideal breeding grounds for
venomous snakes, spiders and other
biting and stinging animals that
could threaten a campers life.

Spitting Cobra
three species of spitting cobra are native to the islands: (1)
Equatorial Spitting Cobra, (2) Northern Philippine Cobra
and (3) Southeastern Philippine Cobra

Python
have strength to easily kill a full grown man through
constriction but are usually shy away from man unless
provoked or agitated.

Pit Viper Snakes

100 pace snake as people were bitten, could only walk
for hundred paces before dying. Species include Bataan,
Polilo and Waglers Pit Viper.

Treatment of Snake Bites

try to identify the snake or at least
determine whether or not it is poisonous.
most helpful treatment is a prompt
injection of anti-venom
Do not give stimulants
If medical attention cant be obtained
within an hour, direct your efforts toward:
(1) slowing down the spread of the poison and
(2) treating the victim for shock
(3)apply a cooling agent to the bite

Spiders
Red Back Spider allegedly only the
poisonous spider in the
Philippines.
Size: 1cm in body
length and bright red
mark on its back with
an hourglass coloring
on its stomach.
Venom can leave
limbs swollen to
proportionate levels.

Centipides
Size: can grow up
to 20cm in length
with 21 separate
body segments
Venom comes
from set of
segments which
are located on its
head called
forcipules.

Mosquitoes
responsible for
most deaths in the
Philippines due to
Malaria and
Dengue Fever

Caterpillar
can be identified
by its light green
coat with two pink
and white stripes
with zigzagging
down each side. Its
back is a
wilderness of
spines that give off
a substance
poisonous to the
touch.

Do It Yourself!

MAKING DRINKING WATER

SAFE

Boiling
probably the easiest way to ensure that microorganisms
are eliminated.

Boiling
Pros: Boiling water has no effect on the
taste, is very effective, and youre probably
going to have a campfire anyway.
Cons: Boiling does not remove any nonliving contaminants. It must be done in small
batches, and you have to wait for the water
to cool before drinking.

Chemical Tablets
usually iodine, are cheap, lightweight, and very easy to
carry with you.

Chemical Tablets
Pros:These tablets are cheap, easy to
find, and are effective at eliminating most
organisms.
Cons:This process can be timeconsuming, especially if the water is very
cold or cloudy, some folks have adverse
reactions to these chemicals, some protozoa
are resistant to iodine, and these tablets can
add an unpleasant taste.

Portable Water Filters

these devices can be easily found in stores, and advances
in design and technology make them an essential
component of any well-prepared camper

Portable Water Filters

Pros:These filters are lightweight,
compact, easy to use, and, depending on
the manufacturer, are very effective at
removing most water contaminants.
Cons:They can be expensive, will
eventually clog up and fail to perform
correctly, their effectiveness is largely
dependent on the materials used in the filter
media, may or may not eliminate the
smallest bacteria and viruses.

Chlorine Bleach
Unscented chlorine bleach can be used to eliminate some
water impurities when youre camping.

Chlorine Bleach
Pros:Bleach is good for killing
microorganisms and inexpensive, is easy to
use, and it you dont have to carry much for
water purification.
Cons:Bleach can be poisonous if not
used carefully, the taste, even in small
doses can be unpleasant, and it will not
remove chemical impurities.

First Aid Training and The First Aid Kit

DEALING WITH
EMERGENCIES

First Aid Training

At least one member of every group of
campers should be qualified in first aid. It
is also practical to carry a first aid kit and
instructions manual to take care of
possible emergencies during the conduct
of the activity.

 Four Main Types of Wound

TYPE
Abrasion
Laceration
Avulsion

Puncture

CAUSE
Rubbing or scraping
away the skin
Usually a cut from a
sharp object
Complete or partial
tearing away of the
skin and/ or other soft
tissue
Piercing of the skin by
an object

Dressing
are sterile pads or compresses used to cover wounds

Bandaging
are made of gauze or muslin and are used over a sterile
dressing, to close off its edges from dirt and germs

First Aid Kit Content