First Aid - part 1

Articles In This Section:

· First Aid - part 1

The ski mountaineer, when called upon for help in case of accident, must often give more than first aid, for he may be far from organized medical assistance. In addition to a thorough knowledge of first aid he should therefore be familiar with a few of the simpler medical procedures—so-called "second" aid. For the usual first-aid work, publications of the American Red Cross should be carefully studied. This chapter will go a bit beyond first aid, but the procedures should be within the ability of ski mountaineers well-trained in first aid.

Not fewer than three persons, preferably four, should undertake any ski-mountaineering trip. If, in a party of four, one member is injured, a second member stays with him while the other two proceed for help. The injured man should never be left alone, and only in dire emergency should anyone ski alone.

Shock.—When any but a minor accident happens, shock develops, more severely in ski accidents than usual because of the ever-present cold. The injured man should be laid down, head lower than feet, and should be kept as warm as possible, special care being taken to see that there is abundant insulating material between him and the snow. Extra clothing will serve, supplemented by branches, pack, tent, or air mattress. As every first aider knows, the victim must be moved little, and then only with caution, so that he will not be injured further.

Fig. 12. Velpeau bandage (modified). Begin with two turns (1, 2) around waist, rolling toward affected side; bring third turn upward across chest, down behind shoulder and arm, upward over shoulder, across the back, and horizontally across forearm (3). More turns can be applied (4, 5), depending on desired stability of arm and length of bandage roll.