First aid is essential on the mountains: at least one member (preferably more) in your group should be able to perform first aid effectively. The conditions featured below are based only on the main skills you will need on the mountains. For other first aid techniques visit the NHS's website.
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Bites and Stings
Bites aren't serious as the insects that actually bite you here in the UK don't carry diseases. If they are annoying you, you can apply a bite/sting relief. However before you start you may like to apply an insect repellent.
Blisters
Blisters form when your skin rubs against something (usually boots), this damages the outer layer of skin and then fluid builds under it. This happens when your boots do not fit you correctly: for this reason boots that fit you well and good quality socks are essentials. If you do get a blister you should pop it with a sharp, clean needle to prevent it from getting infected and causing you yet more pain. If you have a blister that you think may be infected or that keeps coming back you should see your GP.
Cuts
Minor cuts aren't usually a problem, clean them with an antiseptic spray or cream before putting a plaster on. If the bleeding is sever apply pressure with your hand whilst holding a clean dressing. If you do not have a clean dressing ask the casualty to apply pressure themselves. Applying pressure controls the bleeding, if the cut means that the casualty cannot make their own way off of the mountain you will need to call mountain rescue.
Dehydration
Dehydration is a real danger on the mountains (especially in Summer) and it can lead to heat stroke (symptoms include a severe headache and the feeling of sickness). As soon as you get one of these symptoms you should use a hydration tablet: a tablet that dissolves in water and hydrates you quickly (they generally do not contain paracetamol or any other substances that need to be limited). Another easy way to determine whether you are getting dehydrated or not is if your pee is dark (more concentrated) rather than light then you are getting dehydrated. If symptoms persist make a quick retreat if you are close to the start/end of your walk or call mountain rescue.
Falls
If someone in your group falls you will firstly need to check that they are okay (if they have fallen and you cannot reach them you will need to call mountain rescue). If you can reach them and they cannot stand or are experiencing a lot of pain you will need to check that their bones aren't broken. To do this poke the area of pain with your finger, if the casualty reports that the pain is only in the area that your finger is in then the bone is unbroken. If however they report the same amount of pain through the whole limb or section of body then their bone is broken. If it is broken and/or the casualty cannot walk easily and you have more than an hour to get to the start/end then mountain rescue will need to be called. A bandage should be wrapped tightly around the area of pain whether you are making your return on foot or whilst you are waiting for mountain rescue.
Grazes
Grazes are not serious, all you have to do is clean the grazed area with an antiseptic spray or cream (making sure that no dirt or gravel is left behind). At this point it is fine to carry on walking, however it may be a good idea to put a plaster on to stop it from getting dirt in it again.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is when your core temperature drops below its usual 37°C it is a real danger in the mountains and not only in winter. The severity of hypothermia is determined upon how low your body temperature is. Symptoms of mild hypothermia include: shivering constantly; tired (more than usual on a walk of the same difficulty); low on energy; have cold or pale skin and/or you are hyperventilating (breathing fast). If any of these symptoms are observed warm the casualty by getting them to add extra layers or use an emergency blanket, keep an eye of them and keep checking their body temperature: if it doesn't go up after about 5 minutes call mountain rescue.
If the shivering then becomes uncontrollable and violent; you are unable to pay attention or think properly; become confused; loose judgement; have difficulty moving; loose co-ordination; become drowsy; have slurred speech and/or have slow and shallow breathing then the hypothermia may have become moderate and mountain rescue should be called.
If then the casualty is unconscious; has shallow or no breathing; has an irregular/weak/no pulse and/or their pupils are dilated then hypothermia has become extreme and mountain rescue must be called. While you are waiting for mountain rescue make sure the casualty has as many layers as possible and put an emergency blanket over them, if it is raining be sure to keep them as dry as possible but remember to keep yourself warm and dry too!
If the shivering then becomes uncontrollable and violent; you are unable to pay attention or think properly; become confused; loose judgement; have difficulty moving; loose co-ordination; become drowsy; have slurred speech and/or have slow and shallow breathing then the hypothermia may have become moderate and mountain rescue should be called.
If then the casualty is unconscious; has shallow or no breathing; has an irregular/weak/no pulse and/or their pupils are dilated then hypothermia has become extreme and mountain rescue must be called. While you are waiting for mountain rescue make sure the casualty has as many layers as possible and put an emergency blanket over them, if it is raining be sure to keep them as dry as possible but remember to keep yourself warm and dry too!
Sprains
Wrap sprains in tight bandages to push excess blood out of the area. Then take an anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen to reduce both swelling and pain. Finally you need to get off of the mountain as quickly as you can so that you can rest the sprain, if you are very close to safety you may be able to walk back but if walking carries a lot of pain or if you are an hour or more away from the start or finish then mountain rescue will need to be called. Once you get home rest it above the level of your heart to reduce swelling and apply ice (or a bag of frozen peas). After a day or so try to exercise the sprained area to rebuild the strength. If pain and/or swelling do not reduce over a good few days see your GP.
Tics
Tics are annoying bugs that lay waiting in overgrowth to jump onto you and suck your blood! Yum! On a serious note tics can carry Lime Disease - symptoms include a bulls eye shaped rash that occurs after you have been bitten: if you get one of these you have to consult your GP ASAP. If you have a tic you need to remove it quickly without leaving the mouth in your skin but without squirting its insides into you. There are two ways of doing this...
Technique 1
Get a pair of fine point tweezers, put them against your skin, grab the tic as low down to your skins as possible and pull it straight up and out without twisting (as this will leave the mouth in your skin).
Technique 2
Use a O'Tom/Tick Twister, slide it around the tic and twist the tic out without pulling. This way is safer than with tweezers as mistakes are less likely. You can get one of these online or from your local vet. Pets can get tics too you know! All O'Tom/Tick Twisters are for humans, dogs and cats alike (regardless of where you get them from).
Technique 1
Get a pair of fine point tweezers, put them against your skin, grab the tic as low down to your skins as possible and pull it straight up and out without twisting (as this will leave the mouth in your skin).
Technique 2
Use a O'Tom/Tick Twister, slide it around the tic and twist the tic out without pulling. This way is safer than with tweezers as mistakes are less likely. You can get one of these online or from your local vet. Pets can get tics too you know! All O'Tom/Tick Twisters are for humans, dogs and cats alike (regardless of where you get them from).