SURVIVAL FACTORS AND SOME FIRST AID TIPS AND PROCEDURES

Foremost among the many problems that can compromise your survival ability are

medical problems resulting from unplanned events, such as a forced landing or

crash, extreme climates, ground combat, evasion, and illnesses contracted in

captivity.

Many evaders and survivors have reported difficulty in treating injuries and illness

due to the lack of training and medical supplies. For some, this led to capture or

surrender.

Survivors have related feelings of apathy and helplessness because they could not

treat themselves in this environment. The ability to treat yourself increases your

morale and aids in your survival and eventual return to friendly forces.

One man with a fair amount of basic medical knowledge can make a difference in

the lives of many. Without qualified medical personnel available, it is you who must

know what to do to stay alive.

REQUIREMENTS FOR MAINTENANCE OF HEALTH

1. To survive, you need water and food. You must also have and apply high personal hygiene

standards.

WATER

2. Your body loses water through normal body processes (sweating, urinating, and

defecating). During average daily exertion when the atmospheric temperature is 20 degrees

Celsius (C) (68 degrees Fahrenheit [F]), the average adult loses and therefore requires 2 to 3

liters of water daily. Other factors, such as heat exposure, cold exposure, intense activity, high

altitude, burns, or illness, can cause your body to lose more water. You must replace this water.

3. Dehydration results from inadequate replacement of lost body fluids. It decreases your

efficiency and, if you are injured, it increases your susceptibility to severe shock. Consider the

following results of body fluid loss:

A 5-percent loss results in thirst, irritability, nausea, and weakness.

A 10-percent loss results in dizziness, headache, inability to walk, and a tingling sensation

in the limbs.

A 15-percent loss results in dim vision, painful urination, swollen tongue, deafness, and a

numb feeling in the skin.

A loss greater than 15 percent may result in death.

4. The most common signs and symptoms of dehydration are

Dark urine with a very strong odor.

Low urine output.

Dark, sunken eyes.

Fatigue.

Emotional instability.

Loss of skin elasticity.

Delayed capillary refill in fingernail beds.

Trench line down center of tongue.

Thirst. (Last on the list because you are already 2-percent dehydrated by the time you

crave fluids.)

5. You should replace the water as you lose it. Trying to make up a deficit is difficult in a

survival situation, and thirst is not a sign of how much water you need.

6. Most people cannot comfortably drink more than 1 liter of water at a time. So, even when

not thirsty, drink small amounts of water at regular intervals each hour to prevent dehydration.

7. If you are under physical and mental stress or subject to severe conditions, increase your

water intake. Drink enough liquids to maintain a urine output of at least 0.5 liters every 24

hours.

8. In any situation where food intake is low, drink 6 to 8 liters of water per day. In an extreme

climate, especially an arid one, the average person can lose 2.5 to 3.5 liters of water per hour.

In this type of climate, you should drink 8 to 12 ounces of water every 30 minutes. It is better to

regulate water loss through work or rest cycles because overhydration can occur if water intake

exceed 1 1/2 quarts per hour. Overhydration can cause low serum sodium levels resulting in

cerebral and pulmonary edema, which can lead to death.

9. With the loss of water there is also a loss of electrolytes (body salts). The average diet can

usually keep up with these losses but in an extreme situation or illness, additional sources need

to be provided. You should maintain an intake of carbohydrates and other necessary

electrolytes.

10. Of all the physical problems encountered in a survival situation, the loss of water is the

most preventable. The following are basic guidelines for the prevention of dehydration:

Always drink water when eating. Water is used and consumed as a part of the digestion

process and can lead to dehydration.

Acclimatize. The body performs more efficiently in extreme conditions when acclimatized.

Conserve sweat, not water. Limit sweat-producing activities but drink water.

Ration water. Until you find a suitable source, ration your sweat, not your water. Limit

activity and heat gain or loss.

11. You can estimate fluid loss by several means. A field dressing holds about 0.25 liters (1/4

canteen) of fluid. A soaked T-shirt holds 0.5 to 0.75 liters.

12. You can also use the pulse and breathing rate to estimate fluid loss. Use the following as

a guide:

With a 0.75-liter loss the wrist pulse rate will be under 100 beats per minute and the

breathing rate 12 to 20 breaths per minute.

With a 0.75- to 1.5-liter loss the pulse rate will be 100 to 120 beats per minute and 20 to

30 breaths per minute.

With a 1.5- to 2-liter loss the pulse rate will be 120 to 140 beats per minute and 30 to 40

breaths per minute. Vital signs above these rates require more advanced care.

FOOD

13. Although you can live several weeks without food, you need an adequate amount to stay

healthy. Without food your mental and physical capabilities will deteriorate rapidly and you will

become weak. Food provides energy and replenishes the substances that your body burns.

Food provides vitamins, minerals, salts, and other elements essential to good health. Possibly

more important, it helps morale.
14. The three basic sources of food are plants, animals (including fish), and issued rations. In

varying degrees, both provide the calories, carbohydrates, fats, and proteins needed for normal

daily body functions. You should use rations to augment plant and animal foods, which will

extend and help maintain a balanced diet.

15. Calories are a measure of heat and potential energy. The average person needs 2,000

calories per day to function at a minimum level. An adequate amount of carbohydrates, fats,

and proteins without an adequate caloric intake will lead to starvation and cannibalism of the

body's own tissue for energy.

Plants

16. Plant foods provide carbohydrates—the main source of energy. Many plants provide

enough protein to keep the body at normal efficiency. Although plants may not provide a

balanced diet, they will sustain you even in the arctic, where meat's heat-producing qualities are

normally essential. Many plant foods such as nuts and seeds will give you enough protein and

oils for normal efficiency. Roots, green vegetables, and plant foods containing natural sugar will

provide calories and carbohydrates that give the body natural energy.

17. The food value of plants becomes more and more important if you are eluding the enemy

or if you are in an area where wildlife is scarce. For instance—

You can dry plants by wind, air, sun, or fire. This retards spoilage so that you can store or

carry the plant food with you to use when needed.

You can obtain plants more easily and more quietly than meat. This is extremely

important when the enemy is near.

Animals

18. Meat is more nourishing than plant food. In fact, it may even be more readily available in

some places. However, to get meat, you need to know the habits of and how to capture the

various wildlife.

19. To satisfy your immediate food needs, first seek the more abundant and more easily

obtained wildlife, such as insects, crustaceans, mollusks, fish, and reptiles. These can satisfy

your immediate hunger while you are preparing traps and snares for larger game.

PERSONAL HYGIENE

20. In any situation, cleanliness is an important factor in preventing infection and disease. It

becomes even more important in a survival situation. Poor hygiene can reduce your chances of

survival.

21. A daily shower with hot water and soap is ideal, but you can stay clean without this luxury.

Use a cloth and soapy water to wash yourself. Pay special attention to the feet, armpits, crotch,

hands, and hair as these are prime areas for infestation and infection. If water is scarce, take an

"air" bath. Remove as much of your clothing as practical and expose your body to the sun and

air for at least 1 hour. Be careful not to sunburn.

22. If you don't have soap, use ashes or sand, or make soap from animal fat and wood ashes

if your situation allows. To make soap—

Extract grease from animal fat by cutting the fat into small pieces and cooking it in a pot.

Add enough water to the pot to keep the fat from sticking as it cooks.

Cook the fat slowly, stirring frequently.

After the fat is rendered, pour the grease into a container to harden.

Place ashes in a container with a spout near the bottom.

Pour water over the ashes and collect the liquid that drips out of the spout in a separate

container. This liquid is the potash or lye.

23. Another way to get the lye is to pour the slurry (the mixture of ashes and water) through a

straining cloth.

In a cooking pot, mix two parts grease to one part lye.

Place this mixture over a fire and boil it until it thickens.

After the mixture (the soap) cools, you can use it in the semiliquid state directly from the pot.

You can also pour it into a pan, allow it to harden, and cut it into bars for later use.

Keep Your Hands Clean

24. Germs on your hands can infect food and wounds. Wash your hands after handling any

material that is likely to carry germs, after urinating or defecating, after caring for the sick, and

before handling any food, food utensils, or drinking water. Keep your fingernails closely

trimmed and clean, and keep your fingers out of your mouth.

Keep Your Hair Clean

25. Your hair can become a haven for bacteria or fleas, lice, and other parasites. Keeping your

hair clean, combed, and trimmed helps you avoid this danger.

Keep Your Clothing Clean

26. Keep your clothing and bedding as clean as possible to reduce the chances of skin

infection or parasitic infestation. Clean your outer clothing whenever it becomes soiled. Wear

clean underclothing and socks each day. If water is scarce, "air" clean your clothing by shaking,

airing, and sunning it for 2 hours. If you are using a sleeping bag, turn it inside out after each

use, fluff it, and air it.

Keep Your Teeth Clean

27. Thoroughly clean your mouth and teeth with a toothbrush at least once each day. If you

don't have a toothbrush, make a chewing stick. Find a twig about 20 centimeters (cm) (8

inches) long and 1 centimeter (1/3 inch) wide. Chew one end of the stick to separate the fibers.

Then brush your teeth thoroughly. Another way is to wrap a clean strip of cloth around your

fingers and rub your teeth with it to wipe away food particles. You can also brush your teeth

with small amounts of sand, baking soda, salt, or soap. Rinse your mouth with water, salt water,

or willow bark tea. Also, flossing your teeth with string or fiber helps oral hygiene.

28. If you have cavities, you can make temporary fillings by placing candle wax, tobacco, hot

pepper, toothpaste or powder, or portions of a gingerroot into the cavity. Make sure you clean

the cavity by rinsing or picking the particles out of the cavity before placing a filling in the

cavity.

Take Care of Your Feet

29. To prevent serious foot problems, break in your shoes before wearing them on any

mission. Wash and massage your feet daily. Trim your toenails straight across. Wear an insole

and the proper size of dry socks. Powder and check your feet daily for blisters.

30. If you get a small blister, do not open it. An intact blister is safe from infection. Apply a

padding material around the blister to relieve pressure and reduce friction. If the blister bursts,

treat it as an open wound. Clean and dress it daily and pad around it. Leave large blisters intact.

To avoid having the blister burst or tear under pressure and cause a painful and open sore, do

the following:

Obtain a sewing-type needle and a clean or sterilized thread.

Run the needle and thread through the blister after cleaning the blister.

Detach the needle and leave both ends of the thread hanging out of the blister. The thread

will absorb the liquid inside. This reduces the size of the hole and ensures that the hole

does not close up.

Pad around the blister.

Get Sufficient Rest

31. You need a certain amount of rest to keep going. Plan for regular rest periods of at least

10 minutes per hour during your daily activities. Learn to make yourself comfortable under lessthan-

ideal conditions. A change from mental to physical activity or vice versa can be refreshing

when time or situation does not permit total relaxation.

Keep Campsite Clean

32. Do not soil the ground in the campsite area with urine or feces. Use latrines, if available.

When latrines are not available, dig "cat holes" and cover the waste. Collect drinking water

upstream from the campsite. Purify all water.

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

33. Medical problems and emergencies you may face include breathing problems, severe

bleeding, and shock. The following paragraphs explain each of these problems and what you

can expect if they occur.

BREATHING PROBLEMS

34. Any one of the following can cause airway obstruction, resulting in stopped breathing:

Foreign matter in mouth of throat that obstructs the opening to the trachea.

Face or neck injuries.

Inflammation and swelling of mouth and throat caused by inhaling smoke, flames, and

irritating vapors or by an allergic reaction.

"Kink" in the throat (caused by the neck bent forward so that the chin rests upon the

chest).

Tongue blocks passage of air to the lungs upon unconsciousness. When an individual is

unconscious, the muscles of the lower jaw and tongue relax as the neck drops forward,

causing the lower jaw to sag and the tongue to drop back and block the passage of air.

SEVERE BLEEDING

35. Severe bleeding from any major blood vessel in the body is extremely dangerous. The loss

of 1 liter of blood will produce moderate symptoms of shock. The loss of 2 liters will produce a

severe state of shock that places the body in extreme danger. The loss of 3 liters is usually

fatal.

SHOCK

36. Shock (acute stress reaction) is not a disease in itself. It is a clinical condition

characterized by symptoms that arise when cardiac output is insufficient to fill the arteries with

blood under enough pressure to provide an adequate blood supply to the organs and tissues.

LIFESAVING STEPS

37. Control panic, both your own and the victim's. Reassure him and try to keep him quiet.

Perform a rapid physical exam. Look for the cause of the injury and follow the ABCs of first aid.

Start with the airway and breathing, but be discerning. In some cases, a person may die from

arterial bleeding more quickly than from an airway obstruction. The following paragraphs

describe how to treat airway, bleeding, and shock emergencies.

OPEN AIRWAY AND MAINTAIN

38. You can open an airway and maintain it by using the following steps:

Step 1. You should check to see if the victim has a partial or complete airway obstruction.

If he can cough or speak, allow him to clear the obstruction naturally. Stand by, reassure

the victim, and be ready to clear his airway and perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation

should he become unconscious. If his airway is completely obstructed, administer

abdominal thrusts until the obstruction is cleared.

Step 2. Using a finger, quickly sweep the victim's mouth clear of any foreign objects,

broken teeth, dentures, and sand.

Step 3. Using the jaw thrust method, grasp the angles of the victim's lower jaw and lift

with both hands, one on each side, moving the jaw forward. For stability, rest your elbows

on the surface on which the victim is lying. If his lips are closed, gently open the lower lip

with your thumb

 Jaw Thrust Method

Step 4. With the victim's airway open, pinch his nose closed with your thumb and

forefinger and blow two complete breaths into his lungs. Allow the lungs to deflate after

the second inflation and perform the following:

Look for his chest to rise and fall.

Listen for escaping air during exhalation.

Feel for flow of air on your cheek.

Step 5. If the forced breaths do not stimulate spontaneous breathing, maintain the

victim's breathing by performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Step 6. There is danger of the victim vomiting during mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Check the victim's mouth periodically for vomit and clear as needed.

NOTE: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may be necessary after cleaning the airway, but

only after major bleeding is under control. See FM 21-20, Physical Fitness Training, the

American Heart Association manual, the Red Cross manual, or most other first aid books for

detailed instructions on CPR.

CONTROL BLEEDING

39. In a survival situation, you must control serious bleeding immediately because

replacement fluids normally are not available and the victim can die within a matter of minutes.

External bleeding falls into the following classifications (according to its source):

Arterial. Blood vessels called arteries carry blood away from the heart and through the

body. A cut artery issues bright red blood from the wound in distinct spurts or pulses that

correspond to the rhythm of the heartbeat. Because the blood in the arteries is under high

pressure, an individual can lose a large volume of blood in a short period when damage to

an artery of significant size occurs. Therefore, arterial bleeding is the most serious type of

bleeding. If not controlled promptly, it can be fatal.

Venous. Venous blood is blood that is returning to the heart through blood vessels called

veins. A steady flow of dark red, maroon, or bluish blood characterizes bleeding from a

vein. You can usually control venous bleeding more easily than arterial bleeding.

Capillary. The capillaries are the extremely small vessels that connect the arteries with the

veins. Capillary bleeding most commonly occurs in minor cuts and scrapes. This type of

bleeding is not difficult to control.

40. You can control external bleeding by direct pressure, indirect (pressure points) pressure,

elevation, digital ligation, or tourniquet. Each method is explained below.

Direct Pressure

41. The most effective way to control external bleeding is by applying pressure directly over

the wound. This pressure must not only be firm enough to stop the bleeding, but it must also be

maintained long enough to "seal off" the damaged surface.

42. If bleeding continues after having applied direct pressure for 30 minutes, apply a pressure

dressing. This dressing consists of a thick dressing of gauze or other suitable material applied

directly over the wound and held in place with a tightly wrapped bandage. It should

be tighter than an ordinary compression bandage but not so tight that it impairs circulation to

the rest of the limb. Once you apply the dressing, do not remove it, even when the dressing

becomes blood soaked.

 Application of a Pressure Dressing

43. Leave the pressure dressing in place for 1 or 2 days, after which you can remove and

replace it with a smaller dressing. In the long-term survival environment, make fresh, daily

dressing changes and inspect for signs of infection.

Elevation

44. Raising an injured extremity as high as possible above the heart's level slows blood loss

by aiding the return of blood to the heart and lowering the blood pressure at the wound.

However, elevation alone will not control bleeding entirely; you must also apply direct pressure

over the wound. When treating a snakebite, be sure to keep the extremity lower than the heart.

Pressure Points

45. A pressure point is a location where the main artery to the wound lies near the surface of

the skin or where the artery passes directly over a bony prominence (Figure 4-3). You can use

digital pressure on a pressure point to slow arterial bleeding until the application of a pressure

dressing. Pressure point control is not as effective for controlling bleeding as direct pressure

exerted on the wound. It is rare when a single major compressible artery supplies a damaged

vessel.

Pressure Points

46. If you cannot remember the exact location of the pressure points, follow this rule: Apply

pressure at the end of the joint just above the injured area. On hands, feet, and head, this will be

the wrist, ankle, and neck, respectively.

**WARNING** Use caution when applying pressure to

the neck. Too much pressure for too long may cause

unconsciousness or death. Never place a tourniquet

around the neck.

47. Maintain pressure points by placing a round stick in the joint, bending the joint over the

stick, and then keeping it tightly bent by lashing. By using this method to maintain pressure, it

frees your hands to work in other areas.

Digital Ligation

48. You can stop major bleeding immediately or slow it down by applying pressure with a

finger or two on the bleeding end of the vein or artery. Maintain the pressure until the bleeding

stops or slows down enough to apply a pressure bandage, elevation, and so forth.

Tourniquet

49. Use a tourniquet only when direct pressure over the bleeding point and all other methods

did not control the bleeding. If you leave a tourniquet in place too long, the damage to the

tissues can progress to gangrene, with a loss of the limb later. An improperly applied tourniquet

can also cause permanent damage to nerves and other tissues at the site of the constriction. If

you must use a tourniquet, place it around the extremity, between the wound and the heart, 5 to

10 centimeters (2 to 4 inches) above the wound site. Never place it directly over the wound or a

fracture. Figure 4-4 explains how to apply a tourniquet.

Figure 4-4. Application of Tourniquet

50. After you secure the tourniquet, clean and bandage the wound. A lone survivor does not

remove or release an applied tourniquet. However, in a buddy system, the buddy can release

the tourniquet pressure every 10 to 15 minutes for 1 or 2 minutes to let blood flow to the rest of

the extremity to prevent limb loss.

PREVENT AND TREAT SHOCK

51. Anticipate shock in all injured personnel. Treat all injured persons as follows, regardless

of what symptoms appear (Figure 4-5):

If the victim is conscious, place him on a level surface with the lower extremities elevated

15 to 20 centimeters (6 to 8 inches).

If the victim is unconscious, place him on his side or abdomen with his head turned to one

side to prevent choking on vomit, blood, or other fluids.

If you are unsure of the best position, place the victim perfectly flat. Once the victim is in a

shock position, do not move him.

Maintain body heat by insulating the victim from the surroundings and, in some instances,

applying external heat.

If wet, remove all the victim's wet clothing as soon as possible and replace with dry

clothing.

Improvise a shelter to insulate the victim from the weather.

Use warm liquids or foods, a prewarmed sleeping bag, another person, warmed water in

canteens, hot rocks wrapped in clothing, or fires on either side of the victim to provide

external warmth.

If the victim is conscious, slowly administer small doses of a warm salt or sugar solution,

if available.

If the victim is unconscious or has abdominal wounds, do not give fluids by mouth.

Have the victim rest for at least 24 hours.

If you are a lone survivor, lie in a depression in the ground, behind a tree, or any other

place out of the weather, with your head lower than your feet.

If you are with a buddy, reassess your patient constantly.

 Treatment for Shock

BONE AND JOINT INJURY

52. You could face bone and joint injuries that include fractures, dislocations, and sprains.

Follow the steps explained below for each injury.

FRACTURES

53. There are basically two types of fractures: open and closed. With an open (or compound)

fracture, the bone protrudes through the skin and complicates the actual fracture with an open

wound. Any bone protruding from the wound should be cleaned with an antiseptic and kept

moist. You should splint the injured area and continually monitor blood flow past the injury.

Only reposition the break if there is no blood flow.

54. The closed fracture has no open wounds. Follow the guidelines for immobilization and

splint the fracture.

55. The signs and symptoms of a fracture are pain, tenderness, discoloration, swelling

deformity, loss of function, and grating (a sound or feeling that occurs when broken bone ends

rub together).

56. The dangers with a fracture are the severing or the compression of a nerve or blood

vessel at the site of fracture. For this reason minimum manipulation should be done, and only

very cautiously. If you notice the area below the break becoming numb, swollen, cool to the

touch, or turning pale, and the victim showing signs of shock, a major vessel may have been

severed. You must control this internal bleeding. Reset the fracture and treat the victim for

shock and replace lost fluids.

57. Often you must maintain traction during the splinting and healing process. You can

effectively pull smaller bones such as the arm or lower leg by hand. You can create traction by

wedging a hand or foot in the V-notch of a tree and pushing against the tree with the other

extremity. You can then splint the break.

58. Very strong muscles hold a broken thighbone (femur) in place making it difficult to

maintain traction during healing. You can make an improvised traction splint using natural

material, as explained below.

Improvised Traction Splint

Get two forked branches or saplings at least 5 centimeters (2 inches) in diameter.

Measure one from the patient's armpit to 20 to 30 centimeters (8 to 12 inches) past his

unbroken leg. Measure the other from the groin to 20 to 30 centimeters (8 to 12 inches)

past the unbroken leg. Ensure that both extend an equal distance beyond the end of the

leg.

Pad the two splints. Notch the ends without forks and lash a 20- to 30-centimeter (8- to

12-inch) cross member made from a 5-centimeter (2-inch) diameter branch between

them.

Using available material (vines, cloth, rawhide), tie the splint around the upper portion of

the body and down the length of the broken leg. Follow the splinting guidelines.

With available material, fashion a wrap that will extend around the ankle, with the two free

ends tied to the cross member.

Place a 10- by 2.5-centimeter (4- by 1-inch) stick in the middle of the free ends of the

ankle wrap between the cross member and the foot. Using the stick, twist the material to

make the traction easier.

Continue twisting until the broken leg is as long or slightly longer than the unbroken leg.

Lash the stick to maintain traction.

NOTE: Over time, you may lose traction because the material weakened. Check the traction

periodically. If you must change or repair the splint, maintain the traction manually for a short

time.

DISLOCATIONS

59. Dislocations are the separations of bone joints causing the bones to go out of proper

alignment. These misalignments can be extremely painful and can cause an impairment of

nerve or circulatory function below the area affected. You must place these joints back into

alignment as quickly as possible.

60. Signs and symptoms of dislocations are joint pain, tenderness, swelling, discoloration,

limited range of motion, and deformity of the joint. You treat dislocations by reduction,

immobilization, and rehabilitation.

61. Reduction or "setting" is placing the bones back into their proper alignment. You can use

several methods, but manual traction or the use of weights to pull the bones are the safest and

easiest. Once performed, reduction decreases the victim's pain and allows for normal function

and circulation. Without an X ray, you can judge proper alignment by the look and feel of the

joint and by comparing it to the joint on the opposite side.

62. Immobilization is nothing more than splinting the dislocation after reduction. You can use

any field-expedient material for a splint or you can splint an extremity to the body. The basic

guidelines for splinting are as follows:

Splint above and below the fracture site.

Pad splints to reduce discomfort.

Check circulation below the fracture after making each tie on the splint.

63 To rehabilitate the dislocation, remove the splints after 7 to 14 days. Gradually use the

injured joint until fully healed.

SPRAINS

64. The accidental overstretching of a tendon or ligament causes sprains. The signs and

symptoms are pain, swelling, tenderness, and discoloration (black and blue).

65. When treating sprains, you should follow the letters in RICE as defined below:

R-Rest injured area.

I-Ice for 24 to 48 hours.

C-Compression-wrap or splint to help stabilize. If possible, leave the boot on a sprained

ankle unless circulation is compromised.

E-Elevate the affected area.

NOTE: Ice is preferred for a sprain but cold spring water may be more easily obtained in a

survival situation.

BITES AND STINGS

66. Insects and related pests are hazards in a survival situation. They not only cause

irritations, but they are often carriers of diseases that cause severe allergic reactions in some

individuals. In many parts of the world you will be exposed to serious, even fatal, diseases not

encountered in the United States.

Ticks can carry and transmit diseases, such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever common in

many parts of the United States. Ticks also transmit Lyme disease.

Mosquitoes may carry malaria, dengue, and many other diseases.

Flies can spread disease from contact with infectious sources. They are causes of

sleeping sickness, typhoid, cholera, and dysentery.

Fleas can transmit plague.

Lice can transmit typhus and relapsing fever.

67. The best way to avoid the complications of insect bites and stings is to keep

immunizations (including booster shots) up-to-date, avoid insect-infested areas, use netting

and insect repellent, and wear all clothing properly.

4-68. If you are bitten or stung, do not scratch the bite or sting; it might become infected.

Inspect your body at least once a day to ensure there are no insects attached to you. If you find

ticks attached to your body, cover them with a substance (such as petroleum jelly, heavy oil, or

tree sap) that will cut off their air supply. Without air, the tick releases its hold, and you can

remove it. Take care to remove the whole tick. Use tweezers if you have them. Grasp the tick

where the mouthparts are attached to the skin. Do not squeeze the tick's body. Wash your

hands after touching the tick. Clean the tick wound daily until healed.

TREATMENT

69. It is impossible to list the treatment of all the different types of bites and stings. However,

you can generally treat bites and stings as follows:

If antibiotics are available for your use, become familiar with them before deployment and

use them.

Predeployment immunizations can prevent most of the common diseases carried by

mosquitoes and some carried by flies.

The common fly-borne diseases are usually treatable with penicillins or erythromycin.

Most tick-, flea-, louse-, and mite-borne diseases are treatable with tetracycline.

Most antibiotics come in 250 milligram (mg) or 500 mg tablets. If you cannot remember

the exact dose rate to treat a disease, 2 tablets, 4 times a day, for 10 to 14 days will

usually kill any bacteria.

BEE AND WASP STINGS

70. If stung by a bee, immediately remove the stinger and venom sac, if attached, by scraping

with a fingernail or a knife blade. Do not squeeze or grasp the stinger or venom sac, as

squeezing will force more venom into the wound. Wash the sting site thoroughly with soap and

water to lessen the chance of a secondary infection.

71. If you know or suspect that you are allergic to insect stings, always carry an insect sting

kit with you.
72. Relieve the itching and discomfort caused by insect bites by applying—

Cold compresses.

A cooling paste of mud and ashes.

Sap from dandelions.

Coconut meat.

Crushed cloves of garlic.

Onion.

SPIDER BITES AND SCORPION STINGS

73. The black widow spider is identified by a red hourglass on its abdomen. Only the female

bites, and it has a neurotoxic venom. The initial pain is not severe, but severe local pain rapidly

develops. The pain gradually spreads over the entire body and settles in the abdomen and legs.

Abdominal cramps and progressive nausea, vomiting, and a rash may occur. Weakness,

tremors, sweating, and salivation may occur. Anaphylactic reactions can occur. Symptoms may

worsen for the next three days and then begin to subside for the next week. Treat for shock. Be

ready to perform CPR. Clean and dress the bite area to reduce the risk of infection. An antivenin

is available.

74. The funnelweb spider is a large brown or gray spider found in Australia. The symptoms

and the treatment for its bite are as for the black widow spider.

75. The brown house spider or brown recluse spider is a small, light brown spider identified by

a dark brown violin on its back. There is no pain, or so little pain, that usually a victim is not

aware of the bite. Within a few hours a painful red area with a mottled cyanotic center appears.

Necrosis does not occur in all bites, but usually in 3 to 4 days, a star-shaped, firm area of deep

purple discoloration appears at the bite site. The area turns dark and mummified in a week or

two. The margins separate and the scab falls off, leaving an open ulcer. Secondary infection

and regional swollen lymph glands usually become visible at this stage. The outstanding

characteristic of the brown recluse bite is an ulcer that does not heal but persists for weeks or

months. In addition to the ulcer, there is often a systemic reaction that is serious and may lead

to death. Reactions (fever, chills, joint pain, vomiting, and a generalized rash) occur chiefly in

children or debilitated persons.

76. Tarantulas are large, hairy spiders found mainly in the tropics. Most do not inject venom,

but some South American species do. They have large fangs. If bitten, pain and bleeding are

certain, and infection is likely. Treat a tarantula bite as for any open wound, and try to prevent

infection. If symptoms of poisoning appear, treat as for the bite of the black widow spider.

77. Scorpions are all poisonous to a greater or lesser degree. There are two different

reactions, depending on the species:

Severe local reaction only, with pain and swelling around the area of the sting. Possible

prickly sensation around the mouth and a thick-feeling tongue.

Severe systemic reaction, with little or no visible local reaction. Local pain may be

present. Systemic reaction includes respiratory difficulties, thick-feeling tongue, body

spasms, drooling, gastric distention, double vision, blindness, involuntary rapid movement

of the eyeballs, involuntary urination and defecation, and heart failure. Death is rare,

occurring mainly in children and adults with high blood pressure or illnesses.

78. Treat scorpion stings as you would a black widow bite.

SNAKEBITES

79. The chance of a snakebite in a survival situation is rather small, if you are familiar with the

various types of snakes and their habitats. However, it could happen and you should know how

to treat a snakebite. Deaths from snakebites are rare. More than one-half of the snakebite

victims have little or no poisoning, and only about one-quarter develop serious systemic

poisoning. However, the chance of a snakebite in a survival situation can affect morale, and

failure to take preventive measures or failure to treat a snakebite properly can result in

needless tragedy.

80. The primary concern in the treatment of snakebite is to limit the amount of eventual

tissue destruction around the bite area.

81. A bite wound, regardless of the type of animal that inflicted it, can become infected from

bacteria in the animal's mouth. With nonpoisonous as well as poisonous snakebites, this local

infection is responsible for a large part of the residual damage that results.

82. Snake venoms not only contain poisons that attack the victim's central nervous system

(neurotoxins) and blood circulation (hemotoxins), but also digestive enzymes (cytotoxins) to

aid in digesting their prey. These poisons can cause a very large area of tissue death, leaving a

large open wound. This condition could lead to the need for eventual amputation if not treated.

83. Shock and panic in a person bitten by a snake can also affect the person's recovery.

Excitement, hysteria, and panic can speed up the circulation, causing the body to absorb the

toxin quickly. Signs of shock occur within the first 30 minutes after the bite.

84. Before you start treating a snakebite, determine whether the snake was poisonous or

nonpoisonous. Bites from a nonpoisonous snake will show rows of teeth. Bites from a

poisonous snake may have rows of teeth showing, but will have one or more distinctive

puncture marks caused by fang penetration. Symptoms of a poisonous bite may be

spontaneous bleeding from the nose and anus, blood in the urine, pain at the site of the bite,

and swelling at the site of the bite within a few minutes or up to 2 hours later.

85. Breathing difficulty, paralysis, weakness, twitching, and numbness are also signs of

neurotoxic venoms. These signs usually appear 1.5 to 2 hours after the bite.

86. If you determine that a poisonous snake bit an individual, take the following steps:

Reassure the victim and keep him still.

Set up for shock and force fluids or give by intravenous (IV) means.

Remove watches, rings, bracelets, or other constricting items.

Clean the bite area.

Maintain an airway (especially if bitten near the face or neck) and be prepared to

administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or CPR.

Use a constricting band between the wound and the heart.

Immobilize the site.

Remove the poison as soon as possible by using a mechanical suction device. Do not

squeeze the site of the bite.

87. You should also remember four very important guidelines during the treatment of

snakebites. Do not—

Give the victim alcoholic beverages or tobacco products. Never give atropine! Give

morphine or other central nervous system (CNS) depressors.

Make any deep cuts at the bite site. Cutting opens capillaries that in turn open a direct

route into the blood stream for venom and infection.

NOTE: If medical treatment is over 1 hour away, make an incision (no longer than 6 millimeters

[1/4 inch] and no deeper than 3 millimeters [1/8 inch]) over each puncture, cutting just deep

enough to enlarge the fang opening, but only through the first or second layer of skin. Place a

suction cup over the bite so that you have a good vacuum seal. Suction the bite site 3 to 4

times. Suction for a MINIMUM of 30 MINUTES. Use mouth suction only as a last resort and

only if you do not have open sores in your mouth. Spit the envenomed blood out and rinse your

mouth with water. This method will draw out 25 to 30 percent of the venom.

Put your hands on your face or rub your eyes, as venom may be on your hands. Venom

may cause blindness.

Break open the large blisters that form around the bite site.

88. After caring for the victim as described above, take the following actions to minimize local

effects:

If infection appears, keep the wound open and clean.

Use heat after 24 to 48 hours to help prevent the spread of local infection. Heat also helps

to draw out an infection.

Keep the wound covered with a dry, sterile dressing.

Have the victim drink large amounts of fluids until the infection is gone.

WOUNDS

89. An interruption of the skin's integrity characterizes wounds. These wounds could be open

wounds, skin diseases, frostbite, trench foot, or burns.

OPEN WOUNDS

90. Open wounds are serious in a survival situation, not only because of tissue damage and

blood loss, but also because they may become infected. Bacteria on the object that made the

wound, on the individual's skin and clothing, or on other foreign material or dirt that touches the

wound may cause infection.

91. By taking proper care of the wound you can reduce further contamination and promote

healing. Clean the wound as soon as possible after it occurs by—

Removing or cutting clothing away from the wound.

Always looking for an exit wound if a sharp object, gunshot, or projectile caused a wound.

Thoroughly cleaning the skin around the wound.

Rinsing (not scrubbing) the wound with large amounts of water under pressure. You can

use fresh urine if water is not available.

92. The "open treatment" method is the safest way to manage wounds in survival situations.

Do not try to close any wound by suturing or similar procedures. Leave the wound open to allow

the drainage of any pus resulting from infection. As long as the wound can drain, it generally

will not become life-threatening, regardless of how unpleasant it looks or smells.

93. Cover the wound with a clean dressing. Place a bandage on the dressing to hold it in

place. Change the dressing daily to check for infection.

94. If a wound is gaping, you can bring the edges together with adhesive tape cut in the form

of a "butterfly" or "dumbbell". Use this method with extreme caution in the absence

of antibiotics. You must always allow for proper drainage of the wound to avoid infection.
Butterfly Closure

95. In a survival situation, some degree of wound infection is almost inevitable. Pain, swelling,

and redness around the wound, increased temperature, and pus in the wound or on the

dressing indicate infection is present.

96. If the wound becomes infected, you should treat as follows:

Place a warm, moist compress directly on the infected wound. Change the compress

when it cools, keeping a warm compress on the wound for a total of 30 minutes. Apply

the compresses three or four times daily.

Drain the wound. Open and gently probe the infected wound with a sterile instrument.

Dress and bandage the wound.

Drink a lot of water.

In the event of gunshot or other serious wounds, it may be better to rinse the wound out

vigorously every day with the cleanest water available. If drinking water or methods to

purify drinking water are limited, do not use your drinking water. Flush the wound

forcefully daily until the wound is healed over. Your scar may be larger but your chances

of infection are greatly reduced.

Continue this treatment daily until all signs of infection have disappeared.

97. If you do not have antibiotics and the wound has become severely infected, does not heal,

and ordinary debridement is impossible, consider maggot therapy as stated below, despite its

hazards:

Expose the wound to flies for one day and then cover it.

Check daily for maggots.

Once maggots develop, keep wound covered but check daily.

Remove all maggots when they have cleaned out all dead tissue and before they start on

healthy tissue. Increased pain and bright red blood in the wound indicate that the

maggots have reached healthy tissue.

Flush the wound repeatedly with sterile water or fresh urine to remove the maggots.

Check the wound every 4 hours for several days to ensure all maggots have been

removed.

Bandage the wound and treat it as any other wound. It should heal normally.

SKIN DISEASES AND AILMENTS

98. Boils, fungal infections, and rashes rarely develop into a serious health problem. They

cause discomfort and you should treat them as follows:

Boils

99. Apply warm compresses to bring the boil to a head. Another method that can be used to

bring a boil to a head is the bottle suction method. Use an empty bottle that has been boiled in

water. Place the opening of the bottle over the boil and seal the skin forming an airtight

environment that will create a vacuum. This method will draw the pus to the skin surface when

applied correctly. Then open the boil using a sterile knife, wire, needle, or similar item.

Thoroughly clean out the pus using soap and water. Cover the boil site, checking it periodically

to ensure no further infection develops.

Fungal Infections

100. Keep the skin clean and dry, and expose the infected area to as much sunlight as

possible. Do not scratch the affected area. During the Southeast Asian conflict, soldiers used

antifungal powders, lye soap, chlorine bleach, alcohol, vinegar, concentrated salt water, and

iodine to treat fungal infections with varying degrees of success. As with any "unorthodox"

method of treatment, use these with caution.

Rashes

101. To treat a skin rash effectively, first determine what is causing it. This determination

may be difficult even in the best of situations. Observe the following rules to treat rashes:

If it is moist, keep it dry.

If it is dry, keep it moist.

Do not scratch it.

102. Use a compress of vinegar or tannic acid derived from tea or from boiling acorns or the

bark of a hardwood tree to dry weeping rashes. Keep dry rashes moist by rubbing a small

amount of rendered animal fat or grease on the affected area.

103. Remember, treat rashes as open wounds; clean and dress them daily. There are many

substances available to survivors in the wild or in captivity for use as antiseptics to treat

wounds. Follow the recommended guidance below:

Iodine tablets. Use 5 to 15 tablets in a liter of water to produce a good rinse for wounds

during healing.

Garlic. Rub it on a wound or boil it to extract the oils and use the water to rinse the

affected area.

Salt water. Use 2 to 3 tablespoons per liter of water to kill bacteria.

Bee honey. Use it straight or dissolved in water.

Sphagnum moss. Found in boggy areas worldwide, it is a natural source of iodine. Use as

a dressing.

Sugar. Place directly on wound and remove thoroughly when it turns into a glazed and

runny substance. Then reapply.

Syrup. In extreme circumstances, some of the same benefits of honey and sugar can be

realized with any high-sugar-content item.

NOTE: Again, use noncommercially prepared materials with caution.

BURNS

104. The following field treatment for burns relieves the pain somewhat, seems to help speed

healing, and offers some protection against infection:

First, stop the burning process. Put out the fire by removing clothing, dousing with water

or sand, or by rolling on the ground. Cool the burning skin with ice or water. For burns

caused by white phosphorous, pick out the white phosphorous with tweezers; do not

douse with water.

Soak dressings or clean rags for 10 minutes in a boiling tannic acid solution (obtained

from tea, inner bark of hardwood trees, or acorns boiled in water).

Cool the dressings or clean rags and apply over burns. Sugar and honey also work for

burns with honey being especially effective at promoting new skin growth and stopping

infections. Use both as you would in an open wound above.

Treat as an open wound.

Replace fluid loss. Fluid replacement can be achieved through oral (preferred) and

intravenous routes (when resources are available). One alternate method through which

rehydration can be achieved is through the rectal route. Fluids do not need to be sterile,

only purified. A person can effectively absorb approximately 1 to 1.5 liters per hour by

using a tube to deliver fluids into the rectal vault.

Maintain airway.

Treat for shock.

Consider using morphine, unless the burns are near the face.

ENVIRONMENTAL INJURIES

105. Heatstroke, hypothermia, diarrhea, and intestinal parasites are environmental injuries

you could face in a survival situation. Read and follow the guidance provided below.

HEATSTROKE

106. The breakdown of the body's heat regulatory system (body temperature more than 40.5

degrees C [105 degrees F]) causes a heatstroke. Other heat injuries, such as cramps or

dehydration, do not always precede a heatstroke. Signs and symptoms of heatstroke are—

Swollen, beet-red face.

Reddened whites of eyes.

Victim not sweating.

Unconsciousness or delirium, which can cause pallor, a bluish color to lips and nail beds

(cyanosis), and cool skin.

NOTE: By this time, the victim is in severe shock. Cool the victim as rapidly as possible. Cool

him by dipping him in a cool stream. If one is not available, douse the victim with urine, water,

or at the very least, apply cool wet compresses to all the joints, especially the neck, armpits, and

crotch. Be sure to wet the victim's head. Heat loss through the scalp is great. Administer IVs

and provide drinking fluids. You may fan the individual.

107. You can expect the following symptoms during cooling:

Vomiting.

Diarrhea.

Struggling.

Shivering.

Shouting.

Prolonged unconsciousness.

Rebound heatstroke within 48 hours.

Cardiac arrest; be ready to perform CPR.

NOTE: Treat for dehydration with lightly salted water.

CHILBLAINS

108. Frostnip begins as firm, cold and white or gray areas on the face, ears, and extremities

that can blister or peel just like sunburn as late as 2 to 3 days after the injury. Frostnip, or

chilblains as it is sometimes called, is the result of tissue exposure to freezing temperatures

and is the beginning of frostbite. The water in and around the cells freezes, rupturing cell walls

and thus damaging the tissue. Warming the affected area with hands or a warm object treats

this injury. Wind chill plays a factor in this injury; preventative measures include layers of dry

clothing and protection against wetness and wind.

TRENCH FOOT

109. Immersion or trench foot results from many hours or days of exposure to wet or damp

conditions at a temperature just above freezing. The nerves and muscles sustain the main

damage, but gangrene can occur. In extreme cases the flesh dies and it may become necessary

to have the foot or leg amputated. The best prevention is to keep your feet dry. Carry extra

socks with you in a waterproof packet. Dry wet socks against your body. Wash your feet daily

and put on dry socks.

FROSTBITE

110. This injury results from frozen tissues. Frostbite extends to a depth below the skin. The

tissues become solid and immovable. Your feet, hands, and exposed facial areas are

particularly vulnerable to frostbite.

111. When with others, prevent frostbite by using the buddy system. Check your buddy's face

often and make sure that he checks yours. If you are alone, periodically cover your nose and

lower part of your face with your mittens.

112. Do not try to thaw the affected areas by placing them close to an open flame. Frostbitten

tissue may be immersed in 37 to 42 degrees C (99 to 109 degrees F) water until thawed. (Water

temperature can be determined with the inside wrist or baby formula method.) Dry the part and

place it next to your skin to warm it at body temperature.

HYPOTHERMIA

113. It is defined as the body's failure to maintain an inner core temperature of 36 degrees C

(97 degrees F). Exposure to cool or cold temperature over a short or long time can cause

hypothermia. Dehydration and lack of food and rest predispose the survivor to hypothermia.

114. Immediate treatment is the key. Move the victim to the best shelter possible away from

the wind, rain, and cold. Remove all wet clothes and get the victim into dry clothing. Replace

lost fluids with warm fluids, and warm him in a sleeping bag using two people (if possible)

providing skin-to-skin contact. If the victim is unable to drink warm fluids, rectal rehydration

may be used.

DIARRHEA

115. A common, debilitating ailment caused by changing water and food, drinking

contaminated water, eating spoiled food, becoming fatigued, and using dirty dishes. You can

avoid most of these causes by practicing preventive medicine. However, if you get diarrhea and

do not have antidiarrheal medicine, one of the following treatments may be effective:

Limit your intake of fluids for 24 hours.

Drink one cup of a strong tea solution every 2 hours until the diarrhea slows or stops. The

tannic acid in the tea helps to control the diarrhea. Boil the inner bark of a hardwood tree

for 2 hours or more to release the tannic acid.

Make a solution of one handful of ground chalk, charcoal, or dried bones and treated

water. If you have some apple pomace or the rinds of citrus fruit, add an equal portion to

the mixture to make it more effective. Take 2 tablespoons of the solution every 2 hours

until the diarrhea slows or stops.

INTESTINAL PARASITES

116. You can usually avoid worm infestations and other intestinal parasites if you take

preventive measures. For example, never go barefoot. The most effective way to prevent

intestinal parasites is to avoid uncooked meat, never eat raw vegetables contaminated by raw

sewage, and try not to use human waste as a fertilizer. However, should you become infested

and lack proper medicine, you can use home remedies. Keep in mind that these home remedies

work on the principle of changing the environment of the gastrointestinal tract. The following

are home remedies you could use:

Salt water. Dissolve 4 tablespoons of salt in 1 liter of water and drink. Do not repeat this

treatment.

Tobacco. Eat 1 to 1 1/2 cigarettes or approximately 1 teaspoon (pinch) of smokeless

tobacco. The nicotine in the tobacco will kill or stun the worms long enough for your

system to pass them. If the infestation is severe, repeat the treatment in 24 to 48 hours,

but no sooner.

Kerosene. Drink 2 tablespoons of kerosene, but no more. If necessary, you can repeat this

treatment in 24 to 48 hours. Be careful not to inhale the fumes. They may cause lung

irritation.

NOTE: Tobacco and kerosene treatment techniques are very dangerous, be careful.

Hot peppers. Peppers are effective only if they are a steady part of your diet. You can eat

them raw or put them in soups or rice and meat dishes. They create an environment that

is prohibitive to parasitic attachment.

Garlic. Chop or crush 4 cloves, mix with 1 glass of liquid, and drink daily for 3 weeks.

HERBAL MEDICINES

117. Our modern wonder drugs, laboratories, and equipment have obscured more primitive

types of medicine involving determination, common sense, and a few simple treatments.

However, in many areas of the world the people still depend on local "witch doctors" or healers

to cure their ailments. Many of the herbs (plants) and treatments they use are as effective as

the most modern medications available. In fact, many modern medications come from refined

herbs.

WARNING!

Use herbal medicines with extreme care, and only when you lack or have limited

medical supplies. Some herbal medicines are dangerous and may cause further

damage or even death.