How to treat open wounds to stop infection in the wild.

Andrew Hudson suffered head wounds from alligator attack

Introduction 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. By taking…

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How to treat spider and scorpion stings in the wild.

Black Widow spider

If you are bitten by a spider in the wild, there are a few things you should do to help the situation: Stay Calm – Panic can cause your heart rate to increase, which can spread the venom throughout your body more quickly. Identify The Spider – Try to identify the spider that bit you…

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How to treat bee and wasp stings in the wild.

Closeup of bee stinging a person's finger

If stung by a bee, immediately remove the stinger and venom sac, if attached, by scraping with a fingernail or a knife blade (yellow jackets, wasps, and hornets do not leave the stinger). Do not squeeze or grasp the stinger or venom sac, as squeezing will force more venom into the wound.

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How to treat sprains and damage to tendons and ligaments.

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The accidental tearing or stretching of a tendon or ligament (tissues that connect bones at the joint) causes sprains. The signs and symptoms are pain, swelling, tenderness, and discoloration (black and blue).  You may feel a pop or tear when a sprain occurs. When treating sprains, you should follow the letters in RICE as defined…

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How to prevent and treat shock in an injured person.

Treatment for conscious and unconscious victims

Shock is a life threatening condition that usually results from severe physiological stress and/or the lack of sufficient blood flow. Any injured person can go into shock. To prevent or reduce harm from shock, you must treat an injured person appropriately.

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