First Aid Kits

The club has a few First Aid Kits, of which there should always be one on every hike. It is easy to forget what goes in them and how to use them, so here is some useful information. Hopefully a copy should be in each kit as well.

At the moment the club has 6 First Aid Kits which live in the Kitbag.

The Kits

 * First Aid Kit 1 - Green bag
 * First Aid Kit 2 - Green bag
 * First Aid Kit 3 - Green bag
 * First Aid Kit 4 - Red bag
 * First Aid Kit 5 - Red bag
 * First Aid Kit 6 - Green bag

What should be in a kit

 * Emergency guidance
 * Report card
 * Pen
 * Scissors
 * Tweezers
 * Safety pins x5
 * Gloves x2 pairs
 * Alcohol wipes x5
 * Zinc oxide tape
 * Assorted Plasters
 * Sterile dressing
 * Triangular bandage
 * Crepe bandage
 * 5x5 dressing
 * 10x10 dressing
 * Whistle
 * Blanket

In an Emergency
Stay calm. Remove yourself from immediate danger. Administer first aid to yourself and then others.

If one of you cannot move off the hill, put clothing on and seek shelter for all participants. Seek assistance using phone, radio and whistle.

To contact Mountain Rescue: Dial 999. Ask for Police.

To signal help is needed: Six whistle blasts or light flashes in quick succession, repeated after a one minute interval.

If it is safe, send two fully equipped people carrying written information about your location and situation to the nearest telephone. If it is not safe, stay put and attract attention.

If leaving people behind, find a safe and sheltered spot and instruct them to stay put at all costs. It may be a number of hours before help arrives. Construct a large "target" for the rescue party to find, using a rope, line of stones, footprints in snow etc.

Emergency Medical Treatment
Remember: Airway, Breathing, Circulation

Keep the casualty warm and insulate from the ground if possible (but do not move if neck or spinal injury suspected).

Hypothermia: Replace wet clothing and shield from wind. Put extra clothing and blankets on. Give warm drinks or high energy food to aid warming.

Wounds: Rinse with water and clean with antiseptic wipe. Apply dressing or gauze swab and affix with bandage or tape. Elevate if bleeding and seek assistance if it cannot be stopped.

Limb Injury: Check for open wounds. Immobilise limb and make comfortable. Give extra clothing. Seek assistance. Do not administer food or drugs.

Head/Spine Injury: As with limbs, if unconscious, check breathing is present. Do not move unnecessarily.

Asthma: Administer reliever inhaler (often blue). Allow casualty to be comfortable. When and if possible, slowly walk casualty off hill or seek assistance.