Wilderness medicine中文
Common Emergencies: Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Chest Pain, Stroke, Seizure, Hypoglycaemia, Drowning
The job is recognise, call, and stop it getting worse. Chasing a diagnosis before you move someone is how the window closes.
In short
Recognise the pattern, call for help, and keep the patient from deteriorating. Anaphylaxis with a prescribed autoinjector: use it immediately — antihistamines do not substitute. Asthma: sit them up and use their own reliever inhaler. Chest pain or stroke signs: stop, call, note the onset time. Not breathing: CPR and AED. Never give food or medication to someone who is not fully alert.
Most of what kills people in the backcountry before rescue arrives is time. You do not need a diagnosis. You need to recognise the pattern, act, and call.
Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
- Signs: rash or hives, swelling of the lips or throat, wheeze, vomiting, dizziness or collapse.
- With a prescribed adrenaline autoinjector: use it immediately and call for help. Antihistamines do not replace adrenaline.
- Lay the patient flat with legs raised; if breathing is difficult, let them sit. Keep them warm.
- Anyone with a history of severe allergy should carry their own medication, and their partner should know where it is.
Asthma
- Sit them upright, keep them calm, and use their own reliever inhaler as prescribed. Call for help.
- No sedatives. Do not force them to lie flat.
- No improvement, difficulty speaking, or blue lips: this is an emergency.
Chest pain and stroke
- Chest pain: stop activity, sit semi-upright, keep warm, call for help. Do not drive yourself. Unresponsive or not breathing: CPR.
- Stroke: facial droop, arm weakness, slurred speech, sudden visual loss or severe headache. Note the time symptoms began and call immediately.
- Nothing by mouth for anyone with altered consciousness.
Seizure
- Protect the head, move hard objects away, do not restrain them and do not put anything in the mouth. Note the time.
- Afterwards: recovery position, warmth, watch breathing.
- Longer than 5 minutes, repeated seizures, injury, or pregnancy: emergency.
Hypoglycaemia and fainting
- Awake and able to swallow: sugar or a sugary drink, then observe. Nothing by mouth if unresponsive.
- Fainting: lie flat, raise the legs, ventilate, keep warm. Slow recovery, injury, chest pain or palpitations: get medical care.
Drowning
- Do not jump in alone. Reach with a pole, throw a rope or float, or approach by boat.
- On shore: check breathing; not breathing means CPR and AED immediately. Keep them warm. Everyone who has been submerged needs medical assessment.
- Do not attempt to drain water from the lungs or hang them upside down.
Shock
- Pale skin, cold sweat, fast weak pulse, confusion: lie flat with legs raised, keep warm, control bleeding, call for help. Nothing by mouth.
Source
https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/first-aidVerified 2026-10-30
Source and verification date as published.