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Basic Emergency Medicine for Remote Situations

Quick Summary​

When you're far from hospitals or emergency services, basic medical knowledge can mean the difference between life and death. This guide covers essential skills for treating common emergencies when professional help isn't available.

Why This Matters​

Medical emergencies don't wait for convenient times or locations. Whether you're:

  • Camping in remote wilderness areas
  • Living through a natural disaster with disrupted services
  • Experiencing extended power outages in winter
  • Traveling in developing countries with limited medical facilities

Basic emergency medicine skills increase your confidence and ability to help yourself and others when it matters most.

Health Maintenance Fundamentals​

Water Requirements​

Your body loses water constantly through sweating, breathing, and waste elimination. At 68°F (20°C) with normal activity, you need 2-3 liters daily. Hot weather, cold exposure, altitude, illness, or intense activity increases these needs significantly.

Daily water requirements:

  • Normal conditions: 2-3 liters (0.5-0.8 gallons)
  • Hot climate: 8-12 liters (2-3 gallons)
  • Extreme heat: Up to 1 liter per hour

Recognizing Dehydration​

Early signs (5% fluid loss):

  • Thirst and irritability
  • Nausea and weakness
  • Dark urine with strong odor

Serious signs (10% fluid loss):

  • Dizziness and headache
  • Inability to walk normally
  • Tingling in limbs

Critical signs (15% fluid loss):

  • Dim vision
  • Painful urination
  • Swollen tongue
  • Loss greater than 15% may be fatal

Prevention Guidelines​

  • Drink regularly: Small amounts every hour, even when not thirsty
  • Monitor urine: Should be light yellow and at least 0.5 liters daily
  • Conserve sweat, not water: Limit activity during heat, but keep drinking
  • Always drink when eating: Digestion requires water

Life-Threatening Emergencies​

The ABCs of Emergency Care​

Always follow this priority order:

  1. Airway - Ensure breathing passage is clear
  2. Breathing - Maintain oxygen flow
  3. Circulation - Control bleeding and treat shock

Exception: Arterial bleeding can kill faster than airway obstruction. Use judgment.

Opening and Maintaining Airways​

Step 1: Check for partial or complete obstruction

  • If victim can cough or speak, let them clear it naturally
  • If completely blocked, use abdominal thrusts

Step 2: Clear the mouth

  • Use finger to sweep out foreign objects, broken teeth, debris

Step 3: Use jaw thrust method

  • Grasp angles of lower jaw with both hands
  • Lift jaw forward to open airway
  • Rest elbows on surface for stability

Step 4: Give rescue breaths

  • Pinch nose closed
  • Give two complete breaths
  • Look for chest rise, listen for air, feel for airflow

Controlling Bleeding​

Types of bleeding:

  • Arterial: Bright red, spurts with heartbeat - most dangerous
  • Venous: Dark red, steady flow - easier to control
  • Capillary: Minor cuts and scrapes - least serious

Direct Pressure (Most Effective)​

  1. Apply firm pressure directly over wound
  2. Maintain pressure for 30 minutes minimum
  3. If bleeding continues, apply pressure dressing
  4. Don't remove blood-soaked dressings - add more on top

Pressure Points​

Apply pressure where main artery passes over bone:

  • Arms: Wrist and inside upper arm
  • Legs: Ankle and groin
  • Head/Neck: Neck (use extreme caution)

Tourniquets (Last Resort Only)​

When to use: Only when direct pressure and other methods fail

Application:

  • Place 2-4 inches above wound, between wound and heart
  • Never place directly over wound or fracture
  • Tighten until bleeding stops
  • Note time applied
Critical

Tourniquets can cause limb loss if left too long. In group situations, release pressure every 10-15 minutes for 1-2 minutes to allow blood flow.

Treating Shock​

Shock occurs when blood pressure drops too low to supply organs adequately.

Treatment:

  • Conscious victim: Elevate legs 6-8 inches above heart
  • Unconscious victim: Place on side to prevent choking
  • Maintain body heat: Remove wet clothing, add insulation
  • Give warm fluids: Only if conscious and no abdominal wounds
  • Rest: Keep victim still for at least 24 hours

Bone and Joint Injuries​

Fractures​

Types:

  • Open: Bone breaks through skin - high infection risk
  • Closed: Bone broken but skin intact

Signs: Pain, swelling, deformity, loss of function, grating sensation

Treatment:

  1. Control any bleeding first
  2. Check circulation below injury
  3. Splint above and below fracture
  4. Pad splints for comfort
  5. Check circulation after each tie
  6. Monitor for shock

Dislocations​

Joint separations causing bones to move out of alignment.

Treatment:

  1. Reduce: Pull bones back into proper position using steady traction
  2. Immobilize: Splint the joint after reduction
  3. Rehabilitate: Remove splints after 7-14 days, gradually return to use

Sprains​

Overstretched tendons or ligaments.

RICE treatment:

  • Rest the injured area
  • Ice for 24-48 hours (cold water if ice unavailable)
  • Compression with wrapping or splinting
  • Elevation above heart level

Wound Care​

Open Wounds​

Immediate care:

  1. Remove clothing from wound area
  2. Look for entry and exit wounds
  3. Clean skin around wound thoroughly
  4. Rinse wound with large amounts of clean water under pressure

"Open treatment" method: Leave wounds open to drain rather than closing them. This prevents dangerous trapped infections.

Daily care:

  • Change dressings daily
  • Check for infection signs: pain, swelling, redness, pus, fever
  • Keep wound covered but allow drainage

Infection Treatment​

If wound becomes infected:

  1. Apply warm, moist compresses for 30 minutes, 3-4 times daily
  2. Gently probe and drain infected area with sterile instrument
  3. Flush daily with cleanest water available
  4. Drink plenty of fluids
  5. Continue until infection clears

Environmental Injuries​

Hypothermia​

Body core temperature drops below 97°F (36°C).

Treatment:

  1. Move to shelter, away from wind and cold
  2. Remove all wet clothing
  3. Get into dry clothes or sleeping bag
  4. Provide skin-to-skin contact if possible
  5. Give warm fluids if conscious
  6. Rewarm gradually - avoid rapid heating

Heatstroke​

Body temperature rises above 105°F (40.5°C) and heat regulation fails.

Signs: Red, swollen face; not sweating; unconsciousness or delirium

Treatment:

  1. Cool rapidly by any means available
  2. Douse with water, place in stream, or apply wet compresses to neck, armpits, groin
  3. Wet the head - major heat loss area
  4. Provide fluids if conscious
  5. Be ready for cardiac arrest

Frostbite​

Tissue freezes and becomes solid and immovable.

Treatment:

  1. Don't thaw near open flame
  2. Immerse in 99-109°F (37-42°C) water until thawed
  3. Test water temperature on inside of wrist
  4. Dry area and warm against skin
  5. Protect from refreezing

When to Seek Professional Help​

Call emergency services immediately for:

  • Severe bleeding that won't stop with direct pressure
  • Signs of severe shock (weak pulse, confusion, pale skin)
  • Difficulty breathing or unconsciousness
  • Suspected spinal injury
  • Severe burns over large area
  • Signs of severe infection (red streaking, high fever)

See a doctor as soon as possible for:

  • Deep wounds that may need stitches
  • Suspected fractures
  • Animal or human bites
  • Persistent fever or infection signs
  • Any injury you're unsure how to treat

Basic First Aid Kit​

Trauma Pak - $89.95

  • Military-grade trauma supplies
  • Includes pressure dressings, tourniquets
  • Good for: Serious emergencies, outdoor activities

Comprehensive Kit ⭐​

Adventure Medical Kits Trauma Pak II - $149.95

  • Professional trauma supplies
  • Detailed instruction manual
  • Good for: Remote travel, serious preparedness

Training Resource​

Wilderness Medicine Handbook - $24.95

  • Detailed emergency procedures

  • Designed for remote situations

  • Good for: Learning comprehensive wilderness medicine

  • Before this: Basic First Aid Principles

  • After this: Advanced Wound Care

  • Related: Cold Weather Injuries

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical training or treatment. Seek professional medical help whenever possible. Practice these skills before you need them.

Source

Adapted from Field Manual FM-3-05-70

Last updated: January 18, 2026