Mountain Sickness and Frost Bite

HIGH ALTITUDE OR MOUNTAIN SICKNESS

Mountain sickness may be experience by travellers going to destination 3,000m (10,000ft) or more above sea level.

If ascent to a high altitude is gradual and not more than 3,000m (10,000ft) per day, the body acclimatises and the traveller will eventually experience no change in general health. However, if a traveller ascends rapidly, such as when flying to a high-altitude city of climbing up a steep
mountain, he is more likely to experience the symptoms of benign acute mountain sickness (AMS), such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, malignant acute mountain sickness may developed. The 2 types of malignant AMS include:
a) High altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE). Fluid builds up in the lungs. This lead to breathlessness, cough and blueness of lips.
b) High altitude cerebral oedema (HACE). Fluid accumulates in the brain. This lead to drowsiness, unsteadiness on the feet, abnormal behaviours and even coma.

Treatment
• Evacuate the person to a lower altitudes as quickly as possible.
• Drug: Dexamethasone may be used in HAPE & HACE and nifedepine for HAPE.
• Supplemental oxygen.
• Individual pressurization in a portable compression system (e.g. Gamov bag)
• Rest in bed

Prevention
• Gradual ascent with rest days every 3,000ft above 9,000ft (the motto is: climb high but sleep low).
• Drugs, such as acetazolamide (Diamox) 250mg tds or dexamethasone 4mg bd or 4mg tds. These drugs prevent or reduce symptoms of AMS and should be started one day before ascent and continued 2-3 days after reaching the high elevation. However, some people taking them have been known to develop AMS. It is, therefore not advisable to use prophylactic drugs unless rapid is unavoidable (e.g. rescue attempt).


FROSTBITE

Local severe chilling of exposed or poorly insulated tissues (e.g. nose, cheek, chin, ears, hands and feet) can occasionally result in freezing with or without general chilling or hypothermia.

Predisposing factors for frostbite include:
• How cold it is.
• Degree of wind chill
• Amount of tissue at risk. (area exposed, tissue to which blood supply is restricted)
The initial symptoms of frostbite is intense pain in those body parts at risk and at this stage the part must be re-warmed. The part subsequently becomes numb, white and hard to touch
because it is frostbitten.

Treatment
• At the painful stage of impending frostbite, the treatment is stop, protect, insulate and re-warm the affected part.
• Take the opportunity to correct any factors that may lead to frostbite by changing wet clothing and consuming a hot meal.
• To avoid instant freezing, avoid touching bare metal with bare hands.
• The patient should be kept in a warm room, where a high temperature 21¼C of can be maintained. The affected part should be washed with antiseptic solution (certimide 1%), bandaged lightly and elevated.
• Commence a course of antibiotics such as penicillin and pain killers such as paracetamol.
• Surgery e.g. amutation might be required.

Prevention
• Be aware of the risk of cold, exposed tissue.
• Keep an eye on wind chill index (Air temperature/
wind velocity).
• Wear adequate protective clothing - well fitting and build on layer principle - neck and wrist opening recommended so water vapour from sweat can escape.
• Well fitting socks and boots.
• Remember that socks worn for too long may:
(a) become wet with condensed sweat and possibly lead to chilling.
(b) develop holes and hence lose their insulation value.
(c) shrink and thus, blood supply to feet and toes are impeded.

By the way, the only similarity between the video above and this post is the word FrostBite, were you like thinking..what the heck?haha

How to survive in the wilderness after a wreck.

You have crash landed. You survived. Just when you thought the worse was over, you looked around and see things you only get to see in National Geographic. Bred and raised in the urban jungle, just what are you going to do now? Below is a quick and dirty guide on just what you can do to increase your odds of survival.
Know thyself

Fear - For anyone faced with a wilderness emergency survival situation, fear is a normal reaction. Unless an emergency situation has been anticipated, fear is generally followed by panic then pain, cold, thirst, hunger, fatigue, boredom and loneliness. It is extremely important to calmly assess the situation and not allow these seven enemies to interfere with your survival.
Pain - Pain may often be ignored in a panic situation. Remember to deal with injuries immediately before they become even more serious.
Cold - Cold lowers the ability to think, numbing the body and reducing the will to survive. Never allow yourself to stop moving or to fall asleep unless adequately sheltered.
Thirst - Dehydration is a common enemy in an emergency situation and must not be ignored. It can dull your mind, causing you to overlook important survival information.
Hunger - Hunger is dangerous but seldom deadly. It may reduce your ability to think logically and increase your susceptibility to the effects of cold, pain and fear.
Fatigue - Fatigue is unavoidable in any situation so it is best to keep in mind that it can and will lower your mental ability. Remember that in an emergency situation this is often the bodies way of escaping a difficult situation.
Boredom & Loneliness - These enemies are quite often unanticipated and may lower the mind's ability to deal with the situation.

Practical How-Tos

Build a Fire
Building a fire is the most important task when dealing with survival in the wilderness. Be sure to build yours in a sandy or rocky area or near a supply of sand and water as to avoid forest fires. The most common mistakes made by those attempting to build a fire are: choosing poor tinder, failing to shield precious matches from the wind and smothering the flames with too large pieces of fuel.
The four most important factors when starting a fire are :spark, tinder(a readily combustible material), fuel and oxygen.

The most common ways to create spark are:
1)Waterproof, strike-anywhere matches are your best bet. Matches may be water-proofed by dipping them in nail polish. Store your matches in a waterproof container.
2)A cigarette lighter is also a good way to produce a spark, with or without fuel.
3)The flint and steel method is one of the oldest and most reliable methods in fire starting. Aim the sparks at a pile of dry tinder to produce a fire.
4)The electric spark produced from a battery will ignite a gasoline dampened rag.
5)Allow the suns rays to pass through a magnifying glass onto the tinder.

Dry grass, paper or cloth lint, gasoline-soaked rags and dry bark are all forms of tinder. Place your tinder in a small pile resembling a tepee with the driest pieces at the bottom. Gather fuel before attempting to start your fire. Dry wood burns better and wet or pitchy wood will create more smoke. Dense, dry wood will burn slow and hot. A well ventilated fire will burn best.

Build a Shelter
A small shelter which is insulated from the bottom, protected from wind and snow and contains a fire is extremely important in wilderness survival. Before building your shelter be sure that the surrounding area provides the materials needed to build a good fire, a good water source and shelter from the wind.

Wilderness shelters may include:
1. Natural shelters such as caves and overhanging cliffs. When exploring a possible shelter tie a piece of string to the outer mouth of the cave to ensure you will be able to find your way out. Keep in mind that these caves may already be occupied. If you do use a cave for shelter, build your fire near its mouth to prevent animals from entering.
2. Enlarge the natural pit under a fallen tree and line it with bark or tree branches.
3. If you are near a rocky coastal area, build a rock shelter in the shape of a U, covering the roof with driftwood and a tarp or even seaweed for protection.
4. A lean-to made with poles or fallen trees and a covering of plastic, branches, thick grasses or bark is effective to shelter you from wind, rain and snow.
5. A wigwam may be constructed using long poles. Tie the tops of the poles together and upright them in an appropriate spot. Cover the sides with a tarp, branches, raingear or other suitable materials. Build a fire in the center of the wigwam, making a draft channel in the wall and a small hole in the top to allow smoke to escape.
6. If you find yourself in open terrain, a snow cave will provide good shelter. Find a drift and burrow a tunnel into the side for about 60 cm (24 in) then build your chamber. The entrance of the tunnel should lead to the lowest level of you chamber where the cooking and storage of equipment will be. A minimum of two ventilating holes are necessary, preferably one in the roof and one in the door.

Clothing must provide warmth and offer protection from the elements. Hats are a must, as they offer protection from both the heat and cold. Water proof outer layers are necessary.
Equipment must be easily manageable and promote survival in any situation. Items to carry in your pockets may include a fire starter, waterproof matches and/or lighter, a pocket knife, goggles, compass, small first-aid kit and some sort of trail food.
Survival Kit Items for your survival kit should be packed in a waterproof container that can double as a cooking pot and water receptacle and be attached to your belt.
Backpack In addition to a survival kit, a good, comfortable backpack is mandatory. Loads of about 18 kg (40 lb.) are average. Items to include are; flashlight, extra jacket, socks and mittens, a pocket saw, gas camp stove, first aid kit, emergency food, and a tent and fly.
Check List ( For those who plan for the worst-case-scenerios)
1. A map and compass.
2. A large, bright plastic bag will be useful as a shelter, signaling device or in lieu of raingear
3. A flashlight with extra batteries.
4. Extra water and food.
5. Extra clothing such as raingear, a toque(see left) and gloves, a sweater and pants.
6. Sun protection such as sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat/cap and long sleeved clothing.
7. A sharp pocket knife.
8. Waterproof matches, a lighter and/or a flint.
9. Candles and fire starter.
10. A first aid kit.
11. A whistle, flares, a tarp(waterproof canvas).

References: www.bcadventure.com

How to survive a plane crash.Touchwood!

Did you know? A look at real-world crash stats ( based on a study by Popular Mechanics of 20 commecial jet crash accidents in the US since 1971) suggests that the farther back you sit, the better your odds of survival. Passengers near the tail of a plane are about 40 percent more likely to survive a crash than those in the first few rows up front. See below diagram for the survival rate calculations done by Popular Mechanics. ( It should be noted though that the Federal Aviation Administration's stand is that there is no safest seat.)

First/Business Class (red):49%

Ahead of the wing (yellow) :56%

Over wing (yellow):56%

Rear Cabin(green):69%Ok dude, i want to survive

1) On boarding, mentally take note of the two closest exits and count the rows between them and your seat. In the event of darkness or smoke, feel the seats and count until you reach the exit row

2)Ready for the impact. The official FAA crash position is to extend your arms, cross your hands and place them on the seat in front of you, and then place your head against the back of your hands. Tuck your feet under your seat as far as you can.

If you have no seat in front of you, bend your upper body over with your head down and wrap your arms behind your knees.

3)Wear long pants, sleeves and closed-toed shoes. This will help protect you from glass, metal and the elements.
4)If you're with your family, talk to your children about what to do in the event of an emergency. Divide the responsibility of helping your children between you and your spouse. It's easier for one parent to help a single child than for both to try to keep everyone together
5)Pay attention to the preflight instructions, as all planes are different.

6)When the oxygen mask drops, put it on yourself first before attempting to help someone else. If you fall unconscious, you have no chance of helping your travel mate.

Tips to take note of when your plane is going down(At the very least, try to...)

1)Don't panic. Panic is the reason that many passengers find themselves unable to do something as simple as releasing their seatbelt. For this reason, many crash victims are found still strapped into their seats.
­2)In the event of fire, stay as low as you can and get out as quickly as possible. The smoke and fumes from a burning plane are highly toxic and more likely to kill you than the flames.

3)If you make it out of the plane in one piece, get as far away as possible as quickly as you can and tuck behind something large in case of an explosion.
4)Think before you drink. Consuming alcohol will slow your response time and cloud your decision-making.
5)No matter what you believe can't be replaced, never attempt to take your carry-on luggage with you during an emergency exit.
6)Don't inflate your life vest until you're outside the cabin. It will restrict your movement.

References: http://www.howstuffworks.com/ , http://www.popularmechanics.com/