By
eHow Sports & Fitness Editor
Difficulty: Moderately challenging
Things You’ll Need:
- Nitroglycerin
- Advanced First Aid Certification
- Evacuation Plan
- First Aid Books
- Wilderness First Aid Classes
- First Aid Kits
- CPR Certification
- Evacuation Insurance
- First Aid Classes
- Prescribed Medications
- Pretrip Medical Exams
Prevention and Preparation
Step1
Get a thorough checkup before participating in wilderness activities if you are over age 50 or if you have a family history of early heart disease. Participation in wilderness activities without a physician's clearance not only puts your own life at risk but may also jeopardize the lives of your companions if evacuation becomes necessary.
Step2
Obtain all of the prescribed medications your physician recommends, even if some are restricted for special circumstances that you do not anticipate encountering on your outing.
Step3
Carry all prescribed medications and instructions for use at all times, and make certain that trip leaders are informed of where these medications are kept and of missed doses.
Step4
Follow all of your physician's instructions concerning limitations of activities.
Step5
Supply your trip leader or guide with the following from your physician: a description of your condition; limitations and clearances for participation in particular activities; descriptions of all the medications you will be taking and their indications; contact information for your physician; signs and symptoms that could signal the need for alternative treatments or evacuation.
Assessment and Treatment
Step1
Learn to identify the signs and symptoms of a heart attack: discomfort or pain in the center of the chest, nausea, sweating, shortness of breath, and pain radiating down the shoulder, arm or into the jaw, usually on the left side.
Step2
Have the person rest in the position of greatest comfort - preferably lying down - and keep the person warm and calm. Complete rest is essential for at least six to eight hours before attempting to evacuate the person with any effort on his or her part.
Step3
Administer nitroglycerine if available.
Step4
Administer oxygen using a facemask at a flow rate of 4 to 6 liters per minute.
Step5
Have the person sit up with a backrest if he or she has difficulty breathing or is coughing while lying down.
Step6
Evacuate immediately by helicopter, making certain someone trained in cardiac resuscitation is part of the evacuation team. If a helicopter evacuation is impossible, transport with as little effort by the patient as possible, and only after the patient has been allowed six to eight hours of complete rest.
Comments
Kepi said
on 10/15/2007 Very informative, but unless you are carrying the entire contents of a hospital Emergency Room I think you would be hard pressed to do anything...
Kepi said
on 10/14/2007 Very informative, but unless you are carrying the entire contents of a hospital Emergency Room I think you would be hard pressed to do anything...