First Aid Tips when Camping
Camping is such a fun, family friendly holiday option. So with warmer weather approaching, MumsDelivery took the time to speak with Elastoplast Skin Expert, Robyn Hutch, to gain valuable First Aid information and tips to help make your camping experience more enjoyable.
1. What are the most common injuries likely to be experienced when camping?
Cuts, bruises and scrapes are all very common when camping, especially when it comes to children. Trips and falls are frequent injuries, particularly on uneven surfaces and outdoor environments. As a result, ankle or wrist sprains can occur when hiking, walking, running and negotiating unfamiliar terrain.
Burns can also be a common kind of injury. Sunburn can arise from powerful UV rays, on any day of the year, even when overcast. Secondly, burns can also occur from camp fires, boiling water and cooking wares if care is not taken.
2. What is the best way to treat them?
For wounds, cuts and scrapes it is important to clean, treat and cover the cut so that you can continue enjoying your camping adventures and to ensure the wound does not get infected. Disinfectant is a useful tool for cleaning the wound, followed by the appropriate size plaster. For serious wounds with bleeding this is best treated with direct pressure and elevation of the wound above the heart.
For lengthy periods in the sun don’t forget the use of sunscreen and wear protective clothing. Keeping hydrated is also important and pretty simple, but it is easily forgotten about. Drinking water even in the colder environments is important. Young children often need reminding to keep hydrated. This can help avoid sunstroke.
For burns, these areas need to be treated immediately by holding the affected area under cold running water for 20 minutes. For serious burns, do not apply lotions and do not remove anything sticking to the burn. Cover the wound with a non-stick dressing and seek help.
3. What are the top 10 essential first aid items to always have close by?
1. Adhesive plasters
2. Nitrile gloves
3. Scissors
4. Re-sealable plastic bags
5. Wound dressings/bandages
6. Roll of adhesive tape
7. Emergency Thermal Blanket
8. Gauze roll
9. List of emergency numbers
10. Antiseptic swabs
4. Do you have any tricks/tips to calm a wounded child?
Keep Calm; always try and keep a relaxed tone of voice and limit your facial expression, no matter how threatening the wound may look.
If your child is under the age of 5, cover the wounds with a cloth as you treat them. Ideally you would have another adult do the bandaging while you comfort and distract the child.
For children between 6 and 12 it can be useful to make the child feel more involved in the process, which basically distracts them, so letting them hold the ointment bottle or packaging of plasters can be surprisingly effective. With technology it is easy to use a phone, iPad, TV or portable electronic device to take the attention away from the wound or injured area.
Overall, maintaining a positive approach and constant reassurance is what will hold you in good stead.
5. How do you spot shock and treat it in children?
Shock is an involuntary response to a trauma or injury. For adults and children, signs and symptoms include:
• Weak, rapid pulse
• Cold, clammy skin
• Rapid breathing
• Faintness/dizziness
• Nausea
• Pale Face, Fingernails, lips.
It is best to lay the patient down and keep them warm and comfortable. Loosen their clothing, try and raise their legs above their torso to improve blood flow to the brain. Most of all, keep them comfortable.
If bleeding is obvious, which can easily lead to shock, firmly press a clean cloth or pad on the wound to prevent further blood loss and wrap with a bandage.
If there is an abdominal trauma refrain from giving the child anything to eat or drink. If your child is awake, providing water in small and frequent amounts are ok.
Importantly, reassure the child and encourage them to relax and keep still. Distractions help!
To treat any emergency for children or adults follow the DRSABCD action plan:
Danger
Response
Send for help
Airway
Breathing
CPR
Defibrillation
6. What advice can you give to teach children if mum/dad get hurt and need help?
Assuming that the situation is severe, it is always useful for children to know the emergency phone numbers or know where they are located and where the phone/mobile is located. The emergency staff will be able to guide the child through the necessary steps and also try to keep them calm.
Before a camping adventure, teach your child how to use the basic elements of a first aid kit and where it is being kept during your trip. Fortunately, many schools now incorporate a basic first aid lesson into their teaching.
Recommended Plasters while camping:
• Elastoplast Peppa Pig Character Strips RRP $2.56
• Elastoplast Antibacterial Plastic Plaster RRP $4.99
• Elastoplast Plastic Water Resistant Plasters RRP $4.99
See our tips on how to create your own DIY First Aid Kit to keep at home, in the car or when camping.
