Personal Protection
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UNIT 2 Personal Protection Chapter Title 2-1 Basic Survival Medicine 2-2 Plants for Medicine 2-3 Proper Body Temperature 2-4 Clothing 2-5 Shelters CHAPTER 2-1 Basic Survival Medicine Medical Encounters injuries and illnesses. Because there is no “typical” survival situation, the approach to Foremost, among the many things which self-aid must be flexible, placing emphasis on can compromise a survivor’s ability to return using what is available to treat the injury or are medical problems encountered. The most illness. Further, survivors recognize that frequent injuries are fractures, strains, medical treatment offered by people of other sprains, and dislocations, as well as burns and other types of wounds (fig. 2-1). Many cultures may be far different from our own. survivors have difficulty in treating injuries For example, in the rural areas of Vietnam, a and illness due to the lack of training and treatment made of snake meat was and is medical supplies. used to treat internal lower back pain. Such Injuries and illnesses unusual to certain treatment may be displeasing to some people; environments can reduce survival however, medical aid offered to survivors in expectancy. In cold climates, and often in an other cultures may be the best available in the open sea survival situation, exposure to given circumstance. extreme cold can produce serious tissue The procedures in this chapter must be trauma, such as frostbite, or death from viewed in the reality of a true survival hypothermia. Exposure to heat in warm situation. The results of treatment may be climates, and in certain areas on the open substandard compared with present medical seas, can produce heat cramps, heat standards. However, these procedures will exhaustion, or life-threatening heatstroke. not compromise professional medical care A review of the survival experiences which becomes available following rescue. from World War II, Korea, and Southeast Moreover, in the context of a survival Asia indicates that, while U.S. military situation, they may represent the best personnel generally knew how to administer available treatment to extend the individual's first aid to others, there was a marked survival expectancy. inability to administer self-aid. Further, only the most basic medical care had been taught Procedures to most military people. Lastly, it was repeatedly emphasized that even minor Survival medicine encompasses procedures and expedients that are: injuries or ailments, when ignored, became major problems in a survival situation. Thus, Required and available for the prompt attention to the most minor medical preservation of health and the prevention, problem is essential in a survival episode. improvement, or treatment of injuries and Applying principles of survival medicine illnesses encountered during survival. should enable survivors to maintain health Suitable for application by nonmedical and well-being in a hostile or nonhostile personnel in the circumstances of the environment until rescued. survival situation. Information in this chapter is a basic reference to self-aid techniques used by Survival medicine is more than first aid in Prisoners of War in captivity and techniques the conventional sense. It approaches final found in folk medicine. The information treatment in that it is not dependent upon the describes procedures which can maintain availability of technical medical assistance health in medically harsh situations. It within a reasonable period of time. includes items used to prevent and treat 35 Health Requirements The principal means of infecting food and open wounds is contact with unclean hands. Personal Hygiene Hands should be washed with soap and water, if available, after handling any In a survival situation, cleanliness is material which is likely to carry germs. This essential to prevent infection. Adequate is especially important after each visit to the personal cleanliness will not only protect toilet, when caring for the sick and injured, against disease germs that are present in the and before handling food, food utensils, or individual’s surroundings, but will also drinking water. The fingers should be kept protect the group by reducing the spread of out of the mouth and the fingernails kept these germs (fig. 2-2). closely trimmed and clean. A scratch from a Washing, particularly the face, hands, long fingernail could develop into a serious and feet, reduces the chances of infection infection. from small scratches and abrasions. A daily bath or shower with hot water and soap is Care of the Mouth and Teeth ideal. If no tub or shower is available, the body should be cleaned with a cloth and Application of the following fundamentals soapy water, paying particular attention to the of oral hygiene will prevent tooth decay and body creases (armpits, groin, etc.), face, ears, gum disease. hands, and feet. After this type of “bath,” the The mouth and teeth should be cleansed body should be rinsed thoroughly with clear thoroughly with a toothbrush at least once water to remove all traces of soap which each day. When a toothbrush is not available, could cause irritation. a “chewing stick” can be fashioned from a Soap, although an aid, is not essential to twig. The twig is washed, then chewed on keeping clean. Ashes, sand, fertile soil, and one end until it is frayed and brush like. The other expedients may be used to clean the teeth can then be brushed very thoroughly body and cooking utensils. with the stick, taking care to clean all tooth When water is in short supply, the surfaces. If necessary, a clean strip of cloth survivor should take an “air bath.” All can be wrapped around the finger and rubbed clothing should be removed and the body on the teeth to wipe away food particles simply exposed to the air. Exposure to which have collected on them. When sunshine is ideal, but even on an overcast day toothpaste is not available you can brush you or indoors, a 1-hour exposure of the naked teeth with small amounts of sand, salt, soap, body to the air will refresh the body. Care or baking soda. Then rinse your mouth with should be taken to avoid sunburn when water, salt water, or willow bark tea. Also, bathing in this manner. Exposure in the flossing you teeth with string or fiber helps shade, shelter, sleeping bag, etc., will help if oral hygiene. the weather conditions do not permit direct Food debris which has accumulated exposure. between the teeth should be removed by Hair should be kept trimmed, preferably 2 using dental floss or tootpicks. The inches or less in length, and the face should toothpicks can be fashioned from small be clean-shaven. Hair provides a surface for twigs. the attachment of parasites and the growth of Gum tissues should be stimulated by bacteria. Keeping the hair short and the face rubbing them vigorously with a clean finger clean-shaven will provide less habitat for each day. these organisms. At least once a week, the Use as much care cleaning dentures and hair should be washed with soap and water. other dental appliances, removable or fixed, When water is in short supply, the hair as when cleaning natural teeth. Dentures and should be combed or brushed thoroughly and removable bridges should be removed and covered to keep it clean. It should be cleaned with a toothbrush or “chew stick” at inspected weekly for fleas, lice, and other least once each day. The tissue under the parasites. When parasites are discovered, they dentures should be brushed or rubbed should be removed. regularly for proper stimulation. Removable 36 dental appliances should be removed at night spots or blisters. If you get a small blister, do or for a 2- to 3-hour period during the day. not open it. An intact blister is safe from If you have cavities, you can make infection. Apply a padding material around temporary fillings by placing candle wax, the blister to relieve pressure and reduce tobacco, aspirin, hot pepper, toothpaste or friction. If the blister bursts, treat it as an powder, or portions of ginger root into the open wound. Clean and dress it daily and pad cavity. Make sure you clean the cavity before around it. Leave large blisters intact. To placing a filling in the cavity. avoid having the blister burst or tear under pressure and cause a painful and open sore, Care of the Feet do the following. Proper care of the feet is of the utmost Obtain a sewing-type needle and a clean important in a survival situation, especially if or sterilized thread. the survivor has to travel. Serious foot trouble Run the needle and thread through the can be prevented by observing the following blister after cleaning the blister. simple rules: Detach the needle and leave both ends The feet should be washed, dried of the thread hanging out of the blister. thoroughly, and massaged each day. If water The thread will absorb the liquid inside. is in short supply, the feet should be “air This reduces the size of the hole and cleaned” along with the rest of the body (fig. ensures that the hole does not close up. 2-3). Toenails should be trimmed straight Pad around the blister. across to prevent the development of ingrown toenails. Clothing and Bedding Boots should be broken in before wearing them on any mission. They should fit Clothing and bedding can have disease properly, neither so tight that they bind and germs which may be present on the skin, in cause pressure spots nor so loose that they the stool, in the urine, or in secretions of the permit the foot to slide forward and backward nose and throat. Therefore, keeping clothing when walking. Insoles should be improvised and bedding as clean as possible will to reduce any friction spots inside the shoes.