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Activity and Outing Emergencies/Safety Issues

What Will You Do?
click here for part 1

1) While gardening one of the clients picks up a catepillar. Unfortunately, the catepillar was equipped with venom in its spines. The client received a painful sting and reacted with a whitish lesion on his skin. What can you do to prevent catipillar stings and to treat the injury?

"Every caterpillar is equipped with its own protective device, but most are harmless. Looks can be deceiving; some very ugly looking caterpillars will not sting when touched. It is extremely difficult for most people to identify the harmful species of caterpillars, so it is advisable to avoid picking up any of these creatures with your bare hands. Be sure to caution children about playing with insect larvae, as they are usually more sensitive to the venom than adults.

You must first wash the area thoroughly to remove the tiny hairs. Be careful not to scratch or rub the area, as this could cause the hairs to further penetrate the skin. If the hairs are large enough to be seen, you can remove them with tweezers, otherwise it is generally advisable to use adhesive tape.

Antihistamines are usually ineffective, but you can apply an ice pack or baking soda poultice to help reduce the pain and prevent swelling. If a severe reaction occurs, see a physician immediately. Very young, aged, or unhealthy individuals are more likely to suffer severe reaction symptoms, and medical precautions should be taken."

From SecurityWorld.com
for complete information go to http://www.securityworld.com/

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2) While fishing, one of your clients casts and the hook gets caught in another person's hand. How can you prevent such an accident and how do you safely remove the hook?

"Each type of fishing has its own unique casting technique, however, each one requires a clear area behind the caster. For example, fly casters need up to 30 feet of space behind them, and bait casters need plenty of clear side space.

Wearing a sturdy pair of gloves, and using a hook extractor, wire cutter or needle nose pliers can help.

From SecurityWorld.com
http://www.securityworld.com/

Removing the hook

When a hook's point and barb are protruding out the skin, it's easier to cut off the barb and back the hook out of the wound-this is when those sharp wire cutters come in handy.

The best method that seems to be recognized by most experienced hook remover professionals and even by some doctors is called the snatch method. No matter where the hook ends up this method works.

This method is quick, simple and relatively painless, as long as you get it on the first try. The secret to a first time success is yanking the loop of line, which is wrapped around the embedded hook, rather hard so the hook comes out on the first try. The reason you should get it out on the first try is obvious, the patient might not stick around for a second try.

The snatch method of hook removal is simple and effective, It's the best method to remove a hook that's deeply imbedded in the skin and when the barb is buried.

To perform the snatch method when the barb is imbedded, all that's needed is a short length of fishing line, at least 10 pound test, approximately 2 feet long.

1) Remove hook from lure. 2) Double the fishing line and loop it around the hook, as close to the skin's surface as possible. 3) Hold onto both ends of the doubled line, wrapping them around your hand for a firm grip and holding the line parallel to the skin's surface in line with the hook. 4) With your other hand, press the eye of the hook down onto the surface of the skin and back toward the hook's bend, as if trying to back the hook out of the wound. 5) While pressing on the hook eye, yank the line sharply, parallel to the skin and in line with the hook, to snap the hook back out of the wound. 6) Apply antibiotic ointment, bandage wound and check to make sure tetanus shots are current.

From Boatsafe.com
http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/012598tip.htm

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3) You are planning a hike through the woods. How can you protect yourself and your group from West Nile disease?

The CDC recommends taking the following precautions:

-Stay indoors at dawn, dusk, and in the early evening.

-Use screens on doors and windows to keep mosquitoes from entering your home. You should also repair broken or damaged screens.

-Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever you are outdoors.

-Spray clothing with repellents containing permethrin or DEET because mosquitoes can bite through thin clothing. For children, choose a repellent that contains no more than 10%
DEET; in higher concentrations, the chemical, which is absorbed through the skin, can be toxic to children. Be sure to read and follow the directions on the label.

-If you apply insect repellent to exposed skin, do so sparingly. Do not apply repellent to your child's hands, as it can cause irritation if she touches her eyes or mouth.

-Don't rely on vitamin B or ultrasonic devices to prevent mosquito bites - neither has been proven effective.

-Be sure to eliminate mosquito-breeding areas around your home by removing standing water from gutters, old tires, birdbaths, wading pools, tarps, potted plants, and other outside buckets and pails.

From Kids Health for Parents
http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/outdoor/west_nile.html

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4) You are engaged in a cooking activity (in your facility or outside at a picnic or while camping) with clients. Sanitation is very important. What sanitation rules will you set for your cooking class?

Wash hands frequently. Especially:

before eating and cooking.
after using the bathroom.
after blowing one's nose, coughing, or sneezing.
after being outside (playing, gardening, etc.).
after touching hair, table tops, using cleaning supplies.

Demonstrate proper hand washing technique:

1) Wash your hands in warm water, which kills germs better than cold water. Make sure the water isn't too hot for little hands.

2) Use soap and lather up for about 10 to 15 seconds (antibacterial soap isn't necessary - any soap will do). Make sure you get "in-between" places like between the fingers and under the nails (where uninvited germs like to hang out). Don't forget the wrists!

3) Rinse and dry well with a clean towel.

From Kids Health for Parents
http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/home/hand_washing.html

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Additional Resources
Prepare.org

click here for part 1

 

 

 

 

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